Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall appears to be unwilling or unable to respond to formal invitations to debates and formal Requests for Information these days. With only days left before early ballots are to be mailed out, LaWall’s stall tactics are raising serious concerns.
On Thursday, June 30, at precisely 1:11 p.m., the Arizona Daily Independent wrote Amelia Cramer with the County Attorney’s Office: “Please consider this a formal request for copies of proofs for ALL promotional items ordered by the County Attorney’s office for the last year.”
The request was made only after the ADI questioned why the documents had not been included as part of a Request for Information made in June regarding details of purchases of personalized promotional items. Those items included pencils, pencil cases, magnets and shopping bags were purchased with RICO funds.
LaWall’s use of RICO funds to promote herself and her office is highly questionable. Unfortunately it appears that no one will have a chance to question LaWall’s questionable spending in public.
LaWall is continuing to refuse to participate in any County Attorney candidate forum or debate, according to a press release from her Democratic Party challenger Joel Feinman. LaWall has refused to participate in six candidate forums to date.
On Tuesday, St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, located at 3809 East 3rd Street, is holding a Town Hall for all of the declared candidates for Pima County Attorney at 6:00 p.m.
As Feinman notes in his press release, “If Ms. LaWall does not attend the St. Mark’s town hall, it will be the seventh County Attorney candidate forum she has refused to participate in.”
Feinman and Green Party candidate Cyndi Tuell have confirmed they will attend.
“I am looking forward to next Tuesday’s town hall, and am happy to be invited to discuss the future of the Pima County justice system alongside all of the primary and general election candidates for Pima County Attorney,” said Feinman in the press release. “It is unfortunate that Ms. LaWall is unwilling to participate in these fundamental parts of the democratic electoral process, and unfortunate that she does not have the time or desire to answer the voters’ questions and address their concerns.”
In June, LaWall inexplicably told the Arizona Daily Star that she would not engage in a public forum or debate with primary opponent Joel Feinman because hers “is not an open seat.”
While LaWall may believe hers “is not an open seat” the voters may disagree. They will have their chance soon; Election Day is August 30.