There has been a distinct and disappointing change in how Board of Supervisors meetings are conducted this year, affecting both attendees and Supervisors. At the risk of sounding old fashioned, I believe a Chair should run a meeting in professional and un-biased manner. The current Chair has veered so far afield that I felt the need to address her...
While right about now, I am certain the last thing you probably want to read is another piece about Vail incorporation, it is worth repeating that my office has been consistent in our position of not taking sides – being “agnostic” is the more intellectual sounding term – and we will continue in that vein. I have often said I do...
We are all familiar with the old adage of when one at first does not succeed, one must keep trying. That certainly applies to our continuing efforts to keep the promise to “Just Fix the Roads.” While preparing for the June 20 Board of Supervisors meeting, we noticed that in the proposed upcoming budget, there were 1,009 vacant Pima County...
The tumult and drama at the Board of Supervisors keeps churning on, with new issues and conflicts arising at each meeting. Many people, mostly fresh faces, have been exercising their right to free speech during Call to the Public, making their feelings and opinions known publicly and to the Supervisors. This is precisely the part of democracy that...
Sad and disturbing – what it is like to witness our greatest national right of free speech steadily under attack by the current leader of Pima County Board of Supervisors, Chair Adelita Grijalva. Her efforts to erode citizens’ right to address their elected officials began during the January 24 Board of Supervisors meeting, at the time set aside...
Your District 4 team is excited tell you about what I think is some terrific regional economic news. Recently, we received word from the County Administrator’s Office that a major manufacturing firm is planning to move to Pima County, and locate very close to our Southeast region. Since non-disclosure agreements are in effect, this transaction...
This month’s column brings news of personnel changes and reunions in your District 4 Office. First, after serving for over a year in a dual capacity as Special Staff Assistant and District 4 Representative for Vail/Corona de Tucson, Selina Valenzuela has accepted a new position in Pima County administration. Though we are sorry to see Selina leave...
The subject of and the interest in Vail Incorporation is moving forward with greater momentum. The Vail Incorporation Committee held its first meeting last month. Numerous, well-known, Vail Community leaders attended the meeting, chaired by David Hook, with vice-chair MaRico Tippett. Vail incorporation has been gaining attention in recent months...
One of the unearthed vestiges of former County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry’s resignation issue was the revelation of “COVID-19 Premium Payments”. The newly-minted replacement to Mr. Huckelberry, Jan Lesher, sent a memorandum to the Supervisors several weeks ago identifying some 19 County Central Administration employees who were said to be...
One of the skills I believe I’ve developed over my adult life, particularly through my business background of some thirty years, is the ability to receive unsettling news calmly and with equanimity. I must say, when a reporter from the Tucson Sentinel called me out of the blue on a Monday afternoon before the first Board of Supervisors meeting in...
