Opinion

I watched the symbolic fireworks on the Fourth and reflected on our great country.

Pinal County Sheriff candidate Paul Babeu raised $38,325 for the financial reporting period beginning Jan.1 to May 31, with $30,059 cash on hand, demonstrating his campaign's viability against the incumbent.

My memory of the Fourth of July transcends back to the days when small towns held Independence Days parades in which everyone from the youngest citizen to the oldest participated in the festivities.

Recently, Pinal County officials have announced a planned lower county tax rate to help Pinal County taxpayers.

Bankruptcy is an uncomfortable subject for a variety of reasons.

I would like to introduce you to the Schumann family who reside in Maricopa. They are fighting for the life of their 8-year-old son, Zachary Schumann.

We're about to wrap up the month of June, which for many families is the start of the summer season when the kids are enjoying a respite from the rigors of studying and parents are lamenting the lack of a respite from the work-a-day world that has long since stopped slowing down in the summer months.

June is halfway over, so chances are you've already heard that it's Men's Health Month and perhaps have even read a news story or two reminding men, and the women who love them, to be sure every man 40 or older makes the time for a prostate exam.

This past weekend, the turnout was amazing for a benefit golf tournament for 2-year-old Reiley Lake, so I wanted to take the time to say, "Great job, Maricopa!"

Does Fathers Day matter?

Greetings Maricopa!

Thank you for your generous support of the Buddy Poppy program and for the donations we received over Memorial Day weekend.

How to Write a Hardship Letter to Your Lender By Renee Gerke, GML, GRL, CRMS Sterling Home Mortgage LLC Phoenix, AZ...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the incredible opportunities that you all afforded me as a member of the City Council.

I was one of the first to pop on to inmaricopa.com's forum back when it came online. I've enjoyed posting the occasional comment, responding to the occasional challenge, and now I've spent most of my time just reading and listening to the voices.

What are you doing this Memorial Day weekend? Going to the lake? Hosting a barbecue? Watching the Indy 500? Playing a round at The Duke? Heading to Mexico to "celebrate?"

First, I would like to thank everyone who made it out to the polls this week to vote. No matter how your ballot was marked, your effort is the single most important civic responsibility you have.

Early in my career I learned that law enforcement was more than just arresting criminals and putting them in jail. I developed a deep desire to touch peoples' lives. I always looked for ways to somehow take a bad situation and make their life better, even if I couldn't solve the crime.

The search for purpose in life is not as complex as one might originally think. I personally believe the answer to it is closer than you or I could imagine.

Congratulations Marvin Brown and Carl Diedrich on being elected to the Maricopa City Council. And to Marquisha Griffin and Tony Smith who were elected council member and mayor, respectively, in the March Primary.

Tuesday is "Vote Day" in Maricopa. I hope - no I'm praying - that we have a large turnout for this important election. If you don't vote, it is the same as saying you don't care about Maricopa.

This past year has been the most volatile for Maricopa in its young history as a city.

It is clear that Sheriff Chris Vasquez believes he is not bound by the same ethical standards that police officers and deputies live by based on a news report in a Valley newspaper which states he has been caught stealing from published sources without attributing the information to its original authors at least 14 times in monthly letters to constituents

Thank you for all of the well wishes and support since the Primary Election on March 11. I have been busy preparing myself to work diligently on your behalf.

To Mom on Mother's Day, There are so many warm memories that you have provided for me in my life. Some examples are...

Salsa, hot or mild, tends to elicit a tad more emotion in some folks than the average chip-crunching, salsa-tasting judge.

As a former Suite 16 Girl, I took the chance and gave up almost everything I had to be apart of life long dream. I said goodbye to my family, friends and my job.

My daughter, Whitney, quit the Suite 16 Girls because Krystal Laman did not have the skills to be a manager, the group was weak, and Krystal was not truthful with us or others.

Bankruptcy is part of the American fabric, and is a tool that has helped many famous and not-so-famous Americans get back up.

Having grown up in Phoenix, I've never really been involved much with festivals with the small-town feel of the Maricopa Salsa Festival Presented by inmaricopa.com.