You can invite your friends via FB and RSVP there:https://www.facebook.com/events/407464199448058/ University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center (SUMC) is at 1303 E.University Blvd. Map for the Catalina Room (Level 3, west of the North Ballroom ): https://www.union.arizona.edu/infodesk/maps/
Date and time: Sep 17, 2015 6:00pm to 8:00pm Location: UA Special Collections, 1510 E. University Blvd. Guest speakers: Richard Elias, Member, Pima County Board of Supervisors, District 5 Lydia Otero, PhD. Professor, Mexican American Studies Molly McKasson, former Tucson Councilmember, Ward 6 Katya Peterson, businesswoman, daughter of Cele Peterson This evening’s panel features an eclectic group … Read more
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.
District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll spoke at the Eastside Republican Club (at Miller-Golf Links branch library), on Wednesday night, and announced his re-election bid for his seat in 2016. He mostly spoke about issues affecting his district — road improvements to the Colossal Cave road, his support of an increase in a gasoline user tax, the discretionary funds that his fellow Pima County Supervisors have been using on non-profits and the need to set up a firm policy about such spending, a proposed bike ranch in the “buffer zone” outside Saguaro East National Park, and the need to seek alternative ideas for Colossal Cave use (i.e. eco tourism camping) following a recent audit.
Carroll was a strong supporter of the Proposition 415 to improve the Pima Animal Care Center, which passed by 145,153 (59.02%) to 100,777 (40.98%) votes on November 4, 2014. He also congratulated recent Republican winners CD 2 House Martha McSally (facing an automatic recount as she has prevailed by 161 votes over Congressman Barber) and LD 2 House rep. Chris Ackerley, who upset incumbent Rep. Demion Clinco in that race.
Then Carroll answered a question about the Sunday newspaper article about District 1 Supervisor Ally Miller’s former aide retracting his bullying allegations against Carroll, which allegedly occurred about 6 months ago. The Star article about this was on page C1 of the 11/16/14 paper: http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/alleged-bullying-victim-withdraws-complaint-against-carroll/article_0078c29c-33f2-5e49-bffd-026acdf0f8bd.html
Back in 2006, Pima County voters approved the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and a 20-year plan to improve or create roads, bridges, bike paths, bus pullouts, and more. Hundreds of projects have been completed in the past eight years, but one project– widening Broadway Blvd between Euclid and Country Club– has been stalled for two years. The RTA plan calls for spending $71 million to buy property, destroy 100 buildings (some historic), and widen Broadway to eight lanes (150 feet). The crux of the problem is that the RTA project was based upon 1987 growth projects for Tucson, and Tucson didn’t grow that way. In April 2012, Councilman Steve Kozachik called on the RTA and Pima County to rethink the scope and hosted a well-attended community forum. The Broadway Coalition– a hard-working group of citizens– has been meeting, planning, and gathering input since Koz’s forum. The widening has become a political hot potato. Some in the government say that the eight-lane original plan must be followed– even though the 1987 growth projections don’t jive with reality. Others says that Broadway should be four lanes or six lanes or 100 feet wide, and that eight lanes are not necessary. Preservationists are fighting for historically important architecture that is slated for demolition– most notably Broadway Village, designed by Josais Joesler, Tucson’s most influential architect. Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry has threatened to pull the funds if Tucson doesn’t “fully implement” the RTA plan (in stark contrast to the 2012 quote in this story.) Fast forward another public forum on Thursday June 12, 2014. You should go if you have an opinion! Meeting details, photos, and opinions after the jump.