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District 4 Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll not to seek re-election

February 7, 2016February 5, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

District 4 Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll announced today that he is not seeking re-election for another 4 year term on the Pima County Bd. of Supervisors. He was first appointed in May, 1997 and won election in 1998, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012. This year he would have faced a Republican primary challenge on August 30, … Read more

“Oklahoma!” in Southern Arizona

October 30, 2015 by Carolyn Classen

From Pima County Communications:

Pima County’s Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation (NRPR) is hosting a free community concert Nov. 1 at Raúl M. Grijalva Canoa Ranch Conservation Park in Green Valley marking the 60th anniversary of “Oklahoma!,” the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about life and love in the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the twentieth century, which was filmed in part at the ranch.

Oklahoma movie pictureProduction of the film was a true southern Arizona effort. The University of Arizona College of Agricultural and Life Sciences grew in individual containers “corn as high as an elephant’s eye.” In addition, a number of locations in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties were featured in the film, including Amado, Elgin, Nogales, Patagonia, Sonoita and the San Raphael Valley.

To mark the movie’s anniversary, Canoa Ranch will host the Green Valley Concert Band for a free community concert at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, where a number of selections from the musical will be played. Doors open at 5 p.m.

In addition, NRPR will team up with Desert Sky Cinemas to offer viewings of the movie at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 and Nov. 3.

Lastly, District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll will present a proclamation at the Pima County Board of Supervisors’ Nov. 10 meeting in honor of “Oklahoma! In Arizona Days.”

Late author Chuck Bowden to be honored at Mt. Lemmon dedication ceremony

July 21, 2015 by Carolyn Classen

Chuck Bowden,photo taken by Jack Dykinga, courtesy of Pima County

From Pima County Natural Resources Park & Rec:

Renowned writer Chuck Bowden to be honored at dedication ceremony July 25

Pima County residents are invited to attend the Chuck Bowden Mount Lemmon Community Center Dedication Ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 25.

Bowden, an award-winning writer and reporter who spent most of his adult life in Tucson, died in Las Cruces, N.M. on Aug. 30, 2014. A one-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, Bowden focused on violence in Ciudad Juarez, the disappearing water table in the Southwest, the migration of displaced people in Mexico and the hummingbirds of Patagonia.

He had a particular love for the Sonoran Desert and the trails on “Frog Mountain,” which is the original Tohono O’odham name for Mount Lemmon. That love was clearly reflected in one of his books, “Frog Mountain Blues.” Bowden loved to throw a snowball on top of Mount Lemmon and then return to his Tucson home to bask in the afternoon sun.

“Chuck was a journalist’s journalist and was highly regarded by many renowned writers for drilling deep into subject matters where few dared to go,” said Pima County District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll. “Whatever Chuck Bowden did, he did with all his heart. He was a man full of grace and guts.”

In addition to Carroll, members of the Bowden family and local author and family friend Bill Broyles are expected to speak at the dedication. List of speakers below:

Supervisor Ray Carroll, District 4

George Bowden (older brother of Chuck Bowden)

Peg Bowden (sister)

Bill Broyles – writer and friend of Chuck Bowden and Research Assistant at the UofA Southwest Center

Molly Molloy – partner and professional collaborator of Chuck Bowden and Academic Librarian at New Mexico State University

Light refreshments will be served at a reception following the ceremony.

Deputy Chief Chris Nanos appointed to replace retiring Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik

July 7, 2015July 7, 2015 by Carolyn Classen

The Pima County Board of Supervisors today appointed Pima County Chief Deputy Chris Nanos as the new Pima County Sheriff, effective August 1, 2015. Sheriff Dupnik’s resignation was accepted by the Board and he will serve until the end of July. Dupnik was first appointed to his job in Feb. 1980 and had been elected every four years since then, for 35 years.

The motion to appoint Nanos was made by District 2 Supervisor Ramon Valadez, seconded by District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik announces retirement

January 30, 2015 by Carolyn Classen

35 year veteran Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik announced on the Buckmaster radio show today that he will be resigning his office sometime this year. His successor will be appointed by the Pima County Bd. of Supervisors, and the Sheriff recommended that his replacement be his Chief Deputy Chris Nanos. Dupnik would have been up for re-election in 2016 for his 9th term.

More about the Sheriff at their Pima County Sheriff’s Deparment’s website:

A veteran of over 50 years in local law enforcement, Clarence W. Dupnik has served as the Sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, since his appointment in February 1980. County voters have re-elected him nine times. As Sheriff, he oversees a department of 1,513 employees and a $135 million budget.

Since Sheriff Dupnik has been in office, the population of the unincorporated area of Pima County has increased from 191,216 in 1980 to more than 350,000. The Sheriff is known nationally for his implementation of innovative and effective law enforcement programs throughout his distinguished career. Sheriff Dupnik remains active in many professional, civic, and fraternal organizations, including the National Sheriffs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police