Comments

SLR wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:39 PM:

" MR. KOUTS NEEDS TO TAKE THE PUNISHMENT THE A MAN. HE TOOK THE SEAT NOW TAKE THE HEAT FOR THE CRIME YOU COMMITTED. "




Stephanie wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:16 PM:

" I don't really understand how people can sit here and do nothing but type demeaning things about the man. How did it go from people setting off fireworks from his house to him not being intelligent? It seems like all people do to elected officials in this town is criticize and tear them down. How about all of you intelligent people run for office so that maybe you can change things and let people criticize you all the time? How many of you have ridden in a vehicle with someone speeding? Or not wearing their seatbelt? I'm sure every one-of-you-breaks-the-law-daily! "




Words to live by wrote on Jul 20, 2008 5:04 PM:

" Our government... teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.


Louis D. Brandeis "




Pima wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:39 AM:

" Truth:
I don't doubt that the statement about the babysitting was made at the July 1 meeting. I can read the minutes for myself. The first comment I heard was prevoiusly at an earlier meeting. It was during public input and no issue was made of it then. Why??? I guess it's not what is said but who says it. "




Saffordite wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:25 PM:

" What a great example, his reaction was even better. Oh, well....... "




wake up wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:13 PM:

" If i were the vice mayor i would have the chief of police right me a citation, and have the courier take a picture of me excepting the punishment like a man and shaking the chief of polices hand with a big smile. we need to brake down walls here people not through up more unstable ones so that they can fall on us ALL later. Man up. The vice mayor did when he went to the courier about it "




really people wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:48 PM:

" perfection is not an attainable possition but it is an attainable direction when we learn to be true men(and women) that direction will be seen in our eyes facing reality and understanding consequences is only a thought process (you have a brain use it) until then revolution calling. self governing is non exsistent. Our priorities lie not in whats best for our country or family or future but more in public standing, social exceptence and money not to mention our 12mpg big trucks and $50000 cars gluttony takes a toll on us all do what u like its 2lateanyway "




Ominous wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:42 PM:

" To "really people", I wish we lived in a perfect world, but the truth is EVERONE makes mistakes the only "perfect man" is GOD! We need leaders that are "real" they make mistakes and learn from them, men that are humble enough to fall in public! We dont need a bunch of men pretending to be perfect!! Those men are POLITICIANS! They ruin a town! "




really people wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:35 PM:

" id rather pay for a thousand babysitters with my tax money than 1 criminal in prison but when you have a politician over a barrel then and only then do you have a good politician or at least so it seems those are the ones you want to keep "




really people wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:52 AM:

" you know if you want peace in the land you must obey the law to the t a little fireworks doesnt bother me what bothers me is the people who are sheriffs deputies and safford police who have done drugs. then you have the crooked politicians. Who knows anything about whos right and whos not? if you want a clean slate youve got to live it with no mistakes which is nearly impossible but is it too much too ask from our leaders? I think we would be better off wiping the Whole slate clean and reelecting yourwastingyourtime "




Truth in blogging wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:31 AM:

" July 1 minutes of City of Safford Budget Council meeting:

"Counilman Kouts asked if the seven part-time employees are necessary for the Boys and Girls Club. He is concerned that the Club has become a 'baby sitting service' at the expense of Safford."

That was said July 1, not when they first took office which I believe was at the end of May.
It is encouraging to note that Kouts apparently has met with Armstrong and now has different feelings toward the most worthwhile club. "




Pima wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:05 AM:

" Truth:
I was at the meeting that the new council was sworn in and heard the comment. I won't say by whom since that's not my style. Nothing was printed about the comment, or who said it just the fact that Mr. Owens was recieving payment for rent on the Boys and Girls Club property. You need to get out more before you start calling people pathetic or misiformed. You really should not believe everything you read in the local paper. And please start with my comments since i'm so pathetic and all. "




Disgruntled citizen wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:04 AM:

" I find it interesting that the SPD showed up. Many calls have been made to SPD concerning drug activity in my neighborhood and they doesn't seem to worry about it. Who cares about some bottle rockets on the Fourth of July. The only reason it made the paper is because vice-mayor was involved. I don't recall reading about any other fireworks complaints in the paper. I didn't see any other names listed. I'm sure there were a lot of other people busted with fireworks. SPD needs to worry about real problems around here like CRYSTAL METH!!!!!!! "




