We’re looking for a few good women who are ready to run…

Emerge Arizona is now accepting applications for the 2013 Candidate Training Program

Dear friends,

Another Election Day has come and gone, and we’re already thinking about the women who will represent Arizona’s political future in the next election cycle.

Emerge Arizona offers a six month program that will covers topics such as fundraising, public speaking, field organization and political influence. Former graduates of the Emerge Arizona training program include Rep. Katie Hobbs, Flagstaff City Council member Karla Brewster and former Rep. Pat Fleming.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Applicants must be women who are registered Democrats and who reside in the state of Arizona.

• Time commitment of one Saturday a month from January through June, 2013, plus homework and preparation

• Application fee of $50 (non-refundable)

• Applications are available online, and require 2 letters of recommendation and a photo.

• Tuition for the six month program is $350. Emerge Arizona believes that tuition should NOT be a barrier to participation in the program. Partial financial aid may be awarded after admission to the program.

• Application deadline is November 15, 2012. Interviews will be scheduled for late November, with class selection completed by December 1.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Emerge Arizona seeks dynamic and self-motivated women who are interested and committed to running for elective office and who have:

• Evidence of political leadership experience or potential, and meaningful involvement in workplace or community;

• Interest in running for political office;

• Ability to articulate a personal political vision;

• Commitment to full participation and attendance requirements of the trainings.

Emerge Arizona will select between 15-25 women from across the state who meet the above criteria and who have the potential to be political leaders.

Emerge embraces diversity and encourages applications from all women regardless of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, marital status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or physical abilities.

If you are interested, go to www.emergeaz.org/training for more information and a link to the online application. If you have any questions, contact Rosalie Hirano at rosalie@emergeaz.org.

Lots of Democratic women serve in political offices in Southern Arizona such as: State Senators Linda Lopez, Olivia Cajero Bedford, Paula Aboud, State House Rep. Sally Ann Gonzales, newly elected Reps. Andrea Dalessandro, Rosanna Gabaldon, Victoria Steele, Stefanie Mach. On the local level women who serve in Pima County are Attorney Barbara LaWall, Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez, District 3 Supervisor Sharon Bronson, and Tucson Councilmembers Shirley Scott, Karin Uhlich, Regina Romero.

And congratulations to political newcomers Dr. Sylvia Lee elected to the PCC Governing Board, and to Kristel Foster to the TUSD Governing Board.

The 5 member committee were composed of 3 former legislators (State Senator Victor Soltero, State House Rep. Lou-Ann Preble, and Rep. Tom Prezelski), plus two community members– Kristin Almquist (former director of Governor Napolitano’s Tucson office) and Julee Dawson, development director at Tucson Hebrew Academy. Soltero & Prezelski are registered Democrats, Preble is a Republican, and Dawson & Almquist are registered Independent voters. The committee elected Almquist as committee Chair this morning.

Since Patterson resigned as an Independent, though elected as a Democrat twice (2008 and 2010), the successor needs to be an Independent living in District 29. 10 men and one woman had applied to the Pima County Clerk, and the 3 selected for nomination are:

- Nicholas Fontana, J.D. practicing attorney, Judge Pro Tem at Tohono O’odham Tribal Court
- Albert Jordan, aerospace engineer at Raytheon Missile Systems, current Independent candidate for LD 2 House
- Leon Sierra, business representative at the International Union of Operating Engineers, former Marine

Information from Pima County Recorder’s Office provided to the committee in writing this morning: Fontana has been an Independent only since 4/14/12, prior to that a Democrat. Jordan has been registered as an Independent since May, 2002 when he first registered to vote. Sierra was a Democrat and changed to Independent in June, 2011.

For the full list/bios of the 11 who applied, here’s the AZ Daily Star article:http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/apply-to-represent-tucson-in-legislature/article_0adcbdca-4786-5c3c-bf01-a63b05ce29ae.html. Stephania O’Neill withdrew her application before the committee met to deliberate today. Dr. Joseph Scott, husband of Ward 4 Councilmember Shirley Scott was also one of the applicants.

