I used to live in needles and it would be nice if it would change to a diffrent state.

We’ve been in this area for over 30 years, on the Arizona side. It would be great for the town of Needles if they could benefit from the growth in our area. It’s sad to see it getting smaller and looking more like a poor sister each year. We’d love to have them join Arizona or even Nevada!

What Needles needs is a good old fashioned Boston Tea Party!!! I too grew up in Needles. My grandfather helped to build Route 66. He was also an engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad. In fact, many of my relatives have worked for the Santa Fe, some still do (BNSF) and work out of Needles. My mother worked for the Needles Municipal Hospital, before it moved up on the hill. Yeah, I got roots there.

It’s a fact that San Bernardino County was giving little attention to Needles. Case in point: The Colorado River Medical Center (CRMC). While it was being managed by a private industry health care provider, Lifepoint Hospitals, Inc. (LP), LP built their own hospital right across the river in Arizona. This was in direct competition with CRMC. Although LP managed/owned both locations, Arizona was less restrictive and a plus for LP was that they own the AZ facility. LP then made plans to downgrade CRMC is an “Urgent Care” facility and provide only limited acute care (and to drop the full Acute Care License at CRMC). LP even gave a powerpoint presentation (ppt) to show how the Arizona facility and the CRMC facility would be sister facilities (all the while moving emergency equipment to the Arizona hospital from Neeldes hospital).

The City of Needles didn’t want this and approached San Bernardino County about taking over management of the CRMC. San Bernardino County turned around and contacted the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) to have them manage CRMC and operate is as a…an urgent care facility… providing only limited acute care. In fact, ARMC presented a ppt that was the mirror image of the LP presentation! Side fact: ARMC had a $106 million defecit in the 3rd. quarter of CY 06! Much of the emergency equipment that was taken to Arizona by LP was purchased w/Calif/Fed. medical grant money w/San Bernardino County as the fiscal agent who is responsible for oversight of the allotted money. San Bernardino County never held LP accountable for the loss of the equipment!!! It’s clear that LP, San Bernardino County, and ARMC were working together to bleed Needles. Now add in the fact that the county controls the police. Needles has to pay the San Bernardino County for law enforcement protection (which is the basic duty of the San Bernardino Sheriff anyway), sound familiar? Normally, if you do not live in a city which has a police force, the county and state are responsible for police actions. So, when you stand back and look at the whole picture, its clear to see that the people of Needles are tired of being manulipated, blead, and pretty much taxed w/out representation!

No wonder they want to leave California! Too bad…who will help them? Answer: No one, they are on their own and the only choices are to stand up and fight or go on being bullied by private industries, crooked (local) politicians, and county governments. The current elected officials have undertaken a huge responsibility of fixing decades of problems and need as much support as they can muster.

When I along with my family traveled cross country on Route 66 back in 1969 on our way to California, we stopped in Needles for the night before entering California. I didnt realize then that Needles was part of California. I now live in Ft. Mohave just 25 miles or so from Needles. Needles at that time was like an old western town we thought, with us looking for a sheriff to shoot it out with a bar patron, so we thought. While living in the Los Angeles area of California for over 30 years the only thing I could remember about Needles was the heat. Not much different were I live now. Needles appeared to be prospering at that time but I believe with the 40 Freeway cutting its way through Needles created all that deparity. By it becoming a part of Arizona or Nevarda will not change anything. The township of Needles needs to change and the state of California needs to help. Surely as some of the people of Needles who travel accross the bridge into Az. or Nv. for their entertainment or whatever could find it right there in their own backyards if city council would help. I myself use some services in Needles because I cant find them in my area.

I have the opportunity to visit Needles every week. Yes gas prices are extremely high there, but what do you expect for a highway town? Take a look at their hospital. The big shots wanted to close it down because it was not making any money. The town takes it over and bingo… it starts making money… just shows you how much the big brass skims off of the top to keep themselves looking good, while the lowly peons have tos suffer. I do not blame them for wanting to seceed. If I lived there, I would be voting for it. If they join either AZ or NV, then they will have to answer to more big brass. I say, let them form their own county, and let them govern themselves and watch them grow like wildfire. And if people on this blog, would stick to the original story, then perhaps blogs would go through faster. JMHO

I have lived in Bullhead City and Willow Valley Az, across Needles for the past 17 years. Needles is the entrance into Az.

Over the years I have always seen Needles as dirty, slums and crime infested. It needs to be cleaned up! There are so many homes there that are in dire need of a makeover, garbage needs to be cleaned up and crime there needs to get handled. It is not safe. Maybe for the locals it is all ok but for the rest it is not.

There are so many problems with the hospital, if it’s still operating, and used to be excellent care. But politics got in the way. I was almost attacked there one night while traveling and getting a hold of police was an act of god! I’m sorry but Needles reminds me of Watts in Ca.

Now if Needles was to become part of Az or Nv then one of them have to pick up the bill to clean up Needles. We in Bullhead feel that Ca. needs to step up to the plate and take care of an historical town. Every state has them. But why should we go in and clean that mess up when local residents don’t even do that for themselves by maintaining the homes? I’m not talking about the homes that sit up on the hill either.

I don’t think that you should go after another state to get funding and cheaper taxes when you should go after your own and fight them to do their job and get what you pay taxes for. You have the highest gas prices and people don’t realize that all they have to do is come over the bridge and it’s a lot cheaper. Worth the drive.

