Mohave County IT Department Receives National Award

Lake Havasu City, AZ – The Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) have awarded Mohave County’s Information Technology (IT) Department with a 2014 Digital Counties Survey Award. This annual award recognizes leading examples of counties using information and communications technology to improve services and boost efficiencies.  The survey identifies best technology practices among counties nationwide in four population categories.  “Mohave County was the only county in Arizona, among all four population categories, to achieve this honor.  Our IT Department ranked in the same category as well-known counties across the nation such as Arlington County, Virginia and Charleston County, Maryland,” Supervisor Buster Johnson stated. According to Information Technology Director Nathan McDaniel, this is the second year in a row the county has received this prestigious award.  “In today’s tough economy, IT departments are facing tough financial barriers while trying to help improve government services and efficiency,” Johnson stated.  “Mohave County’s IT Department has gone above and beyond in finding ways to provide better information security, transparency, and citizen engagement,” Johnson continued. One significant accomplishment done by Mohave County’s IT Department is the development of their online meeting portal.  “Instead of spending a substantial amount on third party software and monthly maintenance fees, the Department used their own personnel to write a program that allows users to choose a meeting date and an agenda item and the video is advanced to that item for their review,” Johnson explained. To view Mohave County’s online meeting portal, please visit: www.mohavecounty.us For more information on the 2013 Digital Counties Survey Award please visit: http://www.digitalcommunities.com/survey/counties/ ###

AMATEUR RADIO OPERATIONS ANNUAL FIELD DAY

“London Bridge Amateur Radio Association participated in nation wide test of their communications. Mohave Co relies on our Ham Operators in times of national disasters and local emergencies. They work hand in hand with of law enforcement agencies.” From AMATEUR RADIO OPERATIONS ANNUAL FIELD DAY, posted by Buster Johnson on 6/29/2014 (3 items) Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne Seeks Disbandment of Colorado City/Hildale Marshall’s Office

Lake Havasu City, AZ –The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has announced that Attorney General Tom Horne has filed a proposed form of Judgment in the U.S. District Court, seeking, among other things, the disbandment of the Colorado City, Arizona/Hildale, Utah Marshal’s Office and the appointment of a federal monitor over municipal functions and services.  “Attorney General Horne has been relentless in going after corrupt police departments and is adamant in his protection of women and children.   I applaud his action and all the hard efforts he has taken throughout the last four years assisting with the problems we have seen in Colorado City,” Supervisor Buster Johnson stated. The Judgment filed yesterday provides for the transfer of full responsibility and authority for law enforcement and police dispatch services within the municipalities to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, with all expenses paid by Colorado City and Hildale.  According to Johnson, the Colorado City/Hildale Marshal’s Office has operated for decades under the rule of now imprisoned polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs.  “Attorney General Horne takes his job seriously and is one of the few Attorneys General in the past decade who has stood up to the corrupt law enforcement in the area,” Johnson stated. During the past three years, the Attorney General’s Office has transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office to have deputies stationed in Colorado City.  “The Sheriff’s presence in the town has been extremely helpful,” Johnson commented.  “We have been able to help girls escape who wouldn’t have had the opportunity had the deputies not been there,” Johnson ended. ###

ELKS FLAG DAY

From ELKS FLAG DAY, posted by Buster Johnson on 6/08/2014 (7 items) Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

Johnson Warns of Malware Software That Could Be Lying Dormant on Thousands of Computers

Lake Havasu City, AZ – Supervisor Buster Johnson would like to make the public aware of two malicious software schemes that have already stolen over $100 million from individuals and businesses worldwide. Johnson, who sits as one of the Vice-Chairs for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Cyber Security Task Force, is urging computer users to take the required steps necessary to protect themselves from these malicious software programs. “These programs have the power to drain an individual’s bank account without them even knowing it,” Johnson said. The U.S. Justice Department has announced that anywhere between 500,000 and 1 million machines worldwide were affected by the virus’s known as Gameover Zeus which steals banking passwords and Crytolocker, which encrypts files and blackmails the users for their release. The Gameover Zeus software has seen the most activity in the United States by hitting over 13% of all computers in the nation. According to the FBI, this software is highly sophisticated. The malware can disguise unapproved payments that are made making an individual think that everything is normal by keeping track of account balances and automatically correcting the numbers on the balances to hide its tracks. “People need to be aware of this dangerous malware. It not only can hide its tracks, but also once installed on a computer, this software has the ability to evade anti-virus software,” Johnson stated. According to the The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Gameover Zeus infects a user’s machine when they open a PDF or click on a link sent to them in an email. An international police effort led by the FBI and security giant Symantec was able to shut down the malicious software this week, but officials with the FBI are still warning users to take steps to protect their systems. The FBI is reporting that users have two weeks to clean up their hard drives and install anti-virus software before the Russian-led band of hackers responsible for Gameover Zeus will be able to make their network operational again. According to officials with the FBI, this malware has been so difficult to shut down because it uses peer-to-peer software, meaning that even if the main server is shut down, infected computers can continue to communicate with one another and continue operating. The Crytolocker software, thought to be linked to Gameover Zeus, is also affecting thousands of Americans and businesses nationwide. According to the FBI, this malware often comes into effect if the user is not a ‘viable’ victim for Gameover Zeus and the network cannot access their financial details. “Crytolocker locks your computer, encrypts files and demands a ransom for them to be unlocked,” Johnson explained. DHS has set up a website to help victims remove the malware, www.us-cert.gov/gameoverzeus. From that website, computer users can download tailored anti-virus software which has been provided for free. Experts have also warned users to back-up all valuable data and to ensure that all operating systems have the latest updates installed. Many of those whose computers have … Continue Reading →

