February 18: Steve Kozachik, Councilmember, Ward 6 – Tucson City Council -Tucson’s newest Democratic Councilmember will discuss, “Tucson’s Gun Buy-Back — The Plan, The Event, What’s Next?”

February 25: Richard Fimbres, Councilmember, Ward 5 – Tucson City Council – “Oh the Changes I’ve Seen In the Tucson City Council”

March 25: Karin Uhlich, Councilmember, Ward 3 – Tucson City Council – “Tucson’s Future”

Democrats of Greater Tucson hosts weekly speakers at their Monday luncheon meetings at Dragon’s View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Avenue, west of I-10, south of St. Mary’s Road, at high noon. Website: http://tucsondemocrats.org/

Both Kozachik and Fimbres were elected in 2009, winning over their challengers. Then-Republican Kozachik defeated Democratic incumbent Ward 6 Councilmember Nina Trasoff, who had served one term. Democrat Fimbres faced off with Republican political newcomer Shaun McClusky, who later tried to run for Mayor of Tucson in 2011. Fimbres’ wife Mary is a Council aide for Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham and she also worked for former five term Ward 5 Councilmember Steve Leal, who retired in 2009.

Kozachik changed his registration to a Democrat on January 14, 2013, and prior to that was the sole Republican on the Tucson City Council. This is his first appearance at DGT. I reported the breaking news when he announced his change in political parties (click here).

Uhlich is a two term Councilmember, as she first defeated Republican incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Kathleen Dunbar for that seat in 2005, then in 2009 defeated two political newcomer challengers Republican Ben Buehler-Garcia, and Green Mary DeCamp. (DeCamp ran for Mayor two years later and defeated fellow Green activist Dave Croteau in their Mayoral primary, but lost in the General to Democrat Jonathan Rothschild.)

I heard on the John C. Scott radio talk show that Buehler-Garcia may be considering a rematch with Uhlich. No other contenders have been mentioned to date, but stay tuned.

2/25/13 UPDATES: Republican Ben Buehler-Garcia has filed papers to run in the Ward 3 Council race. Click here for post about Buehler-Garcia’s candidacy.

Councilman Fimbres’ campaign kick off is on March 9, 11 a.m. at El Pueblo Senior Center, 101 W. Irvington Rd.

Ward 3 Councilmember Karin Uhlich

Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres

Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik

The General Election is a week away (November 6) and many voters have already cast their ballots. If you are undecided, or prefer going to your polling place, here’s some information about the 3-way race for Pima County Sheriff.

Long time Democratic incumbent Clarence Dupnik is facing two challengers, Green Party activist Dave Croteau and Republican Mark Napier, retired Tucson Police Dept.Captain. Dupnik has been Sheriff since February, 1980.

They debated on October 17 on the Bill Buckmaster radio show:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/buckmaster-show/2012/10/17/buckmaster-show-10172012-three-way-race-for-pima-county-sheriff/

And all 3 men were on Arizona Public Media/AZPM Channel 6 last night, interviewed by political reporter Andrea Kelly (video above).

Campaign websites:

Dave Croteau: former candidate for Sheriff and Mayor of City of Tucson, https://www.facebook.com/DaveCroteau4sheriff

Clarence Dupnik: incumbent, http://reelectdupnik2012.com/

Mark Napier: political newcomer, http://www.marknapier4sheriff.org/

The Arizona Daily Star endorsed challenger Mark Napier, and the Tucson Weekly endorsed Sheriff Clarence Dupnik.

Dave Croteau (G)

Sheriff Clarence Dupnik (D)

Mark Napier (R)

Vote wisely on or before Nov. 6.

TODAY: Ally Miller (R) and Nancy Young-Wright (D) – Pima County Supervisor District 1 – 12:30-1pm.

