Today's News-Herald : News : Havasu float takes prize at Fiesta Bowl : Havasunews.com : Serving Lake Havasu City & The Lower Colorado River Area

from archives: News

Printable Version | |

Comment (52 comment(s)) |

Rate |

Text Size

Submitted Photo Lake Havasu City’s entry into the Fiesta Bowl parade won the Sweepstakes Award for the most outstanding float Saturday in Phoenix. The float, which was part of a $40,000 sponsorship package contracted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, highlighted the lake’s lighthouses and the London Bridge.

Havasu float takes prize at Fiesta Bowl

By David Bell
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 8:30 PM MST

A Lake Havasu lighthouse was a winner at the Fiesta Bowl.

The Lake Havasu City entry in last Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl Parade was the Sweepstakes Award winner for most outstanding float.

“We were very excited when we heard the news,” said Lake Havasu Convention and Visitors Bureau president Dan Cunning in a press release.

The float spotlighted the efforts of the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club, which installs replicas of North American lighthouses around the lake as both tourist attractions and navigational aids for boaters. The float also featured the London Bridge.

The float was part of a $40,000 sponsorship package contracted by the CVB. In addition to design and construction of the float, the CVB and the city secured sponsorship of an entertainment stage at the Fiesta Bowl Block Party, a full-page ad in the entertainment guide at all Fiesta Bowl events, other event marketing and about 10 tickets to the game.

“The biggest thing looked for in advertising is impressions, or the number of people that see the ad. The parade was seen by an estimated 400,000 people in person, the statewide TV coverage, not to mention the preview coverage. The block party was attended by an estimated 100,000 people, where again people were exposed to Lake Havasu City. The entertainment guide was seen by hundreds of thousands. Total all that together and you’re looking at well over one million impressions generated by this investment,” said CVB vice president Jarrod Lyman.

Walking next to the float in the parade were representatives from the Lake Havasu City Fire and Police departments and Lake Havasu City Magistrate Clyde Andress.

“The guys walking along said there was a huge, positive response from the crowd. Not just because of the float but the city itself. From people that have visited or plan to visit,” Lyman said.

SEE TODAY'S NEWS-HERALD FOR THE FULL STORY

Article Rating

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of havasunews.com.

Reader Comments

John and Terri wrote on Jan 10, 2008 5:55 AM:

" I didnt see thanks asking anyone to call and identify themselves as the anonymous cvb post by reality check did "

Funny wrote on Jan 9, 2008 5:58 PM:

" I have to laugh at thanks, accusing people of sniping anonymously....while sniping anonymously. "

in the perfect world wrote on Jan 9, 2008 5:55 PM:

" In answer to "reality check" (is that supposed to be an oxymoron to his posting?) We can always hope that Andress reads the posts and suddendly is overcome with ethics and then issues his resignation... "

thanks wrote on Jan 9, 2008 1:45 PM:

" Thanks Reality Check for the CVB point of view of "we would rather snipe post anonymously on the web and have you call us to find out who you are so we can tell our good friends the police and Judge". Because reality is that if they are thankful enough for the trip and the tickets who knows what other ethical violations they might commit to thank you for them. "

Desertrat wrote on Jan 9, 2008 6:45 AM:

" I appreciate the apology. You may not agree with my opinion, but I only post under one name.
I firmly believe in allowing people to move beyond their mistakes. However, there is proof of recent wrong doings - just not something that can be posted here. Besides - I will be surprised if this gets posted at all. One has to talk to someone in the town where the crimes were committed (Oray,CO) to understand the depth of the crime. There was media coverage just recently because the restitution has not been paid. The reporter for their local newspaper wrote several articles that were online and will talk to you and tell you the negative impact that the con had on the their community and still has to this day. The individual in question’s unwillingness to pay restitution still effects the people in the community-they have to work in their golden years when they had saved to retire. How can you blame people in our city for not wanting the same thing to happen here? Remember - he was well liked and trusted there too. Admitting his wrongs? Of course - it is public record. But remember the old saying (with a little twist) con me once, shame on you, con me twice....we just don’t want the shame or the financial hardship to fall on our city. "

Reality Check wrote on Jan 8, 2008 7:09 PM:

