19 ‘Independents’ apply for AIRC Chair position – public comments requested

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

19 allegedly "independent" voters have applied for the potential vacancy on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. I say allegedly because there were a large number of last minute applicants which makes me highly suspicious given all that has occurred surrounding the Commission. There has got to be some Tea-Publican shills in this bunch. 19 apply for Mathis' seat on redistricting commission – East Valley Tribune:

Nineteen people want a shot at replacing Colleen Mathis on the Independent Redistricting Commission. But one already is disqualified because he admitted he is a registered Republican: The vacancy has to go to someone who is not a member of either major political party.

It will now be up to members of a special panel to go through the other applications this coming Tuesday to decide from which applicants they want to hear more. Those interviews will take place Nov. 28.

By law, the screening panel has to narrow its list down to five. The final choice is left to the four other members of the Independent Redistricting Commission, two chosen by elected Republican officials and two by Democrats.

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All that presumes, though, there will still be a vacancy by the end of the month.

The Arizona Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday [at 2:00 p.m.] over whether Brewer exceeded her authority two weeks ago when she fired Mathis.

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The justices are likely to issue a decision within days of Thursday's hearing. If they rule against Brewer, there is no vacancy to fill.

The Applicants are:

– Alton A. Briggs, Scottsdale, retired;

– James P. Buesing, Peoria, attorney;

– Linda Buscemi, Phoenix, behavioral health coordinator;

– Michael F. Doyle, Cave Creek, retired;

– John M. Fife III, Tucson, eighth-grade teacher;

– Paige Heavey, Phoenix, real estate sales;

– Daniela Larson, Tucson, graduate research assistant;

– Eden B. Lewkowitz, Phoenix, instructional elementary school assistant;

– Anthony W. Merrill, Chandler, attorney;

– Dale W. Mukavetz, Chandler, retired;

– Milford M. Rimmer, Scottsdale, lighting technical sales;

– David L. Roberts, Scottsdale, newspaper editor;

– Margarita Silva, Laveen, attorney;

– Don P. Snider, Phoenix, chief financial officer;

– Stanley J. Usinowicz, Lake Havasu City, freelance writer and photographer;

– Stephen R. Weston Sr., Waddell, training consultant;

– Marshall W. Whitmire, Camp Verde, survey business owner;

– Gregory M. Zamora, Tempe, legal assistant.

Steve Muratore has been weeding through the applicants and has found some problems already. See his comments. The Arizona Eagletarian: Redistricting — 19 applied to serve on the AIRC UPDATED:

From the courts:

The public is asked for comments on 19 applicants for Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission…

Their applications can be viewed online at www.azcourts.gov/jnc/IRCNominations.aspx

The applications will be reviewed at a public meeting on November 22. The meeting will be held at the Arizona State Courts Building in Phoenix, 1501 W. Washington, Conf. Rm. 101, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Citizens may address the Appellate Commission at that time or send written comments to 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

The Appellate Commission will vote at the November 22 meeting on the applicants to be interviewed for the vacancy on the Redistricting Commission. Interviews are planned for November 28, with voting on nominations to follow the interviews.

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An initial scan of the applications shows some apparent problems. Besides the fact that at least three of the people seem to be very young and inexperienced, Briggs and Mukavetz have missing pages, DiRienzo is apparently still registered Republican and Anthony Merrill is a member of the Arizona Republican Lawyer's Association.

Aha! GOP shills. If any readers know these applicants they need to be thoroughly vetted and the Appellate Commission needs to hear from you.