ABRAZOS For the upcoming August Primary Election, pending approval of the United States Department of Justice, the 2010 Primary Election will be held on Tues., Aug. 24.

Melinda Meek, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors clerk and elections director, said this will allow for more time for state officials to prepare for the General Election. Keep this change in mind as we are accustomed to the Primary Election in September.

Make sure that all family members are registered to vote, as our city election will be the most important one in recent history. We need to encourage people to seek public office that demonstrate a sincere attitude about making our community a better place to live and not about their personal egos. Let’s elect people with an individual thought process, not a gang mentality. A mayor and three councilpersons with intelligence, strong work ethic and common sense will garner us vital neighborhood projects with $8.5 million in available bond money.

COSCORRONES to the Nogales Unified School District fall bowling league. Superintendent Shawn McCollough requested a rest-and-relaxation time with the staff. So, beginning the week of Oct. 19, and on every Monday night from 6-9 p.m., there will be a 14-team league. Since one of the foursome teams, “The Terrible 4s,” includes McCollough and School Board President Hunter Nash, the bi-monthly Monday school board meetings will have to be changed or conducted at the bowling alley. Either way it will not make a difference, as discussion on academic achievement is rare.

Interesting was the promotion of alcoholic beverages on school material promoting the league. There will also “be a raffle among the NUSD league and winner will get to keep funds raised,” according to the brochure.

It would have been nice if the financial funds were contributed to a school project or scholarship to help our students. It was gratifying to observe that with the exception of one, all other school principals have their priorities and focus on academics.

ABRAZOS to the transparent public discussion on the potential conflict of interest by Vice-Mayor Arturo Garino who, according to Mayor Octavio Garcia-Von Borstel, was employed by the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent while lobbying for the return of $110,000 to the Arizona School Facilities Board.

The funds were to build a charter school at what was to be Albert Kramer Park east of the Monte Carlo subdivision. This matter has been discussed for the last three years when the park was determined not to be a feasible project, but not by a vote of the mayor and council.

Councilpersons Nubar Hanessian, Esther Lopez and Olga Valdez voted to turn down the proposed external agency investigation into the alleged impropriety. In the spirit of fairness, why was the identical treatment not given to former Vice-Mayor John Jackson, who had been accused of conflict of interest. Instead, Jackson had to spend $10,000 for his defense and the same three councilpersons rejected his petition for financial reimbursement after the case was dismissed.

COSCORRONES to the “drop-in” unwritten policy at city hall. At last weeks’ city council meeting, the public became aware of another form of secrecy among the mayor and council. When the council wants to establish policy, they direct Interim City Attorney Joe Machado to develop a resolution with no public discussion on what they would like adopted in the potential policy. I always had the belief that a working copy would be debated in public until I heard Machado state, “Just drop by my office, and let me know your ideas.” This should be of great public concern. The public is not allowed to participate in listening to the original thoughts of our public officials and the potential influence by government bureaucrats on their thoughts. The entire process should be done in public.