http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/123356

Published: 04.05.2006

Napolitano won't let protest close governmentBy Howard Fischer
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES
PHOENIX -- Gov. Janet Napolitano promised Wednesday to keep government offices open and operating Monday even if 100,000 marchers descend on the Capitol.
And she intends to do that without activating National Guard troops ahead of time -- though Napolitano promised they would be "available" if necessary.
"It is my intent that state government stays open," she said. "This ought to be managed so state government stays open and the work of the people is done as the march proceeds."
And Napolitano said that includes her: She promised to be at work that day.
None of that satisfied Senate President Ken Bennett and House Speaker Jim Weiers that the Legislature will be able to conduct its own business.
In a letter to the governor they asked for a "full briefing" on all security measures "so that we may appropriately plan for this unprecedented event."
House spokesman Barrett Marson said lawmakers need to know whether legislators and their staffs -- as well as constituents -- will be able to get to the Capitol and, eventually, be able to go home.
Napolitano conceded there will be "some logistical problems" what with marchers coming to the Capitol from the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and perhaps 100,000 people participating.
For example, she said, there are questions ranging from where state employees will park to whether they can leave their offices at the end of their shifts.
Napolitano said, though, she expects some state workers to stay away -- whether because they want to participate in the march or simply do not want to have to brave the crowds to get in and out of work.
"That's fine," she said. "But you need to take annual leave to it."
Marson, however, said legislative leaders want to know exactly what the governor and Department of Public Safety plan to do if the march turns violent and lawmakers need to be protected or rescued.
Gubernatorial press aide Jeanine L'Ecuyer said specifics have been provided to legislative staffers. And she said they will be kept updated.
"They'll get as much detail as we have," she said.
Neither Marson nor Nick Simonetta, his Senate counterpart, could say at this point whether lawmakers will be at the Capitol on Monday.
The governor also rebuffed calls by two Republican senators to call out the National Guard. Napolitano said she has been assured by Roger Vanderpool, director of the state Department of Public Safety, that planning is underway "to make sure the events on Monday take place peacefully."
Napolitano said she is relying on civilian law enforcement, under the lead of Phoenix police.
"This is a lawful march," she said.
"It is designed to be a peaceful march," Napolitano continued about plans by Hispanic groups and others to protest U.S. House legislation to make felons out of illegal immigrants as well as to urge Congress to adopt measures giving those not here legally a path to citizenship. "The predicate for calling out the National Guard has not been met."
Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, one of the legislators seeking Guard presence, said he also has been assured by Vanderpool, in writing, that everything is under control.
"There will be a large contingent of law enforcement present to deal with this event, to ensure there are as few problems or incidents as possible," Vanderpool wrote to Gould. "I have every confidence that my officers, the officers of the Phoenix Police Department, and others who are called upon to assist will handle the situation as professionally and efficiently as possible."
"I don't know that pacifies me," Gould responded. He said that the number of DPS officers, even if supplemented by Phoenix police and Maricopa County deputies, could prove insufficient.
Gould renewed his call for Napolitano to have Guard troops "in the vicinity."
While refusing to activate troops in advance, Napolitano left hints that they could be called out if it becomes necessary. "The National Guard is always available under any circumstance," she said.
The governor sidestepped questions of how that would happen as most Guard units are composed of people with other full-time jobs. "The National Guard is always available," she repeated.