I attended the first hour and half of today’s meeting. The committee stated their criteria of selection would be political engagement/experience, knowledge of legislative process, availability of the candidate to move to Phoenix till the Legislature adjoined, how long been an Independent, and grasp of the issues facing the Legislature.

On Monday at 9 a.m. the Pima County Board of Supervisors will select and appoint one of these for the job. Public input is encouraged through the Pima County website (click here) or by calling/writing to your respective District 1 to 5 Supervisors. You can send comments to COB_mail@pima.gov. If you have anything to say about any of these 3 nominees, now is the time to speak up. Their cover letters and resumes are online by clicking on their respective names.

A Posada to save Ethnic Studies sponsored by Las Adelitas Arizona:

Sat. December 10
6 p.m
Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento
(SW corner of Congress St., west of I-10)

$10 students
$20 regular

Send checks to Las Adelitas Arizona,
P.O. Box 27716 Tucson 85726
www.lasadelitasarizona.org,
520-808-9237

Hostesses include: LD 27 State Senator Olivia Cajero Bedford, Tucson Councilmembers Regina Romero, Shirley Scott, & Karin Uhlich, Pima County Public Defender Isabel Garcia, TUSD board member Adelita Grijalva, Sunnyside School board member Eva Dong, and lots of other mujeres (see list above).

“Our organization is rooted in the ideals of community building and community investment. We support programs that advance Latina issues and our community. We organize and mentor young Latinas to learn about the political process, empower them to get involved in political campaigns, and encourage them to consider running for elected office someday. “

The other City Councilmembers currently serving are Ward 3 Karin Uhlich (D), Ward 5 Richard Fimbres (D), and Ward 6 Steve Kozachik (R). They are up for re-election in two years.

The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Tucson Convention Center (TCC) in the North meeting rooms. Thereafter the Pima County Democratic Party is hosting an inauguration luncheon at the TCC Ballroom, also at 260 S. Church Ave. Details for tickets below to this “Moving Tucson Forward” luncheon.

Additional invited guests: former Mayors Tom Volgy and George Miller.

Master of Ceremonies: Elliot Glicksman

Special Live Performance by Calexico and friends!

Congratulations again to the winners of the City’s 2011 General Election.

The final count was released today:

Shirley Scott (D, incumbent) 42,029 (50.99%)
Tyler Vogt (R), 40,167 (48.73%)

Mayor of Tucson
Mary DeCamp (G), 4197 (4.94%)
Rick Grinnell (R), 33,926 (39.91%)
*Jonathan Rothschild (D), 46,723 (54.96%)

Ward 1
Beryl Baker (G) 24,976 (34.04%)
*Regina Romero (D, incumbent), 47,451 (64.67%)

Ward 2
*Paul Cunningham (D, incumbent) 47,366 (56.89%)
Jennifer Rawson (R), 35,727 (42.91%)

*Rothschild, Romero, and Cunningham won their races on General Election night, Nov. 8, 2011.
This was the City of Tucson’s first vote-by-mail General Election, and voter turnout was 31.07 %.

Mayor-elect Jonathan Rothschild

Ward 1 Councilmember Regina Romero

Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham

Ward 4 Councilmember Shirley Scott

Today’s General Election results are just in, and here’s who is leading in the Mayoral and three City Council seats up for election:

Mayor:
Mary DeCamp (G) 3,617 (4.77%)
Rick Grinnell (R) 30,435 (40.13%)
Jonathan Rothschild (D) 41,638 (54.9%)

Council ward 1:
Beryl Baker (G) 22,301 (34.04%)
Regina Romero (D, incumbent) 42,411 (64.74%)

Council ward 2:
Paul Cunningham (D, incumbent) 42,406 (54.80%)
Jennifer Rawson (R) 31,951 (43.00%)

Councl ward 4:
Shirley Scott (D, incumbent) 37,572 (51.06%)
Tyler Vogt (R) 35,818 (48.68%)

Stay tuned for the final ballot tally after countng of the provisional ballots cast today at the 7 poll locations. This was the City’s first vote-by-mail general electon and 27.71 % of the registered voters cast ballots (as of today’s tally). 211,265 total ballots were mailed out on/about October 19, out of a total of 274,706 registered voters.