" Desertrat:
You and I have disagreed on this front for years. I will say I'm sorry for assuming you're pulling the same trick that one disgruntled person is about the judge issue. I'll say once again why I disagree with you: He has admitted his past errors, courts have ruled in his favor when it comes to living up to his probation etc. and there is no evidence of any current wrong doing. I have a problem when we don't let people move on from their mistakes, and hold it over their head with no evidence of current wrong doing. Your response to that has been "well he could be hiding what he's doing wrong." I could be hiding a body in my freezer...without evidence of anyone doing anyuthing wrong, I don't like to challenge their legality.
As for the person saying the CVB owes an answer on here, uh, has anyone tried CALLING someone there? Actually asking them? Contrary to what some believe, this isn't a real conversation with anyone. Try calling and asking the question, instead of assuming they have nothing better to do than to hang out here. Try calling and getting the informatin, instead of making accusations and then waiting for a response in internetland. It's amusing you guys are complaining about courts, because if the legal system operated they way you do in making accustations without evidence and expecting them to come to you to defend themselves, we'd have som real issues. "

if they did they are toast wrote on Jan 8, 2008 6:27 PM:

" So the CVB would rather lurk here and snipe attack those who are true the cause of fixing Havasu to attract new tourist. CVB invites the problem to a parade, pays the hotel and food bill, and gives him a ticket to the game. "

look! Ostriches wrote on Jan 8, 2008 5:14 PM:

" desert rat I appreciate your ethics. Some on this board would call Paul Revere a criminal who just complain and that the British sure looked good in red and put on a nice parade. Those same people rather bury thier heads in the sand rather than admit thier is a problem. To sissy1: it would be nice if the local judge could obey the law. "

Desertrat wrote on Jan 8, 2008 3:01 PM:

" My "panties are not in a knot"-thanks for asking anyway. Reality Check has routinely attacked me thru the years on these forums because he does not like that I continue to bring up the unethical criminal behavior of a certain individual who receives hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer's money. I never said anything on this forum first, look at the post that first mentions my name-he assumed I was posting under other names. Guess he was surprised there were other ethical people in the community who care about injustices.

And I repeat (read my previous post) I ENJOYED THE FLOAT AND PARADE. "

Sissy 1 wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:39 AM:

" mrsa2, Thank-you! It is all about obeying the laws!
don't fear the reaper, walk towards the flames "

Long time local wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:24 AM:

" Well, "Hmmmmmmm," what is important is people taking a positive thing (the parade float award) and turning it into a negative (people ticked-off because of someone who was walking with the float). That was the message of my first post. My second post was pointing out to yet another negative poster that they were mis-quoting a post they were attacking. And while we are on the subject of mis-quoting... To "Desertrat", you are doing the same thing.
The only thing that is more irritating than all the negative griping, whining and complaining, is when people get their panties all in a knot over things they THINK they are reading on here. Y'all need to calm down, take the time to read more carefully, and use your brains. I stand by my original post: Congratulations to the CVB.
"

can the CVB answer? wrote on Jan 8, 2008 7:58 AM:

" If Justice, in the form a fair trial, is denied to one person it is denied to all people. Read the story, he was socializing with the same police who will be witnesses in front of him. You could be a great person and a good cop makes a bad call. You go in front of this Andress and the cop comes in as a witness whom they just had a great weekend at the bowl game together...what do you think are your chances? Given the censure and the number of complaints about this man around the internet it is clear you chances are zero. Remember that not every person arrested is guilty, unless you are arrested in Havasu where the Judge was a police supervisor and according to what I have seen never ruled against the police and has been reprimanded by the State for not being fair. I am very interested in learning if the Judge was given a ticket, who paid for the room and food for the Judge, who paid for the Judges wife if she went, and if the Judge walked lent the credibilty of the court to the CVB by walking in the parade in his robes. "

betterthanthemovies wrote on Jan 8, 2008 1:30 AM:

" mrsa2tnkr: Well said!! I usually get my popcorn ready, pull up my chair at my pc and proceed to read the posts. This is better than any comedy show I've seen yet! I also read the report of the "alleged" crime that Judge Andress committed. I've come to the conclusion that those disgruntled citizens (or a member of their family) once appeared before the courts and got a tongue lashing from the judge. They must watch to much of the "Matlock" reruns. By the way, the float was beautiful and represented Havasu in a terrific way. Now if Rep. Groe had "walked" along side the float I woulda seen RED. You're better off driving drunk than getting busted feeding the pigeons under the bridge. This city has gone down the proverbial toilet faster than Brittany's stay at the hospital. Guess I better go replenish my popcorn bowl. Can hardly wait for the next post. Ha! "

he did it himself wrote on Jan 7, 2008 11:18 PM:

