😥 Pima Supes Clash Over Immigration, Abortion as Homelessness Crisis Looms
💰 ARPA Funds Reallocated, but Christy Cries Foul 🔥 Fireworks Permits Denied Near Residential Areas After Debate
🙊 Notable quotes from the meeting
"A miscarriage ends in a funeral. An abortion ends in a trash bag on the floor." - Laurie Moore, making derogatory statements about abortion rights
"This means that Pima County stands for and voted to keep open borders, drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, and abortion on demand." - Laurie Moore, a self-described "MAGA Republican" from District One, making accusations about the county's policies
"Fluctuations of gains and losses. It's unconscionable. Get rid of the machines. They're not efficient, faster, or reliable. They were sold to us for a lie." - Shirley Ricard, speaking on behalf of Gisela Aaron, raising concerns about reported ballot count fluctuations during the election
"Money, money, money, millions and millions goes out, unaccounted for it, and yet no results, no feedback, no mechanism to make measured failure success." - Dave Smith, the Pima County Republican Party chairman, criticizing the lack of accountability for funding for immigrant-assisting non-governmental entities
"The Democratic Party decided Kamala Harris should be president. So rather than run, rather than Joe Biden announcing he wasn't running, they figured they'd get him elected. And then he would retire next year and we'd have our first black female president." - Robert Royce, sharing his concerns about the state of the two-party political system
"It's heartbreaking as well, but it also puts a little bit of fire in your belly to make sure that what we're doing in this space continues to be forward-looking and forward-leaning to bring responses for folks who are experiencing homelessness." - Jen Darland, Director of the Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions, on the point-in-time homeless count
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
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🤖 This Pima County meeting was all about big, important topics like homelessness, money from the government, and even fireworks! 😲 Some people came to share their thoughts and concerns, and the supervisors had to vote on lots of different things. 🗳️ There were some heated debates, especially around immigration, elections, and abortion. 🔥 The supervisors didn't always agree with each other, but they tried their best to do what's best for the whole community. 🏘️
🗝️ Takeaways
🔥 Heated debates over immigration, election integrity, and abortion rights dominated the call to the audience, reflecting deep partisan divides in Pima County.
🤔 Republican speakers made unsubstantiated claims about "open borders," drug trafficking, and election fraud, while a Democratic-leaning speaker criticized the tone of political ads.
🔍 The need for thorough, impartial investigation and fact-checking of the claims raised was evident, highlighting the importance of critical analysis from a social justice perspective.
💬 The meeting underscored the board's struggle to address complex, politically charged issues like homelessness and public safety amidst the partisan bickering.
🎙️ Voices of the People: Call to Audience Highlights
The meeting's call to the audience featured diverse speakers, each voicing their concerns and perspectives on the issues facing Pima County.
Laurie Moore, a self-described "MAGA Republican" from District One, delivered a scathing indictment of the county's policies, blaming "open border" policies for increased drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, and abortion. She demanded the creation of a "digital wall" to display the names of Americans who have died from fentanyl overdoses, accusing the elected Democrats on the board of being "complicit" in these issues.
"This means that Pima County stands for and voted to keep open borders, drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, and abortion on demand," Moore said. "When Joe Biden and his followers opened the borders, death rolled in. Bentonal made drug dealers rich and killed over 250,000 Americans."
Speaking on behalf of Gisela Aaron, Shirley Ricard raised troubling questions about the fluctuations in reported ballot counts during the recent election. Citing screenshots of election data, Ricard alleged potential "incompetence or malicious intent" in the tallying process and called for a thorough investigation into the county's election procedures.
"Fluctuations of gains and losses. It's unconscionable. Get rid of the machines. They're not efficient, faster, or reliable. They were sold to us for a lie. It is not the case that there are any of those things," Ricard said.
Dave Smith, the chairman of the Pima County Republican Party, also weighed in on the immigration crisis, demanding transparency and accountability in how funding for non-governmental entities assisting immigrants is being utilized. He argued that the lack of progress on this issue is exacerbating the county's drug, homelessness, and employment problems.
