Reclaiming The Sedona Fire District Board.

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Gary LaMaster

For its very first half hour program on KAZM-AM, Democratic Perspective chose to host Sedona Fire Board candidates Corrie Cooperman, Nazih Hazime and Diane Schoen.

To understand this election, you first need to know a little history. In 2008, two Board members were elected on a platform of fiscal responsibility. Then, in 2010, two Tea Party candidates also promising fiscal responsibility won seats on the Board.

Almost immediately, problems surfaced based on their ideology and apparent distrust of people who work for the public. The Board is accused of violating open meeting laws, destroying department morale and compromising quality of first responders. Moreover, instead of saving money, the Board has squandered it by ordering a forensic audit and racking up tens of thousands in legal bills.

As a result, Cooperman, Hazime and Schoen are facing off against Dave Blauert, Charles Christenson, and Phyllis Erick in a recall election.

We began our conversation by asking the candidates to say a little about themselves and why they’re running for offic. The first to respond was Chief Nazih Hazime who is running against Charles Christenson. “I ran for Fire Chief and was chosen as the result of a $10,000 process and served two years as the Sedona Fire Chief,” said Hazime. “I think it only makes sense to have someone with fire-fighting experience on the Board.”

Diane Schoen responded by saying she’s running against Fire Board Chairman, Dave Blauert. Schoen described herself as an Arizona native who has lived in Sedona for 9 years. “I’ve served on a school board and on a public commission. I’m currently President of the Jewish Community of Sedona,” she said. “I’m running because the current Board members do not listen to the community. The democratic process is important to me.”

Last, Corey Cooperman stated that she is running against Phyllis Erick. “I am concerned quality is eroding,” Cooperman said. “I am a Registered Nurse concerned that the Board wants to privatize ambulance service. Quality will go down. We want well-trained people to respond.”

As previously stated, money is one of the primary reasons for the recall. Following the resignation of Chief Hazime, the Fire Board is accused of spending $30,000 to select a new chief and choosing the most expensive bid for the forensic audit, awarding the job to McCladery at a cost of $190,000. (Incidentally, McCladery had never before audited a fire department.)

“The board is quoted as saying the books had been cooked,” said Schoen. “Yet the audit confirmed that the department was adequately staffed and equipped. No wrongdoing was found.”

“If you think something is wrong, you should work with the Chief,” added Hazime. “There were some things that needed to be done. There were some personnel issues. Some staff and equipment needed to be eliminated. But they should have let the Chief take care of it.”
Instead, the Board ignored Chief Hazime and refused to communicate with him.

“The Board micro-managed,” said Schoen. “They did a research project without telling the current Chief. You hire a professional to run the organization. You are a policy board. Is it any wonder morale is very low.”

“We have lost a Fire Marshall, the head of H.R., and the Finance Manager,” added Cooperman. “Those people were hired almost immediately by other departments. Chief Hazime was hired within weeks by the Verde Valley Fire Department.” But even though Hazime now serves with the VVFD, he notes, “I’m Verde Valley Fire Chief, but a Sedona resident. I feel my work wasn’t finished. To come back and serve would be an honor.”

“I became more interested as money was being spent,” said Schoen. Cooperman agreed, “The red flag for me was privatizing the ambulance service. Then I started going to meetings. The legal costs have been $140,000,” she said. “The typical cost should be $45,000 per year. The attorney of 27 years has been fired because they didn’t like his advice. Now they want to spend $120,000 for a fingerprint system to clock in and out. I checked it out and it’s the kind of system that’s usually only used by casinos,” she concluded.

Mailing of early ballots will begin April 19. The election will be completed on May 15. You’ll find more information on the subject at the following websites:

http://www.sfdrecall.com/sfdrecall/__Home_Page.html

http://thesedonacitizen.com/fire-board-election-2012/

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Paul Lenze Interview — Podcast March 26, 2012

Posted on March 28, 2012 by William Timberman


The Last Resort: Middle-East expert Dr. Paul Lenze, of Northern Arizona University, talks with Democratic Perspective co-hosts Michael Cosentino and Stephen Williamson about the consequences of military actions against Iran, consequences which have often been overlooked or downplayed by powerful advocates in the Republican Party, in the Israeli government, and in its allied lobbying groups in the U.S.