" If you have not had a bad experience with the police does not mean it does not happen. From what I read on tourist sites around the internet the police started to harrass calornia crowd about 2000. That is the same year Andress moved from being a police captain to city Judge. Is that a coincidence? To answer the other way you are trying to slant this arguement it was not anyone but Andress that earned the 1 and only citiation issued by the panel of Judges, it was Andress himself. Trying to infer that people complaining have a grudge silly. They did not issue the reprimand, Andress peers did. Also, why is Havasu the only town in Havasu that does not have a Magistrate that is not a qualified lawyer. Even Bullhead hired a lawyer. My gosh we let Bullhead have a high standard than us! I thought that would be the day! Andress broke the law of cannons, the rules of his job. They were established by the supreme court and pass by the AZ legislature to uphold the indepednce of he courts, the image of the courts, and fairness of court. If Andress cannot live within the law then he should resign. "

mrsa2tnkr wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:43 PM:

" I have been reading this blog for a few weeks and must admit, I have laughed out loud (the cola machine at Walmart story still makes me giggle) agreed with many of you when it came to Groe, and thought the group was a little over board with the whole 30 days in jail for feeding the birds. I have been trying to figure out what you were talking about when it came to Judge Andress, and finally today I broke down and looked it up.(the web address did not quite take me there,but I found it) I was surprised at what I read, was he wrong? I would have to admit that he was out of line, however the way some of you carried on, I thought it was a major offense. I'm not sure if I would wake up screaming at the thought of Harvey Jackson as Mayor for another year, or the Judge wearing the robes for another year. It appears that some people have come before him while in his robes and didn't enjoy the experience. In regards to the out of state (californians in particular) being picked on, I came here for years with my family before I moved here and have never had a bad experience with a police officer, of course I kept my bathing suit on, supervised my children and drank in moderation and still managed to have a good time, imagine that! "

Don't fear the reaper wrote on Jan 7, 2008 6:50 PM:

" Lhc could use more beads, breasts and less judgemental blue hairs. Why is it people get so angry as the sit waiting for the grim reaper? To those people i say, make lhc better place to live...Walk toward the light. "

hmmmmmm? wrote on Jan 7, 2008 4:32 PM:

" Long time local I have a question for you. What matters more? One or two people posting about a bad judge or the fact that we have a bad judge? Oh and this is not boreland or desert rat. "

LHC Newbie wrote on Jan 7, 2008 1:48 PM:

" And no beads were thrown and no brests bared. "

Long time Local wrote on Jan 7, 2008 1:47 PM:

" Terry and Johni, if you read the post from Reality Check more closely, you will see that the words "only one person" are not used in that post. Reality Check asserts that there are two pseudonyms being used by "the same person." That is not at all the same thing as only one person posting. So who is it who is appearing "unintelligent?" "

here is a question wrote on Jan 7, 2008 11:47 AM:

" I do not know this guy from Adam but I am wondering why it would matter. If the judge broke the rules or the law then he broke the law. "

inquiring minds wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:24 AM:

" The CVB members read this board so tell us who did you give the game tickets to? And who paid for the transportation and rooms? Meals? Did the judge appear in his robes? "

wondering wrote on Jan 7, 2008 6:20 AM:

" What has the city judge done to deserve all this bad talk? Is he being slandered by the folks who were reprimanded by him?! "

if they did, they are toast wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:43 PM:

" From how I read the rules for Judges, the city magistrate has violated about four of the five rules for being a Judge. From how I read the rules it does not matter if he pays back the CVB for the ticket, I feel he has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Folks, we would not accept Trish Groe accepting a game ticket, or the Mayor. For that matter if any of the police accepted a ticket that would be a violation of law. "

Desertrat wrote on Jan 6, 2008 2:40 PM:

" No, the point is that you assumed only one or two people complain about the injustices in our city. You blatantly said that only 2 people could be bothered by unethical, unjust behavior. And you know what happens when you ASSume. "

monetary gifts accepted by a JUDGE?? wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:43 AM:

" Acceptance of monetary gifts by a JUDGE???

