KJLL (1330 AM) radio talk show host Bill Buckmaster will be moderating a roundtable/panel discussion at the UA Student Union North Ballroom on Tuesday Feb. 15, entitled “Civility in Political Discourse”, at 12 noon.

Panelists:

– former Arizona U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini
–former Tucson City Mayor Tom Volgy (and Professor in Government & Public Policy at the U of A)
–UA Assistant Professor Kate Kenski, Dept. of Communication
–David Fitzsimmons, political cartoonist for Arizona Daily Star newspaper

The Student Union is at 1303 E. University Drive, and this ballroom is on the north side of the building, south of Mountain Avenue and E. 2nd Street. The event is open to the public, and students are encouraged to attend. Parking is available at the 2nd Street Garage just north of the Student Union, or on the street (metered), or take the Sun Tran Bus.

Bruce Skolnik, J.D.

This roundtable is part of a Week of Civility starting on February 14 on the UA campus, organized by UA Attorney Bruce Skolnik. He joined The University of Arizona in 2008 where he “represents the University in matters pertaining to intercollegiate athletics and student affairs.”

Other Week of Civility events (all events at 12 noon):

Monday, February 14: Sporting Civility: Promoting a More Civil Student Fan and Athlete Ethos. Greg Byrne, UA Athletic Director, will speak about fans, student athletes and civility. LOCATION: Modern Languages Bldg. 210

Wednesday, February 16: Civil Discourse in a Conflicted Community. “As part of the Civility in the 21st Century event, a panel of University of Arizona faculty members will discuss civility in academia. Pat Hoyer, professor of physiology; Miranda Joseph, associate professor of women’s studies; J.C. Mutchler, associate professor of history at UA South; and J. Jefferson Reid, professor of anthropology, will share their perspectives on academic culture and the importance of debate and sharing a broad variety of views while maintaining civility. LOCATION: Student Union, Tucson Room.

Thursday, February 17: Civility in the Digital Age. Dr. Sheri Bauman, Associate Professor, Disability and Psychoeducational Studies, will speak about Electronic Civility/cyber-bullying. LOCATION: Student Union, Tucson Room.

Friday, February 18: Steve Adamczyk, University Attorney, will speak about Civility and the First Amendment, with panelists Kevin Haywood (UAPD), Kathy Adams Riseter (Dean of Students Office), Sharon Overstreet (UA Residence Life), Josh Estavillo, J.D. (UA General Counsel office). LOCATION: Education Bldg. 318

For more updated information contact Cathy Nicholson at 520-626-4650 or    maryn@email.arizona.edu.

There has been a lot of talk of more civility since that tragic January 8, 2011 mass shooting here in Tucson. Skolnik told me that this particular roundtable was in the works since the General Election of 2010.

Attend this roundtable to find out what local Tucson leaders have to say about political discourse. Ironically the venue is the same north ballroom where the rowdy CD 8 U.S. House debate was held on October 18, 2010.

Log onto the Buckmaster show of 2/3/11 (click here) to hear Bill discuss this upcoming roundtable with organizer Bruce Skolnik.

Jonathan Rothschild, J.D.

Jonathan Rothschild, a Democratic attorney born & raised in Tucson who has never held public office before, filed his official papers for Mayor of the City of Tucson today at the City Clerk’s Office. A statement of organization for his Exploratory Committee for Mayor was filed back in July, 2010.

He held a fundraiser on December 7 at Etherton Gallery (click here) after I first reported about his exploratory committee back in September (click here).

He said today in a press release:

“Tucson needs a mayor who will get the job done,” Rothschild said. “All the things we’ve talked about for years, from economic development to downtown revitalization, need to get done and done responsibly. We’re coming through tough economic times.Tucsonans don’t expect things to come easy. They know it will be hard, but they expect results.”

In Tucson, competing interests have often clashed, with the unfortunate result of nothing being done and everyone being frustrated. Rothschild has spent a 30-year career in law at the head of a negotiating table, bringing people together, finding the shared interests of all involved and coming up with workable solutions. “We need leadership willing to tackle challenges head-on and make the city of Tucson what Tucsonans deserve,” Rothschild said. “We must put our differences aside and come together. That’s how we build a better Tucson.”

