🎙️ Buckmaster's Midweek Marvels: Cunningham's Municipal Mastery Meets Aviation Anxiety
Councilman Paul Cunningham charts a course through fiscal turbulence and public safety concerns
Based on the Buckmaster Show for 6/11/25, a daily radio show in Tucson, AZ, interviewing local newsmakers. Analysis and opinions are my own.
On Project Blue—the proposed constellation of 8-10 data centers that should have every water-conscious resident reaching for their pitchforks—Paul Cunningham displayed a troubling willingness to gamble with our liquid gold. "If it creates enough jobs, it's a good deal."
Also: “I plan on introducing a motion to reimplement bus fares,” while looking for an additional $1.3 million earmarked explicitly for police retention.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🗣️ A Tucson city councilman visited a 🎙️ radio show to talk about how the city manages its money 💵 (they're doing pretty well 👍), why they need more 👮 police officers (to handle problems like shoplifting 🛍️ and drug use 💊), and his plan to help people who got kicked out of apartments find new places to live 🏡.
Then a retired airline pilot ✈️ explained why sometimes pilots decide not to fly even when mechanics say the plane is okay—because the pilot's job is to keep everyone safe 🛡️, not to stick to schedules 🕒. The pilot also talked about how they handle medical emergencies on planes 🚨 (there are special doctors they can call from the cockpit! 📞) and why some old computer systems are actually more secure than new ones 🔐.
🗝️ Takeaways
🏛️ Tucson has balanced its budget for 14 consecutive years without raising revenue sources
👮 City needs 50-60 additional patrol officers to address rising public safety concerns
🏠 Progressive "second chance" housing initiative aims to help residents with eviction records
✈️ Pilot discretion can override maintenance approval when safety concerns arise
🚑 Airlines handle 5-6 medical emergencies per crew annually with sophisticated ground support
💻 "Outdated" air traffic control systems serve essential cybersecurity functions
💔 Personal resilience: Love can find a way even after devastating loss
Buckmaster's Wednesday Wire: Cunningham Charts City Course While Aviation Updates Take Flight
Bill Buckmaster welcomed listeners to another engaging midweek edition of his show from the Green Thing Zocalo Village Studios, broadcasting on 1030 KVOI.
The veteran broadcaster—now celebrating his 15th year with the show and an impressive 37th year dominating Tucson's media landscape—delivered a packed program that seamlessly wove together the intricate tapestry of local politics and aviation insights, plus some genuinely heartwarming personal news that reminded us all that life can surprise us with second chances.
In an era where media consolidation has turned most radio into corporate cookie-cutter content, Buckmaster's longevity represents something increasingly rare: authentic local broadcasting that actually serves the community rather than just shareholders.
City Councilman Paul Cunningham: A Democrat Doing the Heavy Lifting
Ward 2 Democrat Paul Cunningham graced the studio with his presence, bringing both the gravitas of recent loss and the optimism of someone who still believes government can work for the people.
The conversation opened on a deeply human note, with Buckmaster offering heartfelt condolences for the recent passing of Cunningham's father, George Cunningham—a towering figure in Arizona politics who served in the legislature and worked alongside Governor Rose Mofford during more collaborative political times.
"It was a very, very good service. I've been referring to it in the George Cunningham fashion. I've been referring to it as the GCSO, the George Cunningham send-off," Cunningham shared, his voice carrying the weight of grief tempered by pride.
The bipartisan tribute from both Governor Katie Hobbs and Congressman Juan Ciscomani spoke volumes about the elder Cunningham's ability to bridge divides—a political superpower that feels almost mythical in today's polarized landscape.
How refreshing to hear about a politician who earned respect across party lines through actual public service rather than performative outrage and Twitter feuds.
Budget Balancing: Progressive Pragmatism in Action
When it comes to municipal finances, Cunningham didn't just defend Tucson's $2.4 billion budget package—he celebrated it with the enthusiasm of someone who understands that the boring work of budgeting is where real progressive change happens.
