Print Edition
View Front Page
Subscribe

Home > News

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Mayor served with claim before council meeting

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, November 1, 2009 1:49 PM MST

Safford Mayor Ron Green was served with a small claims court complaint Monday at the only place the process server could find him — the Safford City Council meeting.

The complaint requests Green pay the remainder of the amount due for various signs and decals he ordered from Kim's Window Tinting. The signs and decals were for a new newspaper spearheaded by Green, the Southwest Express News, and were picked up on May 4. Some of the signs were a large banner Green used in the Cinco De Mayo Parade and magnetic signs he placed on his own truck. Kim Prentice, the owner of Kim's Window Tinting, told the Courier that Green said payment for the signs would be in the mail.

After waiting more than a month, Prentice called Green for payment. She said he told her he was having problems financially and asked if he could make payments on his bill, which was about $1,000. He then charged $200 toward the bill on his personal credit card June 23. The Southwest Express News' last issue went out the following day, and the publication was suspended due to restructuring, according to Green. A Courier reporter went to the publication's office in Green's building Downtown on Friday and found it locked and deserted.

Prentice's records show Green made another $200 payment June 30, but he has not made a payment since then. After failing to make a payment for three months, Prentice wrote a text message to Green asking for payment Sept. 8. Green allegedly called Prentice a couple of hours later, and the two argued before Green hung up on her. Prentice then filed a claim the next day for the $603.10 still owed — plus interest. She told the Courier since Green would not sign a certified letter in reference to the claim, she will be including the cost of having to hire a process server to notify him.

"We have a hard enough time (making ends meet) in this town," she said. "We don't need it any harder. We did what we were supposed to do. We just want our payment."

Green wrote a letter to the court in response to the claim and said the signs were made for Southwest Express News, which is owned by the First Pueblo Financial Corp. of 613 Main St. He wrote that Prentice should address her letters and claims to Southwest Express News, c/o First Pueblo Financial Corp. and that Prentice's assertion is a false claim against him.

Green owns the building at 613 Main St., and it houses his office for his business, Corrosion Engineering, and has a small sign for First Pueblo Financial in its window.

According to the Arizona Corporation Commission, Green is listed as the president and CEO of First Pueblo Financial Corporation. His wife, Tomi Kaye (Candy) Green, is listed as the corporation's secretary and treasurer.

Green admitted he was the president of the corporation but denied being the owner. He suggested the Courier check the public record with the Arizona Corporation Commission. He then said ownership of corporations was not public record and refused to comment on the claim against him. Prentice told the Courier that Green was the one who made the request for the signs, brought in sketches and promised to pay the bill, eventually making a payment on his personal credit card.

"How is he not responsible for the debt?" Prentice asked. "It's not our fault his newspaper went out of business. We just want to be paid for our work.”

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Comments

30 comment(s)

Joyce wrote on Nov 15, 2009 8:17 AM:

" Seems to me that making 2 payments on his personal credit card he claimed the bill as his own so stating to the court that its not his bill is a tad late. Perhaps the question of where he was served would best be asked of the process server, not Kim. The very act of trying to disclaim a debt after he had already made 2 payments says a lot for his character which I applaud the Courier for reporting. "

To Safford voter wrote on Nov 12, 2009 2:27 PM:

" Read the first sentence of this article. It explains everything. "

safford voter wrote on Nov 9, 2009 10:09 PM:

" Yes, Mayor should of paid his bils. I question how the small claim was served. Kinda funny it was served at the council meeting. Was this on purpose? Seems like it could of been served else where Just an observation "

To Bill Payer wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:26 AM:

" Its the Couriers job to report on things that may be of interest to the community. I for one, would like to know what's going on with the person who is suppose to be running this town. Unlike some, I get my news and "gossip" from reading the paper. I don't listen to the gossip on the street. The Courier is more likely to ask questions and find out the truth before they report unlike the rumors that are spread around town about whats going on. So keep up the GOOD reporting COURIER!! :) "

Cheetah wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:34 PM:

" To Bill Payer,
This is NOT a petty issue. Many of us have come up short but thankfully most people make payment arrangements and stick to them. We hold our elected officials to at least, the same standards that respectful citizens hold themselves to. This is news when a Mayor acts in the same fashion as a dead beat low life. I fully support Kim's window Tinting and hope that at last they will get paid. ALso, To PimaTwo, Nice try about the conspiracy theory. Read the first sentence of this article. "

Michigan Process Server wrote on Nov 6, 2009 9:58 PM:

" Gotta collect on what's owed - I don't blame them at all. What's this about closing Ft. Grant State prison? LOL @ "Jon and Aimee plus eight ". "

Bill Payer wrote on Nov 5, 2009 1:25 PM:

" What is this all about - a $600 small claims action? All of us have "sinned and come short of the glory" regarding money issues. Is this all Jon and Aimee plus eight can find to report about? Our "award-winning" local rag wastes all this space with a play-by-play account of a merchant trying to collect a bill! Unbelievable! Our local economy's in the toilet, they're talking about closing Ft. Grant State prison and the paper tries to direct our concern to this petty issue.
Gets the Deliverance crowd excited, I guess. "

TO by stander wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:54 PM:

" If you do not like us stating our thoughts or opinions, then don't read the comments. The Courier can pull my IP address if they want, but what I have to say is the same thing I'd say in person face to face to whomever it relates to. "

Bunch of Crock wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:34 AM:

" All of you good loe boys need to get your heads out of the sand. You really think Ron Green and all his clowns are running our City fairly? Get a grip. And to HA! HA! You really do not have a clue.
Let a City employee pull this kind of stuff. Ain't happening. "

Bunch of Bologna wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:26 AM:

" GO GET HIM KIM! I DON'T THINK YOU ARE THE FIRST TO GET MESSED OVER BY THIS SORRY MAYOR. "

Bunch of Crock wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:19 AM:

" When are all of you people going to get your Good Ole Boy mentality heads out of the sand. Our City is going to end up the City of Fools. Mr Green, you are playing your silly games and running your Dear daddys name in the mud. Shame on you. "

PimaTwo wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:49 AM:

" It did happen and in the most political way possible.
Why was the Mayor served at a City Council Meeting and not at home?
Would he not answer the door or something like that?
Maybe this serving should be investigated by the Courior better. Get the real facts and print them. No HYPE please!
This old clique just does not see the light that they look bad when they pull thier tricks and are running on buisness as usual. The people have spoken twice on this yet ? "

Be Careful wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:50 AM:

" Ron Green most certainly will run again. He was the first one to draw election intent papers from the City Clerk, and the only one so far to announce a run for the position of Mayor.

Green appears to desire even more power and authority in fulfilling what he seems to feel is correct and just. I would be surprised if he ISN'T moving forward with plans to change Safford's form of government to a Mayor-Council and eliminating the position of a city manager, in effect giving that authority (and salary) to the position of Mayor instead. "

Its not Funny wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:35 AM:

" You may jest, but Mayor Green HAS stepped in for citizens behind on their utility bills and suggested that "lock-out" day should be diminished.

Is that how the Golf Course RV Park was able to get so far behind on their bill? "

My Opinion wrote on Nov 3, 2009 11:10 PM:

" I guess he really needs that $1,000 bucks a month he gets for showing up to two council meetings as mayor. "

Roadrunner wrote on Nov 3, 2009 9:21 PM:

" To HaHa, & HaHa,

Apparently you need to go to find your dictionary & look up what "Slander" means. In this instance, this is not "Slander". S-L-A-N-D-E-R, means a false report maliciously uttered. This is NOT False! It's true & IT did Happen. For crying out loud. Duh!!!??! "

Distressed wrote on Nov 3, 2009 5:23 PM:

" I too am having financial problems. I wonder if Mayor Green will allow me to renege on my utility bill? After all, isn't he leading by example?

