Sonoran rancher Francisco Valenzuela Quijada says he’s devoting more and more time transporting water to his thirsty cattle, who graze on pastures above the San Pedro River basin. As streams have dried up, and previously reliable watering holes are now empty, Valenzuela Quijada, 53, says it’s up to him to ensure his family’s 60 cattle have enough to drink. About five times a week, he spends the day filling two 300-gallon water-storage tanks from a community water supply, and driving them out to water troughs he’s installed in the pastures. Ranchers here say the falling water table is not only due to climate change and an ongoing drought in the region; they also fault what they call excessive groundwater pumping by Grupo Mexico’s Buenavista del Cobre copper mine in Cananea.
Warnings for the San Pedro
Re: the Sept. 22 article “Warnings for the San Pedro.”
I noted that some ranchers are having to haul water to their cattle every day. The average cow drinks 12 gallons of water a day. Not only does this sound unsustainable, but it also sounds a little upside down when you consider that water could be used to irrigate, for example, an acre of spinach. That would produce 14,499 pounds of spinach that could be fed directly to people.
Wouldn’t it make more sense for farmers to use the water to grow crops to feed people? After all, we all know our mothers are right — eat your vegetables!
Eleanor Thomas
Foothills
Arizona Constitution — our rights
Recent letters have been proposing that Arizona does not need Proposition 139, a Constitutional right to abortion. These writers state that the 15-week bill, signed by Gov. Ducey in March 2022, was bipartisan. The fact is that bill was passed by 31 Republicans. All 26 Democrats voted “Nay”. Over the last 10 years the Republican controlled Legislature passed more than 30 laws restricting women’s access to reproductive healthcare and abortion. Luckily some were vetoed by the Governors in office at the time. Only a Constitutional Amendment will stop these extremists from trying again and again. If Democrats are successful in taking the State House and Senate in 2024, we are still at risk of future attempts to restrict women’s rights. Voters have the opportunity to enshrine the right to abortion in the Arizona constitution. Vote Yes on Prop 139.
Mary Keerins
Foothills
T.R.U.M.P.
Re: the Sept. 24 letter “What Does TRUMP stand For?”
My Trump acronyms: Truth (Redacted, Revised, Redundant or Reviled) Under Multiple Premises. Or Trump Regurgitating Unrealistic Moronic Positions. How about T-Rump? Too much? Maybe so, maybe no! Any Harris acronyms out there?
If you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?
James Abels
Midtown
Undo lies
“It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.” The words have particular meaning today. Mark Twain has received credit for the quote.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
FOP’s disgraceful action
Re: the Sept. 22 letter “A sad change in direction.”
As a retired Phoenix Police Officer, I want to thank the letter writer for his well-stated recent letter to the editor condemning the National FOP for its endorsement of the 2024 presidential candidate who not only embodies, but encourages, unlawful and violent behavior.
For any organization that purports to represent law enforcement to support a man whose total disregard for the well-being of anyone but himself, and whose incendiary speech on Jan. 6, 2021, ignited the assault on our nation’s Capitol, is both embarrassing and disgraceful.
That attack resulted in needless injuries and deaths and dealt a severe blow to our democracy’s essential guarantee of the peaceful transfer of power.
The public can rest assured that this endorsement by the National FOP does not represent all who have served or continue to serve in law enforcement.
Deb Thompson
East side
Abortion
Juan Ciscomani says he favors exceptions for rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. This is commendable although it goes against his work with the Patriot Academy. The position itself has complications. Even if a mother’s death is inevitable if the pregnancy continues doctors and hospitals often wait until the last minute. They are afraid. What about health? What if surgery or chemotherapy is needed? Death is a possibility, but how bad do the odds have to be?
Nancy Ward
Northeast side
Arizona: A critical battleground state
We’ve put up with Trump’s narcissism, xenophobia, lies, divisiveness, ad nauseam, for far too long. And now the shadow of Project 2025 looms dark and heavy over America. MAGA Republicans are already banning abortions, books, and references to climate change. And then there are the mass murders of children at school.
