NOVEMBER 24, 2025

An American Thanksgiving: A Moment to Reflect on Our Blessings

As Thanksgiving approaches, it offers each of us a much-needed moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on the blessings we often take for granted. In the rush of daily life—work, commitments, community events, and the constant swirl of national conversations—it’s easy to forget just how fortunate we are to call America home.

America remains the greatest country in the world, not because we are perfect, but because we are free. We are blessed with a constitutional right that billions of people across the globe can only dream of: the right to vote, to speak up, and to make our voices heard. Whether at the ballot box, in a school board meeting, or through the efforts of everyday citizens who step forward to make a difference, this freedom is the cornerstone of our nation’s strength.

We live in a country where we can own property, start a business, pursue new opportunities, and travel freely without government interference—liberties that are rare in many parts of the world. These freedoms form the foundation of the American Dream, a dream built generation by generation by people willing to work hard, build community, and protect what matters most.

But as we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving—surrounded by family, friends, and the aroma of roasted turkey—we should also take time to remember those who are struggling. Many families will face an empty chair this year, missing someone they’ve lost. Others may be spending the holiday alone, or without the resources many of us are blessed with.

Let us hold space in our hearts for them. Let us offer prayers, extend kindness, and reach out when we can.

And above all, let us be grateful—truly grateful—to be Americans. Grateful for our freedoms. Grateful for our communities. Grateful for the opportunities this nation continues to offer.

This Thanksgiving, may gratitude guide us, unity strengthen us, and hope carry us forward. May we never forget the privilege of living in this incredible country.

Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless America.

The True Story of Thanksgiving

Every year, I make it a point to listen to Rush Limbaugh share the true story of Thanksgiving—a version of history far different from the glossy narrative most of us were taught in school. Rush had a remarkable gift for bringing America’s past to life, reminding us of the courage, faith, and perseverance that shaped this nation. If you’ve never heard his Thanksgiving story, I encourage you to listen this year. And if you have heard it before, listen again—it’s the kind of lesson worth revisiting.

We lost a true American hero when we lost Rush. His voice, his passion for our country, and his unwavering belief in American exceptionalism are deeply missed, especially during moments of reflection like Thanksgiving. God bless him for the legacy he left behind and the wisdom he shared with millions of us who still carry those lessons forward.

Mail-In Ballots Are Strengthening Voter Participation in Arizona

There is a growing group of Republicans in Arizona calling for an end to mail-in ballots and vote centers, but eliminating these options would dramatically reduce voter participation. Our goal should be the opposite—encouraging and expanding voter turnout so every Arizonan has the opportunity to make their voice heard. In a state as large, diverse, and busy as ours, accessible voting options are essential to strengthening—not weakening—our democratic process.

Arizona has long been a leader in expanding access to the ballot box. In 1991, the Arizona Legislature took a major step forward by allowing any voter to request an absentee ballot—no excuse required. This simple change opened the door for widespread participation among voters who otherwise might struggle to make it to the polls.

In 2007, the Legislature modernized the system by updating the term absentee voting to early voting. That same year, lawmakers created one of the most impactful voter-access tools in our state’s history: the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL). When a voter signs up for PEVL, they automatically receive a ballot in the mail for every election—no need to remember deadlines or submit repeated requests.

In the most recent election - mail in ballot only:

• 2,338,279 ballots were cast by mail.
• 954,306 of those came from Republicans.
• 758,342 from Democrats.
• 625,631 from voters registered as Independent, Green Party, Libertarian, or other.

As you can see Republicans return mail in ballots in greater numbers than Democrats. Out of 3,553,712 total ballots mailed statewide, 1,215,433 were never returned—a reminder that while mail-in voting dramatically increases access, we still have work to do in encouraging voters to follow through.

Why Mail-In Voting Matters

In 2025, Arizonans live busy, complicated lives. Even our retired population—once a reliable group of in-person Election Day voters—is now more active than ever. Life happens. People get sick. Cars break down. Work schedules change. Emergencies don’t wait for elections. And even if election day were a holiday retail stores, grocery stores and many other businesses would not recognize it.

Mail-in ballots eliminate the fear that unexpected circumstances could silence someone’s vote. They give every voter a fair chance to participate, regardless of what life throws their way. Some voters trust the postal service; others prefer drop boxes. Both options empower citizens to vote on their own timeline.

Voting Centers: Another Key to Participation

There is growing debate within the Republican Party about ending mail-in ballots and vote centers, but doing so would move us backward. The goal must remain maximum voter participation—making sure we the people have our voices heard at the ballot box.

