Sadie Shaw
Janet Wittenbraker
Re: Ward 3 City Council candidates
In response to James Martinez’s baseless letter about the Ward 3 candidate meet-and-greet, I respectfully disagree with his claim that I lack experience or understanding of local government. I’ve served for almost five years on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, where I’ve worked to bring transparency and accountability to the district. I actualized my campaign goals of bringing art and music classes to all students within my first six months in office. As a longtime Sugar Hill neighborhood advocate, I’ve led public art and revitalization projects and consistently stepped up when the Ward 3 office was slow to address community concerns — especially at our local park. My vision for Ward 3 includes creative, cost-effective, and climate-resilient solutions that combine traditional and innovative building techniques. These aren’t absurd ideas — they’re necessary and use knowledge from our region’s history.
I invite you to learn more about my experience and commitment to making Tucson a better place.
Sadie Shaw
North side
Rebuttal to Mr. Martinez
I am disappointed by the Arizona Daily Star’s decision to publish Mr. James Martinez’s unverified, politically-charged letter, which appears to contradict its editorial policy: “Letters containing information that cannot be easily verified, libelous statements, or name-calling will be rejected.” While I respect Mr. Martinez’s right to his views, his conduct at the nonpartisan event was inappropriate. He wore a divisive, politically motivated T-shirt and ignored instructions to focus on local issues, instead attacking my candidacy for my party affiliation, undermining the event’s purpose. I responded professionally, redirecting him to local matters, offering my contact information, and inviting further discussion without disdain before excusing myself to engage others.
His portrayal of Ms. Shaw is inaccurate; she is kind and informed. While Mr. Kevin Dahl has positive qualities, his voting record prioritizes ideology over effective policy and community needs. Mr. Martinez’s biased commentary fuels divisiveness, hindering constructive dialogue. Let’s prioritize honest, respectful exchanges and good-faith discussions focused on solutions.
Janet “JL” Wittenbraker
Midtown
Change is going to come
Apparently, James Martinez, in his July 11 opinion, prefers continuing with Kevin Dahl’s kind heart, don’t rock the boat, and hope for the best governance approach. Rather than support Sadie Shaw and her positive energy, make waves, and provide leadership for change. Sounds like his idea of governance is exactly why the Democratic Party is out of touch with the needs of the folks they’re supposed to be representing. Don’t be fooled by status quo over creative, passionate leadership. Vote Sadie Shaw for Ward 3!
Jerry Anderson
North side
Sadie Shaw for City Council
There are many reasons to support Sadie Shaw for Ward 3. She has an impressive resume of public service. She is an elected member of the Tucson Unified School Board. She is active in the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association, and she helped establish the Sugar Hill Community Land Trust to protect the historic black neighborhood from further gentrification and to promote affordable housing. She works to bring arts and culture into our schools and neighborhoods.
Sadie is a breath of fresh air, listening closely to people who want to see improvements in their quality of life. Instead of pronouncing her solutions, she will keep an open mind until she has researched the issues and heard from the public. She is not someone who will consider her “political capital” at the expense of taking decisive action when it is needed.
Ward 3 needs a representative who understands how city policies impact ordinary residents and who will collaborate with us to solve the issues facing our community. That person is Sadie Shaw.
Bonnie Poulos
Midtown
Letter to the Nobel Committee
Jurgen Watne Frydnes
Chair of the Nobel Committee
Dear M. Frydnes:
I recently read that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may intend to nominate former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. As an American citizen who has lived through his presidency, I feel compelled to express my deep concern over the possibility of such a nomination.
Mr. Trump is a deeply polarizing figure, recently convicted of criminal conduct and found liable in a civil case for sexual assault. His record and public behavior stand in stark contrast to the values of peace, dignity, and respect for human rights that the Nobel Peace Prize has long represented.
Awarding, or even seriously considering, such a nomination risks undermining the credibility and moral authority of the Prize. It would cast a shadow over the legacy of past laureates and diminish the honor for future recipients. Mr. Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that his primary interest lies in self-promotion and personal gain, not in advancing peace or justice.
Frank Hagel
SaddleBrooke
Bloat or big blunder?
As I write this on Friday, July 11, the State Department, due to Trump’s over-energetic downsizing plan, is losing more than 1,300 employees. Why? Marco Rubio’s excuse is the usual tired complaint of a “bloated bureaucracy and a radical political ideology.” The administration’s reason could be the giant deficit brought about by passage of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Either reason is idiotic.
The State Department is one of the most essential agencies of our government. Aside from issuing passports and visas, it negotiates treaties and represents the U.S. internationally, protecting and promoting U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values. Its 1,300-person reduction in force will surely weaken our stature and influence in the world.
Move aside, America. The Chinese and Russians (among others) can start taking over and influencing the world in our absence.
Melody Sears
North side
Pseudo brain drain
Mr. Alexander makes no case regarding “brain drain” due to “budget cuts.” Lacking any contemporary facts to support his opinion, he pulls from the distant past, and Alexander tries to persuade us that the Trump administration’s minor reductions in some scientific research is going to reduce our standard of living, national security and our overall leadership position.