Truth in blogging wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:51 PM:

" Pima you are consistently wrong. Kouts said the babysitting crack at the last budget meeting, not when he was sworn in at his first council meeting. The paper did write about Owens' contributions. And know it is writing about the good actions of Kouts. You are pathetically misinformed. "




Pima wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:40 PM:

" Do Tell:
The commnet about the Boys and Girls club being a Babysitting Sitiuation was first brought up on the night that Mr. Kouts was sworn into the council. The comment was made during Heavy Owens statements about this subsidy of the building rent. The Courier had several eyes and ears there but nothing was ever writen about it.
Then out of the 12 or so calls about fireworks Mr. Kouts is again the only one singled out due to his stature in the community.
Seems like negative info to me sorry. T "




M.Kempton wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:00 PM:

" Van Talley needs to sue Jason Kouts for 4 million, make that 5 million for setting off fireworks. "




Oh Yeah wrote on Jul 15, 2008 8:41 PM:

" To Been There Done That,
Maybe you don't expect much out of Jason Kouts. The fact is that he was elected to represent the citizens of Safford. Don't you think he should at least try not to appear like any ole doofus who has no regard for rules, standards and laws? His minor infraction was very newsworthy. If Jason doesn't want his activities in the newspaper he should try being someone we can respect and look up to. His disregard for safety and the law on the 4th of July was big news. "




Do Tell wrote on Jul 15, 2008 8:06 PM:

" To Pima,
I disagree with your comment that the Courier hasn't been that good to Jason Kouts. I haven't seen anything to support that comment. News is news. The Courier has not been hard on him or easy on him. "




Historian wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:55 PM:

" (Part 3)

I suspect that Huey was poised to SUE due to the Mayor harassing him, that the acting city attorney told the council that Huey had a lock on the case, and they figured the last thing they needed was ANOTHER lawsuit caused by Mayor Green---since one has already been filed and another is in the wings.

When will someone stand up and ASK THE PERTINENT QUESTIONS?

How about it EA Courier? You know there is a monster story here---why are you ignoring it? Did Mayor Green threaten to get you fired? "




Historian wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:47 PM:

" (Continued)

I think we need to be informed about WHY Mr. Long was paid over $200,000 NOT TO WORK.

A number of cartoonists and Green supporters have been HIGHLY critical of the amount of Huey's salary---even saying he made more than the Governor.

Yet---now that Green controls the Council---he mysteriously leads the vote to pay Huey to QUIT. Huey's contract is a matter of public record---there is NO payment due if he QUITS or RETIRES. None. Check it out for yourself!

WHY ISN'T THE COURIER INVESTIGATING THIS?

Who IS BEING PROTECTED? "




Historian wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:39 PM:

" I know that some of you play fast and loose with the facts to suit your own "version" of what is going on---BUT:

Huey had a SEVERANCE clause in his contract that came into play if he was FIRED----NOT IF HE QUIT.

The Council is BUYING HIM OFF for some reason that HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC. That is a lot of taxpayer money to be throwing around without any public accounting.

My guess is he threatened to sue the mayor---the acting city attorney told the council he had a strong case---an THEY PAID HIM OFF! "




Concerned wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:06 AM:

" Pima- I hate politics but Kouts made the paper because he is a politcal figure in a small town and as such is held to a higher level of scrutiny than the average citizen. Rightly or wrongly when Kouts decided he wanted a seat on that Council, his life became a whole lot more public than yours or mine. Whether the Courier has become a rag you can debate until "you know what" freezes over. Lastly there those of us that don't believe everything we read in police reports either. We tend to question everything. "




Pima wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Sorry Concerned but the Courier has not been that good to Mr. Kouts so far in my opinion. Why would i believe them over the SPD folks? There were more incidents of fireworks but this one is the only one that makes the paper and no one was cited as far as i can summize in any of the situations.
Go Figure. "




Been there done that wrote on Jul 14, 2008 5:01 PM:

