Tucson Speaks Out: October 7

As the weather in Tucson cools and the days become perfect for a drive up Mount Lemmon to enjoy the fall colors, it’s important to remember that Catalina Highway is shared by more than just cars. Once you pass Houghton Road and begin the climb, stay alert for wildlife. You may see coyotes, small herds of javelinas, deer, quail with their young, rabbits or even snakes crossing the road.

But the most surprising — and sometimes the most intimidating — creatures on Catalina Highway are the cyclists. They may ride in compact groups of 10 to 20 or stretch out in a long single file. Their brightly colored gear can easily catch your eye and distract you.

As one of those “scary” cyclists myself, I ask that you please slow down, give riders plenty of space when passing, and remember that both drivers and cyclists are part of the same wild herd.

Enjoy your trip to Mount Lemmon, and let’s keep all our two-legged and four-legged travelers safe.

Peter Palazzo

Northeast side

November election

To all of you mad at President Trump because of higher prices — average gas prices were higher under President Biden, so was inflation. President Trump works every day, and there is a list of accomplishments for Americans, starting with closing the border, lowering drug prices and lower taxes in the Big Beautiful Bill (no taxes on tips and lower taxes on seniors). I received the highest tax refund since my husband passed away this last April because of the BBB. Don't forget the Trump accounts for eligible children — $1,000!

I could go on, but there isn't enough space.

Be careful voting for anyone with a "D" after their name. Their election ads talk about working across the aisle and working to help their fellow Arizonans. The problem is when they go to Washington, they all vote according to the party line — they meekly do whatever the leaders say. You're worried about prices? How about worrying about your freedom?

Debra Berthelot

Marana

Data centers

The United States currently has more than 3,000 operational data centers, with Virginia, Texas, and California leading the way, and more to come. For those who oppose these installations, seeking to shut them down and halt all construction of additional ones, please consider the ramifications. First of all, there is no such thing as the cloud, only data centers storing all your data and allowing you to use your digital devices at will. What happens when you restrict data centers? No online banking, only hard cash. No internet. No online gambling. No Netflix, etc. No online music. No Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. No telemedicine. No Tesla or driverless cars. No online college classes. No instant stock trading. No online ordering, so goodbye to Amazon or any other online company or restaurant. Back to 1950, when consumers actually had to visit a store or office to get anything done, and the Post Office was the lifeline. Luddites, here we come.

Loyal M Johnson Jr.

Oro Valley

Ciscomani’s silence

I appreciate Robert Laux-Bachand’s insightful letter to the editor. Juan Ciscomani’s silence on how his father btained a religious worker visa is deafening. Ciscomani should speak up and address this. And that’s just one of many issues where his silence speaks volumes. Why did he vote to give billionaires the largest tax cut in history, adding $2 trillion to our national debt? Why did he support cutting food assistance to poor children, who could perform better in school with a healthy meal? Why did he vote to slash ACA and Medicaid, leaving millions uninsured and threatening the closure of rural hospitals? Rural people voted for him! He should explain to them how they can get healthcare when they or their children are sick. Ciscomani claimed to oppose these cuts before the vote, yet still voted in favor of them. He says one thing but does another. It’s time to speak up, Ciscomani. Don’t just be “Juan in a billion.”

Louis Hollingsworth

West side

I gotta vent

I have lived through Eisenhower, Carter, Reagan, GHW Bush, Obama and Biden. In my lifetime, I have never seen or heard of a president being scrutinized over every word he speaks. I have never heard of their wives or children being threatened, insulted and humiliated. I am truly ashamed of the behavior of the people in this country.

Every past President was left to run the country after they were elected and had taken the oath of office. They weren't on the news 24/7, being drawn and quartered, every sentence dissected, constantly pressured to do this or that without an ounce of moral support.

Just imagine how much more he could accomplish if he didn’t have to defend himself constantly. Enough is enough, leave the man alone to do his job!

Bruce Johnson

Foothills

Arizona should make voting easier

Arizona should make voting easier, not harder. In 2024, 78.49% of registered Arizonans cast ballots. In the 2022 midterms, just 62.56% did. That is more than 1.5 million registered voters who stayed home. Our goal should be 85% to 90% turnout, including in midterms.

