Meet Me at the Library: Conversations with Arizona Leaders – Richard Elías

We invite you to take this opportunity to meet and converse with Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías. Supervisor Elías has represented District Five on the Pima County Board of Supervisors since February 2002. He is a fifth-generation Tucsonan and an alumnus of Salpointe High School and the University of Arizona.

This forum will take place during the Garden District Neighborhood Association’s monthly meeting.

Democrat Richard is up for re-election this fall for another 4 year term in District 5. Republican Fernando Gonzales, a political newcomer, took out papers on May 4 to run against Richard in the November election. *

Meet Richard Elías

When: Tuesday, May 15, 6-8 pm
Where: Martha Cooper Branch Library, 1377 N. Catalina Avenue (north of Speedway, east of Columbus).

So here’s your chance to speak with Richard about Pima County issues.

As for the other 4 Supervisors up for re-election this year…

District 1 Republican Supervisor Ann Day is retiring and 4 Republicans (Mike Hellon, Ally Miller, Stuart McDaniel, LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams) are facing off in their August 28 primary to face former LD 26 House Rep. Democrat Nancy Young Wright for that seat.

District 2 Democratic Supervisor Ramon Valadez is being challenged by Republican James Kelley, former blogger “The Cholla Jumps” here at Tucsoncitizen.com, a political newcomer.

District 3 Supervisor Democrat Sharon Bronson is facing a Republican opponent Tanner Bell (political newcomer), and District 4 Supervisor Republican Ray Carroll is also facing a political newcomer Sean Collins, but in the Republican primary.

*5/15/12 Update: Fernando Gonzales announced his candidacy for this District 5 seat today:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2012/05/15/republican-businessman-fernando-gonzales-announces-candidacy-for-district-5-pima-county-supervisor/

Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik called a press conference yesterday in front of the 1st Assembly of God Church, 1749 E. Broadway, which may be demolished should the north section of Broadway be widened into 8 lanes per the May,2006 Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) voter-approved plan. The church was built in 1950 according to Councilmember Kozachiak also known as “Steve K”.

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.

Tanner Bell

Former UA Wildcat Football player and former President of Arizona Policy Institute (API) Tanner Bell intends to run as a Republican for District 3 Pima County Supervisor against 4-term incumbent Democrat Sharon Bronson. The Tucson Weekly announced his bid yesterday:

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2012/04/09/pima-county-supervisor-sharon-bronson-draws-republican-opponent-tanner-bell

Bell is an academic counselor at the UA Athletic Dept. (click here for staff listing). He can be reached at tannerbellpima@gmail.com and is a political newcomer.

Information below from Arizona Policy Institute website:

Tanner Bell worked as an independent sales representative for a number of local Tucson firms. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Regional Development from the University of Arizona, where he was a three year Letterwinner in football.

He currently serves on the board for the National Football Foundation of Southern Arizona and the “A” Club. In addition to his board responsibilities he is a member of the Executive Committee for the United Way Inclusion Council and Young Leaders Society in which he co-chairs the Events Team. Most recently, Tanner has been nominated as a Finalist for the United Way’s Young Leader of the Year as well as Tucson’s Top 40 Under 40. Tanner is a transplant from the coast, growing up in Castroville, CA.

API is made up of a board of individuals from around Southern Arizona. API’s board is made of representetives (sic) from the following industries and areas of expertise: tourism, non-profit administration, entertainment, small business, commercial and residential development, association management, law, finance, large business, neighborhood associations, road construction, marketing and public relations, retail trades and urban planning. Each member of the API board was chosen for their experience in the marketplace, knowledge of the Southern Arizona business or political environment and their desire to create a better community. The members realize that personal benefits are secondary to collective community advancement.

Tanner Bell’s campaign website is www.tannerbell.com, and he can be reached at tanner@votetannerbell.com.

Vice Chair Bronson announced her intent to run again for re-election on the Buckmaster show on April 5, 2012 (click here). She was first elected in Nov. 1996 (upsetting incumbent Republican-turned-Independent Supervisor Ed Moore).

District 1 Supervisor Ann Day (R) is retiring this year, and 4 Republicans (Mike Hellon, Ally Miller, Stuart McDaniel, LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams), and one Democrat (former LD 26 House Rep. Nancy Young Wright) are seeking that seat.

District 2 Supervisor Chair Ramon Valadez (D) is running unopposed so far.

District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll (R) is facing opposition in the Republican primary on August 28 from political newcomer/businessman Sean Collins.

District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias (D) is running unopposed so far.

Background on the past elections and bios of the current Supervisors, refer to my article last spring (click here) on “Pima County Board of Supervisors – incumbency matters”.

4/18/12 UPDATE: Bell is no longer President of the Arizona Policy Institute (though I did get phone confirmation at the API of that when I ran this story). Read more in Az Daily Star:
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/ua-alum-bell-seeking-to-take-bronson-s-seat-on/article_7d91e2bf-8465-5126-8e3e-bd33b0cc73ac.html