Arizona Senator Bob Worsley has confused and confounded constituents for years. While claiming to be a caring guy, he appears to have no problem turning his back on grieving parents, struggling taxpayers, and the unconnected of Arizona.
So when he said he cared about the alleged revenge porn victim of his business partner, Kent Lyons, his words rang hollow for his victims.
From his refusal to look at parent victims in the Senate gallery during the debate of Grant’s Law, to preventing a hearing of Buddy’s Law, which might have saved those in the path of wrong way drivers, Worsley has shown a remarkable lack of caring and compassion.
In light of recently obtained texts from the senator, his motivations are questionable as well.
Grant’s Law
In fairness, Grant’s Law was controversial. Worsley was not the only Republican senator to oppose it. Sens. Kate Brophy Mcgee and Frank Pratt joined Worsley in killing the bill named after 21-year old Grant Ronnebeck, a convenience store clerk who was shot and killed by an illegal alien.
During the debate, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Steve Smith asked those senators who stood in opposition, to look at Grant’s dad Steve and others and explain to them their reasons. Worsley would not give Grant’s grieving father even that simple courtesy.
Later, according to the Arizona Capitol Times, Worsley said “None of these laws… would have saved Grant’s life.” Worsley had argued that Grant’s Law would hurt tourism. Smith addressed Worsley’s rationalization, according to the Capitol Times article:
“If that is your reason, because tourism might suffer in Arizona if we pass another immigration bill… I want you to meet those family members and you tell me how many tourism dollars, if they were to be lost, is worth it to their children not being here anymore,” he said.
Worsley claimed that he, Brophy McGee, and Pratt “didn’t want to make a scene on the floor.” Worsley, Brophy McGee, and Pratt complained that it was unfair to ask them to explain their nay votes to the parents.
Buddy’s Bill
Unfair is something Dean and Deb Scarlett thought about Worsley in March 2017, when he killed a bill he had introduced that would have created a “Buddy Alert.”
Related article: Arizona Officials Thwart Buddy Alert Bill, Wrong Way Drivers Denied Warnings
The Buddy Alert bill was named after Christopher “Buddy” Ruiz, who was murdered by a drunk driver, Robert Andrew Cadman, who was driving the wrong way on Loop 303 in January 2016. Buddy had no warning that Cadman was heading his way. Cadman was driving northbound in the southbound lanes on the Loop 303 when he collided head-on with Buddy, according to DPS.
A “Buddy Alert” would use existing technology to flash a simple warning to drivers that a wrong way driver was coming their way. No one would get rich on it, but it might have saved a few lives.
Despite the fact that Buddy’s bill, SB1151; had bipartisan support, Worsley killed it before it was even heard in committee.
“I think the journey we were about to encounter was one that we just really didn’t understand. The slowness. The bureaucracy associated with the way things work,” Dean Scarlett told radio show host James T. Harris. “So with that being said we had a very – very important meeting – that was set up back in December with Alberto Gutier, the Director of Highway Safety and John Carlson who is the Director of Public Relations for ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation)…. Again the purpose of the meeting was to explain in more detail a concept of what Buddy Alert was. It was the most unusual hour and a half I’ve ever had. It was a feel good meeting. They really emphasized that they understood the importance of the alert. They talked about the need to have something like this that would protect their families. Talking about how this was a very easy low cost way to build a rapport with the community. It is such a problem. They said all the right things. As I was leaving that meeting, I was saying to myself that went really well but I’m waiting for the speed bump. What next?”
Even though momentum seemed to be going their way, Scarlett received a message informing him that four hours before the bill was to be considered there was supposedly surprise opposition to the project. According to sources, while ADOT had been neutral on the bill, they suddenly claimed that they already had a warning system similar to Buddy Alert.
Time went by and more people died including two Grand Canyon University students, who were killed in a wrong-way Good Friday freeway crash, according to the Phoenix New Times:
“The Arizona Department of Public Safety identified the sisters as Karli Arlene Richardson, 20, and Kelsey Mae Richardson, 18, both of Moorseville, N.C. ABC TV-Channel 15 reported that the mother of the sisters, Cathy Hocking, said Karlie was supposed to graduate from GCU in the spring and Kelsey was visiting.
Related article: Services Announced for Grand Canyon University Students Killed in Good Friday Tragedy
Then on June 6, a wrong-way driver on the I-10 mini-stack killed himself and a driver in another vehicle.
