Jonathan Rothschild, J.D.

An attorney with the law firm of Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, Jonathan Rothschild has served as managing partner since 2001. A political newcomer, he is now exploring a run for Mayor of Tucson. Rothschild is a Tucson native, graduate of Tucson High School, Kenyon College, and the University of New Mexico Law School. He has also served as Adjunct Professor at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona.

More information from his website www.jonathanformayor.com (“New Energy, New Perspective” is his theme):

“Jonathan has a long history of extensive service with local non-profits – as a leader and a worker. He has served in various capacities, including Board President of Casa de los Ninos, Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, and Temple Emanu-El.

He is a member of the Tucson Parks & Recreation Commission and currently serves as Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Jonathan has also served on the Boards of the Tucson Medical Center Foundation, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Friends of the University Libraries, University of Arizona and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.”

Jonathan is active in the Pima County Democratic Party and has served as its Treasurer in the past. For a very long list of his early supporters (including former Mayors George Miller and Tom Volgy) go online to his website.

The other possible candidates for Mayor may be 4 term Democratic Councilmember Shirley Scott (Ward 4), or 2 term Democratic Councilmember Karin Uhlich (Ward 3). Current Republican Mayor Bob Walkup (more…)

“Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) is an independent organization made up of congregations, schools, and other not-for-profit organizations. Since 1990, PCIC has organized thousands of leaders all over Pima County to actively participate in public life and in the management of their community.” (from their website, www.pimacountyinterfaith.org.)

Over 1000 community leaders, business leaders & clergy and members from over 50 institutions (churches, synagogues, schools & non-profits) across Pima County convened today at 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Tucson Conventon Center’s Copper Ballroom to present an agenda that builds stronger families & communities in Southern Arizona, through “values reflection, inquiry, and constructive action.”

Sitting politicians (federal & state) and candidates seeking those offices were asked questions pertaining to workforce development, education, services to families, and immigration.And they were asked to promise to meet with PCIC delegations after the General Election.

Here’s a list of who attended today (supposedly all Democrat & Republican candidates of these offices were invited):

Congressman Raul Grijalva (D), CD 7
Ruth McClung (R), candidate in CD 7

State Senate candidate Chery Cage (D), LD 26
State House candidate Terri Proud (R), LD 26
State House Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D), LD 26

State House caniddate Robert Compton (R), LD 27
State House caniddate Sally Ann Gonzales (D), LD 27
State House candidate Macario Saldate (D), LD 27

State Senator Paula Aboud (D), LD 28
State Senate candidate Greg Krino (R), LD 28
State House Rep. Steve Farley (D), LD 28
State House candidate Ken Smalley (R), LD 28
State House candidate Bruce Wheeler (D), LD 28

And for the statewise offices:
Gubernatorial candidate Terry Goddard (D), current Attorney General
Attorney General candidate Felecia Rottellini (D)
Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Penny Kotterman (D)
Corporation Commission candidate David Bradley (D), current LD 28 House rep.

Statements were also made by TPD Chief Robert Villasenor and Councilmember Regina Romero in support of Proposition 400, to raise the city sales tax by one half cent/dollar.

Question asked of the State Legislature candidates:
Will you vote to enact additional revenue sources so that funding for vital services such as education & health care can be protected? (All State Senate & House candidates responded “yes” in their one minute replies, some with conditional responses.)

Questions asked of the Gubernatorial candidate:
1. What measures will you take & what leadership will you provide to ensure that budgets are not balanced on the backs of our children & most vulnerable citizens?
2. Will you support our efforts to expand innovative job training initiatives like Job Path throughout the state?

Questions asked of the Attorney General candidate:
1. What role can you play as attorney general that would benefit our families that are abused by mortgage companies? 2. Will you ensure that the enforcement of SB 1070 is done in a humane manner, and that local police departments receive accurate & just interpretations of the law?

Question asked of the Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate:
In light of the budget crisis, what leadership will you provide to improve public education in the State of Arizona?

Tucsoncitizen.com fellow blogger David Morales (“3 Sonorans”) was present videotaping this candidate session, so hopefully he will be able to provide a video later with the specific responses.

Protesting outside the Tucson Convention Center were Independent candidates Ted Downing and Dave Ewoldt (both for LD 28 Senate), and Green Party candidate Kent Solberg (for LD 27 House), who were apparently not invited to participate. Solberg handed out a statement which read that “Limiting debate, discussion & points of view is not discussion and is not consistent with the Pima County Interfaith Council’s stated goals and purposes.”

Also in the audience today were former Mayor George Miller, former TUSD Superintendent Stan Paz, current TUSD Governing Board candidate Miguel Ortega and member Adelita Grijalva, and former Pima County Attorney candidate Claudia Ellquist.

For more information on PCIC:
639 E. Speedway Blvd. #1, Tucson, Arizona
520-903-2333, office@pimacountyinterfaith.org

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The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson is sponsoring a forum to educate the public (and you voters) on the four propositions coming up on the Nov. 3rd ballot.

The forum will be held on Monday, October 19, 5:30 p.m. in the downtown Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone (south of Alameda Street), in the large meeting room on lower level LL1.

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For more info, refer to the Blog for Arizona political blogsite, wwwblogforarizona.com. There will be pro and con speakers on Propositions 200, 400, 401 & 402.

Joyce Garland, City Budget Administrator, will speak on behalf of Proposition 400, the “Home Rule Option”. Then Paul Eckerstrom will speak on behalf of Propostions 401 and 402 (both regarding Tucson United School District), with Mary Terry Schiltz speaking against them. Both will answer questions from the audience.

Finally, Brian Delfs of the Tucson Firefighters Association and Larry Lopez, President of the Tucson Police Officers Association will speak on behalf of Proposition 200, and Brandon Patrick and Former Mayor George Miller will speak against it. If you want to view Captain Delfs and Mayor Miller who debated this proposition on KUAT Channel 6 on October 12: here’s the link at www.azpm.org.
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There have been several campaign flyers arriving in the mail, and robo phone calls about these Propositions, so this is a non-biased way to find out more about the proposed measures and how they will be funded. This would also be your chance to find out more about the controversial Proposition 200, the Public Safety First Initiative, which is receiving a lot of press. For further info: Vote Yes website and the Vote No website.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which “encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.”

Parking is on the street, in the underground garage (free after 5 p.m.), or consider biking or walking to the Main library, or taking the Sun Tran bus.