Needles is why we are the Tri-State area. Getting a new state to “adopt” you would change history. The money that it would cost to change everything from maps to history books, not to mention geographical costs and legal costs… This is outrageous! Use the money to beautify Needles and draw tourist’s in. Needles can stand as a town of it’s own with good people that live there and are fighting for change. But you need to change Needles first.

well if you let that town grow long before california rules and regulations started it probably grew long long time ago. right next to interstate 40 and was the biggest town before, this was the town should have grown long before laughlin or bullhead city. you are day late and $$$$ short. there was certain group of local politics and local business owner who did not want other larger business and companies come into town because they owned 1/2 of business in town. more bigger companies and business less money for them and they can’t live outside of needles because they are nothing, nobody when you go to big cities. here you could be a big shot.
next, i know how these peoples think, yes we wanna be part of you NV or AZ and if state government wants it this way or that way than they (city council) would say get the hell out of our state we wanna be CA again. small town small mind. last person leaving town please turn off the lights

Susan-

Do you happen to still catch the reruns of Matlock Sundays on the Hallmark Channel, along with Diagnosis Murder? Did you know both shows are produced and created by the same person, Dean Hargrove.

By any chance have you also seen Walker Texas Ranger?

thank you Needles Native–

Susan-AZ:
Yes, SBSO = San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office

Is SBSO the Sheriff’s department?

Brad-

I loved Matlock! LOL

I have to leave here but later this afternoon, I will wander over to Janice’s and see what is going on!

xxx

Betty & Don/Needles:
If I may correct you…that was MANY years ago that Needles began contracting services from the SBSO. And our society was very different MANY years ago. Things have changed. If you are relying solely on the local paper for your information, again, you are misinformed. Please feel free to peruse the police logs at the SBSO for a more accurate picture. Does your estimated $2,000. annual savings per family for a City run police force include: $1 million estimated transition costs to a municipal police dept., $1.3 to $2 million “starting” operating budget, equipment purchase and upkeep costs, rising Workman’s Comp fees, liability coverage to the City for any claims against the City resulting from an officer-involved shooting, accident, etc. (both from the public and officers)? The Council also obviously realizes that the City doesn’t have the means to manage running a full service police force or it wouldn’t have already discussed contracting out dispatch services and forensics to the Mojave Tribal Police Force. How much is that going to cost? Needles is a great place to live but it’s not Mayberry. And YOU weren’t here “back when”. So…again, please feel free to try to negotiate a better contract but the SBSO works well for us.

Your statement: “Wouldn’t you rather have the will of the people re-instated”
My answer: Yes, so start listening to the people who are talking to you outside of just your fellow Council members. It’s time that personal agendas be set aside.

Back to the main subject at hand: Secession…bad idea, not enough support, money or expertise to pull it off.

Susan-

Speaking about Mayberry, remember Andy Griffith in that lawyer show Matlock? He still had a lot of energy, even in his later years.

Susan-

Please let me know when you post something on Janice’s Blog. Because i want to show you a topic we are discussing on there.

Also check out Alisyn’s blog if you have some free time.

I hope you arent affected by those wildfire up in AZ. I just heard about it, apparently it started by a hiker who was lost, and started it to get the rescuers attention. But i guess it got out of hand and spread.

It reminds me of all the wildfires down in CA. I heard the air quality down there is really bad, definately not good for people with lung problems.

Brad–

I will have to check out Janice’s again– I like her– I love her weather reports and the pictures she posts! LOL

Did I hear Mayberry? I am moving there!

Now between the two of you– Betty/Don and Needles/Native, I call this a interesting debate– And well written!

xxx

To Needles Native,

I don’t think a town the size of “Mayberry” needs 17 police officicers and a dog to catch the occasional kid breaking a window. Please feel free to read our police logs posted in our local paper. We have very little crime and did not have it even when we had our own city run police department. For example, on june 25 according to the local paper there was no reports taken last friday night. Saturday night some kids were fighting, a report was taken –no injuries– no arrests. Sunday a case of beer was reported stolen–WOW!!!! call out the police dog!!! and all officers.. Several years ago the people voted two to one to keep our city run police dept and not to contract with the county. The City Council went against the voters wishes, dismantled the city run police dept and contracted with the County. Wouldn’t you rather have the will of the people re-instated and the savings(up to $2,000 per household annually) applied to a reduction in your electric bill? With a population of less than 2,500 adults “Andy & Barney wouldn’t know what to do with 17 officers and a dog!!!

Patty-

You definately have to make some time to check out Janice’s and Alisyn’s blog. Because i have posted some grerat topics for discussion over there, and i noticed some of them didnt appear right here, and i have tried many times. So please try and check them out whenever.

Greta is not the reason for that blog turning sour, its just the people that posts there. Often times i have seen her post interesting topics, but i am afraid to respond fearing bashing from those posters.

Susan-

Why dont you consider posting more often on Janice’s blog. Because i posted some great topics for discussion that cant seem to appear right here.

Brad–

this is why I quit posting over at Greta’s– because of all the name calling– I still wander over there and read her threads– she puts up some interesting ones-

Needles Native–

My AC bill is awful too– And I try to conserve as well!! But I can’t fight the heat here– and I refuse to be uncomfortable but I don’t run my AC as some others do– I have a neighbor who has her AC on 74– it is so frigging cold when I walk into her house!! totally absurd and what a waste!

