Tucson Speaks Out: Oct. 3 letters of the day

Re: the Sept. 30 letter “The Pareto principle.”

While I won’t debate the writer’s opinion regarding bureaucratic inefficiencies, I disagree with citing the Pareto principle as a “tried and true” application to justify his opinion that 20% of workers contribute to 80% of production. The principle was derived from Vilfredo Pareto’s observation that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by 20% of the population. Joseph Juran expanded this concept to quality control; 80% of effects (or defects) can be eliminated by addressing 20% of the causes. To attribute human production in government or the private sector in the manner the writer chooses is a stretch and doesn’t have significant documentation in the literature regarding the Pareto principle. He should do his research before making such a claim. Finally, in this vein, would we feel just as safe with 80% fewer security personnel at the airport? Maybe so, we would certainly have more time standing in line to think about it.

Philip Baca

Northeast side

What’s the plan, GOP Legislators?

In May, the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature appropriated $624 million for the nation’s most expansive private school voucher program. This irresponsible program has already blown through this budget.

As of this week, the ESA voucher program is $16,836,664 in the red, with 67,294 enrollees who receive an average amount of $9,523 (according to ADE ESA Voucher Quarterly Report). An additional 748 students are signing on to use vouchers each week (the majority are current private school and homeschool students). The program’s cost is currently growing by $7,123,204 per week — or $30.5 million a month.

By the end of this school year, the program is on track to cost the state $290.3 million more than the legislature budgeted — 47% over budget. Given Arizona’s current economic forecast, our surplus funds cannot cover this spiraling growth next year, because the state will not have surplus funds available.

The Republican-controlled Legislature seems to have no strategic plan for covering these skyrocketing costs.

Rachel Rulmyr Ed.D.

Oro Valley

Federal shutdown and state parks

The next time the federal government is on the brink of a shutdown, how about using state lottery funds not for funding federal facilities, but for funding a couple of state park days where all state park and recreation areas are open to the public for free?

John Leech

Foothills

Something to consider while voting

A YouTube contributor, “Beau of the Fifth Column,” publishes videos based on fact and logic. I believe he said it best. “Vote for the person who is going to make your life better, not for the candidate who want to make life worse for someone else.”

Larry Robinson

Northwest side

Biden: clear, concise and articulate

Re: the Sept. 29 article “A letter from one old guy to another.”

Mr. Lindstrom believes it’s time for Biden “to retire and let the young folks takeover,” because apparently the way our President “walks and talks” isn’t good enough for Mr. Linstrom. Since Lindstrom is a year older than Biden, he declares he is “entitled” to publicly promote his personal views of ageism towards the President.

Mr. Linstrom fails to support the negative views he holds towards Biden. He commends Biden for being a good president, for having a “brilliant career,” and for “accomplishing so much.” Yet gives no rational reasons for Biden to retire. He ignores Biden’s lifelong stuttering problem, which causes him to pause when speaking, and the stenosis in his spine which explains the stiffness in his gait. Neither of these have any relationship to Biden’s cognitive abilities.

I heard Biden give a 20-minute interview yesterday with ProPublica. He was clear, concise and articulate. Biden shows not just clarity but humility, something more politicians should emulate.

Linda Dugan, AZ Star

editorial advisory board member

Midtown

Failed program should be held responsible

Re: the Sept. 30 article “Residents forced to leave failed Tucson sober-living property.”

The homeless people being evicted from the Ocotillo Hotel and Apartments are not tenants. Tenants pay rent. They are paid guests and temporary ones at that, of a drug treatment program scam. There is no reason that Ocotillo should continue to house them, unpaid for and under false pretenses. As a business, it needs an income to sustain these people, and that is no longer forthcoming. To get lawyers involved sounds like an additional scam where the temporary status of these people is being exploited. The lawyers should be going after the scam program and not the property owners of this hotel. There were months that these guests, given housing, could have bettered their situation and started to give back to the community that has been supporting them for years. Where is their responsibility in any of this?

Christie Cummins

Midtown

TUSD Bond request

Dear TUSD Board,

Thank you for sending out the information about the use of Bond monies if we approve it. I understand that a huge amount will go to the favorite Tucson High, which certainly has needs. I saw the list of all the improvements you hope to use for other schools. What I want to see is the list of schools that will receive these improvements and specifically what improvements will be made to each. Until I see this, I am sad to say, I will vote no. There always seems to be a bit of favoritism to the schools that have the most political clout. I have a hard time trusting what you will do. Prove it and give me the details!

Arlene Kutoroff

East side

Heartened by Letters to the Editor

Re: the Sept. 30 letter “The Pareto principle.”

Kudos to all Star Letter writers, published or not, for railing against injustices and standing up for what you believe! Yes, this includes everyone who writes in, whether you think they’re misguided, whacky or evil. Congratulations for duking it out here on the Letters pages and not in the street, and upholding the core principle of our Democracy—freedom of speech. I end up learning about topics I didn’t even know were topics and learning more about topics I thought I already knew.

It’s you that make Tucson a vibrant city to exchange ideas. Passionate but civil discourse encourages our youth to more actively participate in a civic life. Totally realize that what I read in the Star Letters might not represent all Tucsonans, but if the Pareto principle holds true — that 20% of the workers produce 80% of the results, then we’re going to have a leg up on what we need now more than ever: an informed citizenry. Stand up and be counted!

Rick Rappaport

Oro Valley