Based on the article the CVB bought 10 tickets for the bowl game (not cheap). I assume that they were given to and used by the Lake Havasu City Magistrate and the other city reps after the float parade to attend the bowl game. If this is correct, is that not a violation of his position ethics or a conflict of interest for a JUDGE to accept monetary gifts? Should the state attorney general or county district attorney investigate this as a possible crime? "

newtoyou wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:19 AM:

" Not every tourist has a bad time in Havasu. Some actually enjoy being here. I remember our first trip here, our children still talk about it. They also enjoy coming to visit. But we do take day trips now, to give them something new to see and do. So their money is being spent elsewhere. We do need more attractions, to keep all tourists coming back! Obey the law and enjoy yourself! "

Terry and Johni wrote on Jan 6, 2008 12:00 AM:

" How unintelligent it makes someone appear to say that "only one person" is posting. Especially when they put two names in post! Anyway; the facts are simple for anyone to see. It does not matter if 1000, 100, 10, or 1 person is posting because only 1 person got reprimanded by the ethics committee of the Arizona Supreme Court last year and that was the person somebody at the waste of money convention board picked to walk in a parade. Reading the ethics board page is informative too because from how I read it Andress violated the ethic cannons again by walking in the parade and socailizing by those who would be coming before the court as witnesses. That is my read but I bet we find out soon. "

Reality Check wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:59 PM:

" Sigh...the point is something nice, some good recognition came about for the city, and instead a few people need to sully it with their constant complaining agenda. Some people are never happy unless they're miserable...and make everyone else so too. "

Desertrat wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:44 PM:

" And by the way...I happened to like the float and the parade. I watched it and thought it was a wonderful representation of our community. I don't think anyone (except for SOME people) even cared who was walking along side it.
SIGNED THE ONE AND ONLY DESERTRAT "

Desertrat wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:37 PM:

" Well Reality Check --why don't you get one? Desertrat posts only under one name with facts I can back up. I can't speak for others who post however. And the only dead horse here is the one sided ignorance you display. "

Richard K wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:31 PM:

" Reality Check I am astonished that you would feel that only one person in this whole city is concerned about Andress. If you read the complaint filed to the supreme courts ethics committee it was written by a lawyer and a part-time prosecutor. It was decided upon by at least a board of 7 Judges. Is Boreland or Desert Rat one of them? "

kathrine wrote on Jan 5, 2008 8:23 PM:

" I would be happy to call you at the cvb to talk to you. I have submitted sign and notorized affidavits to the newspaper, given them my number, and post my email on the discussion board. And I am not the only one posting. "

Reality Check wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:37 PM:

" Boreland and Desert Rat:
Why do you constantly post under different names? Anyone with half a brain can tell you're the same person beating your usual dead horse. "

What makes it bad wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:07 PM:

" having Clyde Andreas in a parade next to a winning float is like putting a shine on a tu$&. And the float is the shine. "

things that make ya go hmmmm wrote on Jan 5, 2008 5:39 PM:

" This is why: there are many questionable ethics involved with many of the city's dealings. Why just complain about this judge? Just look at the issues being raised about convicted felons running government funding agencies. Gotta make ya wonder.... "

this is why wrote on Jan 5, 2008 5:16 PM:

" Long time residents dont understand that those who are intersted in Havasu will look on the internet for more information. They will check many tourism sites that spell out the problems with Andress. The problems will Andress are not accusation but FINDINGS BY THE STATE ETHICS BOARD. http://www.supreme.state.az.us/ethics/Complaints/2007_Complaints/07-082%20Final.pdf. Aside from that the CVB knew about Andress's ethic violations. Its great Havasu got attention but when people start to look into Havasu what will they find? Other tourist's who have had bad experiences here because of the ethic's of Andress. "

Long-time Local wrote on Jan 5, 2008 4:28 PM:

" Whether Havasu residents like it or not, the city's bread and butter is TOURISM. With the decline in national, state, and local economies, I would think residents would celebrate the fact that the Fiesta parade float garnered so much positive exposure and attention for Havasu. But NOOOOOO. Instead, many choose the low road and find fault, criticize, and attack the CVB when they should be pleased that so much good press has been coming Havasu's way. My guess is that few, if any, potential Havasu visitors knew who Clyde Andress was when they saw him in the parade, nor did they know of the accusations against him being thrown around. That lack of information pretty much nullifies the "terrible representative" garbage being posted here. What a shame that no matter how many beautiful flowers there are, all some people can see is the fertilizer.
CVB.....GOOD FOR YOU!!! Congratulations! "

convicted felon directors wrote on Jan 5, 2008 2:34 PM:

