Tucson CitizenTucson Citizen

Letters: Taxing the most vulnerable

Rent tax gives hard-hit a difficult lease on life

According to what logic does the Tucson City Council propose to increase revenues by taxing those made most vulnerable by this recession?

Tucson City Council, shame on you for trying to balance your budget by making renters pay a sales tax!

I’m sure 2 percent does not sound like much to you, but for those who have lost their jobs, are enduring forced furloughs or are unable to find work here, that is a huge hardship, especially since such people disproportionately rent.

As an employee in the social services, every day I interact with hardworking people who cannot even afford to put gas in their car to job search. To ask such individuals to shoulder this recession’s burden is irresponsible and morally reprehensible.

My own paycheck-to-paycheck budget cannot support your regressive tax system. So while it may help your budget, it will destroy mine.

So I ask those on Tucson City Council: How many of you rent?

I come from another state that has higher taxes on tourism: hotels, car rentals, restaurant food, alcohol and entertainment all have different sales tax rates.

Perhaps utilizing these sources to balance the budget is more appropriate and likely for long-term stability than taxing those who have little political say because they have to meet daily needs like getting jobs.

Please rethink the rent tax; it’s a bad idea. I vote!

Sharyl Ellerby

Cowardly cybersnipers hide behind anonymity

In order for this letter to be published, the Tucson Citizen requires my name, address and a daytime telephone number. That’s fine. Transparency is democracy’s requirement.

I wonder then why Associate Editor Mark Kimble blithely publishes anonymous responses under Real Fast/ Online Comments.

I am increasingly dismayed with the vicious tone of so many of these people. I am particularly saddened by recent comments implying the radar installer in Phoenix somehow deserved to be murdered.

I wonder if his young widow would agree with your policy to give a public forum to people who don’t have the courage to put a name with their hatred.

I wonder if they would be as brave if they had to stand in the searing light of day and were not able to hide under whatever rock they claim.

I am not only willing to give you my name, I do so proudly.

Sam Cooper

Budget cuts to library bound to harm UA

A university stands and falls with its library. It can claim a Research One title only if its library meets the basic requirements.

Moreover, all our educational goals at the University of Arizona depend to a good extent on the library, and without excellent library resources a university begins to decline, then grows sick and might ultimately perish.

Practically every sector of public life in Tucson and southern Arizona depends on the work done at our university, and the outstanding quality of this educational and research institution has so far found expression in its extraordinary library holdings.

Now we have reached a crossroads, and the budget cuts begin to affect not only fringe components, but also the heart and soul of our library.

There is no money left. Staff is laid off. Book purchases end. The future looks bleak.

The dean of libraries and her staff are making heroic efforts to maintain the appearance of a good library, but “cracks” have already formed everywhere, access to international research becomes fragile, and gaps are opening that we might never be able to fill again.

The Legislature seems to have abandoned its responsibility, as if it wants to jettison UA. I appeal to the public to come to the rescue, because once the heart begins to bleed, the entire body is at risk.

Albrecht Classen

UA distinguished professor

German Studies Department

Citizen travels on its stomach – but not far

I, too, love the Citizen. I have been in Tucson since 1961 and have been a Citizen fan always.

I have one complaint. If one were to believe your restaurant critics, there are no restaurants east of Country Club. You have printed maybe a dozen in past years. I guess the travel allowance for reporters is small.

Marty Hart

Simon says, Let’s talk: It’s vital for relations

As in a marriage, communication is just about the most important aspect of staying together.

The same thing goes with nations. To refuse to communicate is childish.

We should have reinstated relations with Cuba many years ago, especially since the embargo has not succeeded. In addition, it is time to get talking to North Korea with the intent of reunifying North and South.

Simon Walmsley

Big collision brewing at busy intersection

Watching the traffic snarl in front of Starbucks at Campbell and Broadway has become my favorite morning activity as I wait for the 8 bus heading downtown.

This morning, cars were parked off Broadway, waiting to get into Starbucks, and cars driving in the exit lane.

It is just a matter of time until there is a major collision.

Cletis Harry Beegle

Citizen Online Archive, 2006-2009

This archive contains all the stories that appeared on the Tucson Citizen's website from mid-2006 to June 1, 2009.

In 2010, a power surge fried a server that contained all of videos linked to dozens of stories in this archive. Also, a server that contained all of the databases for dozens of stories was accidentally erased, so all of those links are broken as well. However, all of the text and photos that accompanied some stories have been preserved.

For all of the stories that were archived by the Tucson Citizen newspaper's library in a digital archive between 1993 and 2009, go to Morgue Part 2

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