"Money, money, money, millions and millions goes out, unaccounted for it, and yet no results, no feedback, no mechanism to make measured failure success. And I think that's all coming around, and that's something we need to do," Smith said.
Robert Royce shared his broader concerns about the state of the two-party political system, describing the tone of the recent election ads as "despicable" and "disgusting." He criticized the Democratic Party for its perceived attempt to install Kamala Harris as president and called for the party to reevaluate its strategies.
"The Democratic Party decided Kamala Harris should be president. So rather than run, rather than Joe Biden announcing he wasn't running, they figured they'd get him elected. And then he would retire next year and we'd have our first black female president. The voters didn't buy it," Royce said.
These speakers touched on a range of contentious topics, from immigration and election integrity to abortion rights, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of the political landscape in Pima County.
Meeting Topics
Homelessness and Public Safety Jen Darland, the Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions Director, provided an update on the county's efforts to address homelessness. This included discussing plans to improve data tracking, develop a homeless protocol, and strengthen regional collaboration. Supervisor Rex Scott asked about applying lessons learned from the successful Kreyct shelter program to other homelessness initiatives.
ARPA Funding The board reviewed the final allocations and modifications to the county's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) budget. This included reallocating around $1.3 million to ensure all funds are obligated by the end of 2024, as required. Supervisor Christy raised concerns about spending these "COVID dollars" on non-pandemic-related items and the potential for changes under a new federal administration.
Fireworks Permits The board held public hearings on several fireworks permit requests, primarily from commercial entities. Supervisor Scott expressed opposition to permits for shows near residential areas, citing concerns about disruption to residents and pets. The board ultimately denied Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort permits on December 12 and December 18.
Rezoning and Development The board approved two rezoning requests, one for a Habitat for Humanity project in District 3 and another for a commercial property on River Road. Supervisor Lee expressed support for the Habitat for Humanity project, which will bring much-needed affordable housing to the area.
Votes Taken
The Pima County Board of Supervisors took the following votes during the meeting:
Approval of contracts with Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau and Arizona Soccer Holdings, Inc. to host a preseason training camp at Kino Sports Complex - Passed 5-0
Approval of the consent calendar - Passed unanimously
Approval of the revised ARPA CSLFRF budget - Passed 4-1, with Supervisor Christy voting no
Approval of the Justice of the Peace Judicial Productivity Credits - Passed unanimously
Approval of the City of Tucson IGA for emergency eviction legal services - Passed 4-1, with Supervisor Christy voting no
Approval of the NaphCare, Inc. amendment for correctional health services - Passed unanimously
Approval of the computer software and related items contracts - Passed unanimously
Approval of the rezoning for Habitat for Humanity project - Passed unanimously
Approval of the rezoning for 1455 River Rd, LLC - Passed unanimously
Approval of the United Way grant for the STEAMAZing Project - Passed unanimously
Approval of the Cortaro-Marana Irrigation District election canvass - Passed unanimously
The most contentious votes were around the ARPA budget and the fireworks permit denials, where there was some disagreement among the supervisors.
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary:
✊🏽 Immigration: Echoes of a Border Militarization Agenda
Leading the charge on immigration was Laurie Moore, a self-described "MAGA Republican" from District One. Moore launched into a scathing tirade, blaming the county's "open border" policies for a litany of woes, from drug trafficking to child sex trafficking.
"This means that Pima County stands for and voted to keep open borders, drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, and abortion on demand," Moore declared, her voice dripping with vitriol. She went on to demand the creation of a "digital wall" to display the names of Americans who have died from fentanyl overdoses, casting blame squarely on the elected Democrats on the board.
🌱 Moore's statements reflect a troubling resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment, one that seeks to scapegoat vulnerable populations for complex societal issues. As a Chicano journalist committed to social justice, I would challenge the factual basis of these claims and urge a more nuanced, humanitarian approach to border and immigration policies.
After all, the reality on the ground paints a far more complicated picture. Pima County, situated along the U.S.-Mexico border, has long grappled with the realities of undocumented immigration, often caught in the crosshairs of federal inaction and partisan gridlock. While the county is responsible for enforcing laws, we would emphasize the need for compassionate, evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of migration rather than resorting to divisive rhetoric and punitive measures.