" sounds like a job for investigative reporting... "

Kathrine wrote on Jan 4, 2008 10:48 PM:

" I was just wondering who is was at the CVB who even asked Andress to appear in the parade. I know several CVB employees who read this board and even post here. How could they have thought that asking one of our two most notorious public figures from Havasu to appear in a national event was a good idea? I have to question the decision making of the agency as a whole if they knowingly executed this plan and it is hard to fathom there is any way for them to not know. If this Boreland is the one who made the decision then maybe we should review his contract along with Andress’s. It is my understanding reading the ordinance’s of the City that someone in the Magistrate’s office can be removed if they are reprimanded by the Judicial Commission and that link has been posted. So clearly we have a problem in the City Court and unless and until we do something about Groe and Andress this town has two black eyes-one is hurting our businesses everyday by his actions. All of this in my humble opinion. "

Wondering wrote on Jan 4, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Is 'not surprised' talking about Groe or the director of 'that' Social Service Agency? Was Groe's a felon? I thought it was just a misdemenor. "

Cindy wrote on Jan 4, 2008 8:00 PM:

" It is astonishing that Havasu has someone who has been admonished by the supreme court for being bad at his job still doing that job! And this is a department head? No wonder we have such a bad reputation with tourist. It is funny how the tourism board asked the problem to walk in the parade! Cost of float: $1200-cost of housing and carousing those in parade: $1500-cost of having a corrupt judge in the spotlight to woe new tourist? Priceless "

Not surprised wrote on Jan 4, 2008 6:10 PM:

" Oh you print unkind things about judges, cops, etc but not about convicted felon directors. I guess I am not surprised. Honest journalism! yeah right "

Reality Check wrote on Jan 4, 2008 5:47 PM:

" I should be amazed that some people in this town can find the negative in anything, but then again, I'm not. But who is surprised that Borland is talking to himself on this one too. "

no arrest here, just a good citizen wrote on Jan 4, 2008 3:53 AM:

" I read the ethics report on Andress and find it hard to see how he still has a job not to mention how the convention authority thought asking him to represent the city was a good thing. May as well of had Groe in the parade waving a bottle. Whomever the rocket scientist was that asked Andress to represent the city was should be standing next to him as the council fires them both. "

Kelly wrote on Jan 3, 2008 11:07 PM:

" Groe ON the float - she is Havasu - IF she gets relected that is. "

Kathrine Sanders wrote on Jan 3, 2008 4:52 PM:

" How about Groe walking next to the float. Same thing, both have been caught doing wrong. "

No way is right! wrote on Jan 3, 2008 2:19 PM:

" How dare our city magistrate walk in a parade! What a gross miscarriage of justice, walking next to a parade float! That's terrible! That's awful! That's...I'm sorry, I can't keep a straight face. Boreland, you really need a new tune. "

no way part two. wrote on Jan 3, 2008 11:03 AM:

" To qoute the story: "Walking next to the float in the parade were representatives from the Lake Havasu City Fire and Police departments and Lake Havasu City Magistrate Clyde Andress" Now for my opinion. Are you kidding me? Who let this man represent the city! "

Sissy 1 wrote on Jan 3, 2008 10:59 AM:

" I love parades and wish I would have seen this one. What lighthouse is this? Split Rock? Congrats!!! People, can't you find something good in anything? "

good thinking wrote on Jan 3, 2008 9:58 AM:

" get people to flock here to see the run-down english village. What's happening with the developers? "

Betty and Bob Stanley wrote on Jan 3, 2008 7:41 AM:

" Congratulations on a beautiful float and a friendly city. We have visited Lake Havasu and find everyone to be friendly .. Havasu has come a long way!! "

no way wrote on Jan 3, 2008 12:36 AM:

" um... Are you kidding me? "

Comment Rules

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone and we reserve the right to withhold or remove any comment from publication.

Do not post:
    * Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
    * Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
    * Personal attacks, insults or threats.
    * The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
    * Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in havasunews.com's story comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of Today's News Herald. Today's News Herald provides an interactive computer service and does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Today's News Herald spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!