Foster care in AZ
Re: the Sept. 27 article “It’s family regulation, not a computer glitch.”
The authors of the referenced opinion take a giant leap from a local data management issue to condemn the entire system of foster care in the US. As a former foster parent and member of a Foster Care Review Board (FCRB), I have a more positive view of the foster care system here in Pima County. The decision by a judge (not DCS) to terminate parental rights is not taken lightly, but there are circumstances where it is necessary to ensure the child’s safety.
If you want to understand and have input into the foster care system, I encourage you to join an FCRB or volunteer to be a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). The FCRB is a citizen’s review board appointed to assist the juvenile court by reviewing each child’s case every six months. The board makes recommendations to the court regarding efforts and progress being made, and may include statements from parents. More information can be found at www.azcourts.gov/FCRB/
Mark Visser
Northeast side
Do not punish the animals
In light of recent events where the CEO and CPO of The Humane Society of Southern Arizona have been fired, PLEASE do not take it out on the animals. Please continue to donate and support the animals in the way you have become used to. Undoubtedly, they will need even more help and love during this very difficult time.
Sarah Simpson
Northeast side
If it’s not broke, why fix it?
Vail is a nice town which gives us a nice quality of life. Why is a dark force investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in professional lobbyists and propagandists trying to sell us that it’s the greatest invention since the wheel to incorporate Vail?
Follow the money ... one of the donors is the Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC). Looking at their board members, the Secretary is Don Bourn ... who is Don Bourn? He is the CEO/President of Bourn Properties ... they develop properties.
Bourn Properties bought the Passages property from RMG (Del Lago Golf Course owner) in February 2023. The forces at work have a hidden agenda. Incorporation is like a bad divorce, expensive and a hassle. Incorporation won’t do anything to improve your property values or your quality of life. If it’s not broke, why fix it?
Michael Tomamichel
Vail
Hansen and the D-backs
Re: the Sept. 8 article “D-backs’ missteps led to apathy from Tucsonans.”
I am absolutely spitting nails after reading Greg Hansen’s diatribe against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sunday’s paper. Gee, Greg’s feelings got hurt 20 or more years ago, and he hasn’t paid attention to this team since then. Maybe he can spell Zack Gallen, who is a pitcher in the conversation for the Cy Young award or Corbin Carroll, who will be the National League Rookie of the Year. And the team absolutely crushed the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw Saturday night in L.A. Yes, they have had some lean years, but Greg’s beloved Yankees were at the bottom of their division this year regardless of the amount of money they have spent on their players. This so-called sports columnist should look at the professional baseball team we have in the state instead of looking back and reliving his imagined slights.
Marty McCune
Midtown
Ari Groover in “Tina.” The musical is now on stage at Centennial Hall.
Centennial Hall … Are you serious!
My wife and I attended the Saturday, Oct. 7, performance of “TINA” at Centennial Hall. The show itself was super and the actors/actresses, music and dancers were top drawer. It’s a shame they held it at this monument to a poor venue. The Hall itself is well done and appealing to the eye. That’s where it stops. The sound system is absolutely terrible and that’s being kind. It actually did a disservice to the performance and the professionals. What a waste. This place was packed, but only a spattering of people heard the jokes or some of the dialog. The Hall knows this because they will rent you a hearing device, to hear the dialog. My suggestion (besides avoiding this place): have them develop an APP for your phone that you can access, put your earphones in and enjoy the show. Don’t ask about the seats!
Eddie Popovitch
Northwest side
Re-elect Romero
I strongly support the re-election of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. I’ve known Regina for over 20 years and have watched her grow into a dynamic, self-confident young mayor.
Mayor Romero is “bringing innovative, evidence-based solutions to deliver community safety and invest in our neighborhoods while getting police and firefighters the resources they need,” including pay increases.
Tucson’s issues: homelessness, poverty, crime, climate change and transportation did not happen overnight, nor will they be solved in just a short while. All of us must work with our City leaders to make Tucson a better place for everyone.
Our U.S. politics are dominated by many aging officials. It is time to let the younger generation take over. They are well aware of today’s problems and will seek new and innovative solutions for those issues. We must support young, energetic elected officials like Mayor Romero. She will work with her colleagues to make Tucson a more viable and better place. Voters can count on it.
Carol W. West, served on the Tucson City Council from 1999-2007
Northeast side
‘Right’ and ‘Left’
Re: the Oct. 8 letter “What about ‘Left’?”
The author asks for an explanation as to why the terms “far right,” “hard right,” and “right wing extremist” are frequently used, while the same adjectives are rarely applied to the “Left.”
The answer is simple. Extreme leftists do indeed exist. The difference is that the extreme leftists have been relegated to the margins of the Democratic Party. The “far right,” “hard right,” and “right wing extremists” are driving the bus In the 2023 version of the GOP while the moderates have been relegated to the margins.
Eric Schaffer
Northwest side
Vote No on 413
I agree that the Mayor and Council (M&C) deserve a raise. But not on amending the City of Tucson Charter to have the M&C salaries and all other future salaries based on Pima Board of Supervisor salary without citizen voter’s oversight. The salaries of the M&C should be based on the average salaries of M&C in Arizona. Phoenix Mayor earns $87,998/year ($95,750 requested in 413) and Council member earns $61,599/year ($76,000 requested in 413). Prop 413 salaries are higher than Phoenix and the national average. Again, like two years ago, M&C are asking for too much and changing the Tucson City Charter to remove citizen oversight. You should have kept it simple: a 5% increase for Mayor and 7% increase for council members, $63,000 and $40,800, respectively. Vote No on 413!
Abreeza Zegeer
West side
Biden has enabled Iran’s terrorism
Israel has declared war on Hamas after a multipronged attack involving thousands of Iranian-made missiles reigning down on them. Hundreds of men, women, and children have been killed, injured and kidnapped, including Americans. This follows the Biden administration’s $6 billion ransom deal with Iran. Iran has said they will NOT be bound by any humanitarian restrictions in spending it. President Biden continues trying to do another sweetheart nuclear deal with Iran. The first one under Obama and Biden gave them $150 billion. As a concession to Iran, Biden has eased enforcement of oil sanctions placed on them by Trump’s Maximum pressure policy in 2018. Those sanctions resulted in Iran’s daily oil sales plummeting. Now they are almost at peak production capacity, selling about 2 million barrels a day on the black market. I believe Biden’s enabling policy on militant Islamist Iran has provided them with $billions to finance terrorism activities as seen now in Israel. While Israel was being attacked, he hosted a barbeque at the White House.
Amanda Blakely
Vail
Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star.
