Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert TERMINATED

At this morning's regular meeting of the Quartzsite Town Council, sitting members convened in executive session to discuss the contract of controversial Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. They reconvened and voted to terminate his contract without cause, and pay the provisions of his severance. A reported buy out of $116,000. Vice Mayor Jewitt abstained from the vote, because his step son Tim Ryder is the paid assistant to Chief Gilbert. Councilwoman Carol Kelley abstained, which counts as a "yes" vote. Remaining Council voted unanimously.

No mention was made of who will lead the Department as Interim Chief, or to begin advertising for a replacement, leaving many wondering whether council members thought the decision through, or if those things had been discussed in a Councilman Orgeron orchestrated secret meeting. It is anticipated that the Arizona Department of Public Safety may send someone, and Sheriff John Drum appears willing to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement to take over services permanently.

In other news, School Board Member Monica Timberlake was appointed to fill the council seat vacated by the resignation of Patricia Workman.

See also:
http://www.kpho.com/story/23763023/quartzsite-ousts-embattled-police-chief

Ehrenburg teacher arrested, fired by School Board

In a press release issued yesterday from the Quartzsite Elementary School Board:
 

"During an open meeting held on Thursday, July 25, 2013, the Quartzsite Elementary School Governing Board voted to terminate  Ehrenberg Elementary School teacher, Russell A. Williams, after finding he was in violation of A.R.S. §15-550 and Governing Board policy GBEB. Mr. Williams was arrested on July 17, 2013, and failed to immediately contact his supervisor to notify her of the arrest."

If you have information regarding Mr. Williams, you may contact the Riverside County District Attorney's Office by calling 951-955-5400 or toll-free at 888-374-1235.  You may also contact Superintendent Jacque Price at 928-923-7900 or the La Paz County Sheriff's Office at 928-669-9560.  "

http://www.jailbase.com/en/arrested/ca-rcsd/2013-07-17/russell-arlos-williams-201331710

 

The decision followed the July arrest of Russell Arlos Williams for lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under 14 and sending/possessing obscene material. Williams taught 5th and 6th grade students at Ehrenberg Elementary School, Quartzsite Elementary School District #4, and is a resident of Blythe, CA. He was arrested in Indio, CA. None of the victims listed in the criminal complaint are from the Blythe, CA or Ehrenburg, AZ area. Williams was released on $55,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on 9-23-13 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.