Believable
Re: the March 15 letter "Unbelievable."
One of our uninformed neighbors thinks that President Biden is the reason the border has problems. He states the president has the authority to "swarm" the border with agents, asylum evaluators and asylum judges, but he will not. The GOP working with the Democrats proposed a bipartisan border bill that gave the GOP what they wanted. Our friend thinks there's an ulterior motive. But there isn't. The GOP led by our friend's hero #45 didn't vote on the bill because 45 told them not to. This was clearly a ballot issue that 45 didn't want President Biden to get credit for. If our "loyal" friend understood how the government worked and actually wanted the border secured, he would have encouraged 45 to push the GOP to pass the bill. But instead he, like others in the GOP, would rather complain about an issue than fix the issue.
John Bingham
Northwest side
Hope for what?
Re: the March 15 letter "Unbelievable."
In response to the letter saying that at least a vote for Trump offers hope, I say hope for what? Only what Trump wants, since he idolizes dictators. Whatever "pain" our country is enduring (per the letter writer regarding immigration) is the result of decades of Congress doing nothing. Currently it is due to the direction from Trump that stopped a bipartisan immigration bill.
So let's not dwell on this fact, but maybe that he says he won't authorize one more cent to help Ukraine. Does the "pain" our country is enduring even begin to compare to the suffering and death of Ukraine citizens? Does this letter writer not care that Trump likes the loyalty shown to Hitler, and thinks it's okay to encourage an insurrection, sit and watch it for four hours, and then commend the rioters for their patriotism? And how about telling us to drink bleach to cure COVID?
Vote country over party. And call your Republican representatives to tell them to stop stalling immigration reform.
Connie Amspaugh
Southeast side
Public appointing process for Ward 6?
As a community activist who lives in Ward 6, I ask that Mayor/Council take rapid action to share with the public how they will be replacing Steve K. To follow the procedures used when replacing Paul Durham in Ward 3 several years ago seem most appropriate: any applicant must promise NOT to seek election for the next fully elected term. That ensures that no appointee finishing out this term has the reelection advantage historically enjoyed by an incumbent.
Surely there are a few long-term Ward 6 residents who have actively participated in City Government over the years who have thought, "I could do that for a short period of time." And, now that the position is sweetened with a $6,000 per month salary for being that Council member, it is more enticing. But first, what are the rules?
Ruth Beeker
Midtown
Rep. Juan Ciscomani
How the House GOP operates
I am surprised by all the letters from people unhappy with Juan Ciscomani's performance in Congress. Let me explain a few things — Republican candidates are special people. They have no backbones or sense of morality. They owe nothing to their constituents or even care about what is right and wrong. That would get in the way of their only job — taking orders from the Republican Party (now the party of Trump). They have a cushy job that will be lost it if they don't play along. Just ask Liz Cheney.
Juan Ciscomani is a Republican. He is behaving exactly as expected.
Robert McNeil
Midtown
The firearm reporting ordinance
Re: the March 15 article "Lawmakers want repeal of new gun ordinance."
I question the criticism against the Firearm Reporting Ordinance passed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors regarding gun theft or loss. Reporting a suspected crime and trying to prevent injuries or death are not constitutional issues. The ordinance would require gun owners to report a theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement. That requirement can help combat gun related crime, but also gun related injuries and deaths.
The vast majority of gun owners would like to be able to secure the return of their stolen or lost property, as well as prevent its illegal use. Firearms are often expensive, and owners would like to be reimbursed through their insurance company for any loss. Such reimbursements can be difficult to accomplish without a police report.
Moreover, the rights of gun owners are strengthened by proactive reporting to law enforcement. Owners reporting thefts and losses can minimize their liability for subsequent improper or illegal use by others in possession of the firearms.
Roger McManjs
East side
Cyclists and rules of the road
Re: the March 16 letter "A stop sign means stop."