Brad, Greta’s didnt used to be like that. Some of us here are greta originals (if thats what you wanna call us, i for one dont even like to be associated with the name anymore). I ran from there many many months ago. I don’t agree with rudeness, foul comments, bashing people because of a comment. etc. Many here have followed Adam from the start, and only on a few occasion’s have things gotten out of hand. Adam does well at telling people when they’ve strayed too far from the subject or when they’ve stepped over the line. We tend to agree to disagree around here, and it seems to work.
As LDG would say, “Adam is a very gracious host!”
He treats us well, we in turn try not to take advantage of the freedom he gives us. (under normal blog circumstances)

Comment by Susan–AZ
June 30th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
@Adam

For The Shadow knows!

Don’t be silly Susan, there really isn’t a dude dressed in black. Everyone know he wears red.

And: Yes, i miss our converstations too. Hopefully we get it back soon.

Sylvia-

You should also consider posting at Janice Dean’s blog, as well as Alisyn Camerota’s. Those are just as good as this one.

I think this blog is moderated for a reason, to keep hate filled and nasty comments from appearing. I never post on Greta Wire, simply because they are so much arguments and people calling each other names, like some immature children.

Its the same with another blog i post in, i got bashed by some person and everyone else joined in, because i posted a simple response about the 6 Flags them park incident.

Betty & Don/Needles:
My comment: “Many of these employees (County & State) DO live and own property in Needles.” My scope here was obviously wider than yours. Please don’t deflect attention from the issue at hand which was the potential loss of many jobs and that can never be a good thing in a small town. Those jobs will not be limited to law enforcement.

Your beef with the SBSO warrants a totally different discussion. Granted, those fee increases you referred to are also a result of what’s wrong with CA and government’s regulatory interference. But aside from getting rid of CA Workman’s Comp and AZ & NV paying lower wages, would the remainng costs really be that much different? And think about it, there’s a reason why we have such a low crime rate…good law enforcement. Go ahead and try to negotiate a better contract but don’t try to fix what isn’t broken or reinvent the wheel. The SBSO’s services work well for us.

I also think you are misinterpreting citizens wanting smart, well informed, responsible decision making as a fear of change. That just isn’t so. Change can open the doors to progress but, done recklessly, can open the doors to disaster.

Sharon Biddle:
“Utilitys/ What has happened?? You can double your electric compaired to what Arizona pays.”
You’re absolutely right about the discrepancy in utility costs as well as the other necessities of daily living. My three summer months utility bills last year were each more than my monthly mortgage payment even with my conservation measures; i.e. thermostat set at 80 degrees when home and 83 when at work, totally blocking off my dual-paned tinted windows (FYI: R-19 wall and R-30 roof insulation), running only my upstairs A/C unit and using my downstairs tile floors to hold the cool. I’ve now also replaced both my A/C units with newer, more energy efficient models and I’m already headed in the direction of last year with my bill. Of course, the City’s added power purchase adjustment fees haven’t helped either. Maybe Needles could offer the “Gov” some free land and some of our leftover water rights to bring in some of the newly evolving solar energy generation industry. Maybe even look into the also newly evolving wind energy industry and be on the leading edge for a change. The area from Bullhead City to Needles has highly rated sustainable wind flow patterns. Hmmmm…

@Adam

Contrary to some claims, there isn’t some dude dressed in black reading everything and then deciding what goes up. Got that John!

Adam
——————————————————————————————————————-

Hidden away in a sanctum in the heart of New York City, a being in black ponders beneath a blue light and chuckles slyly to himself as he peruses reports of his secret agents.

For The Shadow knows!

Adam
Why is it that ANYTHING and EVERYTHING posted on Greta Wire gets through instantly, and our clean comments here are stopped or delayed? How come we had instant posting for awhile and now we don’t? I can’t understand the reasons given so far by the tech team. Maybe you need to borrow Greta’s tech team.

Comment by Adam Housley
June 30th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Everyone-

OK, I just went from my normal state of confusion to my very confused state – I don’t understand. How are some of my posts links? Huh?

Posting to everyone. LDG this person or people have been visiting my blog for over 3 months without posting.

Adam my friend is still at home, but she is about evac as soon as they tell her it is coming. Her house is surrounded by woods.

Off to pay a tax bill!

Did anyone here see 80s week this morning on Fox And Friends. I really liked the music of that decade. What are some of your favorites? I have a lot.

I guess you all heard about that 5 year old from Alabama who was tragically killed when a generator fell on her during an air show. It really sad, it sounds like a freak accident.

KC – Hello. Nice to see you. Have been very busy and am currently in Michigan with my sis-in-law. She broke her hip four weeks ago – so I am here to ’sit’ with her! My brother is working out of state and could not leave her home alone. She is doing great and walking with just a cane already. We get out of the house everyday.

Enjoy the beach over the 4th.

Happy Independence Day to all……..

Adam or anyone with connections,

can you give me 2 tix for any of the party convetions lol? the DNC OR RNC

Susan-

Thanks for the blog link-

Who is that guy anyways? Does he work for FNC?

Judging from scanning thru a couple of his entries, it looks pretty interesting.

You should try looking at

http://www.dailygut.com/

Its a blog run by that guy who hosts Red Eye during the late night hours on FNC.

KC-

Thanks for your kind welcome. Your comments are just as interesting and informative

Sylvia-

I dont know if there is such a thing as global warming. Liberal activists such as Al Gore want to make you think its true, but yet they are hypocrites, and dont practice what they Preach.

Climate change is a natural occurance, its very hard to predict.