" How many people who voted for Kouts would now change their votes because of the "fireworks scandle?" Answer: Not near enough to put the old guard back in. The man earned his seat on the council and this hasn't changed that. This is simply a case of the old guard, and the paper that backed them, of making some easy hay out of a small infraction. Standard Courier logic; if there is no news, let's make something mundane suddenly newsworthy. "




Concerned wrote on Jul 14, 2008 3:27 PM:

" concerned citizen- Are you talking about the SPD Chief or the Vice Mayor? "




concerned citizen wrote on Jul 14, 2008 2:52 PM:

" I think they all should be chagre and fined, at least get community service. "




Concerned wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:52 PM:

" Pima- The Vice Mayor admitted that his children shot off bottle rockets to the SPD and then denied it to the Courier. Excuse me ... "Not I", Not us?" There is nothing enlightening there. "




Pima wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:33 AM:

" I find it enlightning that Mr. Kouts at least did not state it was "Not I" or "Not Us". He told the SPD what they were doing point blank and was not cited. The SOP is simply (in most cases) to confiscate the fireworks and warn the violater.
Adult supervison is just that and is slowly being removed from our society. It is refeshing to see it is still around for some in the Gila Valley.
Now everyone send that check to the Boys and Girls club so the City won't have to. "




Starla wrote on Jul 13, 2008 9:08 PM:

" Jason, I was glad to see that all of the kids were at your house, under adult supervision. Since our boys became friends when they were 3 months old I have been able to trust your judgement, I'm glad I still can. I am sorry that some people do not know you and Maria very well and choose to make derogatory comments with no truth to them. Don't let people change you, you have always been a great person!!! "




American Patriot wrote on Jul 13, 2008 8:40 PM:

" This is hilarious…..all of the old regime’s people trying to hammer and discredit Kouts because of fireworks. The only reason the paper made such a big deal out of this is because he’s on the NEW City Council and was appointed Vice Mayor. Trying to throw doubt on his personal ethics because he “broke the law” is flawed logic. How many people speed and break the law (SPD)? That doesn’t mean they become thieves too. Benjamin Franklin said it best: “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain…..and most fools do”. To the complainers: Happy 4th of July!!! "




REALLY wrote on Jul 13, 2008 1:18 PM:

" It must be nice to be found in a situation where you were not breaking the law but the person next to you was and you never getting in any trouble for it. "




Worried about Safford wrote on Jul 13, 2008 7:29 AM:

" To Mr Kouts: You obviously went along with something that you knew was illegal. Do we have to worry about what you will allow that is illegal while you are representing the community? If someone comes into your office or home with something illegal in the future to you plan on allowing it or what??? "




amazed wrote on Jul 13, 2008 7:20 AM:

" Mr. Kouts definitely broke the law and should be fined.

This is from the Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36, Chapter 13, Article 1.

36-1602. Fireworks prohibited

A. Except as otherwise provided by this article, it is unlawful to sell, offer or expose for sale, use, explode or possess any fireworks.

I know that I am not supposed to set off fireworks but if I ever do am I going to get away with it also?????? "




Silent till now wrote on Jul 12, 2008 6:04 PM:

" The comments on this site is about Vice Mayor and fire works... How did it become all about Huey Long???? Get over Huey and move on he did, Probably the best move he has made yet. "




wake up citizens wrote on Jul 12, 2008 12:28 PM:

" THERE ALOT OF QUESTIONS THAT ALOT OF US WOULD LIKED ANSWERED. FOR EXAMPLE; WHERE DID THE MONEY GO THAT THE LOTTERY GAVE GRAHAM COUNTY? SO LET'S PUT OUR MAYOR AND HIS BUDDIES OUT THERE. LET'S INVITE THEM TO A OPEN QUESTION DEBATE IN THE PUBLIC OUT IN THE OPEN TO WHERE ANYONE CAN ASK ANYTHING? LET'S SEE THEM RISE TO THE OCCASION THEN "




Arizonan wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:39 AM:

" Also Amazed, you need to get Your FACTS CORRECT instead of shooting off from the hip.

The Courier published Mr. Long's Retirement story on June 22, 2008. The New Council made & agreed to the Severance Package of Mr. Long, not the old Council. The Old Council merely approved his initial contract when he was hired.