A recent letter to editor expressed frustration with a group of 16 bicycle riders, in dark blue shirts running through a 4-way stop at Limberlost and Mountain. As a cyclist for 65 years, and native Tucsonan, I cannot agree more with the writer! Please understand that some riders, local and out of town, are in Tucson to train, and some bring poor cycling habits, such as running stop signs, red lights or riding 3 abreast. The list is endless, and we are as frustrated as the writer. While difficult to enforce traffic laws, enforcement is an answer. At Catalina Highway and Snyder Road. it was very common to see bicycle riders routinely "blow through" that stop sign ... until the sheriff started issuing citations. Word spread quickly and that behavior dropped. Mountain and cross streets are ripe for traffic violations. A few citations will get attention! And please to others, do not take out your anger on other cyclists. We do follow the rules of the road.
Bill Koehler
North side
Protect the Santa Rita Mountains
Arizona is on the verge of approving water permits for the Hudbay copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains. Residents and environmental groups are opposed to this plan.
At recent hearings in Vail, people were able to voice their concerns. ADEQ indicates that their hands are tied by existing state laws. The legislature has the power to protect the People of Arizona, the ecosystems and all the non-human creatures that rely on this vanishing refuge of the Sky Islands. At a minimum, HB2357 Watershed Health and HCR2015 Environment, Natural Resources, Preservation, Maintenance are an important step forward in meeting the needs of ALL Arizonans.
Governor Hobbs has stated that if the Legislature doesn't act on water that she will.
I call on Governor Hobbs to cancel the Hudbay water permit should ADEQ approve it. I call on Representative Gail Griffin to allow all pending bills to be publicly debated. We can and must do better than the status quo.
Andrea Hoerr, co-leader of the Tucson Broadband for the Great Old Broads for Wilderness
Foothills
A letter to our mayor
Dear Mayor Romero,
I know you're busy with the more critical problems that face our fair city, like painting rainbow-colored crosswalks and adding exhilarating and interactive exercise opportunities for your citizens by creating walking paths through golf courses. However, I've noticed you're also taking time to further address some of the more trivial and annoying issues that face our city like, for instance, its basic infrastructure.
Clearly, you've already decided that milling and resurfacing roads is overly tedious, expensive, and a poor use of sales tax proceeds. An example: my street resembles a jigsaw puzzle. On occasion, when another piece goes missing, your workers come and simply replace it with a piece from a different puzzle altogether. Clever; now we never have to throw any puzzles away!
Perhaps we can even use one of your other great ideas to solve this pesky road problem: let's take half of those million trees you want and plant them in our potholes. At least then we could see them coming.
Richard Peddy
East side
Under a rock?
Biden patting himself on the back?! I don't care what he says we are not any better now than we were 4 years ago! Gas prices are tripling, food is outrageous, men invading women's sports and bathrooms, people carrying on about their pronouns, homeless on every street corner, total fear of World War III starting, no God allowed anywhere — this country was based on the principles of God, read the constitution if you disagree. There are certain singing artists that are worshipping satan on the stage in front of kids. Sleepy Joe doesn't care about this country, he's too busy trying to destroy it by sending money to Ukraine. He allows open borders which the cartels are pouring in. Drugs are being sold that can kill you just from taking one pill, which is being blamed on by the last administration which hasn't been in office for years. if you don't see what's really going on are you living under a rock.
Betty Freyer
Northwest side
Smoking cessation
To the Editor,
As Master of Public Health students, we are alarmed by the negative health outcomes resulting from smoking cigarettes, including elevated risk of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease (CDC, 2023). Additionally, nicotine creates a vicious cycle of stress and relief that only perpetuates dependency.
Research shows life expectancy can be improved by ten years by engaging in smoking cessation, and the risk of twelve cancers is reduced when a person stops smoking (CDC, 2020). However, we recognize quitting smoking is no easy feat, with multifaceted reasons why one may start using tobacco, despite the clear benefits of quitting.
We encourage your readers to consider a smoke-free life, not just for their own sake, but for the health of their loved ones. The road to quitting may be daunting, but it's paved with support systems and a community ready to embrace those who decide to change.
Sincerely,
Maya Collier, Amelia Proudfoot, Cody Davis, Jasleen Punia and Samuel Rodriguez, UA Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Midtown
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