Chair Carolyn Cox, courtesy of Pima GOP

Carolyn Cox was elected Chair the Pima County Republican Party on September 8, 2011 after former Chair Brian Miller (former candidate for CD 8 House seat) was removed over the summer. She will be speaking at the Eastside Republicans monthly meeting on Wed. Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. at Kirk Bear Canyon Branch Library – Community Room, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Here’s part of Carolyn’s statement when she ran for Chair:

I have been involved with the Pima County Republican Party since my husband, Garland, & I started coming to Arizona in 1999. We moved to Arizona permanently in 2004.

Because Garland & I have been among the major supporters of the Republican Party I believe I will have the creditability necessary to raise funds for the Party to keep the headquarters’ door open. The Party needs to assist candidates and facilitate the election of candidates in every way possible. It takes money to staff & maintain an office to do that.

The get-out- the- vote (GoTV) campaign is important. The Party needs to communicate with voters using all the proven and all the new technologies possible.

I was the Republican candidate for Congress in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District in the year 2000 campaign. I do understand the challenges a candidate faces.

I was a National Director of Economic Security 2000 from 1997 thru 2003. Its goal was to advocate for younger workers to invest a portion of their Social Security Taxes in an account they would own and receive a market-rate of return on that money.

I was the Chief Financial Officer of an engineering corporation in Colorado. I fully understand pensions and their difference from self-funding IRAs and 401(k)s.

Carolyn graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, and completed one year of graduate study at the University of Colorado. She has “served on the Tucson Committee for Heritage, the premier conservative Think Tank.” And she’s also been president of the Tucson Conservative Forum since April of 2005.

For more info about Eastside Republicans, contact: Lori Oien (former candidate for Ward 2 Council seat in 2007) at oienjmo@msn.com, 520-749-3472, or Parralee Schneider (former candidate for LD 30 House in 2010), 520-749-0312, pmstucson@aol.com

Grand Opening of the Rick Grinnell for Mayor Campaign Office

Where: 2310 E. Broadway
When: Friday, September 23, 2011, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Bring your “write-in” Rick Grinnell primary signs in to get new cleaned up ones that read “vote-in” Rick Grinnell

Grinnell’s website: http://www.grinnell4mayor.com/. Campaign headquarters phone # 520-370-0529. The campaign flyer says to join them for food & fun & to hear how “Rick plans to move Tucson forward.” 2310 E. Broadway is between Tucson Blvd.and Campbell.

My previous blog on Grinnell when he was interviewed on KUAT: http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2011/09/09/99-who-is-republican-rick-grinnell-and-why-is-he-running-for-mayor/

Grinnell is facing Democrat Jonathan Rothschild and Green Mary DeCamp in the General Election on November 8.

Campaign
Announcement Event!

New opportunities for Pima County

Please join us

Thursday, September 22, 2011
at 6:00 p.m. as we launch a new chapter
for the future of Pima County

Oro Valley Country Club
300 W. Greenock Dr.
Oro Valley, Arizona 85737

Pima County Board of Supervisors, District 1

For more information,
contact Stuart at stuart@mcdanielforsupervisor.com or (520) 349-5600

www.McDanielforSupervisor.com

I haven’t received any bio or photo from Stuart McDaniel’s campaign, so stay tuned for further updates, or attend this event on September 22 to meet the candidate himself.

I wrote previously (click here) about flooring businessman Matt Caldwell announcing his bid for this open seat (to be vacated by retiring Republican Pima County Supervisor Ann Day), but Caldwell has withdrawn his candidacy.

Another Republican Ally Miller is already listed on the Pima County Republican Party website as running for this seat. Her website: http://allyforsupervisor.com/

Republicans LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams and former candidate/KVOI talk show host Joe Higgins have been thinking of entering this race as well (as far as I know, though I hear the latter may be helping the Ally Miller campaign). And former LD 26 House Rep.Democrat Nancy Young Wright has also been considering a bid.

Grinnell only entered the race in July of this year (click here for announcement blog), after the Pima County Republican Party failed to qualify a candidate from the petition nominations which had been due on June 1st. (Both potential Republican candidates Ron Asta and Shaun McClusky were disqualified in Superior court actions due to lack of the requisite # of valid signatures).

Grinnell’s website: http://www.grinnell4mayor.com/. His website lists his career highlights:

–Founder and president of Smart United Business Strategies (SUBS), a for-profit venture that fosters political interaction between State and Local government and the entrepreneurial community.
–Marketing executive (Metro Restaurants), business development consultant in retail, service, transportation, construction and hospitality industries.
–Employment specialist providing vocational training and placement for individuals with disabilities and working with business owners to help injured workers return to work.
–Small business owner

Grinnell attended Salpointe Catholic High School and has a degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Since last year he has been a Board Member of the new Rio Nuevo Multi Purpose Facilities District. And reports are that his lobbying firm represents Augusta Resource Corporation, the Canadian firm that is proposing the controversial Rosemont Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson.

