Opinion

 Debt, debt, and more debt - that's about all that's talked about when it comes to political discussions. Nationally and locally, people are making their voices heard, that any government spending better be for absolute causes.

Pinal County is the number one pass through county in the United States for drug and human smuggling. Our pursuits and drug seizures tied to drug and human trafficking far exceed those of the all four border counties.

As Mayors of border communities from Arizona, we would appreciate it if you would not cultivate a culture of fear in our state and start being accurate about border security.

I performed a marriage last weekend.  It was a beautiful affair, with the bride in white, the groom in a tuxedo, and a beautiful view of the Valley.

When I was an eighth-grader at Cactus Middle School in the Casa Grande Elementary School District, representatives from Central Arizona College came to my science classroom with big news.

There is a fair amount of passionate discourse in our state today concerning health care, AHCCCS, and organ transplants.

Aloha. I moved to the City of Maricopa in 2005. I have been involved in public safety here in Maricopa, first as a member of the Public Safety Committee, and then as an employee of the police department.

Two people in Arizona have died since the state reneged on approval of life-saving organ transplants for 98 citizens in the name of budget cuts.

The position of superintendent emerged a decade or so after the creation of public schools. Initially there were no superintendents of schools. First, state boards ran schools, and then local lay boards, both without the benefit of professional help.

In the wake of the tragedy in Tucson there has been a lot of talk in the media from politicians, lawmakers, reporters and liberals about proposing stricter firearm legislation.

We should all give thanks today for the words of President Barack Obama. Amid the pain, the heartbreak and the anger that has followed the horrific events here in Tucson, President Obama reminded us that above all else this is a personal tragedy.

I was deeply troubled by the Jan. 8 attack in Tucson, where Representative Gabrielle Giffords and a number of bystanders were shot. My heart aches for all the victims, especially the family of Christina Green, who was 9.

Are you determined to meet your weight loss goals this year? If healthier habits and weight loss are among your New Year's Resolutions, give yourself a pat on the back for making health a top priority!

The Democrats are supposed to be the party of the working folks. The Democrats are supposed to be the party of opportunity. The Democrats are supposed to be the party of hope. Really? Instead, Democrats seem to want to pass the blame on to Republicans instead taking some of the blame. 

Here we are - once again ready (?) to face a new year, armed with resolution(s) and cautious optimism about the local economy, the high school football team's chances of a title, new jobs locating in Pinal County and even more new jobs in Pinal County. 

On Nov. 2 the ballots were cast; the votes were counted and the results are in. The Republicans won clear majorities in the state House and Senate as well as the governorship and other state offices. Now the Republicans must do something that they have failed to do for the past 40 years -- govern.

This is a good time to take stock of the past and look ahead to the future. As you consider how you would like the New Year to unfold, I invite you to look at the people you surround yourself with and the communities with which you associate. Your community is a critical part of your life and helps to determine your happiness. 

Just wanted to give you an update as to what has been happening this month with Senate-related business because, after all, I work for you and you have a right to know what is going on with your elected official.

God's house has always been a place that welcomed people of all walks of life - the poor, rich, and afflicted. However, as people learned the truth about God's word and accepted Christ as their savior, transformation was evident in the lives of people. They no longer mirrored the world in which they lived; now they live by a different set of standards - God's standards.

Video recently leaked onto the Internet of Miley Cyrus smoking salvia, an herb that can produce hallucinogenic effects when smoked or ingested. Since then, there have been reports of increases in salvia sales at some California smoke shops.

Every year during the holidays criminals prey on unaware shoppers and homeowners throughout the country.  I would just like to take this time to point out some helpful awareness tips to consider while doing your holiday shopping and stocking your homes up with expensive gifts for your loved ones.

It will soon be time for me and my husband to choose a school for our 5-year-old son Alex. We hope to leave him in the school we choose until at least middle school. I know life happens, but I feel for those students who for some reason or another have been made to play academic "musical schools," bouncing from one school to another.

If there's one thing the City of Maricopa deserves, it's a police department that not only protects its citizens, but does so in a professional manner that inspires the confidence of taxpayers and police personnel alike. Sadly, that hasn't been the case in the recent past, a time marked by accusations, allegations, incidents and conflict ginned up by the leadership of the City of Maricopa Police Association, or COMPA.

HoHoHo - 'tis the season to cover the plants at night and call your friends and relatives back east to brag on our daytime temperatures.  Oh yes, and don't forget to send some Christmas cards, throw some tinsel on a tree (any tree will do), and buy, buy, buy. 

InMaricopa's recent article on the MaX bus service represents only one side. No where does it mention why the ridership has dropped. Since I have never ridden the early bus to Phoenix, I don't know exactly how many people were riding. I do know that with all the changes the council felt necessary to make, that riders would not be taken to the capital area, where the majority of them work.

For five months I've had the pleasure of serving as a member of your city council, and I promised voters that I'd tell them what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. Recently, I've made it known that I'm committed to achieving a balanced budget for Maricopa. Over the last several months, I've had an opportunity to see where Maricopa is spending its money wisely, and where it can use some improvement.

While the holidays bring a lot of joy, they also bring pressure to get more done in a shorter period of time.  Additional errands, shopping and appointments challenge us all to become masters of time management.

Customers believe what they experience, day by day, not what they are told in clever ads. As a consultant for a global organization with a long history of exponential growth and clever advertisement, I saw firsthand a company doomed by its own complacency. 

Look around. We live in a sunshine-soaked state that is as diverse in its inspiring scenery as it is in the rich heritage and culture that define it. From Arizona's outdoor adventures to relaxing spas and local cuisines - our Grand Canyon State has something for everyone.

 I just read your article about how the MPD Volunteer of the Year Al Suckerman was let go from the department due to a dispute -- blowing the whistle on Sgt. James Hudspeth. Until reading this skewed story about his dismissal, I considered Mr. Suckerman a personal friend. However, I cannot sit by and let his accusations go unchallenged.