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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Inside This Week
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Councilman seeks tighter conflict of interest rule BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
NEWS............................ 6 Higley opens the new school year with interim district chief.
COMMUNITY.............18 Gilbert thespians play a big role in the new Limelight musical.
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ilbert Councilman Jim Torgeson said he wants to stop people from making money off the town while sitting on the dais. And Torgeson has the backing of two other council members to put his proposal on the study session agenda Aug. 1, the first meeting after the July hiatus. “I’m bringing forward a policy that no council member can be a bidder, subcontractor or vendor for the town and maintain a seat at the same time,” Torgeson said. “If
Mesquite football embraces camp as season beckons. COMMUNITY............................. 18 BUSINESS...................................20 SPORTS....................................... 22 GET OUT...................................... 23 CLASSIFIEDS............................. 25
they want to do business with the town, they must vacate their seat immediately.” Torgeson, who owns a sign-making business in Mesa, said it would be hard for staff not to award work to council members based on the relationship. “If I am of equal quality and deliver at a better price, if there is not an issue, why would you not?” he said. “Because it’s a conflict. I avoid all of it over the optics of conflict. The people deserve transparency. “Not having my hand in the cookie jar is a good thing.
There’s no way I’m putting my reputation on the line for a couple bucks. If you want to be a contractor or vendor, go to it, just don’t be
see CONFLICT page 14
Not only cool
Videographer: Gilbert police put target on my back BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
SPORTS...................... 22
Sunday, July 23, 2023
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elf-described guerilla journalist Christopher Ruff says he has a target on his back, thanks to a Gilbert Police Department document calling him a “threat.” The 33-year-old Mesa man, who calls himself a “First Amendment auditor,” is well known among Valley law enforcement for showing up at scenes with a camera in hand to record officers in action from a public space. He’s also not above taunting them in
the videos, calling them “dumb asses” and “stupid” if he feels they’re overstepping their authority. Ruff, who goes by the handle “Direct D,” uploads these videos on YouTube and other social media platforms. His YouTube channel has 233,000 subscribers. This time, however, one of his videos landed him on a Gilbert Police “Officer Awareness Bulletin.” “Mr. Ruff’s threatening statements directed at the law enforcement com-
see RUFF page 8
Scottsdale nurse Connie Wickstrom and Gilbert resident Curt Bruns don’t scuba dive in the Salt River just to stay cool. They’re also performing a mission of mercy for Mother Earth as part of a dedicated group that regularly scrapes the lower river’s bottom for a slew of junk – and valuables – that users toss or lose in droves. For the story, see page 4. (Courtesy of Salty Scuba Squad)