Despite what many of our fellow citizens seem to believe, war is never the first tool a government should reach for when its interests are thwarted, even when its military is the most powerful in the world. If what happened in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan was not enough to convince U.S. decision makers that wars of choice are a bad idea, there’s a good chance that Iran will be next on the list for military action. If so, Dr. Lenze argues that the consequences may once again be worse than we bargained for.

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Why Military Action In Iran Has To Be Option Of Last Resort.

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Gary LaMaster

To address the Republican-led drumbeat for war with Iran, Democratic Perspective turned to Middle Eastern expert, Dr. Paul Lenze of Northern Arizona University.

We started by asking Dr. Lenze about the history between Iran and the US. “The bad blood started in 1953 when the US and British tried to overthrow the democratically-elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh,” he replied. “Mosaddegh had nationalized the Iranian oil fields which had been under British control. Following the overthrow, we helped install Mohammad-Reza Shah Pahlavi and provided billions in military assistance,” Lenze continued.

“In 1979, the Shah was overthrown by the Grand Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini, who was proclaimed Supreme Leader,” said Lenze. “Khomeini set up the Council of Guardians, a democratically-elected Parliament and a Judiciary. The Council, comprised of clerics, can overrule the government. As a result, several factions have developed in Iran.”

“Iran sees itself as regional hegemonist,” Lenze stated. “But Persian influence has always been countered by Arabs. And the US has supported Arab dictators.”

When asked about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Lenze responded, “Iraq and Libya gave up their nuclear ambitions and were overrun. The US is now on Iran’s western border in Afghanistan and on its eastern border in Iraq.” (In addition, the US has bases in Kuwait, Turkey and in the Persian Gulf.)

“As a result, Iran feels threatened by the US and Israel,” he continued.

But there is some good news according to Lenze. “Iran has signed the non-proliferation treaty opening itself up to inspections,” he said.

As for the possibility of a multi-national attack such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lenze stated, “I don’t see the US directly out in front. The US needs to focus on diplomacy and reassure Israel. I don’t see us offensively going to war with Iran.”

We then asked what would happen if Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities. “If Israel attacks,” Lenze said, “Iran would likely funnel money to Hezbollah and Hamas for attacks on Israel. They might also offer military assistance to the Shia in southern Iraq and Afghainstan. And they would attack US interests. If a war continued for 6 months, it might even draw China and Russia into it.”

“Military has to be the option of last resort,” he concluded.

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Jo Kelleher Interview — Podcast March 19, 2012

Posted on March 21, 2012 by William Timberman


Eternal Vigilance: Continuing Democratic Perspective’s series on the Republican war on women, Jo Kelleher, long-time educator and current member of the Governing Board of the Chino Valley Unified School District, describes the history of the struggle for equal rights, the humiliations inflicted on women by a political system which infantilizes them, and why, as she puts it, the price of being a woman is eternal vigilance.

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The GOP’s War On Women, Part 2.

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Gary LaMaster

On March 19, Democratic Perspective continued its series on the GOP’s War on Women with Jo Kelleher, a long-time educator and current member of the Chino Valley Unified School District Governing Board.

She began by referring to a recent op-ed in the New York Times featuring former Governor Michael Dukakis who was one of the key negotiators on contraception between Planned Parenthood and the church 50 years ago. “I’m glad to hear from Governor Dukakis,” said Kelleher. “I thought we already won this battle 100 years ago.”

Reflecting on her own experiences, “In 1968, I was 25 and newly engaged. I remember to this day that I had to show that I was engaged to get contraceptives,” said Kelleher. “Women were humiliated to even go into the pharmacy to ask. But that’s nothing compared to the humiliation today.”

“It’s an issue of control,” she continued. “Men have been fascinated with women’s reproductive system and want to control it.”