Wednesday, September 26: Pima County Treasurer: Beth Ford (R) and Elaine Richardson (D) – 12:30 – 1pm

Thursday, September 27: AZ State Senator LD 10: Frank Antenori (R) and David Bradley (R) – 12:04- 12:30pm

Monday, October 01: Pima County Recorder: Bill Beard (R) and F-Ann Rodriquez (D) – 12:30 -1PM

Thursday, October 04: AZ State Senator LD 11: Jo Holt (D) and Al Melvin (R) 12:04-12:30pm

Monday, October 08: AZ State Senator LD 9: Steve Farley (D) and Tyler Mott (R) 12:30-1pm

Wednesday, October 10: Proposition 204: Ann-Eve Pedersen, pro and Doug Ducey, against 12:04-12:30pm

Wednesday, Ocotber 17: Pima County Sheriff: Mark Napier (R) and Clarence Dupnik (D) and Dave Croteau (G)

The incumbents in these races are: Pima County Treasurer Beth Ford, State Senator Frank Antenori (LD 30), Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez, State Senator Al Melvin (LD 26), Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik.

And if you miss listening to any of these shows, you can always find them online at www.buckmastershow.com or here at http://tucsoncitizen.com/buckmaster-show/.

–U.S Senate (open seat)
Richard Carmona (D) 287737

Wil Cardon (R) 109646
Jeff Flake (R) 355573
Bryan Hackbarth (R) 19070
Clair Van Steenwyk (R) 28949

–CD 1
Wenona Benally Baldenegro (D) 18599
Ann Kirkpatrick (D) 33039

Patrick Gatti (R) 2647
Gaither Martin (R) 8775
Jonathan Paton (R) 28062
Douglas Wade (R), withdrawn 6599

–CD 2
Ron Barber (D), incumbent CD 8, 50380
Matt Heinz (D) 11025

Mark Koskiniemi (R) 11538
Martha McSally (R) 51734

–CD 3
Amanda Aguirre (D) 9484
Manny Arreguin (D) 3105
Raul Grijalva (D), incumbent CD 7, 24643

Blanca Guerra (L) 116

Gabriela Saucedo Mercer (R) 12474
Jaime Vasquez (R) 6622

–State Senate LD 3 (1 seat)
Olivia Cajero Bedord (D), incumbent LD 27, 9718
Maria Garcia (D) 4822

–State House LD 9 (2 seats)
Dustin Cox (D) 9500
Mohur Sarah Sidhwa (D) 11490
Victoria Steele (D) 11661

Ethan Orr (R 14144

–State House LD 10 (2 seats)
Stefanie Mach (D) 11525
Brandon Patrick (D) 7614
Bruce Wheeler (D), incumbent LD 28, 12235

Todd Clodfelter (R) 12181
Ted Vogt (R), incumbent LD 30, 14982

–Pima County:

Pima County District 1 Supervisor (open seat)
Mike Hellon (R) 7819
Stuart McDaniel (R) 2216
Ally Miller (R) 9232
Vic Williams (R) 5259

Nancy Young Wright (D) 16856

Pima County District 4 Supervisor
Ray Carroll (R), incumbent, 13793
Sean Collins (R) 10339

Pima County Sheriff
Terry Frederick (R) 10369
Vinson Holck (R) 9858
Chester Manning (R) 9896
Mark Napier (R) 28894
Walt Setzer (R) 7317

Clarence Dupnik (D), incumbent, 71677

Dave Croteau (G) 388

Pima County Superintendent
Linda Arzoumanian (R), incumbent, 33722
Mace Bravin (R) 28214

Congratulations to the winners of today’s AZ primary. I will be updating as the election results come in tonight and tomorrow. So stay tuned for the close race results.

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Invited Candidates:

Terry Frederick, www.frederickforsheriff.com

Vinson Holck, www.holckforsheriff.com

Chester Manning, www.cmforpimasheriff.com

Mark Napier, www.marknapier4sheriff.org

Walt Setzer, www.waltsetzer.com

Everyone is welcome!

Seating is limited so please plan on coming a little early.

Donations accepted for Community Food Bank.

Oro Valley Library

Community Room

1305 W Naranja Dr., Oro Valley

Info: Pima County Tea Party Patriots website.

For photos & more info of these candidates go to Pima County Republican Party website: http://www.pimagop.org/index.cfm/candidates.htm

The only candidate of these 5 whom I’ve met is Japanese/Hawaiian Vinson Holck (born in Honolulu) whose parents I knew through the Tucson Polynesian Society.

May the best man win in the August 28 Republican primary, to face off with Democrat Sheriff Clarence Dupnik (been in office since Feb. 1980), and Green Dave Croteau, who has run & lost before for Sheriff (2000) and twice now for Mayor in 2007 and 2011.

