Tucson Speaks Out: Dec. 19 letters of the day

Carbon fee and solar public transit

Re: the Oct. 25 article “A carbon fee and dividend must be adopted by the U.S..”

Thank you, Mike Carran, for educating Tucsonans about the imperative of pricing fossil fuels at their true cost to society. The carbon fee is a direct way to correct this long-standing failure of our economy while creating healthy demand for goods and services using clean, renewable energy sources.

Mounting damages and loss from climate disasters are the penalties we are enduring because ignorant right-wing politics have continued to block science-based solutions for moving forward. Critics of the carbon fee claim it will hurt lower-income households because the proposed dividend will not be sufficient to make electric cars and solar electricity more accessible to most people.

This is why the carbon fee and dividend implementation should be coupled with broad expansion of solar public transit and electric utility generation using renewable sources this decade. Growing public pressure is critically needed to alter the developing plans of Tucson Electric Power and the Regional Transportation Authority, along with the campaign to correct carbon pricing.

Robert Cook

Midtown

National parks

Re: the Nov. 1 letter “No to Chiricahua as a National Park.”

Well, I hate to break it to the letter writer and be the bearer of messy, bad news, but Chiricahua National Monument (CHIR) has been under his most-hated NPS for 90 years, Federal Agents and all. Apparently, he has never visited CHIR, or he’d know that none of what he forecasts for NPS areas: “huge parking lot, long lines, high fees, limited access .. .a huge administration building (they still use a 1930’s CCC one),” exists. To further burst his seemingly paranoid bubble, may I point out our local Saguaro National Park has also been a NPS area for 90 years and a national park for 30. Again, no huge administration building, no huge parking lots, no long lines, no limited access, etc. But both, along with the other 423 NPS areas, are staffed by very hard-working, accomplished professionals, all dedicated to preserving our country’s irreplaceable natural and cultural treasures for our children and grandchildren, aka, “thousands of idiot tourists....”

Butch Farabee, retired National Park Ranger and Superintendent

Northwest side

Vouchers, retention and recruitment

Arizona’s teacher pay gap is the second-largest in the nation, behind only Colorado (Economic Policy Institute). In 2022, Arizona teachers earned 33% less than their peers in comparable professions. This is the worst gap since 1960.

The Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association reported in September that nearly 6,000 Arizona classrooms serving more than 150,000 kids lack a qualified teacher. This is directly driving teachers out of the classroom, precipitating a recruitment and retention emergency.

So what does our Arizona Republican-dominated legislature do about this urgency in public school funding and teacher retention? They decide that vouchers are the answer. Arizona School Vouchers, with no oversight, will cost this state $943 million dollars this school year by stealing from the poor and middle-class students to benefit the rich who many were already enrolled in private schools and the use of vouchers for trampolines, pianos, golf lessons and waterparks.

We need a new state legislature that prioritizes public education for all students over private education.

Rachel Rulmyr Ed.D. Retired Educator

Oro Valley

Civil War history

Re: the Nov. 2 letter “Civil War.”

A writer bemoaned the melting down of Robert E. Lee statues. She wished to preserve history. She claimed that the traitor Lee was doing his duty. Rather, he broke his vow to defend the Constitution. As a slave owner, he personally oversaw the punishment of slaves and often had salt water poured on their wounds.

If we wish to preserve history, we should pour Lee’s brass into a statue of a true patriot, U.S. Grant. Let us place it in the center of Richmond. Or, how about a statue to the Black soldiers who were slaughtered by the Confederates? The center of Petersburg, Virginia, would be appropriate. Finally, how about a monument to the horrors of the slave trade in downtown New Orleans? These monuments would preserve history and inform the ignorant of the truth of American history.

John Bechman

SaddleBrooke

Traffic deaths soar

Nov. 1 at 5:05 p.m. I watched a compact SUV blow through a red pedestrian signal eastbound at Arcadia and Speedway. I was sitting at a restaurant exit waiting to enter Speedway just about dusk. Two cars went through the yellow at high speed, then a sedan went through as the light changed to red. In the curb lane several yards back, a dark compact SUV began to accelerate while a pedestrian prepared to use the crosswalk. The driver must have seen the pedestrian because the person was clearly visible from my angle. The SUV ran the red light! According to the Star’s article in September, “Speed was a factor in 30% of all fatalities.” I personally witnessed what could very easily have been a horrible pedestrian fatality. I’m glad the pedestrian waited. The holidays are coming, let’s all focus on slowing down, having consideration for others on the roadway and practicing safe defensive driving behaviors. Drive like your family’s life depended on it. Let’s drive safe Tucson!

Richard Harper

Northeast side

An open letter to Biden and Congress

The December 2022 Scientific American features an article about moral injury.

“Moral injury is a specific trauma that arises when people face situations that deeply violate their conscience or threaten their core values.”

Supplying bombs to Israel to kill more Palestinian civilians violates my and this country’s professed core values. So does supplying weapons to Ukraine to fight a proxy war with Russia in a contest for world dominance.

It is past time for Palestinian Arabs to have their own state, one in which they can be free and safe — a state Israel’s Netanyahu has resisted to the point of financing the Hamas he now wishes to destroy. It is past time to make amends, as best we can, for the land stolen from Palestinians before and after 1948 to create modern Israel. It is past time to test Russia’s assertions that all it wants from Ukraine are secure borders and protection for Russians living there.