When asked about HB2625, the contraception bill being considered in the Arizona legislature, she said, “I think they understand women will not tolerate a ban, so they’re doing this. As the ACLU says, it goes beyond the right to practice faith. These Republicans want to impose their religious beliefs on others. In a perverse way, I’m kind of glad this came up because it gets us back on our horses,” Kelleher continued. “The price of being a woman is eternal vigilance.”

Kelleher also pointed to another Republican bill, HB2800, which would virtually eliminate Planned Parenthood’s ability to help poor women such as students, single mothers, and young marrieds. “It will now be legal in Arizona and South Dakota for doctors to lie to women by telling them their fetus is healthy, even if it isn’t. The idea is to keep women from considering an abortion,” she said. “And the law will protect those doctors from lawsuits.”

She calls the attacks on Planned Parenthood misguided. “Of all the funds collected by Planned Parenthood, 35 percent is spent on contraception,” she said. “The majority of dollars are used for women’s health care. Only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s budget is spent on abortion, and there’s no comingling of funds. Margaret Sanger and others took risks to start Planned Parenthood. We need to stand up for it and all women’s rights,” Kelleher concluded.

To stop more of these assaults on women, Kelleher encourages women to get involved. “Women must participate in the emails circulating and get out and vote,” she said. “If there’s no Democratic candidate, look for moderate Republicans.”

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Harriet Young Interview — Podcast March 12, 2012

Posted on March 14, 2012 by William Timberman


The War on Women: In its first broadcast in a continuing series covering the current assault on women’s rights, Democratic Perspective talks to Harriet Young, Interim Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, President of the Flagstaff Branch of the American Association of University Women, and long-time advocate for reproductive freedom and equal rights.

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The War On Women.

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Gary LaMaster

On March 12, Democratic Perspective began a series on the War on Women. Our first guest for the series was the interim Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, Harriet Young. Harriet has taught American politics and institutions at Northern Arizona University since 1992. She is president of the Flagstaff Branch of the American Association of University Women. She has worked for the Coconino County Democratic Party. And recently, she was honored by Planned Parenthood for her work to help elect pro-choice candidates for public office.

We began our interview by asking Harriet about the current controversy over contraception and Planned Parenthood. “Planned Parenthood lets women manage their own lives,” she replied. “Control of reproduction equals political freedom. Of course, women also have the freedom to not use contraception. They’re free to make their own decisions about contraception and not listen to Catholic bishops.”

She said that the decision to make employer health insurance plans pay for contraceptives, even those for Catholic organizations, is justified. “Catholic institutions such as universities and hospitals are filled with non-Catholic women,” she noted. “They include technical fields staffed by highly trained women.”

Young said that the problem goes much deeper. “Republicans are redefining rape and denying health care to women,” she said. “Who benefits? Why should poor people have to choose between sex and pregnancy?”

When asked why more women aren’t outraged, Harriet responded, “You weren’t at the event last Thursday night. There were hundreds of women and men who got together to raise funds for Planned Parenthood and they were very vocal about the issues. I can tell you, women will be engaged in the elections.”

She labeled the attempts to control reproductive freedom as a Republican political ploy. “The two-person family income has been necessary for decades,” she said. “That also made contraception necessary. But in the 70s, Paul Weyrich, Pat Robertson and others decided there weren’t enough conservatives to win elections so they created a marriage between religious conservatives and the GOP. That has led to the nonsense we see today.”

“We’re seeing 13th century standards pushed by Santorum and Gingrich,” Young continued. “Conservatives and religion didn’t like women’s lib, so they’re trying to roll back the clock. Gingrich even wants to roll back child labor laws,” she said.
Harriet cited yet another troubling policy of Republican politicians. “They’re cutting headstart programs,” she said. “Since both parents often need to work, that creates a long-term societal problem. We know that children’s brains are formed by interaction. Without that the kids never catch up.”

“Republicans are even going after the elderly poor, two-thirds of which are women,” she said. “They’ve cut funding for Meals on Wheels. It’s part of the Tea Party philosophy of pitting what they consider the deserving (the wealthy) against the undeserving (the poor).”

