Observer Recommendations - Feedback

The following is a letter to the editor in regard to the Observer recommendations for the September 2 primary election.

To the Editor:

We were disappointed to read that the Tucson Observer did not endorse Donna Branch-Gilby for Pima County Supervisor in District 3, supporting the incumbent, Sharon Bronson, instead. To her credit, some years ago Supervisor Bronson and the entire Board of Supervisors voted to provide domestic partner benefits to county employees. We are very grateful for this. However, during the “No on Proposition 107” campaign in 2006, only Supervisor Richard Elias among the Supervisors publicly supported our efforts. By contrast, Donna Branch-Gilby, a former Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party, was very supportive of the work of the Southern Arizona Stonewall Democrats in opposing the proposition. This year, Ms. Branch-Gilby is wearing a “No on Prop 102” button and discussing this issue with workers and voters as she campaigns for County Supervisor.

Branch-Gilby is also a leader in advocating for growth within the confines of our water supply, and in promoting open and accountable county government to make sure that every vote is counted and that every vote counts. She “walks the talk” on conservation, having founded Milagro Co-Housing community which boasts solar energy, water harvesting and appropriate landscaping and open space preservation.

We support her because she supports us and hope that Observer’s readers will support her too.

Kathy Altman
Roger Funk
Doug Noffsinger
Ivy Schwartz