PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS

October 27, 2022 

     I am writing as a concerned member of the community. Over the course of the last term the Arizona Legislature made significant cuts to our reproductive rights.

     I recognize that abortion is a sensitive and divisive issue. However, nearly everyone I know believes that exceptions ought to be in place for victims of rape and incest. Common sense tells me that nearly all of us can agree no one should have to carry a rapist’s pregnancy to term.

     To that end, I was shocked to see my senator, T.J. Shope, cosponsor a bill that completely bans abortion after 15 weeks without making those exceptions. I had always thought of T.J. as a common sense moderate, but there is nothing moderate about this bill. I cannot believe that he is so willing to interfere in such a personal matter, especially when the majority of us agree that those exceptions are necessary and vital. With that in mind, I cannot support him in his bid for another term.

     Instead, I urge all voters to support Taylor Kerby. He is an actual moderate who believes government has no business in a doctor's office. I know that there are many issues that will inform your choice on Nov. 8, but I do hope that each voter in our legislative district will consider this one as they cast their vote.

Margaret Baca, Casa Grande

October 25, 2022 

     Say “goodbye” to your Social Security and Medicare if you vote R in the 2022 midterms. Far right Republicans plan to cut and eventually end both of these programs initiated by Democrats and passed with moderate and liberal Republican votes — before Republicans moved too far right.

     George W. Bush tried to privatize Social Security in his second term. Donald Cohen and Allen Mikaelian have this to say about that in their book "The Privatization of Everything": “During the campaign he (George W. Bush) and his surrogates had insisted that Social Security was off limits. But in private he promised campaign contributors that he would ‘come out strong' in favor of privatizing Social Security. When these comments leaked, his campaign called the quotes ‘made up’ and part of a ‘false, baseless attack.’ Then, two days after his election victory, he revealed that ‘reforming Social Security will be a priority of my administration.’"

     Republicans promise “entitlement reform” during this election campaign. They threaten to oppose a raise in the debt ceiling and possible government shutdown as leverage to cut what they call “entitlement” programs. Like Bush, they are not being up front with this before the election. An article by Eugene Scott in the Washington Post noted: “Pressed on whether changes to the entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security were part of the debt ceiling discussions, McCarthy said he would not ‘predetermine’ anything.” Really? Why not just say Social Security and Medicare will not be touched? It was Democrats who gave us Social Security and Medicare. It is Democrats who will protect both programs if they control Congress. Vote D to keep the “entitlements” we all worked and paid for.

Sandra Brown, Eloy

October 14, 2022

     Our nation and our world are living in perilous times. Sixty years ago, we faced nuclear annihilation by an autocratic Soviet despot. Today we again face that threat from another power-hungry dictator. This threat to humanity becomes even more dangerous for an America and Arizona at war with itself. We are a nation divided by immoral partisans who have insidiously deluded our once-Grand Old Party. We began this week with the solemn responsibility of voting for trusted leaders who will support integrity of our basic right to vote. The undeniable truth is that a dedicated minority of untruthful Republican partisans have drowned out moderate voices through humiliation, intimidation and threats of violence.

     The result is a team of insurrection supporting Republican candidates vying for secretary of state and governor seeking authority to reject election results with which they disagree. We must elect leaders who genuinely believe in the foundational principles and moral values of our democratic republic, or risk losing our unique American experiment in self-governance. We cannot give in to the thugs who violently attempted to overthrow our government. And we must not surrender our votes to those who pledge to use the power of office to subvert the people vote.

     Let’s emulate Republican Rusty Bowers, who refuses to abandon his principled defense of the Constitution and courageously declares, “I’m not a fascist.” As a genuine oath keeper both in my military and public service, I urge my fellow Arizonans, defend our Constitution, reject the fascists among us. Reject Mark Finchem. Reject Blake Masters. Reject Kari Lake.

     Vote as if the lives of the struggling Grand Old Party and our state depend on it. Vote against the fascists because your political party and our nation both depend on your vote for our endangered democratic republic.

Roberto Reveles, Gold Canyon

October 1, 2022

     While those of us who worked with AZ Save Our Schools to gather signatures for the Stop the Voucher petitions are disappointed, we are far from discouraged. We know that the majority of Arizona voters are solidly against funneling taxpayer money away from public schools that is designed to provide an unneeded and unaccountable boon for the wealthy.

     Among the families who have applied for the $7K gift, over 75% do not have children in public schools. That belies the GOP premise that this plan is intended to help low-income families move students from poorly performing public schools. On the contrary, these low-income families cannot afford to make up the difference between a $7K voucher and the $15-30K in tuition costs.

