The opinions against David Safier and the partisan column by Senator Al Melvin show how much work must be done to restore our State to a Democratic form of government, a Republic, a government of, by and for the majority of the people. That is what David Safier was celebrating.  I am at a loss to identify anything Senator Al Melvin has voted for to help Pima County residents.  He is proud to carry out the agenda of his Republican friends in Phoenix.  We voted for a tax increase to be used for education.  Melvin voted to put the money in the General Fund. When Melvin talks of schools, he is talking about private schools, which can be owned by individuals for a profit.  It they fail, the owner can keep all the school capital assets paid for by tax monies.  Melvin also voted to deny Pima County its share for the Regional Transportation Authority money and to allow the recall of the Rio Nuevo development funds. Using his “hit woman”, Terry Proud, Melvin so intimidated the Redistricting Board, that he assured his re-election by getting an 11 to 16 point advantage against other candidates for his job. 

As schools work harder than ever this year to be ready for next year’s new Common Core Standards that will replace Arizona Instrument for Measuring Standards (AIMS), there was a lively discussion from Marana School District officials during a recent chamber luncheon.

(NAPSI)—Entertaining as they are, tablet computers and smartphones are not all fun and games.

It takes a lot of work and dedication by a lot of people to make saving 10,000 lives over a span of 10 years possible, but that’s exactly what Oro Valley’s Project Graduation program has done.

Thanks to the work of Oro Valley banker El Ndoye, residents in Tucson’s northwest region are becoming more aware of the more than 100,000 children struggling to survive in his homeland of Senegal in Africa.

As an initiative under the Out and About program, Marana Town Manager Gilbert Davidson has proposed creating a citizen’s forum. Davidson discussed the details with the Town Council during a Nov. 15 study session.

Americans witnessed a modern day miracle Monday when Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appeared on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Monday  to cast her vote on the debt-ceiling increase.

Construction at the largest public works project in Pima County history is well under way.

As the dust settles on Arizona following a contentious election, the Legislature must deal with a toxic fiscal crisis in January.

Marana artists Mirle and Judy O'Toole Freel are showing work at exhibits in Tucson.

Last week, workers from Han Mar Energy removed one of the recently installed Western Area Power Administration poles along La Cañada Drive, just south of Calle Concordia. The company, which installs traffic signals, streetlights and power lines, removed the pole and all of its components throughout the day last Thursday to ensure proper alignment. At a cost near $2 million, the major transmission lines are being relocated as part of the La Cañada reconstruction project.

Top seeds in the state soccer tournament have been challenged. Glendale, seeded second, has been eliminated. The third and fourth seeds won matches by a single goal.