Issues
Accountability
Whom do our Supervisors serve?
In a Democratic process “of the people, by the people and for the people” we choose leaders who most closely represent the opinions, needs and desires of the majority. We expect those leaders to represent us consistently through their service. During that time it is our duty to review the actions of our elected leaders; and the leaders must listen, weigh our input, and exercise the power conferred upon them with high integrity and to the best of their ability.
Twelve years ago Pima County operated on a total budget of $600,000,000. The county healthcare system was in shambles, wastewater treatment facilities were inefficient, road surfaces were in disrepair and law enforcement was woefully underfunded. A newly elected Supervisor promised increased fiscal responsibility and to safeguard the desert’s fragile ecology.
The most recent budget approved by the Board of Supervisors is $ 1,400,000,000. Healthcare is now a private profit center, wastewater treatment facilities are inefficient, road surfaces are in disrepair and law enforcement is woefully underfunded. Same problems - more zeros.
Twelve years ago up-zoning requests were routinely approved. There were few protections for watersheds, riparian communities or endangered vegetation and wildlife. Since then, some progress has been made. A federal Ironwood Preserve has been established protecting those 500-1200 year old trees within its boundaries. Ironwoods outside the preserve in Pima County are regularly ground to sawdust. We now have the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan that has not been fully implemented. The plan becomes conveniently flexible when friends and supporters request a modification.
The current Supervisor in District 3 has accepted more than 30 percent of her campaign funding from those friends and supporters - who happen to be in the growth industry. While offering excuses with public statements about inheriting zoning from the 50’s, 70’s and 80’s, she has not voted to deny renewal requests on expired zoning and has voted to up-zone more than 8000 acres during her tenure on the Board. That’s equivalent to an area bounded by Stone to Wilmot and from Broadway to Grant. In other words, she routinely approves up-zoning, even when the county staff recommends denial.
In the New York Times’ lead story on April 22, 2008, Donald Diamond, a local mega land developer and a major fundraiser for the current Supervisor, is quoted as saying: “if you want any zoning in the county, just let me know.” 30% growth industry contributions - 8000 acres up-zoned - no renewal denials - protect the desert ecology???? Hmm.
Some things have improved but in the face of development, the Pusch Ridge Bighorn Sheep have gone the way of the Pygmy Owl (and a dozen other species that did not make the news.) Linkages are narrowed between the Sky Islands causing potential genetic isolation. Belatedly we are concerned about water availability and quality while pushing unlimited growth.
It’s time to bring someone to the Board who listens and who can make the hard choices. It’s time for a change.