Maybe you should consider moving to the west coast, or Hawaii, since you know most of the people and culture over there

When you are in Needles, California, did you ever notice the gas prices?? Cross the river to Arizona and you will see that it is at least $1.00 per gallon cheaper. Why? California adds extra taxes to it.
And the same tanker can deliver the gas to both states. Who would think. And then again, the people from California that come down to the river for the sports, know that if they want to spend a day or two on the river, they will drive across and fill up on the Arizona side. Saves them a lot of money which is in short supply these days.
Taxes are so high, they build a new hospital across the river and shut down the one that was in Needles Ca. Now the city is trying to run it. Is it to late for a come back.
A lot of small family owned buiseness are suffering and trying to stay aflot.
Good old Govenor Arnold I think has a lot to do with this. Did he get voted in for who he is or what he knew??
Utilitys/ What has happened?? You can double your electric compaired to what Arizona pays. And natural gas. Don’t heat your home with it in the winter or your bill will be like your electric in the summer months. When do they get a break. When does it stop?? Sharon Biddle from Arizona

Posting this at 1:32 – never mind – hi all!

To Needles Native ( re: comments posted at 2:32am)

I’m sorry I missed your joke regarding the DMV. I still say we would be better off in Arizona with regards to this issue. At least in Arizona you can still enjoy the freedom of the road on a steet legal ATV, dirtbike or quad and feel the wind blow thru your hair with out the California helmet law that infringes upon ones personal freedom. In Arizona it is also legal to tint your cars windows to help keep your car cool in this extreme desert heat—not legal here in California.

Once again I would like to rebut in good sport some of the things you said in your last post.

1.”Losing the essence of Needles while controlling planned growth”

Planned growth!!!—what growth!!! our last city planner was such a control freak that scared away many potential developers and layed so many road blocked which created delays that ultimately caused our city to totaly miss out on the last real estate boom.

2.” County Employees do live in our City”

A survey was done with regards to how many deputies in our county run Sheriffs department actually lived in our community and would be available to respond in the event of a bridge breach. The answer is “only a few” out of the more than 17 deputy sheriffs that work out of Needles actualy live in Needles or even in this State.
This also begs the Question? In a town of a little more than 2500 adults why is the county sheriff that already maintains a sub-station for the benefit of the County insists on charging our little town more than 1.8 million dollars for law inforcement services.This fee increases every year by almost $100,000. Please note that we have experienced virtually no real crime in this community over the past decade. As you eluded to regarding our out of control city budget, some of the excessive expenses are inflicted upon us by the county and not by our own choosing. If we chose to live within our means by reducing services and creating our own small police force,(keeping in mind that the County run Sheriffs station will still remain in our city and still book and process our inmates) the citizens who fear change will freak out!!!

I have more to say but I have run out of time.

Thank you folks for reading my rant and thank you Needls Native for sparking this discussion.

@LDG-

You NEVER cease to amaze me!

Brad–

yes– I heard about the tragedy which happened here!

K2— LOL and thank you!

Jen– you need to audition for IDOL- Love your voice– so much talent!

Max– I miss our instant conversations too!

Sylvia– Your husband yelled at me and told me to stop sending smoke signals–

And a good day to all!!!

drat.

nope, still not realtime.

Be well and safe, All
((departs))

hrm? less than 1 hour to get a post through…

worth a second try just to see if it was a fluke of luck.

Good morning everyone

Brad – welcome to the blog – very interesting comments

Karen2 (pure) good to see your post – It has been awhile

We (California) as of this morning have 1400 fires burning due to the lightning and thunder storms over the weekend. Terrible – The air all around is very hazy and unhealthy. We checked on our place in the mountains over the weekend – all OK and all property has been cleared, but getting very dry – so God willing – all will stay safe there. Headed to our place on the beach for the holiday weekend-hopefully the air quality will be better with the fog and sea mist.

Adam – keep expecting to see you on TV regarding all of our fires, but hopefully with your asthma, you will not be called upon to use your red bag.

**** 2nd try, the wheels just kept spinning….grrrrrr

Greetings Adam and All who gather here.

Sylvia- yes the humidity is gone here in Northern KY – nice relief!!

Susan – the only rain song I can think of relates to the recent malfunctions of the blog here…
Don’t Rain on my Parade! ♫♫♫♫

Y’all have a good day!

Susan: Well it’s kind of hard to have conversations here, so it’s not as easy to spend so much time here. Plus my internet has stopped going off and on, and is just really really slow instead.

Greetings Adam and All who gather here.

Sylvia- yes the humidity is gone here in Northern KY – nice relief!!

Susan – the only rain song I can think of relates to the recent malfunctions of the blog here…
Don’t Rain on my Parade! ♫♫♫♫

Y’all have a good day!

as I need to reply to something anyhow,

…monday morning test post…

now then, when ever this gets through…

@Susan-AZ and Kathy in Texas

re: “@LDG– if when you are around, click on Kathy’s name and read the comment left by a person from South Korea, please– It is on Kathy’s post, Voters Secret Part 2.”

saw it, read it. First reaction is “And this is posted on Kathy’s ‘blog — WHY?” Second reaction is that there is no news there. All the Chaebol (South Korean Mega-conglomerates based on the pre-WWII Zaibatsu system) are corrupt as all get-out by Western Standards, and always have been.

