University of Arizona administration
Re: the March 26 article “Striving toward excellence at UA.”
My thanks to Dr. Richard C. Powell for his excellent opinion piece in the Arizona Daily Star.
I have appreciated his wisdom and judgment for many years as we have served the University of Arizona in different roles. In regard to his statement that “the most obvious problem at the University has been the unnecessary growth of the number of high-level administrative positions (especially vice presidents and associate vice presidents) and their bloated salaries’” certainly is right on.
Perhaps someone can explain why the institution even needs a provost.
John Hughes
Northeast side
Ten Commandments hypocrisy
The bill to post the Ten Commandments in our schools is problematic.
First, do you use the Catholic or the Protestant numbering?
Second, it is unconstitutional. (Supreme Court decision, Stone v. Graham 449 U.S. 39 1980)
Most importantly, posting the Ten Commandments in the classroom is done with the expectation that children will follow them.
The same people who support this bill also support a person for president who flagrantly violates these commandments. Mr. Trump steals from workers and subcontractors when he declares bankruptcy. He constantly lies in his speeches. He publicly brags about committing adultery and coveting other people’s wives.
When parents or grandparents support such a person, they are telling their children that the Ten Commandments are not important and are just words to be ignored. Children follow what they see adults do, not what they say.
What are we teaching our children?
The Republican bill that passed the Arizona House is the epitome of hypocrisy.
Mike Nickerson
Northwest side
Trump only killed a handful?
Re: the April 23 letter “Friendship with Biden supporters.”
In his recent letter, the author maintains that President Biden is more evil because Trump only killed “a handful” of people compared to Biden, who has killed almost a million Ukrainian and Russian soldiers and has disabled a million more soldiers. Not so.
Despite his faulty logic and aside from the fact that the casualties of the Ukraine war are vastly overstated (total dead and wounded on both sides are estimated at around 600,000 by Newsweek), he obviously overlooked the efficiency of Trump’s call to his supporters to refuse COVID vaccinations, drink bleach and shine a light inside our body.
Remember, as Trump mismanaged the COVID emergency and put his cult followers at risk, a million Americans died. Even Jim Jones, the notorious cult leader commonly regarded as an evil monster, only killed 909 of his followers.
Bruce Hilpert
North side
The Baloney Parade
Well, well, here we have a situation where millions of people will vote this November for Donald Trump, who is the most corrupt, dull-witted and mean-spirited pile of nonsense who has ever run for President or run for anything anytime. And he might win!
What does this say about America in the 21st century? That we are electing jerks these days? Or maybe we think the other guy puts us to sleep.
I don’t understand; after spending years calling Trump’s bluff about his 2020 election, many voters are suddenly changing to the opposite and becoming his booster in all things, and they still know he is lying.
It is kind of a timid decision to finally march in the Baloney Parade.
Ron Lancaster
North side
What I am voting for
Re: the April 22 letter “What I am voting for.”
The letter lists a number of issues that the letter writer desires to have in America. His wish list is admirable, but by his own admission, “he doesn’t care for Trump”, so please explain to me how Trump is the person to make these issues happen? Trump has stated that he would be a “dictator” on Day 1 and that he plans to punish all those who disagree with him. Democracy in this country does not stand a chance with Trump returning to power. How could he possibly have time to “govern” with all his richly deserved court cases. Why would one want someone so morally corrupt in office?
Jean Getek
Foothills
Better streets and neighborhood streets
Re: the April 23 letter “Tucson pothole fixes.”
The letter was not factual. As a member of the Independent Oversight and Accountability Commission, I am aware of how many projects are being planned, designed and constructed. To date, Proposition 101 — Better Streets — has completed almost $46 million in street repairs covering areas throughout the city, with another $51.7 million scheduled for FY 24 through FY 26. Proposition 411— Neighborhood Streets — has issued contracts for $68.1 million for street improvements throughout the city. These projects require coordination with the utility companies — Tucson Water, Southwest Gas — to ensure the street is not repaired and then the utility company has to excavate to install new pipelines and valves. As of April 2024, almost $18 million has been spent repairing neighborhood streets throughout the city. The first three years have been programmed; planned, designed and constructed. To keep informed on the progress of the two propositions, the city has a website under the title: Tucson Delivers.
Paul Smith
Midtown
Biden is a political genius — but gutless
In the very long political career of our President he has demonstrated unmatched political acumen. He literally leaves everyone else in the dust. However, he has no backbone. When faced with the need to meet his country’s desire of wanting Israel and Hamas to both swap all prisoners, he sits with his thumbs stuck someplace warm and accepts money from wealthy donors. Joe’s lack of integrity is showing and frankly, he should step aside.
Vincent Allen
Northwest side
Grocery stores should stop giving free bags
A fairly typical buyer at local grocery stores, I am bothered by the amount of plastic bags I receive each time I purchase anything. I typically am awarded lightweight plastic bags placed inside a heavier plastic container when I checkout.
I try to minimize the number of unwanted plastics by bringing my own large bag into the facility, but still am loaded down with the unwanted lightweight stuff.
Here’s my solution to the problem: Grocery stores should stop issuing any bags of any type to shoppers.
If we all bring our own containers to the store, we’d be helping reduce the flood of plastics threatening our planet.
Jerry Helm
Northwest side
Changing the perception of blindness
There are 80,000 individuals of working age, with an unemployment rate of 70%, how many people are not employed?
