Tucson Speaks Out: June 11 letters of the day

In Arizona I see one group of people gaining large rewards. Our legislators, elected to serve the interests of the people, are so busy trying to score against each other they aren’t attending to their jobs.

Special interests, using highly paid attorneys, sue Arizona over what are sometimes reckless statutes. State attorneys, whose job is to defend the statutes, are forced to spend time and considerable resources to defend against these suits.

Lawsuits are not free — they cost to file and serve, they cost in time to prepare to present to the court and to defend against. Private attorneys charge by the hour in the hundreds of dollars and they bill for every minute. And the winners can ask for their costs to be paid by the losers.

So, Mr. Stellar and Mr. Fischer, what does all this legal give and take cost the state of Arizona? I would like to understand why the people of Arizona are so willing to see their tax dollars go to attorneys.

Vote wisely!

Charlyn Newman

West side

Solar power — electric bill

We just had solar panels installed, and as we approach another summer, I’m excited to see how much our new solar panels are reducing our power bill.

As Tucson Electric keeps raising rates and as summers only get hotter, I’d like to see a bigger incentive from state government to encourage people to invest in distributed solar energy. Just about every rooftop in Tucson is a prime candidate for solar power, and it frustrates me to see all that sunlight wasted on heating up rooftops.

Some people see tax credits and incentives as only a free government handout and a waste of taxpayer dollars. To me, it’s clear: it is a lot cheaper to get people to install solar panels on their house than it is to invest in massive solar projects. It just makes sense.

Amy Boran

Midtown

Cognitive decline at any age

Re: the June 7 letter “Biden’s cognitive decline.”

I believe that cognitive decline is a possibility at any age; conversely, at no age is its presence a foregone conclusion. I recognized the symptoms in my stepfather many years ago, and so did he. He knew himself, and I spent a lot more time with him than the experts relied on by the author of this letter have spent with President Joe Biden. Neither of us was remotely qualified to diagnose cognitive decline in Ronald Reagan nor, I would suggest, are the authors of an article in the Wall Street Journal or the 45 Members of Congress to whom they ascribe the diagnosis in Biden. I suggest that the author of the Star letter has based their decision on his fitness to serve on rather flimsy foundations. I would ask them two questions: prior to reading the Journal article were they inclined to vote for Mr. Biden this November? Would their answer to this question have been an appropriate inclusion in her letter?

Frank Bergen

North side

Too many lawsuits are paralyzing us

Editors,

You reported that two lawsuits have been brought against our federal government: one by The Center for Biological Diversity to halt our Air Force from conducting low-flying training drills. They are apparently oblivious to the international threats we face and our need to maintain a strong defense deterrent. Then you said an immigrant advocate group has already filed-or is about to file — a lawsuit challenging Biden’s new border policies. They apparently are advocates for an open border which is simply unsustainable. Lawsuits like these stifle our government from serving and protecting us. For example, environmental lawsuits have delayed electric transmission projects which are necessary for our transition to clean energy. Congress has to do something to rein in these types of abusive lawsuits. And I don’t need some lawyer to tell me I’m wrong. I am a lawyer who taught at UA Law School, among others. We just have too many lawyers in our country trying to justify their existence.

James Tuthill

Oro Valley

Western option for proposed I-11 route

I strongly oppose the western option for the I-11 project as it significantly impacts the vegetation, animals and people in the Sonoran Desert. It is about time that we consider future generations. Many of us in Arizona came here because of the beauty in this state. We should consider in our decisions the scenic land here and its draw for people now and in the future. We are already seeing the scarring of the Santa Rita’s by mining thanks to poor decisions. The western option for I-11 will sever critical wildlife corridors, it will be more expensive to build, and would be adjacent to critical water supply.

Pima County’s Multi-Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) is charged with protecting and managing natural resources and endangered species for the next 30 years in this area. We need to step up and make a stand.

Colleen Verge

Green Valley

George Kelly murder trial and Mike Jette

I attended some of the recent George Alan Kelly murder trial in Nogales that resulted in a hung jury. Kelly was charged by Santa Cruz County of murdering a migrant, Gabriel Cuen Buitimea, on Kelly’s ranch near Nogales in 2023. Mike Jette, who is running for Pima County Attorney, was one of the prosecutors. I don’t know if Jette is usually like that but he often seemed unprepared and even bumbling in court, not great attributes for leading a legal department.

