On Tuesday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, in a 4-1 vote, passed over highly qualified candidates to appoint former Supervisor Ray Carroll as Green Valley’s justice of the peace. Carroll was considered by many to be the least qualified candidate for the position.
In fact, Carroll received fewer letters of support than retired international businessman, David Kryder, a long-time well-respected resident of Green Valley, who has experience as a small claims hearing officer for the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court. [View letters of support here]
Prior to the vote, Supervisor Ally Miller, who cast the lone “no” vote, noted that the other candidates had a wide range of experience in the legal and law enforcement arenas. Miller told her fellow supervisors, “He doesn’t deliberate on facts but based on who has done the last political favor.”
Miller advised her fellow supervisors that of “all of the candidates who applied for the position, there is one who I don’t believe has the experience, qualifications or the temperament to be justice of the peace.”
As for temperament, Pima County employees have accused Carroll of bullying Miller’s staff in the past, but the Pima County Human Resources Department found that there was not enough evidence to act.
In the reports of bullying, Carroll’s behavior was described as “aggressive,” “dominating,” and “forceful.” Staff reported that his behavior left them feeling “a little shook up.”
The ADI reported in May 2016, that “many members of the public, who have encountered Carroll’s “aggressive,” “dominating,” and “forceful,” behavior and foul mouthed rants, were not surprised by the staff members’ complaints or the County’s subsequent finding.”
Miller also noted that Carroll was a “carpetbagger.” Carroll moved to Green Valley in August. According to sources, when Carroll left office, he had less than the 20 years of service. As a result, he was not entitled to the full amount of his pension. The position as a justice of the peace will reportedly allow him to accumulate enough time to be fully vested.
In a press release issued in July of this year, the Amity Foundation announced hiring Carroll:
Five-term Pima County Supervisor to Confront Arizona’s Deadly Opiate Epidemic (press release)
“Ray Carroll joins Tucson-based Amity Foundation, returning to his roots in state’s private non-profit sector.
Just short of 20 years as Pima County’s District 4 Supervisor, rather than seeking a sixth term Ray Carroll has decided to focus on battling Arizona’s historic opiate crisis, which kills more than two Arizonans daily, a 74% increase since 2012, by joining Tucson-based non-profit Amity Foundation……
…. “I am determined to protect Medicaid and all government services so that funding remains in place for so many in need,” said Carroll. “We must address the out-of-control opiate crisis in Arizona, as well as expand services to 1st Nations tribal members and develop work readiness services via Amity’s vocational training programs.”
Carroll also noted the paucity of available and affordable units in Tucson’s housing system. Amity has been subsidizing quality affordable housing for over 3 years via its Dragonfly Village campus that fills a gap of housing needs in Pima County.
Amidst many offers to join several boards, local and national posts, as well as special committees Carroll decided to dedicate his skills and expertise to the private sector in Arizona. After careful consideration of the many offers from a variety of local Arizona based non-profits positioning their social, collateral offerings he chose to join Amity…..
Apparently the private non-profit sector wasn’t for Carroll after all. As Green Valley resident, Lou Sampson, noted during the Call to the Audience portion of the meeting when she called Carroll a “professional politician” and questioned why the more qualified candidates were not chosen.
Pima County gadfly, Keith Van Heyningen, stole the show when he addressed the Board wearing a court jester’s cap. Van Heyningen asked the Board, “Ray Carroll as a judge? Yeah, we’re all delusional aren’t we?”
Carroll will replace Lisa Royal, who resigned August 17, 2017.