Recent Comments
Re: “In Two Weeks, Everyone In Philly Will Love Nick Foles”
I've said for a long time that this guy was a bargain and will probably turn out to be the best pro QB from AZ in the NFL. Too bad we didn't have more of a team to surround him.
Re: “Danehy”
Ok - this is my second most favorite funny column ever in the weekly. It is indeed priceless. But, it's still not as funny as the Jeff Smith column about 20 or so years ago on "buggers." Well done Danehy.
Re: “Jesse Kelly Launches Congressional Campaign To Fill Giffords' Empty Seat”
I bet it's not complete on the GOP side. I think there's one more coming.
Re: “Guest Opinion: Is Jeff Rogers Abusing His Office?”
Mr. Ferrier,
Let me introduce you to some things you are obviously unfamiliar with – the actual facts relevant to your diatribe. First, you quote the Pima County Democratic Party's by-laws, but only selectively. Perhaps you should read a little more of them. Article 5, Section F(2) provides: “In any election (primary, general, special, partisan or non-partisan) with multiple Democrats running, the County Executive Committee as a body shall not selectively support or endorse the candidacy of certain Democrats and exclude other Democrats from such support unless a majority of seventy-five per cent (75%) of the Executive Committee members present and voting shall approve such exclusion. A candidate may decline to accept such support without disqualifying other Democrats from receiving support”. (Emphasis added).
In 2011, pursuant to the above by-laws section, a resolution was presented to the Executive Committee of the Pima County Democratic Party to endorse Regina Romero over Mr. Flores, the former payday loan lender. The Executive Committee (the “EC”) is a body of about 41 Democrat officials who are also elected as officers of the party or legislative district, representatives of clubs, caucuses, labor, etc. The EC meets every month on the first Monday. The resolution passed unanimously, with one abstention.
Thus, I did not "pick one Democrat over another." The entire governing body of the Party made the pick and it did so almost unanimously, with well more than the 75% required by the Party's by-laws.
In addition to being wrong on how the endorsement was made, you are also wrong on the amount of money that was raised to support Regina Romero. It was actually closer to $15,000. I am proud that the party stood up for Regina, who I count as a friend and one of the shining stars of the future of our Party.
As to Mr. Cuevas and Mr. Stegeman, here are the facts. Both were elected with the support of traditional Democratic groups such as labor unions and the Hispanic community. They betrayed both groups. Twice during their tenure, they both voted to "impose" a contract on some of the labor unions in TUSD. This is where TUSD refuses to continue bargaining in good faith and instead imposes a contract in a "take it or leave it" manner. The first time they did it, I discouraged the Party from condemning them.
This past fall, after the second time, it was too much. Labor representatives to our Executive Committee offered a resolution condemning both of them for the "imposed" contracts votes. It failed to get the required 75% when it was first offered. After the resolution was reworked, it passed by more than the 75% margin - which is required by our by-laws. You didn't quote that section either.
As to the ethnic studies issue, on January 8, 2011, (the same day I was reelected), several hundred of the recently elected Precinct Committeepersons met for our full committee meeting which is held every two years. At that meeting, a resolution was passed UNANIMOUSLY offering unqualified support of the TUSD Ethnic Studies program. Again, despite your false assertions, this was not me, but the entire County Democratic Committee.
You are correct that I was very blunt in my criticism of Cuevas and Stegeman and I stand by my remarks. Appeasement of racists and bullies is cowardly and always has been. They showed no courage or backbone and still don't.
I'm sure that Mr. Cuevas and Mr. Stegeman believe they are Democrats and I will not dispute that, but I can guarantee you that the groups that supported them the last time will be fielding a new team that is more consistent with what I and many others believe are the values of our Democratic Party. The voters will then have a clear choice.
Finally, Mr. Ferrier, the voter file shows that you are apparently registered as a Democrat. If you are indeed a Democrat, you are free to run as a Precinct Committeeperson and have a direct say in selecting the Party’s leadership. Once elected as a precinct committeeperson, you can even run for a leadership position in our party. But since you describe your one experience as a precinct committeeperson as having been "dragooned," I suspect that you would just rather lob false diatribes from the outside than do the arduous volunteer work that it actually takes to get our Democrats elected.
I was elected in 2009 with no opposition and then reelected unanimously in 2011 for a second two-year term. During my leadership, we saved nine of the ten Democratic legislative seats in Pima County and both congressional seats in 2010 while Democrats all over the state and country got slaughtered at the polls. More recently, we swept the entire City of Tucson Mayor and Council races this past fall. If we can implement the plan that the Party has created, I fully expect us to go from nine to fifteen legislative seats in Pima County this fall and again hold on to both congressional seats. I think most Democrats in this City and County are pretty happy with my leadership. If not, they can always vote me out at the next two-year meeting or remove me sooner as provided in the by-laws if they are dissatisfied with my work – which, by the way, pays nothing and consumes just as much time a my full-time legal practice.
Jeff Rogers
Re: “Bob Westerman Considering AZ House of Reps Campaign In New LD11”
As a Democrat, I don't share a lot of Mr. Westerman's poolitical views, but I have rarely met such a gentleman in my life. While he may share some views on issues with Mr. Antenori, he is the polar opposite in how he conducts himself - always a kind, thoughtful gentleman. Can't endorse him, but do wish him the best of luck.
Re: “The Unisource Building Gets "Brodeskyed"”
Interesting that he shows an aerial view of the building. I’ve seen “streetscape” views of what it will look like at the street level when finished and they look great. So, it won’t look great from a helicopter or airplane, but it will look great to folks walking out of Jano’s downtown restaurant across the street and others walking through downtown. That’s fine with me.
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Re: “Dan Gibson, Former 'Weekly' Web Producer, Named New 'Weekly' Editor”
Let me be the first to welcome you back. Beers with Rothschild animation still my favorite.