But meanwhile, congratulatons to all the winners, Mayor-elect Rothschild, Councilmembers Romero and Cunningham. Councilmember Scott’s race (1754 vote difference) may be too close to call with 7,500 ballots still to be counted.

11/9/11 update: Star reporting that 8,400 ballots left to be counted, hopefully by tomorrow afternoon: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/scott-narrowly-leads-vogt-final-result-expected-thurs/article_66ce6ed7-028a-5870-8416-d7bc2a67917b.html

11/10/11 Update: Councilmember Scott wins by 1862 votes (click here).

Absolute deadline: 7 p.m. on 11/8/11, or your vote will not be counted.

The list below is where the 3 political parties in Pima County are partying tomorrow night:

Green Party of Pima County, 7 to 10 p.m.
The Tasteful Kitchen (vegetarian restaurant)
722 N. Stone (south of University Blvd.)
(520) 250-9600

The Green Party has two candidates running: Mary DeCamp for Mayor, Beryl Baker for Ward 1 Council. 11/8/11 update: just heard from Baker’s campaign and she will be attending a gathering of volunteers on election night at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S Alvernon, in the Javalina Cantina from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.

Democratic Party of Pima County, 7 to 10:o0 p.m.
Lodge on the Desert (hotel) – Palm Room & Palm Lawn
306 N. Alvernon Way (south of E. 6th St.)
Phone: 520.320.2000

The Democrats have four candidates running: Jonathan Rothschild for Mayor, Regina Romero for Ward 1 Council, Paul Cunningham for Ward 2 Council, Shirley Scott for Ward 4 Council. All the Democratic candidates for Council are incumbents.

Republican Party of Pima County, 7 p.m.
Manning House (mansion)
450 W. Paseo Redondo (east of Granada, north of Congress St.)
Phone: (520) 770-0714

The Republicans have three candidates running: Rick Grinnell for Mayor, Jennifer Rawson for Ward 2 Council, Tyler Vogt for Ward 4 Council.

Vote wisely! Then party with your respective political party. Independents and Libertarians can choose any of the above.

Note: 40% (84,072) of ballots have been returned as of 8:44 a.m. this morning per City Clerk’s office, which includes unprocessed/undeliverable ones. See website (click here).

“In 1999 voters approved the creation of the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District (District). The District is both a municipal stadium district and a special taxing district. The voters authorized the District to receive an incremental portion of State-shared funds derived from transaction privilege taxes (i.e. sales tax called TIF Funds) collected from within the District boundaries within the City of Tucson city limits. The District is a State municipal district with the powers, privileges and immunities granted to governmental, municipal corporations for District purposes: a planned multi-faceted development project, including cultural and recreational amenities and improvements, unique historic re-creations, mixed-use developments, etc. The District was reorganized by the Arizona State Legislature in the fall of 2009 and the board re-appointed in March 2010. Expenditure of the TIF Funds collected is now disbursed and managed by the reconstituted Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District Board of Directors who as of 2010 are appointed by the State’s Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

From: http://rionuevo-tucson.org/

For more info on Rio Nuevo also see this City of Tucson webpage, with financial reports: http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/rionuevo

This 10 year (1999 to 2009) project has received a lot of attention recently due to conflicts between the City of Tucson Council and the new Rio Nuevo board, re-constituted by the State Legislature in March, 2010. Citizens have been asking about who were the Councilmembers (Democrats, Republicans, one Independent) during these 10 years, and beyond. Here’s the list of who was serving (as far as I remember):