Yet some elected officials keep treating eligible voters as the problem. Proposals that add paperwork, shrink voting options, or make registration more difficult threaten to silence citizens while claiming to protect elections. In Pima County, voting by mail and convenient vote centers help people participate. We should strengthen those options and keep voter rolls accurate.

What about claims of widespread noncitizen voting? A study covering 23.5 million ballots in 42 jurisdictions found only about 30 suspected cases referred for investigation. Suspicions are not convictions, and they do not justify barriers for millions of citizens.

Arizona’s leaders should spend less time inventing obstacles and more time earning votes. Democracy works best when more of us participate.

Lawrence E. Mazin, Ed.D.

SaddleBrooke

False sense of security/safety

Providing assistance with water/food, etc., for people crossing the border illegally is a form of luring the persons to expose themselves to encounters with the ICE enforcer. With the situation as it is in this time frame, the investment would be better used to offer legal entry assistance. I believe the good intentions will provide negative results for the intended help.

Vicente Rivera

Northwest side

A single vote

When 'We the People’ passed the Constitution as a system of government in 1787, the signatories did not specifically state our nation as a democracy.  We were designed to be a union of states where separation of powers could lead to compromise.  As in the First Amendment, this People (USA) is essentially an assemblage of individual persons who consent under law to be equal to each other with basic human rights. The amendment is silent regarding the composition and membership of a group and can be political, social, cultural or corporate. These groups enlist professionals to manage campaigns to persuade the electors to choose representatives that agree to their programs on budget, allocations and taxation legislation.

Using majority rule, the electorate sends representatives to Congress to protect our rights and to uphold the Constitution. A single vote every other year for a person is our only legal act to support democracy. So do we trust the campaign or the person?

Jerry Moser

Oro Valley

Digital-only holiday paper is a mistake

On Oct. 3, the Daily Star announced that it will no longer produce a print edition on major holidays. This is a mistake, and I urge the Daily Star to reverse course. Holidays are when many of us gather with friends and family, bringing generations together for quality time. When the paper is lying around the kitchen table, conversations begin. We connect and point out local and national news, restaurant recommendations, and more. My 10-year-old shares the funniest comics, and I point out Sonoran desert stories. The Daily Star’s decision to produce an online-only paper on holidays pushes us away from the kitchen table and onto individual screens. That is a shame.

Diana Newmark

Midtown

Old Pueblo parking hassle wrassle

Although Downtown Tucson, including Fourth Avenue, is known for its rich Sonoran history, vibrant arts, music scene and famous culinary culture, it has lost its appeal to citizens and visitors alike. The Star's own columnist Tim Steller recently wrote that business is down for a number of reasons, parking being one of them. Parking can be a crap shoot at best! The parking meter prices have increased July 1st from $1 to $1.50 per hour; half of them or more currently don't accept coins, and on July 1st, Fourth Avenue meters lengthened enforcement from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., now confusing people when trying to park at night and on weekends, often leaving them with $42 tickets. So folks decide to park at a downtown business parking lot, only to come back later finding their vehicle has been towed. Park Tucson employs many parking enforcement officers who actively patrol Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., issuing electronic tickets as needed.

Max LaPlante

Southeast side

Downtown and Fourth Ave parking

On a recent Saturday afternoon, I suddenly developed a craving for my favorite slice of pizza on Fourth Avenue. I drove to the area only to find that I needed to pay for parking. It was going to cost me at least $1.50 to get my $4 slice of pizza. I decided to leave and get pizza elsewhere.

My family and I are YMCA members. Although we don't live in the downtown area, occasionally I like to work out at the Lohse YMCA, downtown, so that I may then have some downtown hangout time. Since the City of Tucson implemented its new pay-for-parking format, I no longer partake in this activity, which I once enjoyed.

This situation is bad for residents and local businesses on Fourth Avenue and throughout the downtown area.

The City of Tucson claims to be pro-business, but its actions prove otherwise.

Things need to change.

Daniel Egan

East side