Grinnell ran twice before for the Ward 2 Council seat in 1995 and 1999 and lost to Democratic Councilmember Janet Marcus and then Marcus’ aide Carol West (a Democrat who later became an Independent). Years ago he also served on the now-defunct Domestic Violence Commission (along with me and lots of other community members like Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall and Dr. Richard Carmona).

Contact info: email: info@grinnell4mayor.com or phone: 520-370-0529.

He faces Democrat Jonathan Rothschild and Green Mary DeCamp for the job of Mayor of Tucson, in the General Election on November 8, 2011.

American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors of all types due to a critical blood shortage across our nation.

In May and June, donations were at the lowest level the American Red Cross has seen in this timeframe in over a dozen years, while demand for blood products remained steady. Because of that, American Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever. All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.

We highly encourage all type O negative blood donors who meet the eligibility requirements to double the difference by becoming a double red cell donor. If eligible, you can give to give two donations at once.

Please contact American Red Cross at 520-230-7295 to schedule your appointment to donate or log on to redcrossblood.org Sponsor Code: pimagop (email appeal from the Pima County Republican Party– which is assisting in this drive with a blood drive on Saturday July 30, 9 to 2 p.m.)

Why donate blood?
You don’t need a special reason to give blood.
You just need your own reason.

Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend.
Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day.
Some believe it is the right thing we do.

Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life.

Please donate blood if you can.

Wednesday, July 27th from 6 to 7:30 PM

From Pima County GOP newsletter:

The next Pima GOP After Hours on Wednesday, July 27th will feature Mayoral write-in candidate Rick Grinnell – “2 Ns, 2 Ls.” Rick will talk about his vision for Tucson and the specifics on writing him in on your primary ballot. For example: Be sure to fill in the bubble to the left of where you write in his name. If Rick Grinnell is written-in on the Republican primary ballot just 1060 times, he will be on the general ballot.

For more information on the write-in process and how you can help Rick’s campaign you’re going to want to be here.

Where’s here? The Pima GOP After Hours takes place at your Pima GOP Headquarters, 5447 E 5th Street, suite 100 (just west of Craycroft on the north side of 5th Street) in Tucson.

City Council candidates Jennifer Rawson (for Ward 2) and Tyler Vogt (for Ward 4) will be attending and speaking at this GOP event as well.

Last August 2010, in the LD 28 State Senate race Republican Greg Krino got 1519 write-in votes to qualify for the November election, to challenge State Senator Paula Aboud (according to Pima County elections results). Krino only needed 214 write-in votes, so getting 1060 write-in votes (City-wide) for Grinnell should not be a problem for the Pima GOP.

Daryl Peterson, a construction worker just entered the race last Thursday as a Republican Mayoral write-in candidate, just prior to the deadline for filing.

Assuming Grinnell or Peterson will get on the General election November ballot, either will face off with the winner of the Democratic primary (Jonathan Rothschild facing opposition from 3 write-in candidates– David Karr, Rich Kessler or Joseph Maher, Jr.), and either Green candidate Dave Croteau or Mary DeCamp.

Rick Grinnell for Mayor
Experience Matters

Campaign Manager: Barbara Bathen (520)370-0529

Press Contact: Kim Kimbriel (520)548-2000

www.grinnell4mayor.com

www.facebook.com/Grinnell4Mayor

www.Twitter.com/Grinnell4Mayor

To hear Grinnell’s recent July 20th radio interview on the Buckmaster Show –click here.

Brian Miller

The Pima County Republican Central Committee passed the following resolution by a vote of 10-2 at the emergency meeting held the evening of June 30, 2011

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Pima County Republican Central Committee (County Committee) is governed by the laws of the State of Arizona and by the Continuing Bylaws of the Pima County Republican Central Committee (Bylaws) and

Whereas, Article V Section 2 of Bylaws provides, in part, that “[T]he Executive Committee shall have the authority and responsibility for the official policy of the County Committee,” and

Whereas, Brian Miller, the current Chair of the County Committee, speaking as the Chair of the County Committee, has made numerous public statements and comments indicating a distrust of Pima County and Tucson law enforcement agencies, which creates a public impression that these statements and comments reflect the policy of the County Committee, and

Whereas the misimpression created by Brian Miller, the current Chair of the County Committee, is not the policy of the County Committee and is in no manner adopted by the Executive Committee and

Whereas, after being asked by the Executive Committee to make a public retraction of his statements and comments that bring dishonor and ill repute to the County Committee, Brian Miller, the current Chair of the County Committee has failed to do so in a meaningful manner, and