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Arizona’s Lunatic Legislature — Podcast March 5, 2012

Posted on March 7, 2012 by William Timberman


Extremism As a Way of Life: With supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature, and the Governor’s office in their hands, Arizona’s Republicans seem bent on turning Arizona into a place that most of its citizens won’t recognize. Democratic Perspective co-hosts Michael Cosentino and Steve Williamson look at some of the bills currently before the Legislature and what is likely to happen if they become law.

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More Extreme Arizona.

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Gary LaMaster

On March 5th, Democratic Perspective examined the 2012 session of the Arizona Legislature which, once again, seems to have dived into the shallow end of the pool and hit their collective heads.

We all know what happened to the Arizona economy after the legislature passed SB1070 in 2010. This year, Tea Party Republicans seem determined to cause further damage to the state’s economy. For example, here are just a few of the bills that have been proposed this session:

State Senator Steve Smith is pushing a bill which would mandate drug testing for the unemployed, and would force them to pay for the tests before they could collect the unemployment insurance they’re entitled to. HB2318/SB1485 would prevent government agencies from recognizing, bargaining with or even meeting with union members and organizations. HCR2056 would lower minimum wage for workers who are under 20 years of age if their employment is part-time or temporary. And HB2519 would make it significantly harder to qualify for unemployment insurance.

Of course, the legislature is continuing its love affair with guns. HB2640 would allow hunters to use silencers and eliminate limits for gun magazines. SB1474 would allow guns on college and university campuses. HB2729 would allow anyone to carry a weapon into a public building or event, including those which serve alcohol. And SB1083 would fund an Arizona “Special Missions Unit” (a state-sanctioned militia) to patrol the border at a cost of $1.4 million plus set-up costs.

In response to the Obama administration mandate that employer-based insurance cover contraceptives, HB 2625 would allow any employer to refuse to provide coverage of birth control for religious beliefs. And, if the bill passes it might well allow anyone to breach a contract based on religious beliefs.

Another version of the “Birther” bill has been proposed this session. HB2650/SB1481 would demand that candidates show their birth certificates before they can be placed on the ballot. HCR2025 would call on Congress to dissolve US membership in the United Nations. And HB2437 would prohibit states from implementing federal mandates unless the federal government provides proof of constitutionality.

Angered by the new legislative maps, Republicans have proposed a number of bills that would change or eliminate the Independent Redistricting Commission. You may remember that the commission was forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to fight Governor Brewer’s removal of the commission chairperson. Now the legislatlure is refusing to provide funds for the commission to pay its legal bills. And State Senate SCR1035 would repeal the voter-approved the commisssion altogether.

Of course, extremist bills have been proposed on assorted variety of other topics. HB2441 would make private conversations between legislators and constituents exempt from public records requests. HB2039 would remove the requirement that teachers receive a certificate in order to teach. HB2563 allows high schools to offer classes on the influence of the Bible on American history. And SB1202 would prevent teachers from speaking “partisan doctrine” in the classroom, even teaching about political parties in a historical context.

Much of this legislation is simply political posturing by Tea Party Republicans. We assume they know it will be knocked down by the courts. But Republicans are serious (or at least hopeful) that much of it will be signed into law.

The question is, since most Arizonans are moderate, how did we get such an extreme legislature?

You can review all of the proposed legislation by visiting http://www.azleg.gov/bills.asp.

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Voter Fraud, or Voter Suppression — Podcast February 27, 2012

Posted on February 29, 2012 by William Timberman


Voter Fraud Isn’t Real. Voter Suppression Is. Continuing their investigation of Republican accusations of voter fraud, and the campaign for voter ID laws, Democratic Perspective co-hosts Michael Cosentino and Steve Williamson look at the actual numbers. Multiple studies have shown not only that voter fraud is virtually non-existent, but that voter ID laws tend to discourage voting by populations which traditionally favor Democrats. Just what are the Republicans up to here?

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