As for Mr. Long's Financial Details, You haven't a clue.

"I Am Impressed" made a valid point as to WHY the Council with acting City Attorney agreed to the Severance amount for Mr. Long. "




Also Amazed Too wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:44 PM:

" to 'impressed' a whopping severance package was agreed to by the previous Cotter/Ragland led city council. Get your facts straight. And yes, mayor goober voted for it too.

Long also received a dubiously legal $50K personal loan to buy his full retirement. After all those years of work and toil in his home state of Oklahoma, he didn't have a dime of retirement - until he came to Safford and began driving a Hummer.

Ride-On Huey! "




I am impressed wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:03 PM:

" TO: "Not Impressed"

That gun-totin' City Manager just got a $183,000 "severance package" from the mayor and his cronies---and that was for "quitting".

Has anyone asked the question WHY? Why the buyout---that WAS NOT IN HIS CONTRACT?

That was your money---and my money---and I think we need an EXPLANATION!

Why is this being COVERED UP!

$183,000 IS NOT SMALL POTATOES! Why isn't the Courier asking questions?

What was Huey holdoing over their heads? "




Copper Chief wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:24 AM:

" Pima: There were 12 calls for fireworks violations in Safford but that does not mean that the police actually found anyone on each of those calls. Those that were found had their fireworks taken away and were not cited. Everyone was treated the same. The reason Kouts made the paper is because he is the Vice Mayor. Like it or not, public officials are the ones that will get the press, good or bad. "




Not Impressed wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Now we have Kouts not just skirting the law but allowing his friends to break it. What ever happened to the former city manager who took a hand gun to a meeting on the college property, removed it from his brief case, placed it on the table and stated "Now this meeding can begin". That was a blatant violation of the law, but was he prosecuted? Not to my knowledge. Just another ciy official getting away with another "mistake". Seems like the Courier never follows up on good ole boys "mistakes" either. "




Ex-Teacher wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:10 AM:

" All these people being mean to little Jason Kouts are really making me mad!

I was his gradeschool teacher and I can tell you that he was really a fine boy.

He never did very well on the tests and such, but still---he was a fine boy.

He was never real strong on the book-learnin', but what he lacked in studies, he made up for with enthusiasm!

But, as I recall, he did like playing with matches a lot, you know, well, ah, maybe I'm confusing him with someone else . . . nevermind. "




Film Buff wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Come to think of it---this all sounds like a great show for TV Land.

Imagine a program about a small rural town with characters in the mold of Barney or Goober or Gomer---

Maybe a comically self-important Mayor with a bolo tie who gets into funny hijinks with developers, city attorneys and city managers----you know---always eventually shooting himself in the foot!

Then maybe a Vice Mayor (kind of a dim bulb) who blows things up with illegal fireworks---

It could be called "Saffordberry RFD".

Hilarious! "




Film Buff wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:54 AM:

" I used to love watching old Three Stooges movies, but since they quit making them quite a few years ago, I have missed them. Since the actors, like Moe Fine, are all now dead, I never thought I would get this kind of "kick" again.

That being said, I for one have enjoyed watching and reading about the Mayor and his new Council---they are really filling the entertainment void left by the Stooges departure.

Keep it up guys! You may be terrible office-holders---but you are hilarious! I'm not sure you could write a script this funny! "




Captain Jack Sparrow wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:51 AM:

" Harmless bottle rockets? Ask any fire department,BLM, Forest Service, or Doctor about how harmless they are. Better yet ask local business owner, John Harelson ( Harelson Tires ) about the fire at his store that was caused by fireworks. His building and alot of tires were set ablase by harmless fireworks. Not so harmless are they? How would you feel if you lost your house or buiness to firewoks? Why was tho govenor of California warning people about fireworks? Look at the wild fires in California now. "




Pima wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:38 AM:

" Mr. Johnson
What about the other cases of fireworks over the weekend? 12 in Safford alone as you report. Can you
investigate and post the other culprits names and addresses so we can publicly flog them as well. After all it's the same violation for all. If no one is cited what does that mean?
Please try a little harder to not look so much like a member of the Safford Haters Club. You are one of the first members that's for sure, but please try and not out do the main players. "




