Ray Carroll

Businessman John Backer announces candidacy for Pima County Board of Supervisors District 4

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Republican political newcomer John Backer announced his bid for the open seat in District 4, Pima County Board of Supervisors. From his Facebook campaign  page:

“I want to announce that I have entered the race to become the next Pima County Supervisor for District 4. This is my first campaign, but something I’ve been wanting to do for some time. As we face challenges in our communities and our country, I’ve come to understand that I have been called on to play a more active role in creating solutions and giving a voice to those I plan to serve. There will be much more information coming, and I want to thank you in advance for supporting my campaign. “

His campaign website: http://johnbackerforsupervisor.com/.  Bio below from his website.  Already running for this seat now that Supervisor Ray Carroll has announced his retirement,  are Marla Closen and Steve Christy, all Republicans. There is no announced Democrat in this race, as yet. 

John Backer
John Backer

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Former car dealer Steve Christy announces for District 4 Pima County Supervisor – updated

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Last Friday Feb. 5, 2016 long term  Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll (served since May, 1997), a Republican,  announced that he would not be running for re-election.  He already was facing opposition in the August 30, 2016 Republican primary from Navy veteran Marla Closen who announced last summer. Press release  (below) from Republican businessman Steve … Read more

“Oklahoma!” in Southern Arizona

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Starry Night Flyer 20150429

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.”

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

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

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