ABRAZOS to former Santa Cruz County Supervisor William “Bill” Baffert and Tubac resident Marshall Magruder for their presentations to the Arizona Corporation Commission Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, which held its meeting at the Rio Rico Esplendor Resort. The purpose of the hearing was to hear and review public comments on the UniSource Electric Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the Vail to Valencia 115 KV to 138 KV transmission line upgrade project. At 86 years strong, there stood Baffert masterfully speaking about the detrimental impact the Alternative Alignment for Segment Four (Nogales area) would have on his property and those in Monte Carlo and Vista del Cielo. As a volunteer, Magruder was well prepared and passionate during the hours of presentations. Our community is grateful for their intervention. UniSource lawyers and consultants were professional and polite. They made themselves available for public questioning anytime. The 10-member committee listened to the public and encouraged comments.

COSCORRONES to Councilpersons Nubar Hanessian and Arturo Garino for the Chicken Little attitude, as if I could not understand a governmental financial statement or the advice of financial consultant Terry Moss. The city had the money to help out our Boys & Girls Club but turned their backs on the youth of our community. With that same attitude, they are destroying our local economy by not funding a community and economic development office. They would prefer that the economic development with the new $200 million port of entry go directly to Tucson. It would be prudent for our community to focus on these two councilpersons as they will be circulating their petitions in early January for mayor and alderman. That will be our opportunity to turn our backs on them.

ABRAZOS to the community talk that it’s time for a change on our city council. As I move in various community circles, I have discovered that a prevalent theme is a need for a compassionate and business philosophy to provide us with an enhanced quality of life. We should seek individuals who are committed and experienced in public policy, can articulate their thought processes publicly, comprehend the will of the people with our city charter, be an extremely good listeners, and simply care about us and not back-room political deals. One name that surfaces is former port authority chairperson, entrepreneur and lifelong resident Terry Shannon Jr. for mayor. If you want real change, then call Terry and encourage him to place his name on the ballot. Let’s drain the swamp.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “We are Hispanics and we are proud people. People that should be appreciated and not threatened or taken for granted.” �“ Frank Chavez, President of the Nogales Educational Support Personnel Association to the NUSD governing board on “at will” employees’ salary reductions.