Most Americans are exhausted by nearly a decade of this insanity. Do we really want to live like this, without decency, kindness, and respect?
MAGA Republicans are so anti-American that many authentic Republicans, such as Liz Cheney, George Conway, Adam Kinzinger, Judge J. Michael Luttig, and many more, are voting for Democrats in 2024.
Let’s follow their lead and defend our democracy and freedoms. Let’s make America better for ALL Americans. It’s not a partisan choice. Stop Trump and Project 2025: Vote for Harris/Walz for President/Vice-President; vote for Democrats up and down the ballot in Arizona, a critical battleground state.
Steve Heitmann
West side
Trump is a threat to us
I am a Democrat and just attended the Trump rally in Tucson.
The fervor of the true believers was at once overwhelming and frightening. Many wore T-shirts proclaiming they were “voting for the felon.”
The question I wished I had asked the very nice people sitting next to me was “does it bother you at all that so many of the people who worked for him, and even for “W”, have said he is not fit for the office and are not voting for him?”
After listening to the former president’s disrespectful rants, his untruths, racist comments, and contempt for immigrants, I can only hope that the country realizes the threat he poses to the U.S. and to our allies that they vote for the Harris/Walz ticket.
Linda K. May
Foothills
Electoral College
If our forefathers had been omniscient there would be no 27 Constitutional Amendments. The Electoral College was a solution for the disparate populations of our young democratic republic. The 12th Amendment was to correct procedures due to the 1800 tie. Seventeen states then, 50 now. Maine and Nebraska allocate electoral votes. Gerrymandering made the 12th Amendment important in a tie. Read the 12th — it is interesting. It also skews power to the minority. The “Tyranny of the Majority” covers many administrations. For me it was Reagan’s. Inflation was out of control resulting in Congress delaying military pay raises and COLA adjustments to the next fiscal year. That cost many military retirees thousands of dollars in retirement pay. There is “The Tyranny of the Minority” a book I recommend. An example is military promotions held up by a senator from Alabama who disagreed with Pentagon policies. Families disenfranchised by one person.
Gerald Schwartz
Foothills
Rex Scott strong candidate for reelection
Re: the Sept. 20 article “In Pima County elections, reality hits home.”
Rex Scott, the incumbent Pima County Supervisor for District 1, had a debate scheduled with his opponent, Steve Spain, on Aug. 31, organized by the League of Women Voters. However, Steve Spain pulled out of the debate at the last minute. On the same day, his campaign team put up misleading road signs claiming Pima County was engaging in “deficit” spending and even using the word “bankrupt”.
As a supervisor, Rex Scott emphasizes the importance of responsible budgetary decisions. The increased expenditures in 2021-22 were due to COVID-19 response costs, funded by federal aid from both the Trump and Biden administrations.
Rex Scott’s accomplishments include:
- Education: Championed the Pima Early Education Program scholarships, expanding preschool capacity.
- Infrastructure: Proposed increased funding for road repair and maintenance.
- Public Safety: Led efforts for common-sense gun reform and sponsored measures to increase staffing of deputies and corrections officers.
Rex Scott’s experience and commitment to responsible governance make him a strong candidate for reelection.
Charles Dunn
Foothills
Trump (the only choice)
Every day I read another deranged statement from a liberal Democrat accusing Trump of being Hitler or ruining the democracy of our country. If this was true than why didn’t he do that during the four years that he was president? Let’s take a look at his four years as president. He was building a wall, closed the border to undocumented with a remain-in-Mexico mandate. He had our country energy independent. He lowered the taxes for everyone not just the rich as the Dems like to accuse him. Interest rates were low including unemployment rates. Our country was cooking on a positive note until Joe and Kamala took over, and every positive accomplishment that Trump initiated ended. Think carefully when you vote in November. Our country can’t stand another four years of this incompetence.