Clearly who ever post it is either: (a) desperate, amateurish, and really wants help but who has no idea what end or method that help would be about; or (b) an agitator-propagandist attempting to seed innocent weblogs with a message hostile to Samsung… could be just spamming, could be targeting people whose ‘blogs are linked to some public site the author actually intends to influence… like oh say some FOXNews reporter’s ‘blog.

IF this is worth running to ground, let me know. Susan has a way to reach me off-this-’blog. Of course with my recent batting average of about .200 for helping people find things they ask of me, you might *not* want to ask. ((laugh))

ok, posting this off into the vastness of WordPress Land now…

Good Morning All!

Can only stop by for a second. Hope all is well with everyone.

Susan, NO moving to Switzerland! The USA cannot afford to lose you! And, Adam needs his assistant.

Good Morning from chilly Ohio. Only 64 here and will just make it up to low 70’s today. What happened to summer? What happened to global warming?

Hope this blogging mess gets straightened out soon because I’m having a hard time reading the smoke signals Susan and Patty are sending me.

ONE MORE TEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I’m donneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Patty–

Let’s chill on the smoke signals to Sylvia– I was just watching our local Fox– Five hikers just started a big fire somewhere here in Az– Apparently they got lost and decided to start a SOS fire and now there is evacuation in this area!

Looks like we have some fires going on here! Chara!

How is it in CA, Adam?

Jen– do some rain singing! LOL

Ah Bill don’t get me started on Perry again and business taxes. Texas used to be the best state left! But with Perry we got the TTC and business taxes. There is a part of me that thinks Kinky would have done a better job.

Kathy Texas—

You know what! LDG would be the one who would know about this! I was just about ready to close my computer down and I was thinking about the message the person left on your blog– and light went on in my head– LDG would definitely know about this!

@LDG– if when you are around, click on Kathy’s name and read the comment left by a person from South Korea, please– It is on Kathy’s post, Voters Secret Part 2.

Arigatou- I am interested in reading your comments about this person’s comment as you seem to always give the heads up on what is for real and not!

oyasumi nasai to me now!

xxxxxx

Hey Brad–

Here is a site which you might like– the guy who runs it humbles himself– he is more than just a cop-

http://www.philosophicalcop.com

I met him here on Adam’s and I go visit him now and then– He has great stories and I think he is fair and balanced– He is open to comments and seems to see both sides!

Check it out!

xxxxx

Kathy-

Thanks for the heartwarming welcome. You are a kind soul.

Did anyone here see the horrific death of that 20 year old supermodel who supposedly jumped to her death from a NYC highrise? I wonder if it was murder or a suicide? It seems very unusual and fishy.

Susan-

I think you should try and go back to school if you have the free time, and take a Criminal Justice class. I think it would be a really awesome experience, to learn about all the advances in technology, and how DNA can solve cold cases instantly, even convict a person for a murder.

I hope you werent affected by that deadly medical airplane collision that happened earlier today in AZ. 7 people are confirmed dead. It was on the FoxNews updates all night, and Geraldo At Large.

You hear about this stuff happening frequently with those small planes. It just goes to show you how safe those things really are.

Kathy Texas–

I did check it out– and what a story!! Your new blogger and her fear of being busted for blogging– reminds me of the Chinese who can’t use the internet for Free Speech!

Adam– are you aware of the Samsung corruption/South Korea? Or have you been racking your brains out trying to figure out this wordpress nuisance? Hopefully, you are getting more rest than stress!

xxxx

@Betty & Don/Needles:

You mis-read a couple of things in my post:
1. “and we’d even have to deal with DMV issues (that in itself would kill the deal for me).” That comment didn’t have anything to do with “mo’ money”. That was a joke (guess I should have used an emoticon). Nobody likes to deal with the DMV regardless of cost.

2. “We are currently only using about 800 acre feet of those rights so there’s still lots of room for growth and industry.” That doesn’t sound like anti-growth sentiment to me. One caveat: I DO think it’s important not to lose the essence of what makes Needles…well, Needles while controlling planned growth. Obviously an enterprise zone might be of help but I don’t think it is necessary to seceed in order to accomplish this.

Your comments re: County & State jobs:
1. “I doubt many of these types of jobs would be lost. The county and is so large that most of these jobs can be re-assigned or be hired in another state.” You obviously are not aware of the numbers involved here. Re-assigned jobs = lost jobs and lost people. Also, restricted budgets in both AZ and CA are resulting in hiring freezes for government jobs projected to last for the next few years.

2. “Many of the county and state employees that work in our city live a neighboring State and do not even invest or spend our California Tax Dollars back in our community.” And many of these employees DO live and own property in Needles. How many Needles citizens, regardless of employment or non-employmnt (ie. Welfare) spend their money in AZ or NV because of the cheaper prices? I’m sure even you are guilty of this as most of us are at one time or another.

Bottom line:
Yes, Needles needs to find a way to grow and prosper. And everyone on this blog understands the frustration…but life isn’t fair and secession isn’t the answer. It simply will create more problems than it will solve. I do appreciate your positive attitude and the support offered by fellow bloggers. A word of caution: you and the Council may consider yourselves to be “forward thinking” but if you continue to spend like you have been, there won’t be enough money in the budget to accomplish any of this, making this whole discussion moot.

To everyone else reading this blog, please understand that this is the type of discussion that needs to happen regarding secession. Regardless of the struggles, Needles remains the best place to live and raise a family. We just need to find a way to make it more business friendly and put us on an more even playing field with AZ and NV. Suggestions welcome.

