Particularly in the summer heat, when the town seems nearly deserted, there is a mystery as to why Quartzsite even exists. Passing motorists who stop for gas along Interstate 10 surely wonder, though they may feel that way about a lot of desert towns in the summer.

What distinguishes Quartzsite from other desert communities is Quartzsite’s complete and utter failure at self-governance. The latest political dust-up has brought a lot of outside attention to the town.

The Arizona Republic provided extensive coverage on Sunday, correctly characterizing the town’s politics as being like the Jerry Springer show. The New York Times covered the in-fighting, terming it a ruckus.

The latest spats involve the Police Department issuing a no-confidence vote in the chief and the council declaring a state of emergency. The mayor, Ed Foster, is estranged from not only the council but the city manager as well.

Quartzsite has a long history of shaky self-governance. The current antics are fairly tame compared to, say, the murder-for-hire accusations of a decade ago. The feuding now seems to be just that, a long feud that has become part and parcel with town government.

It is slightly entertaining. It is equally sad.

There are indications the state will investigate the use of government resources to wage private vendettas. That’s good. LaPaz County should also investigate the town’s public safety and financial systems.

One gets the feeling there is really no getting to the bottom of what the fuss is about.

But a reasonable reaction to hearing that 10 of 14 Quartzsite police officers OK’d the no-confidence letter in their chief is this: Why in the world does Quartzsite have 14 police officers?

Town leaders on all sides of the fray should feel deeply embarrassed about their town, which is now under the microscope simply because it is dysfunctional.

Until such time as the town can govern itself, the county and state may need to step in to assure that everyone is safe and that law is being upheld.

— Today’s News-Herald