Dennis Jacobsen
Oro Valley
Board of Supervisors
Although I haven’t attended recent Pima County Board of Supervisors’ meetings, I have watched online, on the county’s YouTube channel. I would urge readers to give it a look. You can watch the call to the public, learn about the concerns of citizens, and watch the supervisors discuss the people’s business. Each takes the work at hand seriously.
We are deep into election season now; I’ve seen the signs and read Mr. Spain’s account of budget deficits, as well as Mr. Scott’s account of how budgets work. I watched the meeting where the budget was discussed and unanimously approved new issuances in Sewer Revenue Debt. It didn’t seem to be controversial. At all. I have known Mr. Scott to be a dedicated public servant and problem solver — someone who listens to public concerns and acts in the interest of Pima County residents. He deserves our support. And as far as the Mr. Spain’s signs go, doltish epithets are just childish.
Karen Lieneke
Midtown
What kind of country are we?
What kind of country are we when the leading cause of death of our children is gunfire; who drill for active shooter scenarios and are taught emergency room techniques to stanch bleeding; where their teachers wear emergency response devices?
What kind of country are we when around half the population believe the lies and distortions of a deranged individual because it empowers them and makes them feel superior, many fully aware they’re being lied to and know in their hearts that this individual is unfit.
What kind of country are we when strangers dictate what a woman should do with her body, decisions that should solely be made by her, her family and her doctors?
What kind of country are we when we pay millions to celebrities and sports figures, some of whom are nothing but overpaid thugs, and a pittance to teachers who do one of the most important jobs in the world?
The answer is, and to filch a word frequently used by a MAGA letter writer: Pathetic!
William Muto
SaddleBrooke
Which candidate will let women choose?
Re: the Sept. 25 letter “She said what, when?”
The letter writer chastises Senate candidate Ruben Gallego for his campaign ads using old video clips of Republican candidate Kari Lake saying she will block abortion in Arizona. The writer states a U.S. Senator does not make Arizona laws. However, Senators do pass national laws, and that is my fear — that a national abortion ban (overruling state laws) will be presented to Congress and she would vote for it. What is it they say — the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior? Ruben Gallego will vote to preserve a woman’s right to do what she thinks is best for her body.
Karen Micallef
Oro Valley
Sexism?
Re: the Sept. 24 letter “Juan Ciscomani.”
The writer thinks we should support Juan over Kirsten Engel because he’s a “regular guy … and has a family to support.” Took me back to the early 80s when I worked for a small telecom … I had a male coworker tell me that I was taking the job away from a man. About the same time, I found out I was being paid half of what a male colleague was making. When I approached my manager about it I was told that “He has a family to support.” Things haven’t changed that much. Kirsten is more qualified (yes, being a lawyer is actually a good thing) and aligns with my values, but I’m guessing she has a family to support as well. And why is her being from Chicago a concern? I’m voting blue.
Mary Jordison
Northwest side
Solar power
A recent letter to the editor compared the cost of electricity from TEP to the cost in both California and Germany. There were so many fallacies in that comparison. The underlying costs in CA outside of the solar, such as the costs of labor or land, will skew the figures significantly. There was no discussion of fees and taxes from state and other regulatory bodies, or the societal costs (pollution, health costs, etc.) of non-renewable energy. I don’t know the costs in Germany, but a better comparison would be with PNM in New Mexico, which has significant solar generation, but has similar other costs. The cost of just the electricity for residential usage of 1,000 kWh is $138.82 for TEP and $103.40 for PNM, based on my recent bills from both. Although it’s not directly comparable, the all-in total cost for 1,000 kWh would be about $160.64 for PNM vs. $174.41 for TEP. Draw your own conclusions.
Alan Brown
East side
Border visit
Kamala Harris is finally going to grace us with a visit to our border with Mexico. Just a suggestion. Get with Ruben Gallego and Kristen Engel, both suddenly realizing that we do share a border with Mexico, to be sure where it actually is. They might remind the “border Czar” that in the 1850s the line shifted south. It would be embarrassing to have her get off a bus somewhere in Chandler, gaze out over the Gila Indian Reservation and claim, “looks secure to me.”
Gary Stoeger
Northwest side
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