Investigate wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:04 PM:

" To all you folks that seem to think what the vice mayor did was OK.... Was it OK for BLM to catch the mountain on fire. No it wasn't and the vice mayor got lucky he could of just as easily did the same thing. But he would have put a lot of people life's in danger. The law is the law no matter how you look at it, Laws are to be followed no matter who you are. "




Time to speak wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:52 PM:

" To enough is enough, I see that your sitting in front of the computer like everyone else giving your two cent worth.... Practice what you preach. If you can't handle what you read go visit old friends or go play bingo take a hike or classes at EA, But don't sit back and put others down for the same things you are doing.... The vice mayor broke the law and needs to be treated equal. It wasn't me don't cut it. "




Captain Jack Sparrow wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:27 PM:

" Ignorance, Littering, speeding arson,fireworks,shoplifting, assault, robbery, embesslement, grand theft, manslaughter, murder, ect., ect., ect.
Show me where to draw the line. Take all you can, give nothing back. A Pirate is a Pirate. "




Long time reader wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:10 PM:

" "What", You are obsessed with playgrounds. "




Trained Eye wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:05 PM:

" There is really nothing silly about fireworks or blogging about them. They can be beautiful and fun to see and watch and they are also potentially dangerous and they are illegal. So if you are confused or angry about the comments here in protest about the Vice Mayor shooting them off at his home then maybe you want to ignore the facts that have inspired these comments. "




Jamee wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:14 PM:

" Apparently proper speech is under rated as well as obeying the laws he is expected to set forth and uphold... "there was bottle rockets..." "




Jerry wrote on Jul 10, 2008 4:09 PM:

" He seems to easy to control. May removal from city council may be needed. "




Enough is Enough wrote on Jul 10, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Some of you need to get a hobby, go for a hike, play bingo, take classes at EA, make time for old friends SOMETHING besides sitting in front of the computer all day blogging on the courier website. OR continue blogging, but for a good cause or something meaningful and newsworthy rather than over something as silly as fireworks! "




What wrote on Jul 10, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Are we honestly hanging a man over fire works? Ridiculous!!!!! People get a hobby other than this, this sounds like a kindergarden play groung! "




Marcie wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:59 PM:

" I guess I do not have to obay the laws. I am a City Council God. No ticket given, WHY. Because I am City Council God. John Poilce Chief--WHY, WHY no ticket? Noddle you goffed. Bad show of police wirk. "




Wiggles wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:55 PM:

" Mr Kouts, I do not wish to cast stones, just REMEMBER the greatest men in the Bible fell flat on their faces, but they "got up" and learned from it! The best teacher in life is learned through experience. There will always be those that want to crusify you, but there are more that will sit back and watch you thrive! "




Know who he is wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:16 PM:

" Aunt B is the evolution of Darwin it looks to us. Or their related by common hatred. "




Rev. Wright wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:14 PM:

" Aunt B, stick your head back in Mayberry. No one put on a "penny-ante fireworks show", some kids simply had some bottle rockets; big deal.

Should the vice mayor have condoned it? He should have said "no".

But then again look around the valley; Latinos celebrating la Quinceañera shoot off fireworks. Not a month can go by in the Valley that someone doesn't fire a skyrocket or three.

So cut with the holier-than-thou crap and look in the mirror. "




Bad Idea wrote on Jul 10, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Mr. Kouts is an honest hard working man that made a mistake. It is only news because he is the vice mayor. Bet it won't happen again. Anyone that has been in any kind of public position can probably identify with him right now.

Keep up the good work on the council and remember everything you and your family does now is news. "




Scholar wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:41 AM:

" I'm reminded of Dante's Inferno, a book written in the 1400's describing the various "Circles of Hades".

As I recall, there was one circle where elected officials didn't have to obey laws.

There was one where City Managers and City Attorneys got huge severance payments---funded by the taxpayers---when they had a nervous breakdown or just decided to quit!

And finally, I recall a "Circle of Hades" in which Vice Mayors and Firemen just stand around playing with Fireworks!

I recommend this book----or you could just continue to read about the Safford City Govt in action! "




Surrealist wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:31 AM:

" Does anyone but me think things are getting a little WEIRD?

