#2: Donna Jones - cell phones 

 There are unlimitted personal calls at no additionall expence. There is a law that protects gov agencies, group phone service for gov is unlimited calling. If you look at the list of County employees who have cell phones, you would think there  would be a law that protect the citizen from the government from their unlimited taxing plan. Do you think we have nutritional service emergencies? Go to our website and see the list of emplyees who have cell phones. gila1019.com in the news section. I think as a community, on this subject, we should be done demanding answers and start demanding change.  

#3: Susan K - Re: cell phones 

 I can't imagine the mindset that can deny raises to most (but not all - you can reclassify as a "specialist" - formerly known as "clerk" or add "administrative" to your title) of their employees for SIX YEARS, but can justify handing out Droids and Blackberries to almost half of the employees and their families; purchase fully-loaded Explorers at $30k a pop for take-home vehicles (41+ OF THEM!) in violation of state law; and give $15,000 raises to the Personnel -excuse me, Human Resources - Director.  The raise was due, I am told, because she assumed the Risk Management duties.  However, the Director who gave up that chore ALSO received a $15,000 raise, and the two employees who originally were hired as Risk Managment Analyst and Risk Management Administrator were given two newly created positions "so they didn't lose their jobs".  So much for the hiring freeze and the wage freeze... there have been multiple new positions created.  It isn't about saving money, it's about a sense of entitlement - the Silent Majority can do without, so long as the people calling the shots can have their free vehicles, their free phones, their raises and their Wii games, big screen TVs and whatever else they feel entitled to... they will just raise your taxes EVERY YEAR to pay for it, and cut out cost of living raises for the average worker.  Viola! More money to toss out the window, and if anyone protests, well they should just be grateful they have a job.  REGISTER TO VOTE!  GET OUT AND VOTE!  AND VOTE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OUT!  Our personnel director - excuse me, Human Resources Director - doesn't pay one penny of property taxes to Gila County, her children do not go to school here, she doesn't live in this County, doesn't shop in this County and has absolutely nothing to lose if it all goes down the toilet.  The tax increases to pay her don't affect her in any way. I can't help but wonder why she has to drive 100+ miles each way to go to work - didn't anyone in Maricopa or Pinal County feel she was a desirable candidate?  Or was Gila County the only one to recognize what a bargin she is?  When that department was staffed by only 2 people, it ran a lot more efficiently - it seems doubling the staff halved the performance. And there is that pesky little statute regarding public records - all emails and correspondence and telephone logs are supposed to be public record.  Is the need for the Droids and Blackberries about "improved customer service" - despite those numbers being unavailable to anyone or is it about circumventing the statutes regarding public records?  Hmmm.... they wouldn't do that, would they?