Steven Lesh

East side

Trump left chaos

Re: the Nov. 2 letter “Jeopardizing national security.”

The writer blames President Biden all for all the world’s problems. He doesn’t mention that before he left office, Trump closed all but one American base in Afghanistan while releasing 5,000 Taliban prisoners and their leaders, assuring unavoidable chaos.

Under Biden, U.S. oil production is at an all-time high, the highest in the World. Trump depleted the Strategic Petroleum Reserves by 8%.

To blame Biden for the depletion of ammunition stockpiles is ludicrous. War depletes them. Defense of our friends requires weapons and ammunition.

His claim that Biden gave $6 billion to Iran to fund terrorist is a complete Republican fabrication. Not one penny has been released to date and will only go directly to warranted humanitarian causes.

Our borders could be more secure if the Republicans would work with the President to implement a plan. They prefer chaos. Remember, Reagan first opened the borders in 1986.

President Biden does have his hands full. Thank God Trump is not still overseeing this chaotic world!

Gerry Wolter

SaddleBrooke

How about switching the focus

The letters to the editor have lately been an ongoing screed with any number of writers continuously correcting everyone about details on rifles. So tired of the free advertising of killing tools implicit in these continued pieces.

A suggestion: I propose you totally curtail printing any further letters in that vein and start and continue to print letters encouraging and educating all on household and business rain barrels. As we all know very well, we are in a continued drought with water being wasted ALL over the state for years. Education for survival seems a good point to keep at the forefront of the news.

Judy Mercer

Oro Valley

Jim Click

Jim Click a Tucson Treasure:

A record $1.87 million raised for local charities through this local raffle. All the money for the tickets are sold by the charities; they keep the money, the ticket stubs are turned into Jim Click. He then donates the vehicle that is being raffled off and chooses the winners (first, second, and third prize). Up to date approximately $15 million has been raised for local charity. No fancy who’s who galas, balls, or events, but just simple all-inclusive fundraising for the needy. For some non profits planning, promotion, and implementation of “special events” takes thousands of dollars to do, being out reach for many. Jim Click does it by donating a vehicle and every nonprofit has an opportunity to raise funds for the needy. No hoopla, media, fancy clothes, auctions, exotic food, no comp tickets for the local politicians and celebrities, just straight forward fundraising. Yes, Mr. Click, a Tucson treasure, thank you.

Dominick San Angelo Jr.

East side

Winterhaven

I recently visited Winterhaven, and while most homes were tastefully decorated there was one that was totally out of line and not appropriate for Christmas. There are many many children who go there and do not need to see such perversion. There was a sign in the yard that said “Best use of balls.” They had decorated a saguaro cactus as a penis and had testicles at the base. Now really is this what Christmas is all about? Totally disturbing to encounter this inappropriateness at Winterhaven!

Neil Hendryx

Southwest side

Winterhaven blues

We all know changes are inevitable. Some changes are good and widely accepted, while other changes come about due to poor decisions made by others. Changes can be made as cost-saving measures, as well. Whatever the reason for the change(s), it is generally here to stay and rarely reversed. Winterhaven no longer allows drive-thru nights, which means elderly folks and those with disabilities who are unable to walk through the holiday-themed neighborhood will be staying in their assisted living facilities and retirement homes now. Children walking through Winterhaven will now get to experience the odor of marijuana being smoked and view a display decoration featuring male genitalia, complete with lights. It even received an award for best use of “BALLS”!

Happy Holidays!

Max LaPlante

Southeast side

NDAA is not perfect

Re: the Dec. 17 article “Defense legislation good for America, Tucson.”

Rep. Ciscomani: For sure, the NDAA is not perfect. Perhaps because it didn’t include further, crucially important, help for Ukraine, which you helped defeat? The Ukrainian people are doing battle for their lives and freedom, and dying, and by extension saving American lives by fighting our battles. They are holding back the Russian tide that will inexorably flood all of Europe if not for Ukraine’s sacrifice. How quickly we forget history — after World War II, Russia would have taken over all of Germany and many other European nations if we hadn’t stopped them. Don’t think for a minute that Putin has given up that ambition; he has already stated that he wants to take over the whole world. Is America, because of Republican obstructionism, just going to stand by and let him have it? That would surely not be better for America, or for Tucson.

Klara Cserny

Southwest side

Democracy

Mr. Trump, may I suggest that you reimburse friend, advisor, and confidant, Mr. Giuliani $148 million for services rendered. I understand that your vast financial holdings can support this minor expense.

John (Jay) Van Echo, PE

West side

Wastewater to potable water

Re: the Dec. 10 article “Tucson to lead in wastewater to taps.”

No local water quality scientists were quoted in this article, although they’ll be engaged in the treatment of the water to potable standards.

Tucson voters passed a 1995 initiative, the Water Consumer Protection Act (the Act) found in Tucson City Code Article 7, Section 27-102, requiring that Colorado River Water be directly delivered only if it meets the water quality standards of Avra Valley groundwater. The result was that the water is recharged, stored in wells, and pumped back up to serve to customers.

Will the treated wastewater have to meet the Act’s standards? If so, Tucson Water officials will have to adhere to this provision, where the treated water would be recharged and then pumped back up and treated for service to customers.

The pilot project referred to in Tony Davis’ article is a good idea; Tucson Water will do this before any final treatment decisions are made. It’s the right move.

Carol W. West

Northeast side