I don’t blame them. I moved to Reno Nevada from southern California. I’ll never go back. Nevada is one of the last true American States left in the union. No state taxes, little gun regulation, minimal business taxes. It leaves California in the dust.

Kathy Texas–

You have a great blog going on– some very cool comments by your guests!

and Jen– yours is awesome too!

xxxx

Comment by THOMAS
June 27th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Hey, can I succeed my property in Agua Dulce, CA to france? I’ve always wanted to live in france.

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France is supposedly way expensive– I am working on moving to Switzerland with my powerball winnings– I found out and old high school friend of mine is a banker in Geneva!

Max– this is the guy I told you about– my English boyfriend! I should have stuck it out!! Dang it all!

@Eric-

Comment by Eric
June 29th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
If Barack Obama gets elected, I hope to secede from the union myself
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I just got an email with a picture– It shows the Canadian border with cars lined up to get through– the banner reads on the Canadian border—- OBAMA ELECTED–

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Patty– when this gets fixed– as I know Adam is working on it– to stop my bugging him and New York, LOL, we can always go back and complain out our usual– I can start with how hot it is! I think my AC is going too– it was making noises- grrrr!!

Sylvia– did you see my expletives in the smoke signal? Sorry! I got carried away!

@Adam–

very windy here– I am afraid to turn on the tele– I don’t want to hear about more fires! Hope it isn’t happening! Actually, I am praying!!

Betty/Don– thanks for the info on your post to Needles Native– I agree– Housing taxes are way cheaper here also! I guess I should consider myself lucky in many ways– But I wish they would finish the roads over here by me– Poor Jen and her husband had to drive on them!

Brad–

I did go to school and study Criminal Justice– Ask Jen– she saw my books! I have forgotten eveything I learned and forensics was just coming in to the picture– this would be a cool thing to study!

Max– where the heck have you been all day? xxxxxxx

Wow you guys need to read my blog. Adam I have a scoop for you Korean Samsung Corruption. Somehow I have a following Korea, I knew this but I don’t know why. Anyway yall need to read it.

Let’s see if this post faster! LOL

Hey it looks like comments are moving! This is news! I have been busy working on my blog. Adam I have to thank you for encouraging me. It has been so exciting to do it!

Welcome Brad!

Susan and Patty,
I saw your smoke signals and have sent some back to you.

If this tech stuff ever gets fixed I’m sure we’ll think of something else to complain about.

Susan-

I dont know about a Crime Scene Specialist, but i know you would be a very good in that category, with you relentless way of getting to the truth of the matter.

An ideal job for more would be either an actor or a professional skateboarder, but i guess it wasnt meant to be.

If Barack Obama gets elected, I hope to secede from the union myself. I imagine a lot of people will want to as well. I think we should take all the states with Republican govenors and make a new nation. Our disagreements with the liberals of this country run far too deeply to correct.

We’ve run for 200+ years on an Amerocentric belief that we are somehow diffeent than the rest of the world. We’re no different than the USSR. This country is falling apart, just like the Soviet Union did. The question is, do we initiate the change or let it happen naturally?

I fear if we let it happen, a lot of people are going to get hurt. We should amicably split up, just like two well-meaning adults would if their marriage failed. Only problem is, the liberals couldn’t do anything without all the rich people’s money. They need it to give to the poor and underprivileged. Their country would fail miserably in less than a decade.

Eric

In response to Needles Native.

I agree we have a wonderful small town and safe community. What is wrong with a little growth? Growth does not necessarily equate to gangs and violence. Do you really like making several 60 mile roundtrips a week to bullhead city just to purchase a nice pair of shoes or a sheet of plywood?

I also agree that secession would be very difficult to to the obvious federal and state hurdles involved. The issue of transferring our California water rights may indeed be the major obsticle that we may not be able to overcome. Even though we have identified some very big challenges involved with secession, why give up now? As you can see by this blog, there is alot of nationwide support for our community. As we continue to go forward with our research, perhaps other solutions may appear. At the very least maybe California will finally recognize this community deserving of A ENTERPRISE ZONE that can be used to put us on a level playing field with Nevada and Arizona.

I agree with many of the statements you have made regarding secession from California, however I disaree with the following:

1.” Lost county and State jobs would adversely effect our economy”.
I doubt many of these types of jobs would be lost. The county and is so large that most of these jobs can be re-assigned or be hired in another state. Many of the county and state employees that work in our city live a neighboring State and do not even invest or spend our California Tax Dollars back in our community.

2. “Property titles would have to be re-recorded costing more money”
The net increase in property values( some estimate as much as 50%) by becomming another state would far outweigh the minor title and escrow fees that may be associated with such a change .

3. “People with professional licenses would have to re-apply and re-test”.
We live in a small California outpost located more than 100 miles away from the nearest California City. Most professionals realize this and have already taken the prudent steps to hold multiple state licenses because they chose to live in a tri-state community.

4. “Local government is its own worst enemy”.
In the past this statement was true. Local government has not been flexible enough to promote growth or create change. They even imposed more new fees on business and builders that do not exist in the neighboring states. Many citizens don’t realize that they are paying on average an extra $100.00 to $200.00 per month to a city owned electric company that subsidizes the local city hall and a golf course that loses money year after year—That’s not right. 18 months ago there was a major change in the make up of the City Council. While many people are very excited about this change, some are afraid of change and new ideas.This new council is very forward thinking even to the extent of examining whether or not moving to another state would be practical or prudent!!! This new council welcomes all new and ideas and help from where ever it may come!!! Needles now welcomes growth, investment and prosperity!!!

