I can’t help but wonder what we would be doing today if Savannah were still alive. The memory of the last Easter is all we can build on. In 2012, Easter was April 8th – the last day of pure joy for our family in being with Savannah.
As Stephen went out to hide eggs for the big hunt, she sneakily followed him and was picking them up one by one, and once discovered, everyone laughed at her crafty ability to just cut to the chase. Candy necklace as bracelets, chocolate faced smiles. I miss her so much.
Mark, Stephen and Grandpa Cross begged Ashley to let her stay with family. Stephen was still in outpatient treatment at the VA, but he had a vast network to help – that wanted to help – that loved her with all of our hearts. Ashley’s life was busy with school, work (although we didn’t know everything at that time), and she adamantly denied anyone from doing what she was unwilling to…..love Savannah and keep her safe. Had any of us known the real truth, she would not have had an option to deny us. But that isn’t how it shook out, is it?
Easter week is a hard week for us every year, with no end in sight for being able to move past the loss, as we cling to the memories and still cannot balance why any of this had to happen. Every Easter Sunday now, I fast. Three days in the week of Easter, between Monday and Good Friday, I fast. In my mind, I know He delivered her from evil as we all pray for every time we recant the Lord’s Prayer; in my heart, it was all unnecessary and pure spite that killed her. Ashley’s spite in keeping her away, and Reed and Clement’s spite for …well, hell, they were getting paid, so I have no idea why – but I felt a need to say it was spite. It feels like spite. It feels like allot of things.
I think I’ve mentioned that I am a candidate for City Council. The primary is May 5th. I am asked on many interviews as to why I am running for office. Everyone that follows this blog already knows the answer to that question, but I have to keep saying it over and over again – Savannah, and other reasons, but mostly, Savannah. The follow-up question is usually “well, City Council can’t do anything about things of that nature, what do you hope to accomplish?”. My answer to that is a couple of things – OK – four things.
1. City Councils can take a stand and collectively write their State Legislature and request a zero tolerance policy on crimes against children. That needs to be done.
2. City Councils can take a stand and push funding from non-violent matters into areas that relate to crimes against children, be it Meth, cocaine and heroin in the home, domestic abuse, child abuse and gang related activity and help our Police Departments and investigative agencies have the funds they need to prevent as much as they are able to.
3. City Councils can take a stand by working with the County Prosecutor’s office and collectively write them, and judges at every State level asking for stricter punishments and longer imprisonment – the maximums rather than the minimums and call for a serious look at the disparity in punishments that currently exists where someone who hurts or kills a dog is given more jail time than someone who does the same to a child.
4. City Councils, can take a stand and as apart of economic development, specifically ask those who do business in our City to actively participate in the social good of the community and create opportunities to develop character, and not just profits or jobs. We need to give them something they do not want to lose and recognize the value of engaging positively instead of negatively to their own prosperity.
Pipe dream? I think not. What City Council in their right minds would ever say no to doing that if the topic came up from another member of the body? If that doesn’t establish a concern for the overall good of a community, I sure as hell do not know what else would. It makes a bold statement that we want our children protected better than what is currently being done. I personally know of at least one case where CPS is keeping the horrors against children that are being committed in our community under the hush threshold so no one learns how bad it really is in our City. That is wrong – people need to know. Parents should be punished, and the work on reunification. Not reunification without punishments. You don’t announce to a meth head or cocaine user that “Meet us at the office on Monday for your drug screen” when that gives them the heads up to binge out and in 72 hours they will not test positive and they are still using and it remains under the radar just to keep the caseworker’s life easier managed. DO NOT ANNOUNCE the drug screen. Geesus man – what the hell are they thinking?
City Councils have more influence than they currently exercise, particularly in the matters mentioned above. I honestly don’t think they’ve ever thought to flex that muscle. I’ll flex it for them, given the opportunity. They need a conscience (City Council), and I can at least be that. I do have 33 years of other skills that are equally as compelling to use for the purpose of the overall good of the City, and I have lived here 21 years now and I seem to feel the pulse that City Council just can’t find to the real community, and not just the community you see on promotional brochures and commercials.
Of course the main duties of the Council is public safety, economic development, growth, infrastructure (which includes public works) and fiscal responsibility to fund all of the above. It also includes “enhancing the lives” of those that live in the community. That has a broader meaning to me than it seems to in the minds and actions of those currently serving.
Crime is a choice. I think it’s been well established that murder is against the law, yet people consciously continue to commit it with a “what have I got to lose” attitude. We need to give them something they do not want to lose. We need to bring businesses to the community that includes benefits for everyone, is philanthropic, volunteers, and gives those struggling the most pride and a glimmer of hope. It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed to launch a thousand ships, and that brings with it, hope. We need business to inspire, not just exist. Strategic development with partners who do more than offer jobs is what is needed here. It’s time to add those questions to the screening process for any City subsidized effort for development, and put a performance measure in as apart of a proper check and balance to see they are keeping their word.
Reed and Clement had no pride. They had nothing to look forward to outside of the babysitting fees that kept the meth flowing. He was a meth head and very possibly, so was she. If not, she supported him doing it, even around the kids, and did nothing to protect them from it – and in Arizona, she may as well have done it herself as far as the law is concerned.
Running a political campaign is costly, but I’d rather have a vote than have hard working people give up their money to buy me yard signs or billboards. They are who I speak for, and I can’t in good conscience complain about not having any campaign contributions (none so far), when I know what it’s like working hard for your money, and giving everything you have to keep your family afloat, especially if you are a single parent. I completely understand how difficult it is to part with what could be your next month’s rent for a political campaign. I am not a corporate sponsored candidate. I can’t be bought – that also could be why no one has contributed – I make no promises in return.