Mayor: Robert Walkup (R), 1999 to present (not running for re-election 2011)
Ward 1: Jose Ibarra (D), 1999 to 2007; Regina Romero (D), 2007 to present (up for re-election 2011)
Ward 2: Carol West (D, I), 1999 to 2007; Rodney Glassman (D), 2007 to 2010; Paul Cunningham (D), appointed 2010 to present (up for election 2011)
Ward 3: Jerry Anderson (D), 1999 to 2001; Kathleen Dunbar (R), 2001 to 2005; Karin Uhlich (D), 2005 to present
Ward 4: Shirley Scott (D), 1999 to present (up for re-election 2011)
Ward 5: Steve Leal (D), 1999 to 2009; Richard Fimbres (D), 2009 to present
Ward 6: Fred Ronstadt (R), 1999 to 2005; Nina Trasoff (D), 2005 to 2009; Steve Kozachik (R), 2009 to present

(Some of these Councilmembers were serving before Rio Nuevo began, but I only list the starting point as 1999 when Rio Nuevo was created).

Those who were serving as elected officials during entire Rio Nuevo project: Mayor Bob Walkup, Councilmembers Steve Leal and Shirley Scott.

Those who came on the Council after late 2009: Councilmembers Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, and Paul Cunningham.

And who were the Tucson City Managers during this time: Luis Gutierrez (1999), James Keene (2000 to 2005), and Mike Hein (2005 to 2009). Gutierrez is retired, Keene is now City Manager of Palo Alto, California, and Hein is Director of Pima County Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

Last November, 2010 I reported on the citizen outrage after an audit on Rio Nuevo was released about $230 million allegedly mismanaged:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/11/29/citizens-express-outrage-over-rio-nuevo-mismanagement/

Stay tuned as the City Council and the new Rio Nuevo board have recently agreed to mediate their differences.

For Mayor– “Leadership”, Jonathan Rothschild (D):

http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_79d20be9-a4d0-5c51-b80b-27faad1d3b71.html

for Ward 2 Council — “Let Cunningham keep his Ward 2 Seat”, incumbent Paul Cunningham (D):

http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_11553c9c-378e-5e74-ac5d-5ebc9aa9f93a.html

for Ward 1 Council — “Dem Romero is best candidate for Ward 1 seat”, incumbent Regina Romero (D):

http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/article_70d08f75-1021-51c3-94df-e6f8efbb5f09.html. (Green candidate Beryl Baker declined to be interviewed by the Star editorial board as they wanted to interview her and Romero separately, unlike the candidates in the Ward 2 or 4 races.)

for Ward 4 Council — “Tyler Vogt’s cooperative approach needed” – Tyler Vogt (R)

http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_661f44d0-2f0b-5b17-9d17-65065e8ae80a.html (Republican candidate Tyler Vogt declined to be interviewed by the Star editorial board stating “I have very little confidence that our meeting will result in an unbiased presentation of my platform, qualifications and opinions.”)

Vote-by-mail starts this week, with ballots being mailed out on October 19 (today). Vote wisely on/before the General Election on November 8.

And stay tuned for endorsements from the Thursday alternative newspaper, the Tucson Weekly.
Update 11/3/11: No endorsements have come out from the Weekly this election cycle.

If you want to meet & greet all Mayoral & Council candidates (Wards 1, 2, 4) plan on attending this candidate forum at Temple Emanu-El on 10/17, starting at 6 p.m. LWVGT stands for the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and PCTWC stands for Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission. KVOA Channel 4 reporter Lupita Murillo will be the moderator.

For Mayor of Tucson:
Mary DeCamp G)
Rick Grinnell (R)
Jonathan Rothschild (D)

Ward 1:
Beryl Baker (G)
Regina Romero (D) – incumbent

Ward 2:
Paul Cunningham (D) – incumbent
Jennifer Rawson (R)

Ward 4:
Shirley Scott (D) – incumbent
Tyler Vogt (R)

Temple Emanu-El is north of Broadway Blvd., west side of the street.

My previous blog on campaign websites for these 9 candidates (click here).