5. “We would have motor vehicle issues costing more money”
Are you kidding me? Vehicle registration fees are far less expensive in our neighboring states and have less smog regulations. Nearly every kind of Insurance is less expensive in Arizona or Nevada. These two reasons alone should be considered as a very strong argument for change.

In conclusion, we have many issues to work on here in Needles . I believe that as long as we keep and open dialog within our city as well as outside of our city even in forums such as this blog, good things may happen in our community.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and comments.

Sylvia-

I am pretty sure you know a whole lot more about computer technology than i do. I dont even know how to make a website. And i probably dont even know how to fix all these glitches with this blog either. But i am sure that is your area of expertise

I really like you said about cruise ships and living out you dreams of seeing the world. You have a great perspective and outlook on life.

Take Care.

What does everyone here think about the cancellation of ED Hill’s show? I think she mad a mistake, and shouldnt be held accountable for it anymore.

Anyone here remember Kiran Chetry? She was a great asset when she was at FNC. Its a shame she is now at another liberal network. Maybe she can consider returning here in the near future. What do you guys think?

Northern California has been trying to separate from southern Ca for years without any luck.
The Northern part of our state, wants to separate at the bend near Tahoe so that the Northern part would be almost s square state.
The southern part would have all the big cities.
The problem is that every one would have to vote yes on both Northern and Southern Ca separating and Southern California has the most votes, say goodbye to separating.
The North would be a farming and recreation area and the Southern part would have the mess that our votes cannot correct.
You are looking at the same problem—-you can’t get the votes to do this and neither can California.
Good luck to us both. By the way, like you, Northern California has the water.

Susan, Sylvia, Jen and others….what are we going to complain about when this is fixed? *LOL*

*stoking fire*
*getting out blanket roll*
*waving blanket in smoke*

H-I *Puff* E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E!

Wow……comments are coming in faster. That’s awesome!!!!

I see LDG’s Sunday test post– relief– He is stil trying–

Betty/Don–

thanks for the answer to the crime rate– tis me who asked!

Needles Native-

We truly are the “best kept secret on the Colorado River”.

You were– not anymore! LOL

Brad–

You crack me up– you need to maybe get in as a Crime Scene Specialist! LOL

Avi– I heard!

Sylvia– Did you get my smoke signals? I sent them out!!

Comment by dc
June 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It would have been relevent to the story to relate which state Needles is currently in.

Adam’s article-

We’ve come here because some people in Needles California want to become Needles Nevada, or even Needles Arizona.
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I tend to sometimes skim over the posts and or articles and I miss some of it– LOL

I have a 2nd home in Needles, Calif. Based on things I hear and this is my opinion based of what I hear it isn’t California stopping things from happening in Needles. It is the people of Needles. They seem to like keeping it a small town and not allowing progress to come in. I had heard Wall Mart wanted to come in and other retail companies. But the people of Needles did not want that. Of course this is only my opinion.

Have a great day!!!!!

I think SAFARI is accepting my font again – ✈

It would have been relevent to the story to relate which state Needles is currently in.

Susan,
Maybe smoke signals will work better than posting.

Brad,
I know a lot about the Hawaiian islands because of my visits there. I am not a computer whiz…not even close. In fact, I am at the basic level. You have me confused with somebody else…actually, anybody else…I really am computer challenged.

Hey, anybody out there? It’s been over 8 hrs since my last post. Even businesses in Needles stay open on the weekend. Maybe we could send one of our IT people out to help you guys. That’s Needles…always ready to help a friend in need.

Sunday morning test post…

@John–

Yes– Jen did get to see my library while here!

LDG–

I hope you did your Sunday test post!

xxxx

Ted–

Needles is hotter than where I am at? El Mirage! I feel for you!

glad to know there is someone here almost my age! LOL

Jen and Patty–

Maybe WordPress should use Pony Express to get the posts through– It would be a lot faster! LOL

ISRAEL HAS JUST APPROVED A PRISONER SWAP WITH HEZBOLLAH — DEVELOPING

Good morning and Wake Up!

Have a great day all! ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

Don’t know how many hours it will take for this to post…or if it will post. Just want to say hi to all and hope we can get back to normal talking soon.

Tech Team…..HELP!!!!!!

What do you guys think about that 17 year old boy who got his head cut off at the batman roller coaster ride at a 6 flags in georgia? It was on the Fox Report earlier tonight. He apparently entered a restricted area of the ride, and some onlookers said he was looking for something he lost. What a sad and tragic story.

You hear these things happen a lot in theme parks. Remember last year when a girl got her bottom part of her legs cut off on another roller coaster ride? I think it was also at a 6 Flags.

Susan-

I heard about that murder case in Australia. It was covered many times on Greta and Geraldo At Large. It apparently happened over 3 years ago. It just goes to show you what good old fashioned police work and forensic evidence can do. Plus the outragrous stories the husband, Neil Entwistle gave to authorities.

I remember one of them was that he couldnt save his wife because his wife was too heavy, and the reason was because she had a heart condition.

Serves him right. I hope he gets the death penalty down under.

Sylvia-

Go to this site here-

http://www.mjq.net/

I found it a while back while googling for some info about Hawaii Five-0.

Its very informative, and has a very descriptive behind the scenes look at the show, plus a full summary of all the episodes.

So what are some of your favorite tv shows and movies from the 70s and 80s? I really prefer those to the current ones.

