Vote yes on bonds, invest in our community
Much has been written about the bond package in the upcoming election. For those that complain about the economy and the sluggish recovery from the recession, voting no will ensure that nothing will happen.
As a businessperson, I know the importance of investing today to achieve a return in the future. As a private citizen, investment in our community means a more vibrant economy and more dollars for charities and the arts. As a parent, investment today means job opportunities for our children and grandchildren. As a taxpayer, the cost involved will be more than offset by an increased tax base from additional construction, income, sales, property and payroll taxes.
This bond package was developed and narrowed down over several years by a wide cross-section of the community. While not perfect, they deserve our support. If we don’t care enough to invest in our own community, who will?
David Cohen
Midtown
Debates shouldn’t be about show business
Whether you are a political partisan or not, the recent debates sponsored by the two parties are instructive. It is the difference between watching “Masterpiece Theatre” or “Howdy Doody.” One brings thought; one brings giggles. One is a story of intellectual relevance; informative and instructive. The other is a cartoon. One is for adults. One is for children in the lower half of their class.
Compounding superficiality, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump “tweeted” as the Democratic debate went on. That’s more Howdy Doody. Presidents don’t tweet; they think, they study, they consider before they oppose, and hopefully before they speak.
I pray that there are members of the Republican National Committee in a position to change their next debate into something serious. Their own party members certainly deserve that. All of us deserve something more than name-calling and show business.
Norman Sherman
Southeast side
Not enough housing
for the disabled
Housing discrimination in Tucson restricts a person’s ability to achieve health equity. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) conducted by the Southwest Fair Housing Council is used to identify barriers and create an action plan for Community Development Block Grant Funding recipients. One such impediment is a lack of accessible housing for families with persons with disabilities. The research discussed both limited options for accessible homes and denials for disability modifications and accommodations.
Of the 273 housing complaints filed since 2009 with the attorney general, 66 percent were on the basis of disability. As an occupational therapist and public health doctoral student, I know that limiting a person’s access to housing due to a disability is denying opportunity to health equity and discriminatory. Continued research and public education to mitigate housing discrimination is imperative considering Tucson’s growing baby boomer population.
Yvonne Bueno
Midtown
Thanks for update
on former Wildcat
Re: the Oct. 11 article “Edgerson rediscovers love of game.”
What a pleasure! I am sure, like me, that many University of Arizona basketball fans have an interest in the lives of former team members. Glad to see he remains a Tucsonan and is doing well. Thanks for the update.
James Nation
Foothills
Maybe Benson arrivals should bring own water
Re: the Oct. 13 article “New vision for development tones down feel of Tuscany.”
When Peter the Great began building his namesake city, St. Petersburg, on marshy land bordering the Baltic Sea, he decreed that anyone entering the city had to bring a stone to add to the stability of the terrain. With 28,000 homes planned near Benson, it might be a good idea to require any new homeowner to bring a few thousand gallons of water to delay the drying up of the San Pedro River.
Gerard Ervin
Northeast side
Vote your conscience on red-light cameras
By now you’ve seem them all over town. Signs saying, “Vote Yes on 201. Ban Red Light Cameras.” Do you know what you’re saying if you vote “Yes” on 201? You’re saying you don’t care if people run red lights. You don’t care about the accidents they cause, the people they injure, or the possible loss of life they cause.
I don’t work for any “No on 201” people. In fact, I was nailed by one of those cameras sometime back. I didn’t cry about it.
Like them or not, the fact remains that where the cameras are, accidents went down from 70 percent to 85 percent. The Tucson Police Department will verify that. Forget the crybabies. Vote your conscience.
Steven Barker
East side
