In response to those who've speculated about Kingm
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11/19/2014
I have been a resident of the general Mohave County area for about 21 years total. A resident of Kingman about 8 of those. You may remember the Nat King Cole song "GET YOUR KICKS ON RT. 66"? Then you'll likely remember the line in the song, "Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino"?
The majority of my time here, I've been a radio and television personality, reporter, news director/anchor. It was supposed to be a transitional move, but as is often the case, life kept happening. I've lived in Bullhead City, in the lower desert where it averages 112 degrees in the summer. That's the average, Boys and Girls! I've lived here in Kingman for about 8 of those 21 years. I have seen summers in Kingman as hot as 121, and winters as cold as 8 below. And the wind reports are true, but I kind of like that, so...
What I know, I know from an insider's view. My position and popularity afforded me access and info others wouldn't normally encounter. These communities have to be the least professional, most corrupt governmentally, in law enforcement, etc. Business is almost dared to make a go at it. There have been perfectly wonderful opportunities come our way as new businesses have tried to move to Kingman, Bullhead and Lake Havasu. They are all three small minded, extreme right wing, under-informed and poorly educated. That sums up most of the government, law enforcement and citizenry here, make sure to add greed.
We have a thriving Skin Head movement, as well as our share of militia minded zealots. And they are fully armed! And those guns on the hip? Arizona has the most liberal gun laws and the most conservative social ideals IN THIS COUNTRY! Not Alabama? No, Arizona! These gun toters aren't common folks who happen to feel the need to take advantage of a law that they treat with respect. These are slack jawed yahoos, tank top, shorts, flip flops and that big ol gun pokin out from under a big ol belly! Typically.
The area is highly transient, so making and keeping friends, fjnding people of substance and intellect is just about impossible. Mohave County is the second worst rated school system in the country, right behind the first worst rated school system in the country, also in Arizona! Apache County to the East, where another song made the place famous. "I was standin on a corner in Winslow, Arizona..."
When my son was 9, and I was a popular, well known local news guy, I got a call from his school. The principal told me that there was trouble and I needed to put several fires on the back burner and go talk to her. I had news to get out in just a couple of hours! I did not have time for what had transpired! When I arrived to the school, I encountered my Son in the outer office, and a sheriff's deputy in the principals inner office. My EX wife was there in her Mohave County Sheriffs Dpt. Correctional Officers Uniform. She worked in the county jail in Kingman. This instance happened in Bullhead City, where we lived at the time.
I was told that my Son had uttered the word "Kill" on school property. That it was a class 6 felony, and that this cop was "mulling it over in his mind" to take my Son to JAIL! Before I got there, this cop put his face into my Son's and said; "I could throw you on the floor, hand cuff you and take you to jail and there's not one thing your Daddy could do to help you." Naturally, my Son was terrified and confused. My, again EX wife suggested it might be a good learning experience for him! A nine year old in a County Adult Jail! Thats what they were talking over before I got there! They were thinking it would be a really successful Scared Straight kind of deal!
Here's how the big scene went down. My Son and another kid were in line for lunch. My Son was playing with a Pokemon figurine, dancing it around the kid in front of him. Not being annoying, they were both playing. Then my Son said a phrase apparently often used in the cartoon; "Stop! Or next I kill!" The other kid said, "Hey! You could get into a lot of trouble for saying that!" Then the little bastard told a teacher.
This wasn't long after the Columbine massacre, and this stupid law was passed, out of panic. Fortunately, I was friends with the judge who would have heard this case. She called me and told me she was throwing it all out. Still, my Son was expelled! He had a whole lot of school related issues for the rest of his school career. And for the rest of his school career he had multiple problems with trust and motivation, self esteem. They "Broke" him! Go figure!
There are no star filled nights! You wont be able to see meteor showers, or even find more that two or three constellations! Not unless you drive to Prescott and then go another hundred miles East! Las Vegas is 95 miles, due West. And the light from there is clearly visible from Kingman. That and the lights of the casinos of Laughlin, NV and the other communities of the Colorado River keep the stars much less visible than described by another person commenting here.
I am now disabled, suffering from MS, Fibromyalgia and RA. I'm ineligible for insurance that I would qualify for easily most anywhere else in the country, because of that greed I spoke of. This time the greed comes from the people who run the state. This past year, there were nine people in an organ recipient list. That nasty Hag Governor if ours, Jan Brewer (funny, my EX wife is named Jan) stopped two of those terminally ill people from receiving organs that could have been available, in order to appease some cronies. Those two people died.
Arizona in general, except for Tucson and Flagstaff, is so Tea Party minded and so extremely to the Right, that we don't have the services we need. No one in government will spend a dime on anyone other than themselves. You get the idea. I will say that the town is friendly to tourists.
Now... If I have offended you while you've been reading this, then you probably belong here! As for my beloved 23 year old Son and me? I think we will be moving to Oregon.
Jim | Kingman, AZ