Voting centers play an equally critical role. We already struggle to recruit enough temporary workers during county and statewide elections. Going back to precinct-only voting would make staffing dramatically harder. Most people today do not work in their neighborhood, and requiring them to return to a specific precinct on one specific day would only reduce turnout.

For voters who prefer to vote in person, ballots-on-demand at voting centers are efficient, reduce wait times, and increase accuracy. Combined with mail-in voting, they create a system that is both accessible and secure.

A System Worth Preserving

Mail-in ballots and vote centers have significantly strengthened Arizona’s ability to conduct elections that are accessible, secure, and reflective of the will of the people. These policies help ensure that every voter—regardless of circumstance—has a meaningful opportunity to participate.

I am hopeful these systems are here to stay.

Because when more Arizonans vote, our democracy is stronger.

Spike in Rejected Signatures Raises Concerns About New Verification Procedures

New signature verification procedures implemented by Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap MAY have resulted in thousands of legitimate ballots being rejected in November’s all-mail, off-year election. Heap presented these changes during the Nov. 19 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors canvass meeting, where board members raised questions about a sharp increase in rejected ballots.

A Dramatic Increase in Rejected Ballots

Nearly 6,000 ballots were rejected due to signature issues — 0.8% of the roughly 700,000 votes cast. This is more than double last year’s rejection rate, and significantly higher than previous jurisdictional elections:

• 2021: 0.1% rejected
• 2023: 0.3% rejected
• 2025: 0.8% rejected

If this same rejection rate had occurred in 2024, more than 15,000 ballots would have been discarded — enough to alter the outcome of multiple close races.

Board Chairman Thomas Galvin noted the “significant increase in bad signatures,” and Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee said she was “very concerned” about the spike.

What Changed Under Recorder Heap

Heap implemented a new verification process requiring two people from different political parties to review each signature. To enhance transparency, observers may now circulate the room and view the screens. However, this has a trade-off: personal identifying information such as phone numbers and addresses is now hidden from verifiers.

Now the screen the citizens view past signatures on has as many as six signatures to compare to and the signatures can be enlarged and moved side by side to more accuracy.

In past elections, this additional information helped confirm voter identity when signatures had naturally changed over time. Without it, more signatures are flagged as questionable and sent to the curing process.

The change in procedure is a positive change providing bipartisanship and saving time when it counts. But the result of a significantly higher rejection rate concerns many voters. The goal is for every legal vote to count. Does this election prove there is roughly an 8% fraud rate in our elections?

Tens of Thousands Flagged — But Not All Cured

Mail-in voting director Ray Valenzuela reported that 30,000 signatures were flagged as questionable in this election. Staff attempted to contact voters by phone, email, and text, but many never responded.

U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego shared his own experience, noting that even long-time mail voters may miss cure notifications due to spam filters or travel.

Ultimately, 5,903 ballots with signature issues were not cured in time and were rejected.

Who Was Affected?

According to available data:

• Republicans: 36%
• Independents: 35%
• Democrats: 27%
• Age 25 or younger: 30%
• Likely Hispanic voters: 15%

Did This Catch Fraud? Unlikely, Experts Say

Former Recorder Stephen Richer dismissed the idea that the spike reflects increased fraud detection, calling it unrealistic that individuals would forge signatures just to influence small, local elections.

“I’d guess fewer than five of the 5,903 rejected were actually attempts at fraudulent voting,” Richer said on X.

Potential Impact on 2026 Elections

Recorder Heap argued that the higher rejection rate was due to the nature of an all-mail election, claiming that many voters who typically vote in person had fewer signatures on file. However, previous all-mail elections did not experience this level of rejection.

With the 2026 midterm election expected to draw more than 1.5 million voters, the current system could result in 80,000 or more ballots flagged for elevation unless the office significantly increases staffing and adjusts procedures.

Citizens Run Our Elections

It s important to remember the Recorder's Office and the Board of Supervisors oversee our elections but it is our fellow citizens that carry out the duties. We the people are the signature reviewers. We the people are poll workers. We the people help cure ballots as well.

Supervisors Call for Action

Supervisor Galvin issued a public warning:

“I expressed my deep concern that too many valid ballots were rejected due to the new signature verification policy. At this rate, over 15,000 ballots would have been rejected in the 2024 presidential election. Only 7,220 were rejected that year. Stay tuned.”

