You are here: Home / Archives for Molly Pitcher

ROTELLINI: “We’ve got to get off of 1070….”

October 2, 2010 by 12 Comments

Democratic AG nominee Felecia Rotollini has very little trial experience.  Two civil cases.  For someone who calls herself a “veteran prosecutor”  that is pretty sad.  But, the reason may be pretty clear after her interview with Mary Jo Pitzl.  The woman doesn’t have an ounce of sense.  Not legally or politically. 

Rotellini said SB 1070 is not the state’s most pressing legal need. “We’ve got to get off of SB 1070,”

 

OK…she’s a Dem but is she stupid?  Has she not seen the polls?  Does she think her level of public influence is so great that we will hear her say this and fall for it?  She thinks consumer fraud is the issue.  What does she think illegal immigration does?  It defrauds the taxpayer…to the tune of BILLIONS of dollars.  Does she not understand the meaning of  “illegal”?

Felecia Rotellini is clearly driven by political ambition over the best interests of the state of Arizona.  She depends on the big bucks to bankroll her campaign from the deep pockets of the same unions that called for the boycott of Arizona.  She would be nothing more than be a political puppet for the Obama administration and has made it clear, she will dance with the one that brung her…the unions.

She says…get off of 1070.

NAH…we will just elect Tom Horne.  He has actually tried cases…and won.  He has actually defended Arizona…and won.  Don’t worry Felecia, maybe one of these unions needs an attorney to handle fraud.  They are so good at it.

Filed Under: Border, Illegal Employment, Illegal Immigration, Immigration

HORNE: Liberal Democrat Rotellini misleads public on trial experience: “HAS NEVER TRIED A CASE IN HER LIFE”

September 14, 2010 by 4 Comments

Republican nominee for Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne today made public a press release citing evidence that Ms. Rotellini has never tried a case; making her a

“PINO…Prosecutor in Name Only“. 

How Ms. Rotellini feels eight (8) cases is sufficient to be considered the state’s top attorney is in itself a mystery.  But that she thought the electorate so simple as to not question her skills in the area that is the very basic purpose of the AG’s office is staggering.  On second thought, considering that Tery Goddard has refused to defend Arizona and she is a Goddard/Napolitano clone, it really isn’t so surprising.

PRESS RELEASE

September 14, 2010

For immediate release

HORNE: ROTELLINI HAS NEVER TRIED A CASE IN HER ENTIRE LIFE

PHOENIX— Republican Attorney General nominee Tom Horne today released a study demonstrating that Democrat

Felecia Rotellini, who touts herself as a “veteran prosecutor,” has in fact never tried a case in her entire life.

In January 1991 Horne was admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates, which included the following requirement: that he has tried at least 25 cases as the lead lawyer to a jury to conclusion.

During the KAET Channel 8 debate last Wednesday, Horne suggested that Rotellini, by contrast, had few, if any, jury trials. Rotellini did not respond. The Arizona Republic did a Fact Check, and obtained information from Rotellini about her legal experience, which the Republic posted on its website. Rotellini cited eight cases. Volunteers for Horne then researched each of those eight cases, and it turned out that Rotellini did not proceed to trial on any one of the eight cases, and turned five of the six criminal cases over to another lawyer before they even went to a guilty plea.

Attached is the documentation as to each of the eight cases cited by Rotellini.

###

Supplemental Information

No trial, to a Jury or to a Judge, occurred in any of the eight cases which the Rotellini campaign provided to the Arizona Republic in a failed attempt to demonstrate her legal experience.

In five of the six criminal cases Rotellini’s campaign listed which resulted in guilty pleas, none went to trial and she was not the attorney of record for the State at the time the case was pled out by a guilty plea. In five of those cases, another Assistant Attorney General had become the prosecutor before the defendant pled guilty. No trial occurred in the two civil cases she lists on her website and she was not the principal attorney for any party. She was merely the junior of the two attorneys who represented her client.

Rotellini’s eight cases posted on the Arizona Republic’s website are quoted below. Following each case listed by the Rotellini campaign is the actual summarized history of each case in brackets.

