Tucson Speaks Out: March 2

War

First it was the killings of crew members on tiny ocean craft, then ICE attacks and killings in Minneapolis and now Trump's legions have begun air strikes against Iran. We could all see it coming as it is obvious Trump's feeling of bluster and power can only truly be realized by war. That his ambitions could lead to more and more is, of course, of no consequence to this authoritarian imbecile. I suppose we should be somewhat pleased that the military strikes have moved from Minnesota to a foreign land, but people will die nonetheless. Is this a Trump distraction from Epstein, who knows. The only certainty is that Trump is a war monger and relishes dominance, whether necessary or not. Is there no way to stop this monster before he begins World War III?

Philip Reinecker

East side

Never saw a development he didn't like

In response to Mr. Kai's letter of Feb 28. Few families in Arizona are more directly responsible for the promotion of sprawl and over-development than the Kai Family. They've owned massive acres of Marana farmland for generations, and they've made millions selling it to developers for new housing, shopping centers, etc. On top of that, this guy has been on the Marana Town Council for three decades now. Gosh, no conflict of interest there!

Thanks in part to this one family's machinations, we have the endlessly sprawling Marana that has gobbled up countless acres of pristine desert. They have enriched themselves so long at our expense. Big shocker that Herb Kai wants RTA Next approved. His advocacy is, in itself, enough to convince me to vote no. My family goes back over a hundred years in the Tucson valley as well. More Marana is not what we need.

Timothy George

West side

Cultural housing dismantled

The U of A was also attempting to close Native American student housing in 1994. In 1994, AZ Star published my guest opinion about the issue of U of A closing Native American student housing: "Preservation Not Segregation," Arizona Daily Star, Sunday, April 10, 1994, page 69. AZ Star may want to consider republishing that Opinion. It is as relevant today as it was in 1994. At that time, I was the Director of the U of A's American Indian Graduate Center, serving all American Indian Graduate & Professional students enrolled at the U of A. Also, I was on the Board of Directors of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA). With a membership average of 6,500, NIEA is not only the preeminent Indian Education organization in the U.S. but also the largest Indigenous organization of any kind on the continent.

Glenn Johnson

Midtown

Prop 411 delivers

In response to Ruth Reneer’s LTE “How Soon We Forget,” let’s not forget that Prop 411, Tucson Delivers Better Streets, has different goals than the RTA. Tucson voters approved a half-cent sales tax over 10 years in 2022 to pave neighborhood streets. As of October 2025, $250,877,985 has been collected, and $177,300,189.66 has been spent, improving 530 lane miles across all city Wards. The overall condition index of local streets has improved from 39.96 (very poor) in July 2022 to 54.34 (fair) in October 2025. Clearly, there is more to do over the remaining seven years of the proposition. Keep in mind, the city cannot spend money until it is collected, and only so many companies do the required work, so patience is important as we wait for specific areas to be completed. By contrast, the RTA does not pave neighborhood streets. For more information, go to the Better Streets, Safe Streets | Tucson Delivers website.

Nancy Smith

Midtown

Protecting American citizens

During President Trump’s State of the Union speech, he said, “If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens — not illegal aliens”. Republican lawmakers rose to their feet and cheered. Stone-faced Democrats remained seated. The stone-faced Democrats included the Democrats from Arizona.

Perhaps Senator Kelly would like to explain to American citizens why he disagrees with President Trump’s statement that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens.

Rick Cunnington

Oro Valley

Definitely no

I recently received a mailing titled “What the RTA Next Will Do”. Whoa! What an eye-opener! They plan to build three freeway interchanges on the very far east side. The people of the Tucson area will benefit very little, if at all, from these interchanges. Although the rural landowners near the interchanges are smiling.

Freeway interchanges are stunningly expensive. RTA Past built one freeway interchange, and it sucked up more money than all of the RTA projects that Tucson was promised but never received.

In fact, there is a state agency that evaluates where interchanges are needed and builds them. So, when the three “Next” interchanges are needed, they will be built and paid for by the state, not the residents of the Tucson area, as they should be. Vote definitely no on the RTA Scam.

Former state representative,

John Kromko

Downtown

Salt River wild horses to be killed

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This herd is about to be "culled", a polite way to say they will be killed. These sensitive, gentle and beautiful creatures are not hurting anyone; in fact, they bring joy to everyone who sees them. Please investigate, reach out to the people who manage the herd. The herd is on birth control to manage the size.

Elizabeth (Betsy) McConnell

North side

Red-light running

I completely agree with Norman Patten's letter. Things have to change. But the red light is only part of the equation. The other part is that many are going way over the speed limit, and can't be bothered with red lights.

And evidently, some are confused about the rules of the road. Eg...

The speed limit on the freeway through Tucson is 65. Not so on city streets.

The law on the freeway is that you stay to the right except to pass. Not so on city streets. (That car in front of you may soon be turning left.)

I have a suggestion for the mayor and city council, though. Repairing potholes can be expensive and time-consuming. If there's not going to be any teeth behind the rules of the road, why not save the taxpayers some money.

Fill up the potholes with all those pesky speed limit signs.

David Hatch

Southeast side

Nominee would endanger public health

The Surgeon General must be a rigorous defender of evidence-based science.

I therefore strongly oppose the confirmation of Dr. Casey Means to this vital role.

As a Ph.D. chemist, I know that failing to adhere to fundamental, verified science has potentially deadly consequences. If America’s public health leadership abandons sound data, the results will be equally devastating.

Dr. Means is unqualified due to her:

— Rejection of established science: Her inability to unequivocally endorse the safety and efficacy of routine childhood vaccinations during her hearing.

— Undermining of clinical data: She treats established, life-saving immunization schedules as optional under the guise of "shared decision-making."

— Danger to public health: Elevating a nominee who refuses to defend universally accepted, data-driven standards endangers our communities from preventable diseases.

Evidence-based public health is not merely a policy preference.

It is foundational for saving lives, systematically eradicating disease and prioritizing proven outcomes over ideology.

The Senate must reject her nomination.

Charles P. Eck

Foothills

The future can be guessed

I'm not into real estate, but the $70 million ICE paid for the shell near Surprise, as well as the $130 million paid for a shell in Maryland sounds to me like a lot of kickback(s). And why are they buying buildings like this across the country rather than leasing them? ICE, and the Trump administration, are in this for the long haul, not just years, but decades. The buildings' torture chamber use will include protesters and other dissidents, as well as immigrants illegally kidnapped. We will see developments mirroring those of Nazi Germany, when disabled people, intellectuals, opposing political figures, then Jews, were kidnapped into concentration camps. Planning and implementing this means Trump and his Republican allies (doing nothing as they have makes them allies), and SCOTUS (don't be fooled by their decision re tariffs) will see to it appropriate processes will warp the 2026 and 2028 elections to elect Trump people — and Trump. MAGAS will rally 'round.

Charles Larson

Green Valley