MOTHERS VOICE ANGER OVER DRUGS

An impassioned group of mothers appeared in a gesture of unity Monday night
when they told the Wickenburg Town Council they wanted something done about
the drug activity in town.

Led by parent and former Wickenburg Unified School District board member
Laura Bovee, a supporting group of about 40 mothers, children and concerned
citizens made sure the council got the message loud and clear.

"It's gone too far," Bovee said regarding the drug activity in Wickenburg.
"We've had kids die, and it's time for the council to listen and take action."

Two young men were murdered in Wickenburg between March and November of
2004. Although many people in the community feel drugs could have been the
motive behind the killings, that has not yet been determined.

Bovee spoke with passion as she asked the council to meet with the citizens
and the police to find ways to solve Wickenburg's drug problems. She
suggested a forum where solutions could be discussed. She said citizen
surveys were good but only a beginning, referring to a recent survey
conducted by the council through the local newspaper.

"You can't paint over this problem," Bovee said to the council. "We need to
take care of our community, and I want to be an advocate and not an
adversary. I'm willing to work with you on finding answers."

Others joined Bovee in addressing the council, including a high school
student. Krista (who didn't disclose her last name) told the council that
there was a lot of drug activity at school. She said that her friend was
recently asked if he wanted to buy drugs.

"You can't turn a corner without wondering if you're going to be asked to
buy drugs, or if you're going to be shot," she said. "Pardon me, but this
is crap."

The Municipal Skate Park is another place Krista mentioned where drug
activity exists. Drug graffiti has been seen on signs in the skating bowl
area. She was later commended by the council for her courage to speak up.

Marianne Gregg, however, may have delivered the most powerful presentation
of the night.

Gregg told the council that drug dealers and addicts live all around her,
and she cited examples of drug tragedies she has witnessed.

She told the council that even though she had done more than "her part,"
she was willing to do more.

"I've stood on the street getting license plates of drug dealers and users,
and I'm putting my life on the line," she said. "But it's a cause worth
dying for, because it's like those who are fighting and dying in Iraq."

Mayor Ron Badowski thanked the speakers and told them the recent survey in
The Wickenburg Sun determined that illegal drug use was the town's main
concern. He also told the speakers that they were all putting themselves at
risk when they start naming names.

"But we all have to stand up," he said.

Councilman Richard Creel told the audience that a discussion regarding
illegal drugs had taken place during last week's Town Council retreat
(advance) - a daylong meeting to discuss the upcoming 2005-2006 fiscal year
budget.

He said that he and Vice Mayor Bill Johnson had recently met with
Wickenburg Police Chief Tony Melendez to discuss the drug situation.

Creel told the crowd that the council will do whatever is needed to get the
situation under control. He also wanted the mothers to know that the
council was aware of their frustrations.

Melendez told the audience that he could soon be ready to meet with the
public and the council in a forum regarding the drug issue. But before he
left the council meeting to meet with a group of concerned citizens outside
for an impromptu question and answer session, he acknowledged the crisis.

"Giving my time to the kids, and this issue, is a priority for me,"
Melendez said. "The problem affects all of us, so lets meet and take
ownership."

Melendez said he hopes that forum can take place during the first week of
February. He is currently trying to schedule an appearance by the Maricopa
County Attorney's Office.

Melendez would like the public to know the process that is in place once a
person is arrested for drugs or other crimes.

Melendez said he is anxious to meet with the public. He is also in the
process of trying to hire four officers to get the department fully
staffed. A series of testing must be performed before an officer can be hired.

Last July, the department was able increase the starting pay in order to
keep up with competing salaries at neighboring municipalities. Existing
officers were also given pay raises.

Once a meeting date and time has been set, that information will be
announced in The Wickenburg Sun. The meeting is scheduled to take place at
the Community Center.