Tucson Speaks Out: February 11

Arizona State Parks and trails

I was informed at the entrance gate of Oracle State Park that my annual pass requires a $200 renewal fee, up from $75.

I have enjoyed both the Catalina and Oracle State Parks for over 20 years. My nature walks have added years to my life.

If the cost to visit our state parks becomes a cost factor to the average citizen you are depriving them of the splendor of the outdoors, the solitude and peace one finds when walking trails, the discovery of wild things, and the connection with our primordial origin that is essential to our lives. It is essential to man's survival and the survival of our planet.

I ask Governor Hobbs to re-examine funding our state parks in ways that are not exclusionary to seniors, low income families with children and the disabled. Daily pass and annual pass fees must be reduced so that all citizens can afford a day in the park. Why have state parks for any other reason?

Helga Klynn

North side

Marana and the beloved community

At the February 3rd Marana Council Meeting, residents opposed to the ICE Detention Center detailed violent acts and human rights violations of ICE Agents, inhuman conditions in ICE facilities, and the blemished history of the builder, MTC, involving cruel treatment of prisoners (Arizona Luminaria Weekly Email 10.27.25).

They asked the Town to oppose placing a concentration-camp-like facility in their peaceful, multicultural, agricultural community. Mayor Post answered he was bound by federal and state law to accept the planned Detention Center signaling an unwillingness to use his office to support the community’s opposition.

We should ask Mayor Post “How would history have differed had the German people opposed the construction of concentration camps within the vicinity of their communities?"

Christopher Puca

Southeast side

Propaganda on RTA Next

Today’s mail delivered a large, glossy, four-sided mailer promoting a lie about RTA Next, claiming that a vote for Propositions 418 and 419 will fund repair of potholes in the city’s roads.

In fact, no funds are allocated to road repair except for “Pavement Rehabilitation for Arterial and Collector Roads, to the tune of $177,600, or 6.6% of the total budget.

RTA Next is prioritizing suburban sprawl and road widenings instead of building on the unprecedented success of the streetcar and expanding its reach to many more parts of the city. It’s a plan cobbled together of the wish lists of the participating municipalities, with Tucson taxpayers disproportionately footing almost half the bill while having only one vote out of nine. The 20-year length of the plan is also ridiculous given the worsening and unpredictable effects of climate change.

Tucson would be far better off using a half-cent or a penny tax to concentrate on the needs of the city instead.

Barbara Liguori

Northeast side

RTA Next

Opponents of Propositions 418/419 (RTA Next), a simple question: If the propositions fail, will you awake March 11 to improved streets?

Opponents may think they’re sending a message to local leaders by urging a “No” vote, but they haven’t and can’t offer timely alternatives. They suggest that the original RTA is a failure because of project costs. But how many of those opponents could have known what labor and materials would cost 20 years hence?

A plan is simply a best estimate with thousands of unknown factors. Delaying improvements until a new plan is designed is to continue to live with substandard transportation systems.

Remember that we can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but we can’t please all of the people all of the time.

Since the propositions include no tax increase and since waiting for a new plan does nothing to improve Pima County, I’ll vote “Yes.”

Bob Kovitz

Midtown

A regional plan for a regional reality

Council Member Schubert’s recent Op-Ed frames Props 418 and 419 as a choice between vision and progress. In reality, the decision facing voters is whether Tucson and Pima County will responsibly maintain and modernize the transportation system residents rely on today, or risk underinvesting in infrastructure our region still needs.

These measures aren’t a rejection of safety, sustainability, or multimodal transportation. They represent a voter-approved, regionally governed plan with strict oversight, independent audits, and project-level accountability. This approach reflects the reality that Pima County is geographically large, economically diverse, and not served by a one-size-fits- all transportation solution. Ignoring that reality doesn’t reduce car travel; it shifts congestion and costs elsewhere.

Props 418 and 419 strike a practical balance across jurisdictions and transportation modes. That’s why they have broad, region-wide support from every mayor in the region — Democrats and Republicans alike. Voters should join them in supporting a responsible, accountable plan and vote yes on Propositions 418 and 419.

Salvador Aguirre

Midtown

Support 418/419

I’ve heard a lot about RTA money being misused, which simply isn’t true. As a member of the Citizens’ Accountability Committee for the RTA who has been in the room and reviewed the reports, I can say that current RTA funds have been used appropriately and as intended. In fact, RTA funds are subject to more accountability because they are voter-protected, unlike other general fund dollars.

The RTA has delivered more than 1,000 projects that have meaningfully improved safety and mobility across our region. RTA Next builds on that progress, especially when it comes to long-overdue road reconstruction. These projects will continue to improve our community by making streets safer, maintaining access to Dial-a-Ride and Sun Shuttle, improving and expanding bikeways, and supporting reliable public transit. This is a plan for all of Pima County. Let’s get behind this ballot issue and continue to invest in ourselves without a tax increase.

Andy Quigley

Foothills

Hospital staff

I recently had a long stay at Northwest Medical Center, and I would like to thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses and nurse techs involved with my care. I also want to express my appreciation for the food and nutrition staff, as well as the housekeeping staff. Thank you all.

John Sawyer

Northwest side

Voter ID laws

A frequent letter writer recently warned of “floodgates” of non-citizen votes, yet in the last presidential election 155 million votes were cast with no evidence that non-citizens made a dent. Often the only thing overflowing is that letter writer’s rhetoric.

Tom House

Midtown

Thank you to Star editor

Executive Editor David McCumber of the Arizona Daily Star attended a ceremony in Tucson for the dedication of a Torah scroll — the source of Jewish belief — and chose to recall that experience with the power of his words (2/8/26). In his front-page column about Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter’s journey to Tucson to help dedicate a Torah scroll in memory of his son Moshe Leiter, he did so much more than just tell a story about an Israeli war hero and a grieving father. Editor McCumber defined the heart and soul of Judaism. In just 1,173 words he captured what it means to be a Jew: Torah study, education and learning, helping others, repairing the world (Tikkun Olam), grief and mourning, and, “The miracle of the people of Israel, after thousands of years, returning home, both figuratively and literally.” Thank you, Editor McCumber, for sharing your heartfelt experience with your readers.

Kent Blumenthal

Green Valley

Can you hear us now?

People’s voices were an important part of the revolution, workers' rights, women’s rights, anti-segregation, getting out of Vietnam and more. Since Congress, the Supreme Court and some governors are not dealing with the hell going on in this country and are ignoring the external threats that are looming, no one should be surprised that people are making their voices heard any way they can, including the Super Bowl and Olympics. Americans know their rights and have the freedom to express themselves. They should not be shamed or disregarded for doing so. Change will not happen by being quiet and afraid. Our American history and heritage is rich with examples about the importance of working side by side and united to protect each other and demand a change for the better.

Maryann Beerling

Midtown