"I'm proud to say we balanced our budget for 14 years in a row. We took down a deficit without having to raise any revenue sources," he declared, showcasing the kind of fiscal responsibility that puts lie to conservative narratives about Democratic spending.
The budget includes $18.3 million in general fund pay raises and $22.1 million overall—actual investment in the workers who keep the city running. But Cunningham isn't stopping there; he's pushing for an additional $1.3 million earmarked explicitly for police retention.
Public Safety: Facing Reality Without Fear-Mongering
On the thorny issue of public safety, Cunningham displayed the kind of nuanced thinking that drives right-wing talk radio hosts to distraction.
"We need to accept the idea that we need more commissioned officers. We really do need to add a good 50-60 people minimum to patrol next year," he stated matter-of-factly, refusing to bow to either the "defund everything" crowd or the "militarize Main Street" faction.
When pressed about whether Tucson is a dangerous city, his response was refreshingly honest:
"That's hard to say. I think the crime rate tells you otherwise. I think anecdotal reports tell you a different story." He acknowledged the reality that residents face: "Do we have an uptick in activity that is not desirable? Absolutely. And we've really got to address it."
This is what actual leadership looks like—acknowledging problems without resorting to fear-mongering, proposing solutions based on evidence rather than ideology.
The challenges he outlined—open drug use, shoplifting, and violations of the median law—require the kind of sustained engagement that only comes with adequate staffing.
"The only way we're going to get those laws enforced is if we increase the number of officers we have on patrol," he explained, connecting dots that too many politicians prefer to leave scattered.
Development Disasters: When Data Centers Drain the Desert
On Project Blue—the proposed constellation of 8-10 data centers that should have every water-conscious resident reaching for their pitchforks—Cunningham displayed a troubling willingness to gamble with our liquid gold. "If we can find some ways to facilitate recharge and replace and replenish some of that water, I think the water position of our region is good enough to absorb it. And if it creates enough jobs, it's a good deal."
Hold up there, Councilman. "Good enough to absorb it"? We're talking about a desert city that's literally preparing to implement toilet-to-tap water recycling solutions because our aquifers are more tapped out than a fraternity keg on New Year's Eve. This isn't "conditional approval"—it's conditional surrender to corporate water vampires who'll suck our precious groundwater dry while promising jobs that'll disappear faster than puddles in July.
The bitter irony here is crystalline: just as Tucson residents are being told they'll need to embrace recycled wastewater as part of our sustainable future, we're simultaneously considering handing over massive quantities of that same precious resource to energy-guzzling server farms.
These digital dinosaurs consume water for cooling at rates that would make a golf course blush—and in a region where every drop of recharged water will soon be critical for basic human needs, this feels less like economic development and more like ecocide with a jobs program attached.
Because nothing says "sustainable desert living" quite like trading your great-grandchildren's drinking water for the privilege of hosting Amazon's cloud storage. What's next—selling our last saguaro cacti to Disney for a theme park?
Housing Justice: Second Chances in Action
Perhaps most impressively, Cunningham championed his "second chance" initiative for residents saddled with eviction records—the kind of innovative policy that addresses systemic inequalities head-on.
"It's an opportunity for people who have trouble obtaining a somewhat favorable lease to get one," he explained, recognizing that housing insecurity often becomes a self-perpetuating cycle of poverty.
While other politicians talk about "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps," Cunningham is actually providing boots.
Transit Reality and Tourism Turbulence
The councilman's announcement about reintroducing partial bus fares revealed the harsh mathematics of municipal governance. "I plan on introducing a motion to reimplement bus fares, at least partially... it is mainly a revenue issue that we have to address."
On the tourism front, his analysis of Canadian visitors avoiding Arizona demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of political dynamics. "I actually think because of how we're a little bit of a blue dot and some other things, I think Tucson may weather part of that," he observed, understanding that Tucson's relatively progressive reputation might serve as a shield against broader backlash.
