Tucson Speaks Out: March 20 letters of the day

Thanks to Steve K

Re: the March 12 article “Tucson City Councilman Kozachik to resign.”

We can’t imagine anyone who can replace your energy, devotion, great ideas, follow-through on the great ideas, and amazingly fast response to e-mails and phone calls. Many, many thanks for your unbeatable service to Ward 6 and the Old Pueblo.

Gayle Hartmann, president, On behalf of the board of the Sam Hughes Neighborhood Association

Midtown

Reproductive healthcare

In the 47 years we have been married, my wife and I were secure in our family planning decisions. Our rights were protected by Roe v. Wade.

The burden of pregnancy is only truly understood by the pregnant woman at any point in her life. All decisions regarding her pregnancy, her health and her future are hers alone.

In the 50 years since Roe v. Wade was decided, theocratic politicians and religious leaders have worked to overturn the decision with lawsuits, harassment, political influence and unfairly stacking the courts. We should have been watching the strategic trickery and fighting for our rights the whole time but, here we are.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom to practice religion, not to impose it.

Don’t leave this mess for your daughters. There is currently a petition circulating to get an initiative on the ballot this year to protect abortion access in the Arizona Constitution. Watch for petition circulators in public spaces.

Vote.

Daniel Mardock

Foothills

Steve Kozachik

Re: the March 12 article “Tucson City Councilman Kozachik to resign.”

Steve Kozachik is, by far, THE BEST representative that we have had in decades. Steve K does things because they are the right things to do, not because someone told him to toe the line. He gets things done while honoring the Open Meeting law. He does not denigrate others because they disagree with him. He does his homework. During his tenure, Steve K gave the residents of Tucson a voice when few other elected officials even cared to talk with us. I am sorry to see such a wonderful leader leave the council. The values he brought to an elected position cannot be overstated. His journey will continue and we are a better community because of his efforts as Council Member.

Bonnie Poulos

Midtown

Changes in legal proceedings

To County Attorney Conover. It is extremely difficult to bring about change. It is even more difficult to bring about change in the legal field where stubborn, aggressive people think they know it all. It is even harder in the criminal legal field where people only want to punish others forever and never really do anything about preventing crime or rehabilitating people so they no longer commit crimes. Too often the prosecutor is so determined to get a conviction and win, they suppress evidence, intimidate witnesses and otherwise only focus on winning, not seeking justice as they are supposed to do. And among lawyers, women are really resisted in every way. I applaud your efforts. Keep it up. People from prior administrations resisting your efforts make a lot of noise, but you should keep going anyway. Things need to change and you are on the right track.

Bette Bunker Richards, JD, Administrative Law Judge, Ret.

Midtown

Trump nickname

To the Editor,

I notice that recently the former President has given himself the wildly inappropriate and wholly undeserved nickname of “Honest Don.” Let me suggest a couple of more fitting choices. First, because he is unstable and when he is shaken up (by events or by on-target criticism) he explodes like Nitroglycerin, I suggest “Nitro Don.” Or, watching clips of his recent speeches at rallies and other events where he misstates facts, confuses people, mispronounces words, and in general is rambling and semi-coherent, I suggest “Dementia Don.” No explanation needed for that one.

Eric Weiss

Foothills

Farewell to a born leader

Re: the March 12 article “Tucson City Councilman Kozachik to resign.”

For many of us, Steve Kozachik will be remembered as the elected official who set the standard for constituent service. Steve had the courage to stand up to bullies and do what was right. His compassion for the underserved and marginalized was exemplary. His commitment to every citizen was legendary, as he was known for always responding to our inquiries, even if that meant a late-night phone call as he walked home from the office.

The citizens of this community have lost a true champion and a true leader. We wish him the best in his new job. Our loss is the county’s gain.

Colette Altaffer

Midtown

Gaza atrocity

Take it from one who knows, one who lives in the Holy Land, and one who is a credible witness to what is going on between the Israeli government and the Palestinian people — namely Elias Chacour, the retired Archbishop of Galilee.

In a recent interview, Rev. Chacour stated that what Israel has done in Gaza is an atrocity, reducing the people to refugees, and wanting to finish with the existence of the Palestinians.

Our American foreign policy towards Israel is contradictory. We ask that Israel be civil towards the Palestinian people, yet we provide that government with arms to decimate them. Yes, we do speak with forked tongue.

The churches supporting Israel are supporting an apartheid regime. While the evangelicals wait for the Jews to convert at the end of time, these so-called Christians are participating, by their support of Israel, in the genocide of a people.

Fred Abood, past president of the Phoenix chapter of the American-Arab Anti -Discrimination Committee

Green Valley

Presidential memory concerns

Your worries: What to make for supper? Take Judy to softball, Joe to dentist. Where is field trip permission slip? Parent-teacher conference? When? Another insurance bill? Bills, bills …. Renew license plates. Forgot to pick up prescription …. Dog is sick. Yard is weedy. Car sounds funny ….

President Biden: Ukraine War. Israel/Hamas conflict. Starving Palestinians. Haitian uprising. Putin. China trade. Climate change. Wind power. Solar power. Emissions. Inflation. Deflation. Shrinkflation. U.S. budget. Congressional stalemates. Mass shootings. Gun control. Natural disasters. Big pharma. COVID-19. Measles, flu, RSV. Abortion rights. Racism. SCOTUS, elections and on and on.