🗳️ Election Integrity: Sowing Seeds of Doubt
The meeting also saw concerns over the integrity of the recent election aired, with Shirley Ricard, speaking on behalf of Gisela Aaron, raising questions about fluctuations in reported ballot counts.
"Fluctuations of gains and losses. It's unconscionable. Get rid of the machines. They're not efficient, faster, or reliable. They were sold to us for a lie," Ricard asserted, calling for a thorough investigation into the county's electoral processes.
🕵️♀️ We should delve deeper into the data and evidence presented, examining whether they truly reflect systemic issues or are simply the latest iteration of unfounded conspiracy theories that have plagued our electoral system.
It is crucial to separate fact from fiction, especially regarding the bedrock of our democracy. A social justice lens would also compel me to explore the broader context of voter suppression, gerrymandering, and other structural barriers that continue to undermine the political participation of marginalized communities.
🚺 Abortion Rights: A Battle for Bodily Autonomy
The meeting also touched on the contentious issue of abortion rights, with Laurie Moore making derogatory statements about those who support abortion access.
"Any biology book will spell it out. The difference between a miscarriage and abortion is this. A miscarriage ends in a funeral. An abortion ends in a trash bag on the floor," Moore proclaimed, echoing the rhetoric of the anti-choice movement.
🌼 We challenge these views, emphasizing the importance of bodily autonomy, reproductive healthcare access, and the disproportionate impact of abortion restrictions on low-income and minority communities. The wealth of scientific evidence demonstrating the safety and legality of abortion as a medical procedure would be central to my counter-narrative.
Ultimately, these divisive debates reflect the deep ideological divides that continue to shape the political landscape in Pima County and beyond. While the supervisors grappled with these contentious issues, the looming homelessness crisis served as a stark reminder of the pressing need for collaborative, evidence-based solutions that prioritize the well-being of all community members.
🌉 We strive to elevate the voices of the marginalized, expose the realities of systemic oppression, and advocate for policies that uphold all people's fundamental rights and dignity. We can only truly address the complex challenges facing our communities by embracing a holistic, intersectional approach.
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People Mentioned
Laurie Moore
"This means that Pima County stands for and voted to keep open borders, drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, and abortion on demand."
Moore, a self-described "MAGA Republican" from District One, made strong accusations about the county's policies, blaming "open border" policies for issues like drug trafficking and abortion.
She called for a "digital wall" to display the names of Americans who have died from fentanyl overdoses.
Shirley Ricard
"Fluctuations of gains and losses. It's unconscionable. Get rid of the machines. They're not efficient, faster, or reliable. They were sold to us for a lie."
Speaking on behalf of Gisela Aaron, Ricard raised concerns about fluctuations in reported ballot counts during the recent election, alleging potential "incompetence or malicious intent" in the tallying process.
Dave Smith
"Money, money, money, millions and millions goes out, unaccounted for it, and yet no results, no feedback, no mechanism to make measured failure success."
As the Pima County Republican Party chairman, Smith criticized the lack of accountability and transparency in funding for non-governmental entities assisting immigrants.
Robert Royce
"The Democratic Party decided Kamala Harris should be president. So rather than run, rather than Joe Biden announcing he wasn't running, they figured they'd get him elected. And then he would retire next year, and we'd have our first black female president."
Royce shared his concerns about the state of the two-party political system, describing the tone of recent election ads as "despicable" and "disgusting."
Jen Darland
The director of the Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions provided an update on the county's efforts to address homelessness.
Rex Scott
The supervisor for District 1 asked questions about applying lessons learned from the successful Kreyct shelter program to other homelessness initiatives.
John Kim
The President of American Battery Factory provided an update on the company's plans for a battery manufacturing facility.
Heath Vescovici
Economic Development Director assisted with providing information about the American Battery Factory project.
Dr. Francisco Garcia
Pima County Health Department spoke about a contract for emergency eviction legal services.