Because apparently, even our tourism industry benefits from not being complete jerks to our neighbors.
Captain Jeff Latas: Aviation Expertise from 35,000 Feet
Retired JetBlue Captain Jeff Latas brought his considerable expertise to bear on recent aviation incidents and industry challenges.
With 20 years at JetBlue, nearly 20,000 accident-free flight hours, plus experience as both a combat fighter pilot and Pentagon Special Weapons Officer, Latas represents the gold standard of aviation professionalism.
Pilot Discretion: When Safety Trumps Schedules
Latas dissected a viral Delta pilot video with the precision of someone who's actually made life-or-death decisions at altitude. The pilot in question had returned to the gate due to concerns about the pressure gauge, prompting applause from passengers and internet speculation.
"If I wasn't comfortable flying with the airplane, I'd tell them I have no reason to go to Tampa or wherever I'm going. I'm only going there to take you guys there," Latas explained, cutting through the complexity with crystalline logic.
In an industry where "on-time performance" metrics can create perverse incentives, it's reassuring to know that actual pilots still prioritize getting there alive over getting there fast.
The captain detailed the intricate dance between pilot authority and maintenance protocols, explaining how Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs) govern what can and cannot be flown.
"Most all the systems are redundant, meaning there is more than one pump in this case. And in most cases, they say, yeah, you can operate on one fuel pump... given all these other things are met."
Medical Emergencies: Life and Death at Cruising Altitude
Latas provided fascinating insight into in-flight medical emergencies, revealing that airline crews encounter such situations five to six times annually. The sophisticated protocols involve real-time consultation with MedLink—a Phoenix-based service staffed with aerospace medicine specialists who can literally save lives from the ground.
"We, the captain, or the flight crew, will call them up directly via a telephone line from the radio on our airplane. And we will have a discussion with that doctor. And the doctor will tell us, you're good to go. Continue forward. Or they're going to say, get to the fastest medical facility you can."
The human cost became starkly real when Latas shared: "About two weeks before I retired, I had a person who had a pulmonary embolism on my airplane and passed away." Because behind every statistic about aviation safety, there are real people making impossible decisions under unimaginable pressure.
Air Traffic Control: Ancient Technology, Modern Security
Addressing the perennial complaints about FAA equipment being stuck in the technological stone age, Latas offered a perspective that only comes from actually using the systems in question.
"There's a reason why they use some of that stuff. You can't hack into a floppy drive, right? Yeah, it's more secure using some of that older stuff."
While tech bros mock "outdated" government systems, actual professionals understand that sometimes the old ways work precisely because they're old.
Personal Triumph: Love After Loss
The show's most touching moment came when Buckmaster shared news of his engagement, following the devastating loss of his wife of 51 years to cancer.
"Two years ago, I was dealing with the devastating news that my wife of 51 years had an inoperable cancerous tumor... the wonderful woman that I am now very much in love with, that we have decided to become engaged."
In a world obsessed with youth and first chances, there's something profoundly hopeful about love finding a way, even after loss that would crush lesser souls.
Industry Casualty: Silver Airways Grounded
The aviation segment concluded with news that Silver Airways had ceased operations—another casualty in the post-pandemic airline industry consolidation. The Fort Lauderdale-based carrier, which specialized in Caribbean and Bahamas routes with turboprop aircraft, announced its closure as part of an attempt to restructure through bankruptcy.
Because apparently, even in aviation, the little guys get squeezed out while the mega-carriers feast on consolidated routes and reduced competition.
The Bigger Picture: Democracy in Action
This edition of the Buckmaster Show exemplified everything that's right about local media and democratic engagement. Here was a forum where an elected official could speak directly to constituents without sound bites or spin, where complex policy decisions got the nuanced discussion they deserved, and where expertise mattered more than ideology.
