Carolyn Classen

Carolyn Sugiyama Classen, a life long Democrat, was born & raised in the State of Hawaii, was a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye on Capitol Hill, and practiced law for a while. In Tucson she worked as a tribal staff attorney for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and later was the Interim Executive Director of the now defunct Domestic Violence Commission. In 2008 she became a “My Tucson” guest columnist for the Tucson Citizen newspaper, then continued blogging for Tucsoncitizen.com for over four and a half years. Her blogsite was entitled “Carolyn’s Community” about community events and some political news, until Gannett Publishing shut down the site on January 31, 2014. She started with Blog for Arizona on Feb. 11, 2014. Part time she sat as a Hearing Officer in Pima County Consolidated Justice Courts Small Claims Division since April, 2005 for 15 years. She is married to University of Arizona Distinguished Professor Albrecht Classen, a native of Germany. They have one son, who lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and daughter. She is also the Editor of the Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition website, www.southernazjapan.org (since Jan. 2013).

Children of Heroes Day at Valley of the Moon

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“Join the Coalition for Children of Heroes Day at the Valley of the Moon in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, May 28th. A free family day event sponsored by the Coalition for all veterans, active duty military and their children, Valley of the Moon is an enchanted storybook land and the heart of magic in Tucson. This unique area was built … Read more

“On your mark, get set…read” for Pima County Library summer learning program

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  Summer Learning Saturday, May 21 – Saturday, July 16 “Become a library superstar and work out your mind and imagination all summer long!” What’s happening county wide at the numerous public libraries: http://www.library.pima.gov/blogs/post/on-your-mark-get-set-read/ Activities of note: May 21 Family Fiesta at Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 6 to 8 p.m. June 4 Field Day, next … Read more

Arizona Special Election 2016 results on Prop. 123 and 124

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Today was the Arizona special election for Prop. 123 and 124.  123 is the education funding amendment and 124 is the public retirement systems amendment.  Early results from Arizona Secretary of State: www.azsos.gov Looks like from the early returns that Prop. 123 is winning, 51% to 49% (but too close to call), as not all … Read more

Pima County Board of Supervisors votes to ban texting while driving

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Pima County Bd. of Supervisors in a unanimous vote (5-0) today passed an ordinance to ban texting while driving a motor vehicle, effective within a month.  The ban however, still allows speaking on a cell phone. Here’s what the ordinance states:

“A person may not, while driving a motor vehicle on a highway, manually manipulate a handheld electronic device for any purpose other than to initiate, receive, or engage in voice communication.”

Penalties:

“A person who violates this section and is not involved in a motor vehicle crash is subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00), plus any other penalty assessments authorized by law. D. A person who violates this section and is involved in a motor vehicle accident is subject to a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), plus any other penalty assessments authorized by law.”

Exemptions are law enforcement and emergency personnel, bus drivers, while on private property, and while the vehicle is stationary.

Several persons (mostly bicyclists) testified in favor of this proposed ordinance brought forth by the Pima County Sheriff’s Dept.  Sheriff Chris Nanos spoke in favor of this proposal, as did LD 9 State Senator Steve Farley, who said he was the first to introduce this type of legislation in the Arizona House of Representatives 10 years ago. Apparently only Arizona and Montana have no state laws against texting while driving. Firefighter Brendon Lyons testified about being severely injured when hit by a “distracted driver” on Oct. 4, 2013. He showed a video of the accident and his long, painful recovery. He also brought in a mounted display of his shattered bicycle. Oro Valley Vice Mayor Lou Waters testified in favor as well, for the sake of “public safety”.

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