And you wonder why the President occasionally seems confused, stutters or has trouble retrieving a name??

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Eleanor Arnold

Northeast side

Traitors and treason?

Are some Republican members of Congress morphing into a Vladimir Putin Fan Club?

Is there any doubt if Democratic leaders were to assist Putin by denying Ukraine the ammunition and weapons they desperately need to defend their Country and Democracy and welcome him in destabilizing our own Nation, they would shout “Treason” and “Traitors” at every chance available?

Members of the GOP Leadership who stand silent against the truth about No. 45 and the facts of Jan. 6, do so with labels of “Cowards” and “Insurrectionists” while we stand defending our own way of governance. Unfortunately, these folks now align themselves with two additional distinctive labels of “Traitors” amid “Treason”!

We must ask ourselves where do we stand? On what side do we belong? It’s not with the traitors who back Putin or defend treason by denying the insurrection happened.

Tell the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and his cohorts to do their job to protect our democracy and release funds for Ukraine to protect theirs!

Daniel Sharpe

Northwest side

Embarrassment to our country

Re: the March 17 letter “’Lincoln’ Riley?”

The letter about Biden being an embarrassment to our country, by mispronouncing a name, I posit that Trump is the ultimate embarrassment due to his sexual proclivities, his disdain for democracy in refusing to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election by instigating an insurrection at the Capitol, and his alleged financial fraud. I prefer a President who stumbles his words to someone untrustworthy. Understandable that his Vice President will not support the man who urged his followers to “hang Mike Pence!”.

Valerie Golembiewski

Southeast side

Regarding my memory of those I have loved

Re: the March 17 letter “Memory and mental fitness.”

I too find it kinda bizarre that folk think dates of death of loved ones are among things that need be committed to memory. I remember birthdays very well, but do not recall the date (month, day, or year) of either of my parents’ deaths. I also do not recall the day of my husband’s death … although the month and year remain stored in my brain. Frankly, I don’t understand why it should be a “given” that folk should recall the dates their loved ones died. Why? Are they planning a party? To me, the word “morbid” best describes this practice.

Sue Thompson

SaddleBrooke

Strategies to address homelessness

Re: the March 15 Tucson.com article “There are no silver bullets to solve the homelessness crisis.”

We write as Master of Public Health Students from the University of Arizona, concerned about the homelessness crisis in Tucson as highlighted in your article, “There are no silver bullets to solve the homeless crisis”. We wish to emphasize the public health standpoint to guide our community’s response to this issue.

Homelessness is a public health crisis affecting the entire community. Individuals experiencing homelessness are at higher risk of illnesses, mental health struggles, and lack of access to healthcare. Spread of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and substance abuse worsen health vulnerabilities, creating a cycle difficult to overcome without stable housing.

Addressing homelessness in Tucson requires housing-first strategies combined with health and social services. Evidence from other communities shows stable housing, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment can lead to sustainable solutions.

We call upon city leaders, policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to unite in implementing a strategic plan to address homelessness. We can make strides to give residents a chance to live in safe and healthy conditions.

Sincerely,

Caitlin Baird, Kaira Begay, Precious Craig, Adela Diaz and Farhad Wardak, MPH Students

Catalina

Memory

I understand the voting public should be concerned about the cognitive ability of our leaders whether the mayor, representative, senator or president. I don’t remember the exact date/year my son died at age 47 but I do remember his age and the process of his passing. I don’t remember when was the last time I saw my best friend but I do remember the circumstances and what we experienced. I do remember who I have voted for and WHY I voted. I remember and KNOW that I love my country and WHY. I want a future for my children and especially my grandchildren to be entitled to growing up FREE and with all possibilities ahead of them. That is the American Dream that brought my ancestors to sacrifice and start a new life in an uncertain future but that did offer HOPE. That’s the only thing we have each day is HOPE. Let’s HOPE that prevails.

Mary Beth Schneider

East side

Running red lights and accidents

Re: the March 18 letter “Running red lights.”

Yes, this is a continuing problem. I’ve called the police to ask if there can be any help on a crazy corner, Sabino and River. The response was not at all helpful. I was told to “get the license plate number of the red light runner, and, it’s ok to go through a yellow light, anytime”. Obviously that’s impossible. The traffic northbound on Sabino and turning west on River just doesn’t stop, light or no light. Occasionally there is a police car there, visibly, when that’s the case, what a difference! Of course that’s not necessarily practical, hopefully, there won’t be more catastrophic accidents, hopefully.

Binky Luckhurst Woodward

Foothills

Trump-speak

If I had a friend or neighbor driving or walking around spewing threats of blood baths, warning of invasion by sub-humans, displaying obvious paranoid delusions that everyone and all government institutions are arrayed against him, and violent mobs are abused patriots that must be freed from prison, I would consider referring him for a psychiatric hold as a danger to himself and others.

Susan VonKersburg

Foothills

Contraception

Why do Republicans block Democratic attempts to ensure the right to contraception? Both abortion rights groups and right to life groups acknowledge no life is involved. A sperm has not penetrated an egg. Conception has not taken place. There is no question of a child’s rights vs a woman’s. Women have a right to determine how many and when to have children. The best way to stop most abortions is to ensure everyone has access to effective birth control. It is a no-brainer that both groups can support this. Why are Republicans so bent on curtailing women’s rights?

Nancy Ward

Northeast side