I have to try to serve the community. I think all of you understand that, right? At least there is one shining beacon – that is I never lose. I either win, or I learn. Losing is never an option.
Case Update
The next hearing is April 15th. (Have you filed your taxes yet – do it!) The Medical Examiner ass hat that held our case up for a year and allowed the release of them momentarily from jail (you know that story) was FINALLY interviewed March 30th. I am told that the ME interview set the foundation for the rest that are to follow – over 100 defense witnesses are yet to be interviewed, and that has to happen before a firm trial date can be made. As it stands right now, the Judge has ordered for it all to be completed by mid-June. With the defense offering up over 100 witnesses, I cannot fathom what they can possibly say that could make what Reed and Clement do to Savannah justified. I am assuming they are friends. family, church members, etc., etc., that will try to speak for them in some way. Firefighters, EMS, Forensic specialists, lab techs and the Medical Examiner are speaking for Savannah. I’d call that a power team. Science will always win the day in court. (I pray).
All total, over 150 witnesses are to testify – then be cross-examined, then be addressed again for follow up by the team that presents them. This will be a very long trial in comparison to others like it. Two defendants instead of one, both with different attorneys. Us, sitting there having to listen to it all, see the photos again – this time on a huge overhead screen, hearing the details of the pain she suffered through, the science behind the evidence and the awful abuse, molestation and damage that was done to her. Any chance of healing is only a dream until all of this comes out again, and punishment is finalized. My heart aches just thinking about it, and I’m not sure how I’ll do, much less Stephen. He’s still not yet recovered, even remotely. He puts on a good face though, as we all have to do and just push through until Savannah has her justice. As for me, containing my anger will be the most epic exercise I’ll ever to have to accomplish in this lifetime thus far. It’s already broken me – twice.
Ashley will be the FIRST witness for the prosecution to establish that she is her mother and she hired Reed and Clement to take care of Savannah – and that’s it . That establishes foundation for the entire case, placing the responsibility for her death square on Reed and Clement. They cannot ask her anything further, but I completely expect to learn more and more about Ashley as the trial progresses that will be foundation for her to be brought up on charges. Plan B includes a wrongful death suit for all three that I will be the driving force for. We’ll be going to an attorney in PHX there and engaging his/her law students for that case.
With the assistance of kind and generous hearts, all of the bills related to her death and the aftermath, attorney consultations, etc have been paid in full. We’re beginning again, now at ZERO. With the trial date looking more like August (if they don’t keep changing it – we’re closer to it now than ever before), anyone interested in helping out so we are able to go and stay for the duration can still contribute using the FAMILY LINK at http://thesavannahfund.org/donate.html
We are appreciative of any effort made for that purpose. We’ve filed the proper paperwork for NPO status with the IRS, but have been told that the IRS is understaffed, it’s tax season and they are saying it could be months, possibly a year or more before it would be granted do to all of the above. So we wait. Donations to the family are not tax deductible in any case because we are officers of the organization. We are especially grateful to those who help out knowing there is no gain for them in the process – it is coming from a giving heart and a love for Savannah and children like her who deserve their justice served.
Hold your children close. I am speaking of children of all ages, because the older they get, the more encouragement they need to keep the bad choices at bay. Some will fall, they always do (and many parents never know it), but be there to pick them up and help them move in a more positive direction. As parents, that’s all we can do is try. Hug them often. Tell them how awesome they are and how their future has promise. Tell them over and over again and encourage them every single day. If you know someone who uses Meth, cocaine or heroin – intervene. Get them to help and stand by them in the process because there is value in them…you may not see it, but it is there. Call adult protective services if you have to for the ones over 18. If they have kids – call child protective services and get those children to safety – it doesn’t matter who you piss off – just DO IT.
I’m sorrowful that Reed and Clement chose not to seek their value out and put their children and Savannah at risk….and ultimately killed her and lost their children forever. They chose that, and the people around them allowed them to stay in that choice. I still cannot forgive, but I am still working on it.
I haven’t updated this page in awhile, I know. I haven’t had much to say, but with the campaign interviews always asking me about why I am trying to make a difference – I thought I would come back to the source and vent today and remind you too that you can make a difference in your own community. Step up. VOTE. SERVE. VOLUNTEER. CARE!
Oh, did I mention that our Coroner in the County where I live is a freaking DENTIST and just got his pay reduced over $7,000 because apparently, they do not understand the value of a Coroner? Yeah, a Dentist. What the hell is up with that? Coroner’s are elected here, not appointed or privatized. Isn’t that reason enough to try to make things better? I can’t do it from my recliner. Neither can you. Engage. Please.
Bringing it all full circle, It’s Easter again. He is risen. She is still dead. We have to be His warrior for children. Our actions define the effort. I’m walking my talk. Join me in that effort.
Give your babies a kiss from me and tell them GrammyC has their backs!
Love to you all,
GrammyC
We need to turn this grief into a message. Savannah’s voice should be heard. A message of prevention, caring, shared interests, protection, community and action; we all need to walk our talk.
My name is Barbara Mason. My son, Tim left this world on January 5th 2014 at the age of 34. I have lost many, including my Dad and Mom and have never felt the pain and grief that this loss brought. Every day became a struggle with no hope for relief from the horror in sight. The only thing that would help was an impossible wish, to have my boy back again. I started writing about Tim and this new life and found some comfort and hope to give comfort to others.
She loved you like no one else. No one can ever take that away from you. The ones that took her from us will have their time coming, soon. Justice is on the way, and angels will make sure we are there to witness it. I believe that and claim it in His name, Amen.
Agonizing Justice 