Legislative News

http://www.silverbelt.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=3938

Globe sends Redflex packing
Posted: Wednesday, Jul 18th, 2012
BY: Marc Marin/ Publisher

Holly Sow/ Arizona Silver Belt
With a 5-1 vote, Globe council members decided to end the contract with Redflex for the speeding cameras located throughout Globe.  

 
Globe — After a lengthy public hearing and a brief executive session, the Globe City Council voted 5-1 to terminate the controversial contract with Redflex. Mary Ann Uhl cast the lone “nay” vote.

Redflex is an Australian-based company that set up speeding and red light cameras last April at four intersections in Globe; there was also a mobile camera that was usually on the Highway 60 overpass. Drivers received tickets if they drove 11 miles per hour or more above the speed limit, or ran a red light.

Fifteen members of the public spoke during the public hearing, with only one person clearly in favor of the Redflex cameras. The public hearing even drew two Miami citizens, who talked about “taking back the country” and the feeling that Redflex is “below our character,” and a citizen of San Carlos, who said it is “very stressful to drive through Globe.”

Retired police officer Kevin Nolan told the council that Redflex is not able to make arrests for crimes that a simple picture cannot spot. “The presence of a police officer is more conducive to public safety,” Nolan said.

Several citizens seemed to insinuate that how council members voted on this issue could be the deciding factor in if they get re-elected. “We threw out a bunch of you people in the last election,” one citizen said. “Your job’s on the line.”

In addition to the expected comments about a “free society” and “the will of the people,” several people said that the problem wasn’t necessarily Redflex, but the confusing speed limit changes that stretch all along Highway 60. The speed limit on Highway 60 changes five times from one of town to the other. “If we keep Redflex, we need to work with the Arizona Department of Transportation and have the speed limits be reasonable and consistent,” Vicki Stevens said.

Debbie Leverance was the one citizen to voice her support for Redflex. She said the positives of Redflex (accidents, speeding have decreased) outweigh the negatives (dirtying public image, city considered speed trap). “Globe has been known as a speed trap since the early 1990s,” Leverance said. “The council’s job is make decisions on behalf of the city ... There’s no need for the police officer sitting on the corner. We need to use technology to enhance what we already have.”

James Haley was the first council to speak after the public hearing.

“I opposed Redflex during my campaign,” and I haven’t changed my mind,” Haley said. “We need to formally draft a letter telling Redflex goodbye.”

Uhl continued her defense of Redflex, acknowledging that she is “in the minority.” She said that Redflex employs 400 people at its Phoenix office, and the fact that Redflex gets 18 percent of the money from each paid ticket “is not a big deal,” as the United States imports 60 percent of its oil.

“As long as you’re paying attention, you don’t get flashed,” Uhl said. “And the camera areas are clearly marked.”

Councilman Lerry Alderman made it very clear that is he against Redflex. “I never voted for it, and that is still my opinion,” he said.

Councilman Desmond Baker then had the floor.

“I’ve been accused flip-flopping on this issue,” Baker said. “But I called this hearing, and I wanted to hear from the people ... I thank you for all commenting and coming to this meeting.

Baker also addressed the comments about council members’ jobs, saying “It’s not really a job. We don’t make a salary.”

Councilman Mike Humphrey kept his comments short and sweet, saying simply, “I have my scorecard.”

After a 10-minute executive session, Mayor Terry Wheeler reminded the crowd that he does not vote unless there is a tie. Baker then made a motion to end the contract with Redflex, Haley seconded the motion, and the vote was cast.

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Title
Comment	smaller | bigger
Name
Email
Write the displayed characters
Subscribe via email (registered users only)
	Add Comment Preview