Pima County Assessor
Bill Staples (D), incumbent

Pima County Attorney
Claudia Ellquist (G)
Barbara LaWall (D), incumbent

Pima County Sheriff
Dave Croteau (G)
Clarence Dupnik (D), incumbent
Terry Frederick (R)
Vinson Holck (R)
Chester Manning (R)
Mark Napier (R)
Walter Setzer (R)

Pima County Recorder
Bill Beard (R)
F.Ann Rodriguez (D), incumbent

Pima County Treasurer
Beth Ford (R), incumbent
Elaine Richardson (D)

Pima County School Superintendent
Linda Arzoumanian (R), incumbent
Mace Bravin (R)

Pima County Supervisor District 1 (open seat)
Mike Hellon (R)
Ally Miller (R)
Stuart McDaniel (R)
Vic Williams (R)
Nancy Young Wright (D)

Pima County Supervisor District 2
James Kelley (R)
Ramon Valadez (D), incumbent

Pima County Supervisor District 3
Tanner Bell (R)
Sharon Bronson (D), incumbent

Pima County Supervisor District 4
Ray Carroll (R), incumbent
Sean Collins (R)

Pima County Supervisor District 5
Richard Elias (D), incumbent
Fernando Gonzales (R)

So the primaries to watch are for Pima County Sheriff (5 Republicans) and Pima County Supervisor District 1 (4 Republicans).

For other Pima County races (Justices of the Peace, Constables), go to Blog for AZ (click here).

For more information about the candidates go to:
Pima County Democratic Party
Pima County Republican Party

Blogger Pam Powers (“Tucson Progressive”) announced this event (with an online poll): http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucson-progressive/2012/04/30/public-forum-today-should-rta-knock-down-100-buildings-to-make-broadway-look-like-a-freeway-poll/

The $71 M plan would call for widening of Broadway from Euclid to Country Club, affecting about 115 businesses on the north side, and historic buildings, neighborhoods such as Rincon Heights and Sam Hughes (on the National Historic Registry). Both Presidents of those neighborhoods spoke against the plan.

Speakers last evening at the press conference:

1) Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik
2) Mark Kerr, aide to Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres
3) Colby Henley, President of Rincon Hts. Neighborhood
4) Jessica Shuman, business owner of Kismet, 2627 E Broadway
5) John O’Dowd, President of Sam Hughes Neighborhood Assn.
6) Sid Hirsch, business owner of Hirsch’s Shoes, 2934 E. Broadway
7) Rev. Stuart Taylor, Tucson Bus Riders’ Union,
Eight) Demion Clinco, Pres. of Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation
9) District 5 Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias

Video below of the press conference courtesy of John Brakey, Co-founder of AUDIT-AZ:

Also present were: Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham, former State House Rep. Ted Downing, former Sahuarita Councilmember Rosanna Gabaldon, former Mayoral candidate Rick Grinnell, District 3 Supervisor candidate Tanner Bell, former State Senator John Kromko, attorney Bill Risner, former TUSD Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer, Brian Flagg from Casa Maria Kitchen, Donovan Durband Administrator from Parkwise, former Green Party candidates Dave Croteau (Mayor), Beryl Baker (Ward 1 Council), Kent Solberg (LD 27 House). I estimated the crowd at about 200 people, many of whom arrived by bicycle.

Steve K said that 15-20 neighborhoods were represented at the press conference, and I recognized neighborhood leaders from: Rincon Hts, Sam Hughes, Colonia Solana, El Encanto Estates, Arroyo Chico, Broadway-Broadmoor, Campbell-Grant, Catalina Vista, even Udall Park Neighborhood out east. Aides from the Council offices of Ward 1, 2, 5 and 6 were present as well.

If you feel strongly about this issue, contact the Mayor/City Councilmembers or your Supervisor at Pima County. Supervisor Richard Elias said yesterday that the citizens had to “force change to happen”, if they felt this 25 year old plan to widen Broadway was not necessary. Many of the speakers requested that the historic buildings be preserved, that small businesses on Broadway not be affected by any widening.

Steve K also noted during this one hour (6 to 7 p.m. on a Monday) that there was no traffic congestion on Broadway next to the church. My husband also told me that he was down there on Broadway (between Highland & Park) that same afternoon between 3:30 and 4 p.m. and there was no traffic jam.