Dysart Governing Board Meeting Highlights: Celebrating Achievement and Standing Up for Student Safety

At the November Dysart Unified School District Governing Board meeting, our community had the honor of recognizing an outstanding student from Shadow Ridge High School—National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist Nicholas Snyder. Each year, more than 1.3 million students across the United States compete for this prestigious distinction. Nicholas’s achievement places him among the top academic performers in the nation, and we could not be more proud of him. His hard work, dedication, and excellence reflect the best of our district and the bright future ahead for our students.

A New Arts Partnership to Benefit the Community

The meeting also featured an exciting announcement regarding a new agreement between Dysart Unified School District and the City of Surprise for shared use of the Vista Center for the Arts. This partnership is designed to expand performance opportunities, strengthen arts education, and bring additional cultural events to the West Valley.

Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor and Councilmember Chris Judd, were in attendance to support this collaborative effort. This initiative is a meaningful step forward for both the city and the district, offering more access to quality arts programming for students and families alike.

A-Rated Excellence Across the District

The newly released performance numbers confirm what many of us already know—Dysart Unified School District will proudly retain its A rating. Even more impressive, all four of the district’s high schools earned an A rating individually. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, support staff, and administrators who work tirelessly to ensure students receive the high-quality education they deserve. Their efforts continue to shape promising futures for every child in our community.

Addressing Public Safety Concerns: A Call for Accountability

During public comment, I addressed an important issue from last month’s meeting. At that time, Board President Dawn Densmore brought forward a resolution opposing the proposed BNSF intermodal hub in Wittmann, citing serious concerns regarding bus travel times, air quality, and student safety.

Despite widespread community opposition to the project—including the City of Surprise, PORA, SCHOA, Nadaburg Unified School District, Senator Janae Shamp, and most recently the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors—three Dysart board members voted against the resolution: Steve Skvara, Mary Jane Ziola, and Jennifer Drake.

I expressed that this vote demonstrated an inability to “read the room” and failed to prioritize the safety and well-being of the very students they were elected to protect. While I requested their resignation—an action none are likely to take—the principle remains vital:

Board members must put the health and safety of students above personal politics.

Our community will remember who stood with parents, teachers, and students—and who did not.

No New BNSF Updates — But Our Work Continues

At this time, there are no new public updates regarding the proposed BNSF intermodal hub in Wittmann. However, our efforts must continue with the same strength and determination that have defined this movement from the beginning. We know BNSF is still actively collecting signatures in support of their project, and with a zoning change request expected sometime in 2026, it is crucial that we stay ahead of the game.

Our community’s voice matters, and the thousands of signatures we’ve already gathered have made a real impact. But we cannot slow down now. Every new signature strengthens our position when this issue comes before the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the Planning & Zoning Commission next year.

If you would like me to speak at a meeting, club gathering, HOA event, or any other venue in 2026 where we can share information and collect signatures, please reach out. I am happy to get events booked early so we are ready and organized well before the zoning request is submitted.

📧 Email: lisa@patriotnheels.com

📞 Phone: 469-877-8644

For those who have heard Lena Kent claim that I refuse to speak with her, please know that is simply not true. We have spoken, and during that conversation she was extremely aggressive, giving me little opportunity to respond. Based on that experience, I believe my time is better spent engaging directly with our community and continuing the work that truly makes a difference.

In the meantime, if you have not yet signed a letter of opposition, please take a moment to do so using the link below. Your voice truly does make a difference.

Together, we will continue protecting Wittmann, our way of life, and the future of the West Valley.

Happy Hour Another Wonderful Patriot Happy Hour — Rain and All!

Despite the rainy weather, we had yet another fantastic Patriot Happy Hour! The room was full of energy, laughter, and meaningful conversation as our incredible group came together for an evening of fellowship and community.

A special thank-you goes to Nancy Mazour, who brought Christmas cards for all of us to sign for our Troops. This thoughtful gesture added a heartfelt purpose to the evening and reminded us all of the brave men and women serving far from home this holiday season. Our group signed dozens of cards—each filled with warmth, gratitude, and encouragement.

As always, it was a night of great discussion, good laughs, and a reminder of why these gatherings matter so much. Coming together, strengthening friendships, and supporting one another is what keeps our Patriot community strong.

Next Patriot Happy Hour — Mark Your Calendar!

Our next Patriot Happy Hour will be December 17th from 4–7 PM. We will be meeting in the back room at State 48 in Surprise, instead of at the bar. The change in location will give us more space to gather, talk, and enjoy the evening together.

We look forward to seeing you there and ending the year with another great night of fellowship. Until then—stay warm, stay safe, and thank you for being part of this wonderful community.

DUE TO THE HOLIDAY MOST CLUBS WILL NOT MEET - CALL FIRST