     Having had an extremely short time to gather needed signatures was a challenge. The task was accepted and embraced because we value public school education. We took to the streets and worked tirelessly within our communities across the state but we came up short.

     This story is not over. We have until election day 2024 to get an initiative on the ballot. We defeated voucher expansion at the ballot box in 2018. Due to the intended deception of the bill put forth by the GOP, signed into law by Ducey, there is no other choice but to do it again. We are confident we will!

     For the time being, Arizona taxpayers will be footing the tuition bill for the wealthiest families. If you find this unacceptable — you’re not alone.

Ronda Olson, Eloy

August 13, 2022

     Sheriff Mark Lamb, your Aug. 4 video message represents you at the height of your immoral hypocrisy. How dare you attempt to portray yourself as speaking officially for Pinal County's government on the crucial issue of elections?

You personally have no departmental, statutory nor moral standing to comment on the investigation of the horrific election season mistakes that have recently engulfed our county. You come to this dispute with soiled hands as underscored by your corrupt promotion of the “Big Lie” and your support of the Jan. 6 attempt at preventing Congress from exercising its constitutionally mandated peaceful transfer of presidential power.

     You've clearly duped many of our fellow citizens with your photogenic propaganda and your macho, fully armed imagery produced by taxpayer public resources and by unlimited dark money funders. I’ll even quote you: “It’s all marketing.” Yes, indeed it is a campaign designed by you and your cabal to exploit the most basic values of Americans yearning to be free and loyal to our Constitution, as we all struggle to preserve our unique experience as a democratic republic.

     I caution but dare you to preserve your personal and official communications, for surely an investigation of your activities is warranted by members of our free press and our genuine professional law enforcement authorities.

You corruptly answer to no one but yourself and recognize no authority above you like the good little radical Constitutional Sheriff member that you are. Except that yours is an insurrection against Pinal County’s lawful authorities.

     Despite your manipulation, truth will eventually but surely prevail.

     In the meantime, be assured that I will continue to confront your despicable exploitation of the gullible among us despite your continued futile attempts at personal intimidation.

Roberto Reveles, Gold Canyon

July 23, 2022

     Kyle Nitschke (Nit-shh-key) is running for Arizona Senate in the new Legislative District 7. Who is this guy, and what does he want to do?

     First, a little back story.

     Redistricting changed the boundaries for legislative districts in Pinal County. Voters in legislative districts send representatives and senators to the Arizona Legislature to represent their interests.

     The new LD7 is huge! It serves a widely diverse population. It’s up to voters to decide who will represent them and speak on their behalf.

     Back to the new guy, Kyle Nitschke. What does he want to do as a state senator representing our district?

     He supports funding for public schools and is very concerned about climate change and what it means to each of us. Kyle believes Arizona’s tax code should favor citizens over corporations. He feels strongly about every individual’s right to privacy about personal choices they make for their own health and wellbeing.

     It is up to each of us to choose the leaders who represent our interests and share our concerns. The best way to do that is to vote. Don’t stand by and let other people make those choices for you.

     The Arizona primary election is on Aug. 2 and the general election is Nov. 8. You can vote by mail or in person. Don’t stand by and let others make choices that will affect you and your family for years to come. Your vote matters!

Theodora Schiro, Kearny

July 4, 2022

     This should be the year of the angry mom for so many reasons.

     First, our daughters now have no bodily autonomy. They can be used, abused, manipulated and coerced into doing things that they do not want to do, now not just from the sex part but also to having the baby part.

     Next, gun laws are expanding, with no restrictions on AR-15 type weapons. So now, not only are your daughters at higher risk, but your sons as well, when some wacko decides to go on a school shooting spree.

     Then there is the beginning of the end for separation of church and state. You might think it’s not so bad for kids to be praying in school, right? But what if your child doesn’t know what he believes, what religion he wants to adopt, is already aligned with a faith other than Christianity or just doesn’t believe in a god?

     Moving on, we have the weakening of the Miranda rights with which we are all so familiar. If the cops forget to tell your wild and crazy kid to be quiet until your lawyer gets there, he/she no longer has the right to sue them.

     Finally, corporations have once again emerged as the big winners against the very workers they need to buy their products. The EPA has been clipped in its ability to curtail emissions. Your kids will now be subject to a greater risk of breathing nasty air.

     Yes, I’m an angry mom, angry enough to vote Democrat straight down the line this year.

Ann Turner, Arizona City