Supervisor Johnson Re-Elected as Co-Chair of Az/Utah Economic Coalition

St. George, Utah – Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson met with members of the Arizona/Utah Local Economic Coalition on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, to receive an update on the uranium mining withdrawal lawsuit and to elect new chairmen. During the biannual meeting, Supervisor Johnson along with Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner were re-elected as co-chairs of the coalition. “I appreciate the confidence the counties have in me and Commissioner Gardner,” Supervisor Johnson stated. According to Johnson, the coalition was formed in 2011 between Mohave County and several Utah Counties and cities to further the economic benefit of uranium mining. During the meeting, members were updated on the uranium mining withdrawal status by Pam Hill from the American Clean Energy Resources Trust (ACERT). Mohave County along with Quaterra Alaska, Inc. filed a lawsuit in 2012 against the U.S. Department of the Interior, former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and BLM Director Robert Abbey over the decision to withdraw over 1 million acres of public lands and National Forest System lands in Mohave County and Coconino County near the Arizona Strip area. According to a report done by ACRET, future uranium mining claims could have an economic impact of roughly $29 billion for Mohave County and the surrounding Utah counties. According to Johnson, in 1951 uranium was originally discovered at the Orphan (Cu) Mine from patented claims that President Roosevelt signed in 1903. “The Orphan Mine, so far, has been of the highest grade and most profitable in the U.S.,” Johnson stated. “By restricting future mining claims in the area, Mohave County residents are losing out on over 1,000 new jobs being created as well as over a $40 million year payroll,” Johnson continued. A presentation was also given during the meeting by Attorney Connie Brooks on the legal status of uranium mining cases. According to Johnson, Quaterra Alaska, Inc. partnered with the county in their lawsuit in order to argue that they not only suffered economic damages from the mining ban, but also that the BLM didn’t follow the federal government’s National Environmental Policy Act and Federal Land Policy and Management Act when it produced the report. “This withdrawal is taking away our land and our economic future. The Secretary of the Interior does not have the authority to do these things. This kind of taking of land, power and oversight from states, counties and legal investors can only be accomplished through an act of Congress,” Johnson stated. The members of the Arizona/Utah Local Economic Coalition are Mohave, Kane, San Juan, and Washington Counties and the town of Fredonia. ###

Memorial Day 2014

“We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice” From MEMORIAL DAY, posted by Buster Johnson on 5/26/2014 (40 items) Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

WESTERN INTERSTATE REGION COUNTIES MEETING

“National Association of Counties meeting of Western States to discuss issues facing our region. The returning of federal lands to the states is in the fore front.” From WESTERN INTERSTATE REGION COUNTIES MEETING, posted by Buster Johnson on 5/27/2014 (9 items) Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

As U.S. is Poised to be Knocked Off as World’s Richest Economy, Federal Government Sits on Its Uranium

Lake Havasu City, AZ – New figures released by the World Bank’s International Comparison Program predict that by the end of 2014 the Chinese purchasing power will surpass that of America.  According to Supervisor Buster Johnson, the restrictions imposed by the federal government when it comes to access to mining of our natural resources is one of the main reasons the U.S. is poised to be knocked off as the world’s richest economy after holding the position for 142 years.  “In the northern strip area of Mohave County, the government created the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument closing off access to over 1 million acres of public land that could have been used for mining clean coal and natural gas reserves.  The federal government again in 2009 shut off more economic development for Mohave County taxpayers when they broke their 1984 agreement and shut us off from 28 billion dollars in economic development by restricting us from mining the richest deposits of uranium in the country,” Johnson explained.   According to the Comparison Program’s figures, based on 2011 prices, the purchasing power of the U.S. Yuan will surpass that of the U.S. dollar in 2014 despite China’s economy being just 60 percent the size of America’s at market exchange rates.  “Our nation is rich in natural resources which, if safely recovered, would not only employ our people and bring back prosperity but could make us self-reliant again.  Yet the federal government keeps putting up road blocks and dragging their feet on major projects, like the keystone pipeline, that if approved could bring economic growth to our country for years to come,” Supervisor Johnson stated.   Johnson has been questioning what the answer from our federal government is on the issue, and from what he sees it’s more regulations and taxes on the American people.  “Road infrastructure is in desperate need in this country.  The federal government’s answer to the problem is a bill that would allow all states to place toll booths on our former “free” ways,” Johnson explained.  “America was built on dreams becoming reality and on dreamers being rewarded for their hard effort.  By enforcing more restrictions and expenses on the American people, it is inevitable that other countries will surpass us in wealth,” Johnson ended. ###

Operation Home Front

“Members from the Elks Lodge 3299, Military Moms, Eagles Aerie 4299, Marine Corp Detachment 757, American Legion 81 VFW Post, Lake Havasu Republican Women and others welcome a Wounded Warrior to his new home in Lake Havasu” From OPERATION HOME FRONT, posted by Buster Johnson on 4/16/2014 (6 items) Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2