We have a mayor who works hard to STYMIE development!

We have an electorate who votes the BONEHEAD back into office!!!

We have a city manager who QUITS---and gets 18 months of severance pay (NOT IN HIS CONTRACT)!

Now we have a VICE MAYOR who is a FIREMAN----who gets caught shooting off fireworks illegally!

WHAT NEXT!!!!! "




Gregory Peck wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:18 AM:

" To quote the councilman who nominated him for Vice Mayor:

"What he lacks in experience---he makes up for in enthusiasm."

THAT is a quote for the ages.

How about this one:

"What he lacks in intelligence, he makes up for in stupidity."

(Much like his mentor---the Mayor!) "




Einstein wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Why should Jason Kouts have to obey something silly like a little fireworks ordinance?

Come on---he's the Vice Mayor. He's just a "heart beat" away from being the actual Mayor---and then he gets to IGNORE ALL KINDS OF LAWS---you know, like conflist-of-interest statutes and such.

He's just training for the top job! "




Rocket Scientist wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:10 AM:

" I for one am glad to know that I live in a community where getting elected to office is also a "green light" to obey only the laws you choose. It says something to me---in a heartwarming way---to know that any Goober who gets on the city council is then free to interpret the laws any way they choose.

Let's fix the mayor's speeding tickets. And while we're at it---what are these pesky "conflict of interest laws" anyway? Shouldn't a real important guy like the mayor be free of the petty stuff? "




Darwin wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:21 AM:

" The real problem with all this is he's a small thinker.

His boss, Heavy Owens, will take advantage of Jason's inability to think for himself and THATS NOT GOOD!!!! "




Darwin wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:18 AM:

" Mr Kouts has shown quite a bit of poor judgement since he has been elected. What really worries me though is the fact hat he appears to be easily controlled by others.

It was ok to set off the fireworks "illegally" because everyone else was doing it....not a good enough answer for me. "




Aunt B wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:55 PM:

" The story about the Vice Mayor shooting off fireworks is disturbing. The fact that the City of Safford works so hard at putting on a high quality 4th of July Show including $20,000.00+ worth of fireworks and he does his personal penny anny fireworks show at his house shows immaturity, disrespect and disregard for the law. Isn't Jason Kouts on the Fire Department? If so, he of all people should know the consequences of fireworks in our dry region. Now, how do the Police Chief and the Fire Chief feel about Mr.Kouts? "




Arizonan wrote on Jul 9, 2008 6:41 PM:

" Gila Valley, I wish everyone appreciated our Country like you do. However, the US Constitution doesn't protect it's citizens from breaking the law. Fireworks are illegal in Arizona & we all know why. We don't need more needless & harmful fires. "




Investigate wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:38 PM:

" It wasn't me... Do you know what that sounds like? A 15yr old that dose not want Mommy and Daddy to be mad at him. To put the blame on your friends that's not right either. You had them over and allowed this to go on. you Mr & Mrs Kouts are responsible for your company. It's like your kid hanging out with a drug dealer both being busted and your child saying it wasn't me, As a parent what you tell your child ? I would think guilty by association. "




GilaValley wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:19 PM:

" The firing of fireworks is protected under the constitution of the United States. It is a freedom of expression, and by golly a freedom to express appreciation for this great land! "




Time to speak wrote on Jul 9, 2008 11:52 AM:

" The Vice Mayor Jason Kouts should be fined. He is no different then anyone else. Matter of fact he should be leading by example. Mr.Griffin I know you will do the right thing. The officers that did not follow instruction needs to be reprimanded. The Mayor , Vice Mayor and city council should be held to a higher standards. Jason have you heard of guilty by association ? You are the Vice Mayor now you better get educated. You and your family have to follow the laws like anyone else there will be no special treatment. "




It wasnt me it was my friends wrote on Jul 9, 2008 11:04 AM:

" “We did have bottle rockets, but there was bottle rockets being shot off all around the area,” Kouts said. “I didn’t say anything about my children shooting them off. As far as me and my family, we did not purchase any fireworks. They (visitors) just brought them to my house – Black Caps and stuff like that.”

If the leaders of the city can do it, anyone can!!! "