Aerial view of the proposed Rosemont Mine/Copper World site planned by Hudbay Minerals Inc. in the Santa Rita Mountains, southeast of Tucson, on May 11. The flight was coordinated by the Center for Biological Diversity and carried out by EcoFlight. Hudbay is doing grading and land clearing on private lands it owns there and eventually plans four open pits. The site also includes roads that existed before Hudbay’s work began.
Water safety in peril
I oppose Hudbay Copper’s plan to build a new mine in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Vail. Most concerning is the inadequate planning to deal with potential groundwater contamination. As a former school psychologist who also taught AP Psychology and research methods, I am appalled that Hudbay’s “Aquifer Protection Permit Application” does not list measurable “aquifer compliance limits” for the following harmful chemicals: calcium (potential cause of weight loss, abnormal heart rhythms, and contributory factors for heart disease), copper (liver damage, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting — especially among the very young or individuals with poor health), iron (potential inflammation of stomach lining and ulcers), manganese (lung, liver, and kidney damage), potassium (harmful effects on the heart), selenium (difficulties breathing, kidney problems, tremors, and heart problems), sulfate (lung problems, asthma, and very serious effects on people with chronic heart or lung problems), and uranium (lung cancer and kidney damage). The glaring omission of a method to measure these aquifer compliance risks places all of our health in jeopardy.
Peggy Ollerhead
Midtown
Shady, shadowy legislation
Surely, you jest. By promoting HB 2014, Republican legislators tell Arizona voters they intend to conduct business in secret by exempting all communication about water augmentation from the guidelines found in the Public Records law. Precedents to prevent such legislation include former Governor Ducey’s debacle in which he tried to sneak through a plan for a desalinization plant in Mexico to supply water to Tucson. Rather than hide behind sketchy legislation, lawmakers must develop proposals and strategies that are logical and in the best interests of our state. Granted, keeping sensitive negotiations confidential during bids for future water sources is reasonable, but HB 2014 exceeds this need. Public disclosure should be welcome, requiring legislation and behavior by our lawmakers that is defensible. Don’t hide in the shadows.
Roger Shanley
East side
Concerning ‘Bloodbath’
Re: the March 22 letter “Bloodbath comment.”
Ignored in the letter was Trump’s lie that China was building the cars to sell in the U.S.
The manufacturer says the cars are to be sold locally in Mexico and has no intention of selling them across the border in the United States. Now you really know the rest of the story.
John Doyle
East side
The good old days
Dear Editor,
Court proceedings of late have helped me figure out the meaning of MAGA.
There was a day in America when a real estate baron could inflate assets to get loans, grow an empire and push competitors out of the marketplace.
There was a day when a man could pay hush money to an uppity woman to hide adultery and keep her from interfering with his plans for public office.
There was a day in America when a politician could work an election with a few phone calls and fiery speeches and not have to worry about voter tallies.
There was a day when a man’s occupational communications were his own private property and none of the public’s business. He could classify his own documents however he pleased.
What strong leader would not miss those great days and want to bring them back?
Kimball Shinkoskey
Downtown
All about pockets
Donald Trump has pockets full of wily politicians seeking advantage. Most Republicans, each maintaining two faces, claim an unearned nobility when they enter that dark place. Also, some judges have found a home in his back pocket.
For them, these are pockets of promise and a chance for a big score by helping Trump subdue civility and decency again in the election.
Like others of his ilk, he needs their influence and money. But his millions of groundlings are being harangued for their votes and milked as customers for his array of keepsakes. In the works is a full wardrobe for the discerning MAGA enthusiasts, as well as products yet to be thought up. If he loses, they will appear in your neighborhood Dollar Store.
If he is successful, the pocket dwellers will emerge with their hands out expecting the government coffers will open for them, instead of just him.
Ron Lancaster
North side
What’s happening to Starr Pass Golf Club?
Under new management by Troon Golf, a proud history of environmental stewardship, wildlife and habitat management, and community outreach has been replaced with chainsaws cutting down large desert trees, home to nesting birds; broad application of herbicides; razing wide swaths of land; and denuding arroyos. Starr Pass Golf Club is now sacrificing the scenic beauty, abundance of wildlife, and challenging geography — an experience most golfers relish — for a moonscape with wide-open fairways resembling football fields. The only thing that makes sense is they renamed the 9-hole Road Runner course to Palmer course, because if the destruction continues, you will be more likely to see Arnold Palmer there than a roadrunner.
Lee Mahan
Southwest side
Empowerment
As a citizen, I am troubled with what is happening in our country. Our voice has been silenced/hijacked by state/national legislatures imposing their agendas: suppressing votes, banning books, whitewashing history in schools and Draconian abortion laws. Supreme Court justices displaying flagrant bias, not ensuring Americans the promise of equal justice, betraying democracy.
I do not believe I am alone, feeling somewhat powerless and lacking confidence that our fragile democratic structure will survive the onslaught of authoritarianism. The question is what more can we do, to not feel like a victim and take action empowering us? I refer to the anonymous quote, “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing” (add women to that). If we feel disempowered, ignored by those that are supposed to represent and serve us, then we must take action, reach out to neighbors, friends, community, starting with speaking out.
Luis Lerma
West side
Arizona basketball
I am an avid Arizona basketball fan and believe that our starting five going 2 for 23 (8.6%) from the 3-point line and being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament can only be explained by a curse on the team.
To test the strength of this curse, I went to the gym. I shot 23 3s from the 3-point line and made seven. I am 79 and felt that if I can make more than 3 times the team, there must be a very powerful curse.
I ask all fans to use whatever magical powers they have to break this curse and return our team to the Final Four.
Ken Smalley
Midtown
Pima Community College historic motels
Re: the March 27 article “Taking ‘community’ out of PCC downtown.”
Disappointing to read that Pima Community College wants to shirk its duty to our community to restore its three beautiful, historic motel properties, the jewels in the crown of the Miracle Mile National Register Historic District. As the founder of a website dedicated to celebrating and documenting Tucson’s history, I have heard countless anecdotes about these classic mid-century motels, their notable design, and their notable guests. A community college should be uniquely aware that preserving our rich and varied cultural heritage strengthens the community and inspires young minds. Churchill once said, “the farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”
We don’t need more parking lots. If PCC is determined not to restore the motels, they should offer the buildings to a buyer committed to restoration and adaptive reuse of the buildings, benefiting the college, the surrounding community and ultimately all of Tucson.
Carlos Lozano
Midtown
Tucson is a great town
Last week, I was walking our elderly dog, Inga, east along Congress. As we started to cross Convento, the streetcar began to pull out of the Mercado station. We stopped, and I motioned the operator to go ahead because Inga is pretty slow these days. Instead, he pulled up beside us, stopped, opened the streetcar window, and asked if Inga would like a biscuit. Of course, they did. This is a great town.
Charles Hutchinson
West side
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