Whereas, Article VII Section 1 of Bylaws provides, in part, that “[T]he Executive Committee shall have the power and authority to disburse all County Committee funds. All persons designated to disburse such funds shall be bonded by the Executive Committee,” and

Whereas, Brian Miller, the current Chair of the County Committee has willfully violated the Bylaws by expending large amounts of County Committee funds without the authorization of the Executive Committee and further by entering into long-term financial obligations for which the County Committee is financially liable and doing so without authorization or bonding by the Executive Committee, and

Whereas it is the fiduciary responsibility of the Executive Committee to strictly enforce the Bylaws which govern expenditure of funds in order to protect the continued viability and accomplish the objectives of the County Committee,

Therefore, it is hereby resolved by the Executive Committee, that

1. Article V Section 2 of the Bylaws remains in full effect and Brian Miller, the current Chair of the County Committee, is directed to cease and desist making any public statement or comment, as Chair of the County Committee, unless prior authorization to act as the official spokesman for the County Committee for a specific issue or item has been expressly granted by the Executive Committee, and

2. Article VII Section 1 of the Bylaws remains in full effect and in order to exercise the fiduciary responsibility of the Executive Committee under that section, Brian Miller, the current Chair of the County Committee, is directed to immediately take the following actions:

a. Return any and all County Committee banking account checks and credit cards to the County Committee Treasurer,

b. Cease and desist, while acting as agent or representative of the County Committee or Executive Committee, from entering into any contracts, agreements or financial obligations that create any amount of financial liability for the County Committee,

c. Return all keys to the County Committee headquarters offices.

d. Return medallions and all other property and documents to the County Committee headquarters offices.

Miller had apparently been criticized for his statement about the Pima County Sheriff’s Dept. and its handing of the shooting/killing of Marine Jose Guerena. Here’s his email statement in quotes below dated June 3, 2011:

Protecting the Innocent

In light of the enormous response, both supportive and critical, to my recent email regarding the SWAT shooting of Jose Guerena, I would like to clarify my position and statements in the media.

First, let me be very clear, I am not questioning the officers and members of the Pima County SWAT team for their handling of this incident. Their job is to follow established policies, protocols and guidelines they have been given. My concern is with the policies themselves, and whether or not there are better ways for law enforcement, not only here in Pima County but throughout the United States, to conduct themselves so as to minimize risk to the officers, suspects and innocent civilians who may be caught up in police actions.

In no way do I consider asking these questions to be inappropriate. It is the fundamental foundation of our country that every citizen has the right to question the policies and conduct of our government and law enforcement agencies. Strong civilian oversight is essential to maintaining citizens’ trust in our police departments—and therefore to the ability of those agencies to conduct law enforcement activities both peacefully and successfully.

This discussion has been a long time in coming and, frankly, I feel is essential to protecting the lives and liberties of our citizens and police officers alike.

Second, I do need to apologize to our local law enforcement community for my unfortunate choice of the word “murder” referring to the shooting death of Jose Guerena on a local talk show. It was never my intention to besmirch those officers, and it is my understanding that they were, indeed, following the procedures they were given.

I know that some of you reading this will disagree with me completely, and I understand your position. Jose Guerena may well have been involved in criminal activities. But his infant son was not. His neighbors, who had multiple bullets transit their home, were not. If we do not consider, carefully and in the light of day, the policies that led to this shooting, then more of our officers may be put in a position where they will assume a burden that no person should have to bear: taking the life of an innocent by mistake.

For Freedom

Brian Miller, Chairman

Miller ran for CD 8 U.S. House in the August 24, 2010 Republican primary and received 7.17% of the vote (though he had withdrawn on August 11 endorsing Jonathan Paton, who went on to lose to Jesse Kelly in that primary race). Miller was later elected on December 11 to be Chair of the Pima County Republican Party (click here for earlier blog).

For more information contact Pima County GOP at 520-321-1492, or log onto www.pimagop.org.

Sheriff Clarence Dupnik

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik will be the guest speaker at the Saguaro Eastside Democrats (SED) meeting on Monday, June 20th. Democrat Dupnik has already announced that he will run for reelection in 2012. He has served as Sheriff since February 1980, with over 50 years in law enforcement and is now 75 years old. Biographical/career info on the Sheriff click here, from the Pima Count Sheriff Department’s website.

The meeting will be held at New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail (northeast corner at Camino Seco). The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments and time for socializing. Dupnik will begin his talk at 7 p.m. There will be ample time allotted for an audience question and answer period.

All meetings of SED are free and open to the public. You don’t have to be a member to attend. For further information, call 520-850-6755.

