Christy Calls On Valadez To Apologize For Mishandling Pima County Business Owner

Pima County deputies take Viva Coffee House owner, Kelly Walker, into custody.

TUCSON – On Tuesday, during the Pima County Board Of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Steve Christy blasted Supervisor Ramon Valadez for the arrest of a small business owner, Kelly Walker, during the September 15 meeting. Walker, owner of the Viva Coffee House, was ejected from the September meeting and arrested after he recited hateful comments made on social media directed at his business and staff.

Valadez, who is soon to be out of office due to the fact that he was rejected by voters during the 2020 Democratic Primary, would not allow Walker to proceed with his comments even after he explained the origin of the comments and that he would not repeat the foul language.

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Supervisor Christy took a moment for a point-of-personal privilege to address the matter. “During the September 15, Board Of Supervisors meeting a troubling, embarrassing, and unnecessary incident needlessly occurred,” began Christy. “A citizen and business owner of Pima County, Kelly Walker, was forcibly ejected and subsequently arrested for simply repeating others’ comments and for not being made aware Board of Supervisors meeting protocol.”

“Chairman Valadez clearly mishandled the situation. No advanced ground rules were explained and the speaker, Kelly Walker, was inexperienced and blindsided by the Chairman’s actions. This all could’ve been avoided if Chairman Valadez had exhibited some patience, diplomacy, and practical sense. I am asking now that Chairman Valadez, through this Board, to direct the Sheriff that all charges be dropped against Mr. Walker and that on behalf of Pima County and the Pima County Board of Supervisors that Chairman Valadez issue an apology to Mr. Walker over this unfortunate event that unnecessarily occurred here on September 15.”

“There are a few corrupt county politicians and administrators who have gotten away with malfeasance for too long. September 15, they put their true despotism on display, and a whole lot of good people see them for what they are,” Walker told the ADI. “They don’t scare me, and we aren’t going to quit. We have all we need to make sure they are held accountable, and a huge majority is behind us. The more they try to intimidate us, the worse they look.”

Later in the meeting, both Supervisors Ally Miller and Christy argued on behalf of all small business owners who have been targeted by anonymous complainants.

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