There are several factors that contribute to the high number of unemployed or underemployed people who are blind, but in my opinion, the biggest problem is low expectations, whether self-imposed from family, educators, or employers. These barriers and others have led to more than 50,000 people who are blind standing on the sidelines. True, not everyone who is blind and unemployed wants to work. This may be because they are receiving financial support from family or social benefits or have a fear of being rejected, which keeps them out of the workforce.
As people with disabilities, we can demand private sector organizations to create equal access to job openings, but we can’t move the needle on the 70% unemployment until others see blindness is just part of who we are, not what we are.
David Steinmetz, Public Relations Manager at Arizona Industries for the Blind
East side
Mainstream media
Re: the April 24 letter “Berliner reveals liberal bias of NPR.”
Regarding the letter writer’s screed about NPR and the mainstream media’s perceived liberal bias; what he is missing, is that reporters are human. And, humans are inherently biased. Yes, even the letter writer is biased. Reporters at NPR, ABC NBC, CBS and the rest, are educated, trained journalists. They dig. They source. They confirm details. They have editors. They attempt to remain objective. In other words, they try. Now, compare that to those over at Fox News and other right-wing news outlets. Lots of opinion. Lots of factual errors. A number of lawsuits — Example: $787 million dollars paid to Dominion regarding election reporting. While the mainstream media may lean left, alternative right-wing media doesn’t even try to be objective.
Bill Boaz
SaddleBrooke
Replacing Steve Kozachik
Selecting a replacement for Steve K is a difficult task that just got more difficult! According to the Star, “Mayor and Council will select their top four” candidates.
A forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters was held on April 23, where most of the 12 candidates fielded thoughtful questions from citizens.
While very well attended, it seems that the meeting served no real purpose since the “transparent citizen participation process” stopped there. Supposedly at least one current councilmember prematurely submitted their choice less than 24 hours after the forum was held, although they had until April 26 to hear back from constituents and evaluate their comments. Once again, the citizens of Tucson are shortchanged in their ability to engage in a democratic process and voice their concerns. Our elected officials never fail to minimize citizen input. Their top four candidates, indeed!
Tillie Bea
Midtown
Reelect Laura Conover
As a longtime Tucson resident, I want to commend Pima County Attorney Laura Conover for building the foundations of a stronger community. This includes safety in our homes, our schools and our places of work and worship.
The goals of the County Attorney are not restricted just to punitive matters, but, as importantly, to creating an atmosphere that leads to a safer and more informed community, which in turn leads to a reduction in crime.
One of Pima County Attorney Laura Conover’s goals is to increase understanding of the width and depth of the Pima County justice system. To this end, she and her office have focused on community engagement, including neighborhood gatherings, community outreach and providing gun locks to TUSD. Communication is key to this work, including the ability to speak the language of your constituents, whether English or Spanish, which she does fluently.
For all of these reasons, I support the reelection of Laura Conover as Pima County Attorney and encourage others to do the same.
Bob Cohen
East side
Women’s rights
Re: the April 23 letter “Lawmakers practice medicine.”
Thank you for this letter! Spot ON! I’m ready for men to take responsibility for spreading their seeds. Enough telling women to put an aspirin between their legs. And what happened to HIPPA? Privacy in the Dr. Office?
Thank you again.
Lois Bowen
Southeast side
Slumlords out of South Tucson
Re: the April 25 article “Councilwoman threatens to picket home of ‘notorious South Tucson slumlord’.”
As a South Tucson business owner, I am disappointed that the Daily Star editors used inflammatory language to demonize and minimize the positive work our community is doing to stop crimes against its citizens. I attended the rally sponsored by Casa Maria that called attention to the blight and human suffering being perpetuated by Brian Bowers. It was a peaceful event with testimonials by local dignitaries, affected businesses and residents, and also community activists who serve in political positions. If the Star reporters had bothered to show up, they might have offered their readership a real story about why this issue has come to such a boiling point.
By definition, Mr. Bowers is a slumlord. The fact that he lives in a gated foothills home and is being forced to make basic humanitarian and legal improvements to his properties by a court of law is the real story. The individuals who use peaceful protest and theater to shine light on a dark spot in our society should be celebrated, not vilified.
Dwight Metzger
South Tucson
Kudos
Kudos to the City of Tucson for selecting Whelcon Contractors and affiliated companies to improve the street corners and streets in Terra Del Sol. The detailed precision and workmanship the work is being carried out points to smooth roads ahead.
Jim Dreis
East side
Children’s usage of substances
I am a senior in a Peoria high school, and drug usage has become an epidemic. My school has taken many precautions like closing bathrooms, installing vape sensors in the bathrooms and placing cameras outside, all to put a stop to kids using substances on school grounds. Nothing has worked. My peers have found ways around all these precautions, and the amount of kids using substances has grown tremendously, and it’s not just my school. In Arizona, 90.3% of high school students and 87.1% of middle school students have admitted to using flavored e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, according to an article from pima.gov. However, the epidemic has not stopped at just teens. My sister attends a K-8 school and is currently in the third grade. Kids at her school as young as fourth graders have been suspended and expelled for using substances on campus. My sister is 9 and should be playing tag, not getting talks about the importance of saying no to drugs.
Gabby Toscano
West side
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