Last Minute Election Info

Today is the last day to vote for the Trailside Point Block Watch Board of Directors. If you haven't already cast your vote, please do so via the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/
s.aspx?sm=55uVnUGqQOKk34p6t3Vs5A_3d_3d

Please note: You may have received an email last night stating there was a new voting link established because we hit maximum participation. However, it was not clearly stated that if you already voted using the initial link that you should not vote again.

So please only vote once. Double entries will be evaluated and disqualified as necessary. The reason for the new link is that Survey Monkey (the place hosting our online vote) only allows a maximum of 100 survey responses for the "free" version. So we established a second ballot survey so that we could receive more than 100 responses.

If you have any questions, please contact Dave King, who is coordinating the election, at trailsidepointblockwatch@yahoo.com.

"Crystal Darkness" - April 15th @ 6:30 PM on all major TV networks

PROGRAM ON DANGERS OF METH

On April 15, 2008, from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., nearly every network-affiliated and independent Arizona television station will simultaneously broadcast a shocking and in-depth documentary on the dangers of Crystal Meth entitled Crystal Darkness.


Some interesting facts about Crystal Meth:

• In 2003, 42% of females and 38% of men booked into Maricopa County jail tested positive for methamphetamine.
• Roughly 65% of Arizona state child abuse and neglect cases involved meth use.
• 30-35% of meth labs seized are residences with children.
• In 2006, Meth use rose to: 2.6% amongst 8th graders; 5.0% amongst 10th graders; and 6.6% amongst 12th graders.
• Meth is the leading drug law enforcement problem in the U.S.

Source: http://www.silentwitness.org/crystaldarkness/azcdfactsheet.pdf


Crystal Darkness Flyer: English / En Espanol
Visit the website www.crystaldarkness.com for additional information.

Block Watch Elections

Dear Trailside Point Block Watch members,

Elections for the seven Block Watch Board of Directors positions are now open until April 30, 2008!

To vote for members of the Block Watch Board of Directors, please follow this link to the Official Online Ballot

http://www.surveymonkey.com/
s.aspx?sm=55uVnUGqQOKk34p6t3Vs5A_3d_3d

You are allowed to vote only once and you are required to enter your full name and lot number and/or full address. Entries with incomplete names or addresses will not be counted and all ballots are subject to verification.

If you are unable to vote online, you are welcome to visit the Mesquite Manor sales office at 6822 W Darrel Rd. The Centex sales representatives have graciously agreed to keep blank ballots and a ballot box there for you to submit your vote.

Please visit message board link below to view candidate statements and to ask candidates questions.

http://www.trailsideblockwatch.org/
phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=213

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dave King at TrailsidePointBlockWatch@yahoo.com

Upcoming Block Watch Meeting - Tuesday, Apr 8, 7pm-8:30pm

TRAILSIDE POINT BLOCK WATCH
MEETING AGENDA
APRIL 8, 2008

I. Capital Expenditures and Technology (Dave P, Bill)
A. Paint Sprayer
B. Sandblaster
C. Cameras

II. Update on Light Installation Proposal (Dawn)

III. Discussion of Block Party Pilot Project (Darby/Dave K)
A. Description of Event
B. Attendance - Were you able to reach out to any new people?
C. Costs

IV. Home Safety Equipment (Matt C)
A. Bump Keys
B. Shatter Resistant Window Coatings

V. School Liaison Report - John Dubois

VI. Discussion of Election Procedures (Founders)
A. Online Voting
B. Paper Ballots

VII. Candidate Statements

VIII. Closing Remarks and Designation of Next Meeting Place

Graffiti Legislation

Dear Block Watch member and any other citizen of Arizona concerned about the growing graffiti epidemic,

This year the state legislature developed three bills that would help curb graffiti in our state, here is a brief summary of each:

HB2819 - makes it illegal to posses any graffiti implement (aerosol cans, indelible markers, etc) without express permission of the property owner
HB2701 - Limits the display of potential graffiti tools in retail stores to one of the three options; in line of sight of cashier, behind locked doors, or an area that has electronic surveillance. (Currently some cities have laws like this, but it is not a statewide law)
HB2740 - If a juvenile is guilty for a second offense of graffiti, then the court will order the juvenile's parent or guardian to assist the juvenile in the performance of the community restitution.

These all sound like good sensible bills, right? Well, HB2819 and HB2701 didn’t go very far and now they are dead bills. There is a way for the legislature to bring them back though, but the deadline to do so is next week, so time is limited! We need a critical mass to demonstrate to our elected state officials that we support HB2740 and that we want HB2819 and HB2701 to be brought back.

If you want these bills to become law you need to e-mail, call, and or visit each of the pertinent state legislators listed below and tell them to;

a. “support HB2740”; this is an excellent way to get parental involvement where it is sorely needed. This will hold accountable those who have ultimate responsibility of these kids.

b. “bring back HB2819 and HB2701 as striker amendments”. The state needs a law that makes it a crime to carry graffiti implements when there is no good reason to do so. Think about it, who carries that kind of stuff around; professionals and workers who have a valid use for it, or kids and criminals who are up to no good. There is also a statewide need to make graffiti implements inaccessible to would-be graffiti criminals. We need to cut off these criminals at the source and we need our public safety officers to have more authority to take action against these criminals.

Tell them you are tired of gangs, graffiti artists, and taggers who deface your property, your schools, your buildings, and your highways. Tell them that you want statewide legislation written about this serious problem NOW!

Chad Campbell - HB2819, HB2701, HB2740 sponsor chcampbell@azleg.gov (602) 926-3026

Ben R. Miranda – Laveen area State Representative bmiranda@azleg.gov (602) 926-4893
Cloves C. Campbell, Jr. – Laveen area State Representative clcampbell@azleg.gov (602) 926-3042
Leah Landrum Taylor – Laveen area State Senator llandrumtaylor@azleg.gov (602) 926-3830
Tim Bee - Senate President tbee@azleg.gov (602) 926-5683
Thayer Verschoor - Senate Majority Leader tverschoor@azleg.gov (602) 926-4136
Marsha Arzberger - Senate Minority Leader marzberger@azleg.gov (602) 926-4321
Jim Weiers - Speaker Of The House jweiers@azleg.gov (602) 926-4173
Tom Boone – House Majority Leader tboone@azleg.gov (602) 926-3297
Phil Lopes – House Minority Leader plopes@azleg.gov (602) 926-3278

Please pass this e-mail to anyone else that wants to help eliminate graffiti.

Sincerely,

David King

Trailside Point Block Watch