A proposed purchase of a warehouse by Pima County and the questions about that deal has raised the ire of Supervisor Richard Elias. The County proposed to pay $1.5 million for the south-side produce property which had formerly been a produce warehouse.
Republican Supervisor Ally Miller questioned why the County would need the warehouse when it already owns ample space at the Pima Emergency Communications and Operations Center, located East 22nd Street and South Jones Ave. Miller said that based on her research prior to the meeting, the space would be appropriate for the storage of supplies the county maintains in case of a natural disaster, terrorist attack.
Miller asked that the vote be postponed for two weeks to study the proposal due to “the financial issues in Pima County.” She advised her fellow supervisors that “in 2004 the Pima County taxpayers approved the construction of $92 million Homeland Security building. This was to hold all emergency dispatch services for all the municipalities’ police departments, fire departments in Pima County.”
According to Miller, many of those entities have pulled out of the agreement, and “we are left with thousand s of square feet of excess capacity.” In lieu of spending an additional 1.5 million, Miller suggested asking County staff to study whether they really needed another building and if the 22nd Street property could serve their needs.
Miller’s motion asked staff to come back in two weeks with more information. She cited information from staff that the County would be spending upwards of $700,000 on maintaining existing facilities and said it “was important to save money any way we can.”
While Supervisor Sharon Bronson immediately seconded her motion, the mere suggestion caused Supervisor Elias, according to attendees to become abusive and insulting toward Miller. “He immediately jumped to the conclusion that neighborhood groups might object to the innocuous proposal; making problems, creating crisis. Never waste a good crisis, I guess, or an opportunity to make one, but then proceeded to make accusations and stupid facial expressions as part of his clownish act.” Elias accuses Miller of not knowing what she is talking about with regards to the hazards presented by her proposal.
Supervisor Carroll, who has clearly not done his homework, asks for the ‘deal points” and whether the deal is already in escrow. Miller responds, “I’ve got the details on that lease and it expires August 31, 2013 so, and the other lease doesn’t expire until August 31, 2017 for health department.”
When Miller addressed the supervisors’ “concerns” regarding the issue of the bioterrorism cache saying, “Now this bioterrorism cache I’m not sure exactly what that is I don’t think it’s it’s any weaponized materials I believe it’s to fight an attack. Am I correct?” referring the question to staff, which offers affirmation to Miller. “So I don’t think it would be on bringing hazardous materials into that neighborhood.” Elias snaps, cutting her off saying he “would prefer to have our professionals answer that question.” Miller points out that she just referred the question to the professionals in the room.
In the same abusive tone, Elias proceeds to imply that since she is so smart, does she know about the leases which the County staff used as a reason to purchase the warehouse were in fact held by the county.
This leads to the revelation that the leases the County used to justify the purchase of the warehouse were in fact County held leases. Elias then turns his attention to County staff asking him if these were the leases the County was using as an excuse to buy up more property. The County staffer laughed uncomfortably in response to the question. “Ah,” Elias says, “so it’s all inside the house? That was not a straight answer you gave us.”
Moments later Elias turns his anger on Miller again when she explains that the 22nd Street facility is very secure, “so that no one can even get close to it. When I was out there during the tour they have it very very secure so it’s not the kind of place…” Elias snaps at Miller while crossing his arms, “I’m sure you know that particularly. I don’t think you can say that.” Miller responds, “I do know it because I just barely did the tour with Capt. Wilson and Mike Hein of the Department of Homeland Security..” Elias interrupts, “Well I’ glad you’re an expert.” To which Miller responds, “Thank you” to Elias who proceeds to makes bizarre facial expressions.
“Watching the Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting was like watching students in a junior high school math class; the smart kid with their hand in the air and the rest of the class is day dreaming,” said one County resident. “When finally nudged from their dreams by a lively discussion between the smart kid and the teacher they react with annoyance out of a slight sense of shame and mock the smart kid for showing them up. Richard needs to grow up and the rest need to wake up.”
Normally Elias when on camera, he presents a very calculating and friendly façade, even going so far as to be seen opening the door for the crowd of protestors at the TUSD School Board meeting takeover in the Spring of 2011.
However County observers note that the Supervisors have come to conclusion that their regularly scheduled 9:00 a.m. weekday meetings go without public notice and scrutiny and that their meeting last week would be the same. As a result, both Ray Carroll and Richard Elias were as abusive as possible to Miller.
Later Carroll was caught by morning radio show host Garret Lewis (listen here), on 790 KNST, in a lie when he misrepresented his actions at the meeting regarding a vote for budget study sessions. On the drive-time James T Harris show, listeners of 104.FM heard from a County employee who had questioned the County’s spending. He advised Harris that Carroll came to him after the meeting and said, “I know you. You supported my opponent.” Carroll is known for his retaliatory actions and those of his cronies.
Just this Saturday, in defense of Carroll, one of his cronies, the host of an obscure radio show, questioned whether Miller, who received her MBA from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Business, was capable of understanding her job and the matter of the County’s business.
Miller has continually questioned the County’s “business as usual.”
During the same meeting, Miller questions the use of HURF funds for a road widening project. The County had proposed using HURF funds to widen Houghton Road.
After questioning by Miller, the head of Transportation, Priscilla Cornelio concedes that the HURF funds cannot be used in that manner, and agrees to find the money elsewhere.
Miller had noted that the County’s roads are in horrible condition and that HURF funds, unless otherwise authorized by voters, are to be used for repairing roads not building or widening them.
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