Photo of crowd yesterday at press conference, courtesy of Pam Powers Hannley.

Starting Wednesday March 28 they are moving these weekly meetings to Wednesdays, same time, same place. The change is due to membership request, especially from those who disliked Sunday nights out. So no Drinking Liberally on Sunday March 25.

The group usually invites “liberal” speakers (Democrats, Greens, Independents) but has upon occasion invited Republicans. A few weeks ago my husband and I, along with about 20 people waited for Republican CD 8 House candidate Martha McSally to show, but her campaign cancelled due to miscommunications.

Last August I attended a debate there at Drinking Liberally between Green Mayoral candidates Dave Croteau & Mary DeCamp.

Local chapter website: www.livingliberallytucson.org. Living Liberally national website: www.livingliberally.org.

Drinking Liberally is a place for citizens to indulge in the pleasures of democracy: conversation, debate, socializing, networking, rabble-rousing, and just enjoying the company of your fellow citizens. The idea of an American Republic was born in the taverns of the American colonies. We strongly believe that the dreams that shape tomorrow’s America will also be born in our taverns, among everyday folks like you and me.

These meetings usually feature a speaker, then a Q & A period, and end by 9 p.m. (or so), and they do not encourage driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Hello,

Please remove me from all Green Party mailing lists.

I am no longer affiliated with the Green Party because I do not believe that the “elected leaders” at the Pima County and Arizona State levels are upholding the 10 Key Values they pledged to promote. My experience over the past 4+ years has convinced me that this political party is just as corrupt at the top as the other recognized parties and that 1% of our “leaders” are doing severe injustice to the 99% of the general membership they are supposed to be serving.

I join the long list of competent and caring individuals who have tried to serve the Green Party only to be ignored, abused, ridiculed, stonewalled, and undercut by those few deeply entrenched “leaders” who seem to be interested only in self-aggrandizement and clutching jealously to whatever small rewards their positions offer.

Thank you,
Mary DeCamp

Decamp is camping out at Occupy Tucson (downtown at Veinte de Agosto Park since 10/15/11 and her mid-town home was foreclosed on 11/10/11). Her email is mdecamp@q.com.

She got 4.94% (4198 votes) in the recent Mayoral General Election, and 6.16 % (4429 votes) in the Ward 3 Council seat in 2009. She defeated Green activist Dave Croteau in the Green Party primary on August 30, 2011. Croteau was the sole challenger to Republican Mayor Bob Walkup in 2007.

Info on the Green Party of Pima County: www.pimagreen.org.

For those of you still trying to decide whom to vote for Mayor, you can view these online debates:

KUAT Channel 6 of all three Mayoral candidates on October 13 (click here).

KVOI 1030 AM Buckmaster radio Show of all three Mayoral candidates on October 21 (click here).

Brief synopsis of who’s running for Mayor:

–Mary Decamp (Green), community activist, Connector for PRO Neighborhoods, former college instructor, currently camping out at Occupy Tucson at Armory Park downtown. She ran for the Ward 3 Council seat unsuccessfully in 2009, defeated fellow activist/former 2007 Mayoral candidate Dave Croteau in their Green Party Primary in August, 2011.

–Rick Grinnell (Republican), lobbyist (one client of his company Strategic United Business Strategies is Rosemont Copper), Board Member on new reconstituted Rio Nuevo Multi Purpose Facilities District, received 7,770 write-in votes in the August Republican primary, ran twice before unsuccessfully for Ward 2 Council seat (1995 and 1999).

–Jonathan Rothschild (Democrat), attorney/former managing partner of his law firm of Mesch, Clark & Rothschld originally founded by his father Lowell, former Treasurer of Pima County Democratic Party, political newcomer, faced no opposition in the August Democratic primary. Rothschild was endorsed by the Arizona Daily Star on October 16.

Campaign websites below (or click here for previous blog for all Mayoral/Council candidates websites).

Mary DeCamp (G), www.decampformayor.org
Rick Grinnell (R), www.grinnell4mayor.com
Jonathan Rothschild (D), www.jonathanformayor.com

Ballots were mailed out on October 19. Your vote-by-mail ballot must be received by City Elections by 7 p.m. on Tuesday November 8. Mail early.

Mary DeCamp, Green candidate

Rick Grinnell, Republican

Jonathan Rothschild, Democrat