Former Ward 5 Council candidate Republican Shaun McClusky has already announced his intention to seek this Mayoral seat (click here).

No word yet from 3 term Republican Mayor Bob Walkup whether he will seek re-election. Read my previous blog about “Will Mayor Walkup run again?

Democratic Councilwoman Shirley Scott has indicated that she will NOT be running for Mayor, but seeking re-election to her 5th term in Ward 4. I refer to her conversation with Bill Buckmaster on KJLL radio on January 12 (click here). She will be facing opposition from Republican Mike Jenkins, who had challenged her in November 2003, and announced his formal candidacy today as well, in front of the Ward 4 council office.

And reports indicate that Ward 3 Councilmember Karin Uhlich is not interested in running for Mayor either.

Rothschild’s campaign website: www.jonathanformayor.com.

To keep up to date on candidate listings with the City Clerk of Tucson (click here), and the link on the left is “2011 Candidate listing”).

Jonathan speaks tonight at 7 p.m. at the Saguaro Eastside Democrats meeting, at the New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 Old Spanish Trail (northeast corner at Camino Seco). Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. Website: http://saguaroeastsidedemocrats.org/

He will be also be speaking at high noon on Jan. 31 at the Democrats of Greater Tucson lunch meeting at Dragon View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Ave. Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers will also be speaking. Cost of lunch is $8.50 which includes tax and tip for the Chinese buffet. Website: www.tucsondemocrats.org.

Lots of fanfare today for the arrival of 4 term Senior Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain and newly elected Republican Massachusetts U.S. Senator Scott Brown, at the Manning House, 450 W. Paseo Redondo in downtown Tucson. The national stature of John McCain has grown since he became the Republican nominee for U.S. President in 2008.

KJLL 1330 AM radio talk show host John C. Scott spoke first calling McCain a “bright star” to look up to, as “an Arizonan to be proud of.” Then Cindy McCain thanked the supporters (about 150 people) for their help, saying her husband always “puts his country first.” Senator McCain then introduced freshman Senator Brown, thanking him for his military and public service, and saying that Brown’s upset election was “heard around the world.”

Senator Brown spoke eloquently about how he had always admired Senator McCain for many, many years, and that he had called Senator McCain to offer help in his re-election here in Arizona (not the other way around). He asked the supporters present to be the “truth squad” for Senator McCain, since he was a man of “integrity and character and believed in America.”

Finally Senator McCain spoke again about the situation in Washington, D.C. with health care reform, the $12 trillion national debt, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and how he had supported the Surge in Iraq because “he rather lose a campaign than lose a war.” He said he was confident that he could still be an effective voice in D.C. and that he “loved a good fight” (meaning his upcoming primary challenge).

U.S. Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts

Having been a legislative aide on the Capitol Hill personal staff of U.S. Senator Dan Inouye (D-HI), I knew what these Meet and Greet events would be like. Hundreds of loyal Republicans and others were in the crowd, including former state GOP Chair Mike Hellon.

Prior to this event, Senator McCain, his wife, and Senator Brown had watched the U of A vs. USC basketball game at McKale Center, then attended a private reception at the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm Street. (The Arizona Wildcats won 86-84, in double overtime.) One of Senator Brown’s daughters plays basketball for Boston College.

Senator McCain has been in office since January, 1987 and he is facing a Republican primary challenge from former CD 5 Congressman J.D. Hayworth (served 1995 to 2007) http://www.jdforsenate.com/. There are Democratic challengers as well– former Bell Gardens, CA Mayor Rudy Garcia, http://arizonaonthemove.com/ or first term Tucson Councilmember Rodney Glassman, http://www.rodneyglassman.com/ (who will face off in the August 24 Arizona Primary). Glassman’s committee is still in the exploratory stage.

Note: Both Massachusetts U.S. Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown are graduates of Boston College Law School, which I also happen to be an alumna of. Kerry was the 2004 Democratic nominee for U.S. President.