The Kelly murder trial exposed the racist underpinnings of the criminal justice system where it is easier for white people like myself to get away with murder while Black and Brown people often face “shoot first, ask questions later” justice. Kelly’s lawyers impressed me as attack dogs that the judge allowed to tear anyone apart so Jette got eaten alive in my opinion. Jette’s fellow prosecutor, Kimberly Hunley, did an impressive job during the trial but still Cuen Buitimea deserved better.

Richard Boren

Midtown

Oro Valley Library — protector of democracy

As a volunteer “Arizona for Abortion Access” petition circulator, I frequently stand outside the Oro Valley Library, one of the few local welcoming sites for those of us fighting to protect women from our government’s assault on personal freedom. The library maintains two “free speech” areas near the library entrance, requiring only that we users check in with staff and avoid interfering with library patrons. I have encountered opposition from free-speechers at the second area and arriving patrons. Usually, they quietly operate or engage. But, when graphic depictions unsuitable for viewing by children who frequent the library or a few hostile opponents confront us and complain to library staff that we should be ejected, the protective staff steps in. The library has done a masterful refereeing job and will, no doubt, continue to do so until we finish — SOON. Please stop at the library desk and thank our “quiet” protectors of democracy when you arrive, sign the petition (weekdays 10-12, Saturdays 10-1 thru June 22).

Anne Hopkins

Oro Valley

Engel, campaign like you want to win

Attention Kirsten Engel: You need to be seen in order to be heard. It is time to start campaigning like you want to win. If you want to lose this upcoming election, continuing campaigning like you did last time against the Republican candidate, who won. Don’t rely on the few of us who follow the news and track what the two major candidates/parties stand for, because, like last time, that will not be enough. Name recognition is crucial and all I see around town, at every traffic intersection, are large signs for Juan Ciscomani, his name spelled out in huge white letters. The single sign I saw for you was a sorry looking medium-sized sign in orange with blue letters. Not good. Campaigning is optics and name recognition, not just delineating the policy differences between you and your opponent. Take the reins of your campaign, take charge, or lose again and leave the citizens of your district in the hands of the purveyors of an extreme right agenda.

John Wood

East side

Re-elect Conover

Laura Conover is undoubtedly the most competent candidate for Pima County Attorney. She has made our county a safer place to live.

Conover and her team have held perpetrators accountable while seeking justice for victims, which has created a significant reduction in the violent crime rate. Through their programs, Conover’s team has reduced the deadly effects of drugs. Further, Conover and her staff have succeeded in keeping fewer juveniles out of the adult prison system. They have also reestablished a consumer fraud unit after more than 20 years absence.

Conover is deeply committed to protecting women’s right to control their bodies and the right to abortions. She and her team won at the Court of Appeals and secured Statewide Reproductive Health Care when it was threatened, and she continues to fight to ensure that right

Conover continues her commitment to safeguard Pima County’s groundwater — this vital resource.

These values and issues are what Laura Conover stands for. She is, without question, the best candidate for Pima County Attorney.

Marsha R. Sherry

East side

Misguided opposition to I-11

The depauperate eastern edge of the Lower Colorado River Valley Sonoran Desert in Avra Valley, which extends to Sonora, California, and Baja California, is protected in many areas. The spectacular Palo Verde/saguaro Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert is protected on both sides of Avra Valley in Saguaro National Park West, Tucson Mountain Park, and Ironwood Forest National Monument. Plant and animal populations in the Catalina and Tucson Mountains separated by I-10 survive without rare cross-valley species dispersals. Traffic along I-10 is heavy, will increase, and is much worse with construction. Remember the Ruthrauff and Ina Road exit remodels and current freeway renovation. I-10 vehicle use on the Broadway Loop in Phoenix is projected to reach 450,000 vehicles/day by 2025. Are we ready for that in Tucson? I-11 through sparsely populated Avra Valley is the best option. Marana is growing and welcomes expansion.

Tom Van Devender

North side

Understanding bullies

As the fog slowly lifts, it is clear that, for years, the current Administration, the Democratic Party, the liberal media and a number of your readers are simply schoolyard bullies. For mystifying reasons, this group has convinced their own followers, Republicans and the general public that they are superior, more intelligent leaders who are the only group who can successfully govern our country. And just like the schoolyard bully, they have amassed perceived power that has been accepted by the public. However, it has finally become readily apparent that these people are self-centered, narcissistic cowards who are leading this country to destruction. This widespread realization means that these bullies will be challenged and put in their place. And for the bullies, if they gracefully accept their loss of power and status, all is well. If they resist, they will be the brunt of very hard, unforgettable lessons. Such is the life of a bully.

Loyal M. Johnson Jr.

Oro Valley