Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is fuming over the appearance of the public at the public meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee. Huckelberry is unhappy that over 100 people turned out for the April 23 meeting held at the Natural Resources Parks and Recreation (NRPR) administration building located at Orange Grove and River.
In a memo to Supervisor Ally Miller dated April 25, Huckelberry claimed in an accusatory tone, that she “orchestrated a turnout of over 100 people, including busing in residents of the Fountains at La Cholla Senior Assisted Living Community.”
Miller responded to Huckelberry’s memo, which she described as “bizarre,” and took “full responsibility for “orchestrating” the turnout to this meeting.” Miller explained, “My office worked to inform residents, who have been denied easy access to Transportation Advisory Committee meetings over the years, of this rare opportunity to be heard. Keeping residents informed and engaged is perhaps one of the most important functions of elected office. I take my duties very seriously.” [See full text of letter below]
Miller concluded her letter by advising Huckelberry that she has asked her appointee, Albert Letzkus, “to place another item on the agenda for an evening meeting so those who work during the day will have the opportunity to be heard.”
For years, Miller has called taxpayer dollars to be used to repair the crumbling roads rather than funding sweetheart business deals for the well-connected such as World View. [Related article: Video Shows World View Explosion Sending Flames Into The Sky]
In February this year, after considerable public outcry, Huckelberry proposed using the County’s general funds for arterial and collector roads in the unincorporated areas of Pima County. Miller came out in support of the proposal. [Related article: Miller: It is time to treat Pima County residents fairly]
At her request, Miller’s appointees to the Transportation Advisory Committee, Letzkus and Yolanda Weinberger, fought for and won the inclusion of local roads to be considered for repairs.
To: C.H. Huckelberry, County Administrator
From: Supervisor Ally Miller, Pima County Supervisor District 1
Re: Pima County Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting April 23, 2019 memo
I typically don’t waste time responding to your endless attacks on me. However, this time your apparent obsession with me allowed you to go too far and I cannot ignore your attack on the residents of District 1.
In your memo dated April 25, you address the Pima County Transportation Advisory Committee meeting held April 23, at the Natural Resources Parks and Recreation (NRPR) Administration building at Orange Grove and River.
The tone of your memorandum appears to be indicative of your attitude toward anyone who has a differing opinion on County operations. You reprimanded one of my volunteer appointees to the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), and unfairly and inappropriately chastised my constituents.
At least you exposed a simple truth; the more convenient you make public involvement, the more the public will be involved.
Keeping residents informed and engaged
You asserted that I “orchestrated a turnout of over 100 people, including busing in residents of the Fountains at La Cholla Senior Assisted Living Community.”
I take full responsibility for “orchestrating” the turnout to this meeting. My office worked to inform residents, who have been denied easy access to Transportation Advisory Committee meetings over the years, of this rare opportunity to be heard. Keeping residents informed and engaged is perhaps one of the most important functions of elected office. I take my duties very seriously.
I certainly did not orchestrate the busing of residents, but I wish I had. Their years of experience and the resulting wisdom and insight they brought to the table was a blessing, in my opinion.
You had no right to reprimand Mr. Albert Letzkus, a volunteer District 1 appointee to the TAC, with a wealth of transportation engineering experience. Mr. Letzkus’ request that TAC meeting be held at various sites around the County was approved in a unanimous vote of the Committee. Mr. Letzkus simply requested one of these meetings be held in District 1 so residents had the opportunity to attend and have their voices heard.
We did hear from them! For the first time, we heard from the many physically and financially challenged residents who were unable to drive to the Abrams Center over the years. They shared their heartbreaking stories of injuries and fears due to the unsafe conditions of our roads through years of neglect. I understand that there are those who would rather not hear from our disadvantaged residents, but they just might be in the wrong business – democracy includes all.
I am stunned by your anger regarding the inconvenience of individuals showing up on buses and crowding the hallways of the NPRP building. I am grateful that your attitude toward Pima County residents is not reflected in your staff, who appeared to be genuinely interested in hearing from diverse voices and worked hard to accommodate attendees’ needs.
Perhaps, if you would make ANY effort to hold ANY public meetings in the evening when the hard-working Pima County residents could attend, you wouldn’t have to complain about the public creating an “unfortunate situation” by using a public building during banking hours.
I’d like to remind you that the residents of District 1 pay the largest portion of the taxes of the 5 districts-36 percent of the general fund expenses. I’d like to remind you that these residents pay your salary and these residents paid for that building in which the meeting was held. These residents pay the taxes that provide the funds to employ the county staff who were supporting this meeting.
These residents deserve to be heard.
Objection to the dissenting voices of democracy
You denounce those who disagree with you, or are fed up with the excuses for not fixing the roads. Is it not okay to entertain a diversity of opinions? Why would you object? Every opinion should be heard, respected and valued. Debate is a healthy part of democracy. Or would you prefer the nodding of heads in agreement? Again, I’d like to remind you that the Board of Supervisors and the staff are employed by the taxpayers of this community.
Furthermore, I have asked Mr. Letzkus to place another item on the agenda for an evening meeting so those who work during the day will have the opportunity to be heard.
I’d like to thank the members TAC for supporting this meeting that was held in District 1 and to the county staff for their support, patience, and professionalism to ensure the folks who wanted to speak were heard. I believe this was a very productive and informative meeting for the residents of District 1.