Wrong-Way Crash On I-10 Mini-Stack Takes Two Lives
Later on June 6, Worsley was asked about the accident. He responded by text:
After Sensors on I-17 for a test. Where else do you want to go to do what? What legislation are you drafting? If you have ideas that will Work I am all ears. As I see it: 1. Sensors on all off ramps for wrong way drivers. 2. Worsley devise installed on all off ramps to stop wrongway drivers at any time of day or night. (emphasis added) 3. Driverless cars implemented over next 10 years that make this moot!
On June 7, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey tweeted in response to reports of two deaths:
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The signs he’s created include high-intensity LED lights which activate when a wrong-way driver is detected. “We came up with this idea about a year ago and I’m trying to get someone’s attention with it, because it’s easy [to] install. It’s very inexpensive,” added Sigler. He says the secret is the smart box attached to the sign, which contains sophisticated sensors, a cell modem and a radar gun. The bright LEDs are solar powered and can be installed for less than $5,000 per location. |
“Following last night’s accident I have instructed the department of transportation department of public safety and my office of Highway safety to convene immediately and increased efforts to mitigate and prevent this public safety issue.
“I have specifically ordered that the plant launch of thermal camera detection technology be expedited I want those cameras implemented as quickly as possible and expanded to as many areas as possible where they may make a difference and save a life. We also need to take some immediate actions to increase enforcement and public awareness. All of this needs to be done in collaboration with local law-enforcement agencies.
“I want all Arizonans to know the state takes the issue extremely seriously. Our goal is to reduce the fatalities and save lives, and we will take every appropriate measure in order to do so.”
On June 8, Worsley applied for corporate status with the Arizona Corporation Commission a new business entity called Highway Sentinel, LLC (File Number: L21934760).
On June 10, Worsley advised an associate in a text:
Progress…
“Subject: Wrong-Way Driving Crisis: Governor Request
Smart & Connected Council Members,
I received a call from Governor Ducey’s office today in regards to the wrong-way driving issue plaguing our state. I met with his staff a couple of weeks ago and discussed how iDP’s Smart & Connected Council (SCC) was a new type of technology and innovation collaborative for the State. Furthermore we talked about how the SCC was built to rapidly solve insurmountable urban issues.
Today his office called me to say that the upsurge in wrong-way driving and the resulting fatalities demands that something be done. I informed him that when it comes to wrong-way driving, its clear that not one company can provide the breadth of technology solution to solve the issue. This is not a one-size-fits-all type of problem. Furthermore, I told them that solving wrong-way driving is going to require unprecedented collaboration and that I couldn’t feel more strongly that this crisis presents the perfect opportunity (although tragic) to mobilize our Smart & Connected Council (SCC) to launch an innovative technology pilot to solve this crisis. (emphasis added)
As a first step they requested if we could send any and all information that our Council members might have on initiatives that other states have launched to deal with this issue. If you could forward to me any information that your organizations might have on other efforts regarding wrong-way driving, or academic research around the issue, it would be greatly appreciated. I told them that I would reach out to all of you and get back to them next week.”
On July 12, ADOT issues a press release:
ADOT advances wrong-way detection with $3.7 million project
PHOENIX – A $3.7 million project to construct a first-in-the-nation thermal detection system, which will detect wrong-way vehicles and alert the other drivers and law enforcement of them on Interstate 17, was approved Friday afternoon by the State Transportation Board.
Last week, Governor Doug Ducey instructed the Arizona Department of Transportation to accelerate the construction of this system in light of recent wrong-way crashes, which resulted in Friday’s vote.…..
ADOT also continues to study new technologies that promote highway safety for all users, including tools for detection, tracking and notification of wrong-way drivers.
Following Friday’s action by the State Transportation Board, the project now requires approval from the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council.
As a result of his involvement with Lyons and the fact that a possible crime of revenge porn was not reported to authorities, there is grumbling that his fellow lawmakers should consider an ethics investigation of Worsley.
It is Worsley’s apparent motivations that disturb some of his his victims. “Senator Worley has time and again ignored his constituents. He has put dollar signs and ridiculous excuses ahead of common sense, life saving legislation,” said Steve Ronnebeck. “Seems to me that lawmakers should not be afraid of making a little noise or standing out in a crowd, instead they take the easy way out. I didn’t know that some of our conservative members of the Arizona Senate could be more liberal than the liberal members they side with. Maybe Senator Worsley should change parties.”
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