History shows that most of the cutting-edge science was developed via Defense programs. The Trump budget adds billions to Defense and the concomitant support industries, as evidenced by the steep rise in stock prices of those supplying companies. Palantir Technologies, a premier company in the defense industry, began this year with a stock price of around $80. Today it trades at $140. Why? Trump’s budget for Defense is increasing to over 13% for FY2026.
People may differ on their opinions on Trump as President, and Alexander is obviously not a supporter, but in the end, facts do matter.
Douglas Wolf
SaddleBrooke
Big bad bug
President Trump’s response to Brazil in imposing a staggering 50% tariff reminds me of Will Smith’s great line in Men in Black: “Big bad bug gotta soft spot!” Apparently, Mr. Trump’s soft spot is for former Brazilian president and would-be dictator Bolsonaro, who is charged with trying to overthrow the results of an election. Clearly, this aroused Trump’s ire as it cuts too close to home. And equally clearly, it is decidedly not in the interests of the United States to punish Brazil, one of the few countries with whom we have a trade surplus. As the Star article states, it shows that “personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in (Trump’s) use of tariffs.” However, Mr. Trump should be encouraged in his apparent display of a ‘soft spot’ (otherwise known as compassion) as there have been so remarkably few examples of it heretofore.
Abraham R. Byrd III
North side
Let ’em get back to work
Seems the problem of much-needed farm workers being “undocumented” might have a solution: give them “documents.” Maybe an H-2A: Temporary Agricultural Worker visa. It’s spelled out on the State Dept. website. Or design something like the Bracero Program from 1942-64. Just keep the form short and simple. It’s hot out there.
Ford Burkhart
Downtown
The future is now
Henry L Mencken (1880-1956) had some interesting observations about politics and its effect on our life. “The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule” and “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and desire to get it good and hard” and later “as democracy is perfected the office of the presidency represents much more closely the inner side of the people, the plain folks of the land will at long last reach their hearts desire and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” I don’t need to tell you that this man was so very prophetic, and we have absolutely realized his expectations.
Philip Reinecker
East side
Miranda is anything but ‘establishment’
I was surprised to read a recent letter describing Democrat Miranda Schubert as the “establishment” candidate in the Ward 6 primary. That doesn’t match the person I’ve met or the campaign I’ve seen.
According to her website, Miranda is the queer daughter of a Chinese-American immigrant, a founding member of the United Campus Workers at the University of Arizona, city commissioner, longtime community organizer and bicycle commuter.
She’s organized for housing justice, fare-free transit, and safer streets — not because it was popular, but because it was necessary. Her work, like her very identity, has often been in tension with the status quo.
And her coalition of support reflects the visionary she is. On her website, she touts endorsements from Ward 6 neighbors, labor unions, public servants, community organizations and working families.
If anything, Miranda represents what it looks like to challenge systems from the inside with integrity. That’s not an establishment candidate. That’s community-rooted leadership.
Alison Climes
Midtown
Happy greens fees
Dear Mr. Stoeger, I am so pleased to hear that Trump’s tax cuts helped you pay for golf for a whole year! You stated that you were upset that the media said only billionaires would get tax breaks. Now you are overjoyed that you got a piece of the Trump pie. Congrats. While you are on the fairway or the green, please don’t worry that someone may die for lack of medical coverage. Don’t worry that medical research may not find a cure for cancer. Don’t worry that school children may get sick and die for not having vaccinations. Don’t worry that really smart kids won’t go to college. Don’t worry that hard-working immigrants will be deported. Don’t worry that the cost of everything will go up and eat into those newfound golf funds. Enjoy your round of golf.
Richard Bechtold
West side
Play it again, Loyal
Again, our favorite Trump supporter is playing one of his favorite broken records, “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” If you see Trump for what he is and call it out, you are deranged and insane. “Name-calling, character assassination, defiance” — three of Trump’s favorite activities. As for “fomenting violence, inciting people to attack” — really. I guess the violent attack by Jan. 6 thugs on our Capitol and the Capitol Police was nothing but pure patriotism. Trump sat gleefully watching it all unfold, then pardoned the criminal thugs as soon as he took office. “Electing to ignore established laws,” “the rule of law does not apply” — Trump again, with full blessings of the incredibly corrupt Supreme Court. “Attempt to destroy the country” — it was planned and it’s happening, thanks to Trump and his loyal, cowardly and deranged sycophants. True insanity is taking over our country like a malignancy.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Tax savings from Republican law
A non-billionaire wrote in to say he will be saving $3,200 in taxes under the new law, rejecting liberal newspaper accounts that the law only benefited billionaires. The liberal media never said only billionaires would benefit.
The writer’s calculations show that his household income is likely in the range of $100-200,000/year. Households in the $18-53,000 range see a $30 benefit, between $50-100,000 will see a $1,700 benefit, and those who make between $200-460,000 will see a $12,500 benefit. The real winners, and those who will notice the difference the least, earn more than $460,000 who will on average save $21,000.
Low- and middle-class tax cuts make sense, but to give over 50% of the tax cuts to the top 5% of earners, who will likely save and not spend their savings, does not.
Kenneth Graham
West side
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