By stander, I don't believe that the Courier is committing "character assassination, I believe Mayor Green is committing character suicide. If he would have simply paid his bill, we wouldn't be reading this. "

To HaHa wrote on Nov 3, 2009 1:06 PM:

" Mayor Green was elected by a very large margin, both against then Mayor Talley and latter against then Vice-Mayor Cotter. What you are reading in the blogs and in the Courier is the old power clique mad because they are no longer in power. I would doubt if Mayor Green would run again and continue to put up with all the TRASHING on these blogs and the COURIER. "

Wow wrote on Nov 3, 2009 10:56 AM:

" No offense to Kim Prentice, but I hope she has learned her lesson. Meaning that in the future you get payment in full up front or downpayment and contract no matter who the customer is.

Shame on the Mayor! "

Haha wrote on Nov 3, 2009 4:10 AM:

" Lol you guys are funny. If you guys don't like him so much then why did you even vote for him in the first place!? Why don't you guys go to town meetings or something so you can understand more instead of just believing everything you read. Seems like all this town can ever do is complain and talk behind people's backs lol. I have an idea. If you guys don't like him, then don't vote for him!! If you guys can do a better job, then I would LOVE to see you run for mayor lol. "

by stander wrote on Nov 2, 2009 9:20 PM:

" I am so disappointed in the slander comments that continue to be posted to the courier websites. If you don't like the Mayor, that is your choice. This blogging is ridiculous and close to slander. Remember these IP addresses can be pulled into the court. I would seriously feel that the courier could also be liable for posting character assassination. "

Roadrunner wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:38 PM:

" What a Great & Wonderful Leader/Mayor we have in our Community. NOOOOTTT!!!!!

He is the Local Chief BACKSTABBER. What a way to tear down your fellow business leaders. "

OL DIRTY wrote on Nov 2, 2009 5:10 PM:

" ""HEY IF KIM WANT HER MONEY,I THINK YOU ALL SHOULD GIVE HER HER MONEY"" "

chuckling at him wrote on Nov 2, 2009 4:03 PM:

" One word ... Arizonian
Publisher ... Leah Ann and Bob Arganbright

You think Ron would have learned to avoid these folks after their last attempt at conducting business in our Valley. Guess not.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice... you must be a Green. "

AZ wrote on Nov 2, 2009 9:02 AM:

" HA HA!! He's having financial problems? But yet he gets paid HOW MUCH a year! Give me a break. Quit excusing and pay your bills Mayor Green. My husband and I are out of work, and STILL manage to pay ALL our bills (mortgage and car payment included). "

PimaTwo wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:12 AM:

" I'm lovin this. Must be getting close to election time. There's nothin better that election time in good o'l Graham County Az.
Good luck to this buisness in getting it's pitance. Don't they know they can get more from filing it as a loss on their taxes. Small claims it well Small.
Besides you can't get money where's there is No Money!
This buisness should have collected the funds up front simple as that. The mayor is not a good investment apparently. Does this statement make sense? "

Local Business Owner wrote on Nov 2, 2009 1:22 AM:

" Does the public realize how hard it is to collect debts? Just try collecting a bad check.It's nearly impossible in this county. "

to Courier wrote on Nov 1, 2009 8:53 PM:

" Why don't you report on other Elected Officials involved in legal law suits such as our new County Assessor? Its easy to check it out. The 6M law suit against her and her hubby is still winding thru the court systems and is public info as to that fact. If you're gonna report on one you should report on all known. "

DIVINE MISS M wrote on Nov 1, 2009 7:48 PM:

" AND THE SUPRISE IS?????? Think back to the sporting good store, liqour store and etc..... "

class of 93 wrote on Nov 1, 2009 5:16 PM:

" LOL!! I'm so glad you had him served. I hope you get your money and people finally start to believe what kind of person he really is. YOU GO KIM!! "

WRITE A COMMENT

READER COMMENTS
* Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.

* Be relevant. Keep your comments pertinent to the story that is being discussed.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Eastern Arizona Courier is not liable for messages from third parties. IP addresses can be subpoenaed and your identity established by individuals who have been hurt by your comments.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity: You can be prosecuted for identity theft.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in www.eacourier.com reader comments represent the individual's own views and not those of the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Courier does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than Eastern Arizona Courier spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!