On Thursday, The Range mentioned a Marana Town Council meeting during which neighbors of the Saguaro Ranch development announced they’d filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against the town and staff. In an update, we also mentioned neighbors’ concern over Town Manager Gilbert Davidson showing up at the development’s restaurant to a champagne toast—two days after the arrest of neighbor Steve Blomquist.
Blomquist was arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct. Blomquist, his wife, Sharyl Cummings, and their neighbor Tracy Chamberlain, however, have been protesting and are in the midst of litigation with Saguaro Ranch developer Stephen Phinny and the town of Marana regarding a disputed easement—which the restaurant, McClintock’s, sits atop of. That’s where Blomquist sat down the day of his arrest on Friday, Nov. 13—quietly and courteously. Go back to our first installment here, and have a listen to Blomquist’s audio recording of his quiet beer-ordering protest.
When The Range called Town Attorney Frank Cassidy for a comment, Town of Marana PIO Rodney Campbell responded. He told The Range that the champagne toast of Davidson at McClintock’s, two days after Blomquist’s arrest, was nothing more than Davidson’s wife’s birthday celebration. He also accused Chamberlain of charging up to Davidson and his wife with her video camera.
“She went right in their faces,” Campbell said.
Well, take a look at the video above, provided by Chamberlain, who zooms in and out—but doesn’t charge up to the couple or gets into their faces.
“I dispute the claims by the town and Mr. Campbell–and as a result, I have offered a copy of the video to prove no one got in the (couple’s) faces,” Chamberlain wrote in an e-mail to The Range.
Chamberlain says it was Davidson’s wife who turned and walked toward her to tell her it was her birthday.
Coming next: Blomquist’s arrest report, to look at claims made by the McClintock’s manager that Blomquist was harassing other people at the restaurant the night of the arrest. Campbell also noted that Davidson has a copy of the credit card statement from that night at McClintock’s. Hopefully, we’ll have a copy of that soon, too.
Happy trails!
This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2009.
It does appear that Chamberlain was addressing Gilbert Davidson, the Town Manager of Marana, not his wife. If he knew that protesters were frequently picketing this public easement, why would he choose this venue for his wife’s birthday. She doesn’t seem to be particularly happy that her husband is addressed about his duties. He doesn’t even seem to be escorting her to her special event. Government officials have a responsibility, as do husbands.
I offered a copy of the video to show that no one walked up to the Davidson’s. That, in fact, when I realized it was Marana Town Manager, Gilbert Davidson, I noted there was a heavy set blond woman with him. And although I made every attempt not to include anyone in the video other than Mr. Davidson; who is a public official, the woman, who was later identified as Ms. Davidson, walked right up to ME without any hesitation or intimidation, etc. and addressed the camera herself. At no time did I ever approach them! Truth be told, it was my space that was invaded.
Let’s keep in mind that this was a day and half after the unlawful arrest of Steve Blomquist. Based on what had already happened, it is more than reasonable for anyone to have a video camera in case another unlawful or suspicious event were to, again, have taken place.
Personally, I find it odd that Gilbert Davidson, a public official, and someone who has first hand knowledge that “peaceful” protest might occur; which the town is involved in litigation over, specifically choose to bring his wife for an intimate celebration to a place that he knew might be upsetting because of his and/or the town’s involvement. Especially, when his visit appears to have resulted in his wife reportedly making claims in police reports filed by the restaurant staff that she was harassed and/or her peace was disturbed by protesters.
I believe, the entire event was a deliberately orchestrated attempt by the Davidson’s and/or the Town of Marana in order to provide Stephen Phinny with the opportunity, as instructed by the Marana Police, a new situation in which they could use to arrest protesters for something other than trespassing, and nothing more.
After all, there are many very nice locations within the town of Marana which he could have taken his wife to. And yet, Mr. Davidson, knowing the Town, Stephen Phinny, SR Development, and the protesters, are all involved in litigation re the easement which the restaurant sits on, he specifically chose McClintock’s. And then, proceeded to be involved in making claims regarding harassment, which the video shows are completely false.
Of course the Davidson’s are going to come up with a receipt. Absolutely – I believe, it’s part and parcel to what he intended to provide to Mr. Phinny. It’s probably what they planned to use/prove he was there and would probably use to file damages for once he had successfully made his false claims about Tracy Chamberlain, harassment, etc..
-Tracy Chamberlain