The Saguaro Eastside Democrats encompasses Pima County ’s Eastside communities in Legislative Districts 28, 29 & 30.

Then two days later several Republican potential challengers to the Sheriff are speaking:

“Pima GOP After Hours” with Pima County Sheriff Candidates Terry Frederick, Chester Manning, Walt Setzer, and Vinson Holck. Click on their names (blue hyperlinks) for their campaign websites. Looks like there will be a contested Republican primary for this office in 2012.

The Pima GOP After Hours begins promptly at 6 PM with some announcements. Each of the candidates will then have an opportunity to speak and answer questions individually. At 7 PM there will also be a 30 minute period to talk to each of the candidates one-on-one.

Where: Pima GOP HQ, 5447 E 5th St., suite 100 (west of Craycroft)
When: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 6:00 PM

More info: wwwpimagop.org.

Saturday, May 28th from 11:00 AM to 6 PM

This year the event will start with a series of classes and culminate with the Weekend of the Warrior bar-be-que.

The events will take place at Udall Park, 7290 E Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. Registration for the classes will be from 11:00 to 11:30 AM and will be immediately followed by the classes.

Please RSVP to rsvp@PimaGOP.org or call 321-1492 to attend any of the free classes or if you will be attending the bar-be-que.

Classes are limited to 30 people per class. Check out the schedule of events for Weekend of the Warrior:

11:30 to 12:45 PM
A Lecture on the Arizona Constitution with the Hon. Jonathan Paton (former LD 30 State Senator & Rep.)
OR
Gun Legislation in Arizona with Charles Heller of Liberty Watch Radio

1:00 to 2:15 PM
Roughneck Nine-One with Author & LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori
OR
The Structure of the GOP with former Pima GOP Chairman Bob Westerman

2:30 to 3:45 PM
Precinct Committeemen Training with Pima GOP 4th Vice-Chair Mike Ebert
OR
How to Run a Campaign with Sam Stone of CAIRN Consulting

4:00 to 6:30 PM Ramada #3
The Pima GOP Weekend of the Warrior Bar-be-que emceed by 104.1 FM The Truth’s Jon Justice with guitar music by AZ Secretary of State Ken Bennett.

Just $2 for a burger or a hot dog,
$1 for water or soda,
$.50 for chips or a cookie

If you have any questions email rsvp@PimaGOP.org or call 520-321-1492 (Pima County Republican Party)

Upcoming at Himmel Park branch library (1035 N. Treat Ave., SW corner of E. 1st St.)

April 9, 10 to 12 noon:
Campaign marketing
by Christina Cruz of Tagline Media Group

“Christina Cruz heads up Internet Services for Tagline Media Group in Tucson. Christina has worked on campaigns in and around Pima County.”

Next workshop on “How to run a Campaign” will be on Sat. May 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Udall Park Center by Sam Stone of Cairn Consulting. Udall Park Center is at 7290 E. Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. This class will be taught as a part of the Weekend of the Warrior event taking place at Udall Park on May 28th.

Sam Stone of Cairn Consulting, L.L.C. has been the campaign manager for several GOP candidates in the past. Sam has an extensive knowledge of campaigning especially in media relations. Sam is currently the media relations and communications consultant to the Pima County Republican Party.

And I believe that Stone is assisting Mayoral candidate Shaun McClusky’s campaign.

More information: www.pimagop.org, 520-321-1492 or email at hq@pimagop.org.

Please RSVP by at least the Thursday prior to the specific class or classes that you plan to attend. Email your response to RSVP@PimaGOP.org or call Pima GOP HQ at 520-321-1492 to be added to the class.

McClusky and former Pima County Supervisor Ron Asta are facing off in the Mayoral Republican primary on August 30.

Recently the Tucson Weekly posted a video ad from Asta regarding his causing a traffic fatality in 1994: http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2011/03/28/ron-asta-wonders-should-i-stay-or-should-i-go. The AZ Daily Star also ran an article about whether Asta should stay in the race: http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/pueblo-politics/article_990ae250-5a29-11e0-b33e-001cc4c002e0.html

No Republican is running (so far) for the Council seat in Ward 1 which is up for re-election this year and held by Democrat Regina Romero. Last week political newcomer Republican Jennifer Rawson filed with the Tucson City Clerk to challenge Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham. Republican Tyler Vogt is challenging 4 term Democratic incumbent Councilmember Shirley Scott in Ward 4.

And if you want to mark your calendars for the Fall workshops:

Saturday, September 3rd from 10 am to noon
Secretary of State Ken Bennett
Geasa-Marana branch Library, 13370 N Lon Adams Rd. in Marana

Saturday, October 1st, 1 p.m.
LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori with Ken Moyes
Miller – Golf Links branch library, 9640 E Golf Links in Tucson