Cunningham's frank assessment of Tucson's challenges, coupled with his concrete proposals for addressing them, exemplifies effective governance. His willingness to acknowledge problems without resorting to fear-mongering, his commitment to evidence-based solutions, and his understanding that progressive values require practical implementation all stand in stark contrast to the performative politics dominating national discourse.
This is what democracy looks like when it actually works—informed citizens engaging with accountable representatives who treat governance as a craft rather than a game.
Meanwhile, Captain Latas's professional insights reminded us that behind every safe flight are thousands of dedicated professionals making split-second decisions based on decades of training and experience. In an era of increasing cynicism about institutions, the aviation industry's safety record stands as a testament to what humans can achieve when expertise is valued over opinion.
The personal note—Buckmaster's journey from devastating loss to newfound love—provided a perfect metaphor for resilience in the face of adversity. Life, like democracy, has a way of surprising us with second chances when we least expect them but most need them.
As we navigate increasingly turbulent political skies, we need more voices like Cunningham's—progressive but pragmatic, idealistic but grounded in reality. We need more forums like Buckmaster's show, where complex issues get the discussion they deserve rather than the soundbites they usually receive.
The path forward isn't about choosing between safety and progress, between fiscal responsibility and social justice, between idealism and pragmatism. It's about finding leaders who are smart enough to navigate these false choices and create solutions that serve real people rather than abstract principles.
Because at the end of the day, democracy isn't about perfect candidates or perfect solutions—it's about imperfect humans working together to build something better than what they inherited.
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What Do You Think?
The intersection of local governance and federal policy creates fascinating tensions—how should cities like Tucson balance progressive ideals with fiscal reality? When Captain Latas talks about pilot discretion overriding maintenance approval, what does that tell us about the importance of professional judgment in high-stakes situations?
And perhaps most importantly: In an era of increasing political polarization, what can we learn from leaders like Paul Cunningham who manage to be both progressive and pragmatic?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below—whether you're a longtime Tucson resident worried about our city's future, an aviation enthusiast fascinated by the split-second decisions that keep air travel safe, or just someone who believes that democracy works best when citizens stay engaged and informed.
The Buckmaster Show airs weekdays on 1030 KVOI from the Green Thing Zocalo Village Studios. Archives and podcasts available at buckmastershow.com.
Quotes:
Paul Cunningham on police staffing: "We need to accept the idea that we need more commissioned officers. We really do need to add a good 50-60 people minimum to patrol next year."
Jeff Latas on pilot authority: "If I wasn't comfortable flying with the airplane, I'd tell them I have no reason to go to Tampa or wherever I'm going. I'm only going there to take you guys there."
Cunningham on city safety: "Is Tucson a dangerous city? That's hard to say. I think the crime rate tells you otherwise. I think anecdotal reports tell you a different story."
Latas on outdated technology: "You can't hack into a floppy drive, right? Yeah, it's more secure using some of that older stuff."
Cunningham on bus fares: "I plan on introducing a motion to reimplement bus fares, at least partially... it is mainly a revenue issue that we have to address."
People Mentioned with Context:
Paul Cunningham - Ward 2 Tucson City Councilman (Democrat): "I think we've got all the... there's some eyes to be dotted and some teeth to be crossed"
George Cunningham - Paul's late father, former Arizona legislator: "He carried a great deal for you too, Bill"
Jeff Latas - Retired JetBlue Captain: "About two weeks before I retired, I had a person that had a pulmonary embolism on my airplane and passed away"
Bill Buckmaster - Radio host announcing engagement: "The wonderful woman that I am now very much in love with, that we have decided to become engaged"
Governor Katie Hobbs - Mentioned as paying tribute at George Cunningham's service
Congressman Juan Ciscomani - Also paid tribute, showing bipartisan respect
Dr. Robert Hendricks - Education contributor who set up Buckmaster's blind date
Chad Kasmar - Police Chief scheduled for Friday show
Tim Steller - Arizona Daily Star columnist, Buckmaster's media co-host
Tom Candiotti - Former football player referenced by Cunningham: "You give me six inches of daylight, you get six"
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