I am not really fan of CSI and any of the current programming, but i have seen it on a couple of occasions. Like you, i spend most of my time watching Fox News.

Especially those reality tv programming, i heard they are all fake and scripted by screenwriters.

Dog the Bounty Hunter is the only reality show that i like, mostly because its filmed in Hawaii. I remember reading somthing on the internet about how the bail bond headquarters is just an abandoned office building located in the Downtown area of the Island. I dont know if its true, but it definately changes the way you look at the quality of how shows are produced nowadays.

Wow, you sure know a lot about the Hawaiian Islands. I am a frequent visitor, but even i didnt know half of the infomation you shared here. You are such a smart and intelligent person, and a computer whiz when it comes to computer and website html building.

Patty-

Thanks for the link. It tells a lot of interesting facts and perspectives of the case that i havent heard before.

I heard that a soldier at Ft Bragg is being sought out as a person of interest.

That is really strange, because i just also heard that a NC newspaper printed a letter from a guy that said he was supposedly the killer, and he gave distinctive details about what was found at the crime scene, including a cryptic sign that was found inside the motel room where her body was found. He called himself a serial killer, and claimed he has murdered a dozen other people from years past.

I dont know what is happening to our human race. Maybe too much freedom can be a bad thing. Plus how many tv shows, movies, and video games nowadays are filled with gruesome violence. That doesnt help our society either. Just my thoughts.

BTW, why does the media always choose to show the rundown, dilapidated buildings that can be found in any town along the freeway? Are the normal homes too boring? Maybe you could show the million dollar homes on the river or the $300.-$500. K homes on the golf course. We have them all but, then, those are probably not the best to use for the story. Other than that, I thought you did a good job on your representation of the facts.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the river…until you cross over. “Over there” you can find oganized crime, gangs, meth labs, traffic and all the other stuff you find in the Big City. Over here, we’re still small enough to police ourselvs and our neighbors, our kids can walk or ride bikes to any place in town they need to get to, and our tight-knit community is a nice blend of multi-generational families, retirees and newcomers all looking out for each other.

Secession really isn’t a viable option for Needles. We’d lose a major number of county and state jobs that wouldn’t be replaced by another state because they already have those basic services and offices in place. Lost jobs would directly affect the few local businesses we have left and the already depressed housing market. Property titles would all have to be re-recorded in a new state (mo’ money), people having professional licenses would have to re-apply and re-test for new licenses (mo’ money), and we’d even have to deal with DMV issues (that in itself would kill the deal for me). On the bright side, because the welfare programs aren’t as lucrative in the other states, we might be able to lower our welfare population ratio and stop the hemorrhaging of our welfare system caused by AZ and NV residents claiming benefits with false addresses…just another example of how CA is broken. And another biggie…we’d lose access to 10,000 acre feet of water. We are currently only using about 800 acre feet of those rights so there’s still lots of room for growth and industry.

Needles suffers the same malady as many other cities…too much interference by government at all levels. We just need to find a better way to work with our limitations within the system. Right now, our local government is making us our own worst enemy. Yes, they’re getting us a lot of media attention, but they’re also burning bridges that will need to be rebuilt at some point if that is possible. Our remoteness is a double-edged sword; it hinders are ability to compete and discourages people from taking a good, hard look at us.

We truly are the “best kept secret on the Colorado River”. It’s so nice and peaceful here with beautiful sunsets, lots of wildlife, easy river access, a beautiful 18 hole golf course, lots of support for our youth programs, affordable housing (why stay at a motel?…buy a small house and fix it up). We’re only HOT about three months out of the entire year. The rest of the year it’s HEAVEN and that’s why we fight so fiercely, whichever side of the issue, for Needles to survive.

Adam, Adam Adam?????

Geez I feel like I went down in a holler!

Patty that is such a sad story.

Jen..you are good!!!!
That is funny.
The pony’s must have stopped to rest about 20 miles west of here.

Susan: Well in hawaii your shirt will be sticky too. Humidity is horrible, we get it here too.
Sweat works by taking heat from your skin and evaporating, but it can’t evaporate well when the humidity is near the dew point, the further from the dew point it is the more efficent sweat is.

I’ve lived in Needles 53 of my 54 years on this earth. The first 15 years no matter were we went in the USA,(and we went coast to coast north and south) every body knew of, and were Needles CA. was! Why? Hottest Place in the Nation! “AND” Gate Way to So. Cal.! Now in the last 15 years, it seems we’er just the door mat for people entering AZ. and NV. as their leaving San Bernardino County, and the state of California. Do you think the state and county care? Ya Right!

Were Is Needles? Were California, Nevada, and Arizona meet in the Mojave Valley along the Colorado River!

Is it realy HOT here? Well when I was a kid back in the 50 and 60s there was nothing between Needles Ca. and Bullhead City Az….And Laughlin Nv. What Laughlin! There was a bait shop on the river there I think! NOW? There’s what 50k to 70k people living in this Valley. Not counting the people that vacation ect. ect. So it must not be as HOT as people Think!

How did Needles Get Started? Railroad! and were just about back to being just that again!:-(

Secession? That really Needles me. Is it really needled?

Hey, perhaps Arnold could get a company to put up a bunch of solar panels on cheap land, and hook them into the grid. Might be worth some tax money to the council.

gosh, I feel cut off from the outside world!

Adam we hear you—
but we are enjoying the jocularity of it all.
aren’t we?
I know Susan is keeping me laughing, and John, well…that’s par for the course.