List of cases from Rotellini campaign spokesman Dave Cieslak:

In the following six cases, Felecia appeared before the Arizona State Grand Jury to obtain the indictments, then spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court:

– State v. William Crotts, Thomas Grabinski, Harold Friend, Lawrence Hoover, Richard Rolfus CR2001-006183 (Baptist Foundation criminal case and securities fraud). Referral from the Arizona Corporation Commission.”

[Felecia admits by the foregoing description that her role in the so-called Baptist Foundation case was limited to the grand jury indictment and “then [she] spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court.” She played no role in the trial at all. Another Assistant Attorney General was the prosecutor in the criminal trial which resulted in the convictions of two Baptist Foundation officers in August 2006. Ms. Rotellini withdrew from the case eight months earlier when she was appointed the Superintendent of the Department of Financial Institutions in January 2006. Ms. Rotellini’s role in the so-called Baptist Foundation case was in an administrative action role in which the Arthur Anderson CPA firm consented to pay restitution for its negligent accounting work performed for the Baptist Foundation, after it was clear that the Arthur Anderson CPA firm could not survive its negligent accounting for ENRON.]

“- State v. David Paul French and James Anthony Cicerella, CR2003-013117 (ponzi scheme; securities fraud). Referral from Arizona Corporation Commission.”

[No trial. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in this case was limited to the grand jury indictment, “then [she] spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court.” She was replaced as the prosecutor by Assistant Attorneys General Jeff Rueter and later Ed Noyes, who obtained the guilty plea resolving the case.]

“- State v. Manual A Perez, CR2003-013118 (fraud and theft, real-estate sales related). Referral from the Arizona Department of Real Estate.”

[No conviction; no trial; defendant fled. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in

this case was limited to the grand jury indictment, “then [she] spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court.” The major activity in the case was performed by a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney, Peter Spaw, who obtained forfeiture of the defendant’s bail bond after he fled.]

“-State v. Hal Fields, CR2003-024924 and CR2004-007688 (fraud and theft, real-estate related) Rreferral [sic] from the Arizona Department of Real Estate and HUD. ”

[No trial. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in this case was limited to the grand jury indictment, “then [she] spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court.” She was replaced as the prosecutor by Assistant Attorney General Ed Noyes, who obtained the guilty plea resolving the case.]

“-State v. Nora Elana Escobar, CR2004-012957 (identity theft). Referral from U.S. Postal Inspector.”

[No trial. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in this case was limited to the grand jury indictment, “then [she] spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court.” She was replaced as the prosecutor by Assistant Attorneys General Jacqueline Schesnol and later Ed Noyes, who obtained the guilty plea resolving the case.]

“-State v. Heidi Jo Jauger [sic], Richard E. Valentin, Julie Davis, CR2004-007689 (theft, embezzlement). Investigated by Attorney General’s Office.”

[No trial. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in this case was limited to the grand jury indictment, “then [she] spent time in Maricopa County Superior Court,” and she obtained the guilty plea resolving the case. The defendant’s name is Jaeger, not Jauger]

“The next two are civil cases in which Felecia argued in court: – Morton Roberts v. State, 179 Ariz. 613, 880 P.2d 1159 (App. 1994).”

[No trial. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in this case was limited to “Felecia argued in court.” This was an administrative agency action, appealed to the County Superior Court then to the Court of Appeals, in which Ms. Rotellini was joined by another Assistant Attorney General, Leslie Hall.]

“- Milliken & Michaels of Arizona v. Houseworth, 942 F. Supp 454 (1996). – 28-day civil hearing before a judge, then Milliken and Michaels sued the state in federal court. In front of Judge Carroll for six months.”

[No trial. Felecia admits above by the foregoing description that her role in this case was limited to “Felecia argued in court.” She was not the lead attorney for the State in the reported federal case; that was former Solicitor General for the Attorney General’s Office Anthony Ching.]

The law firm, Zwillinger & Greek, where Felecia practices law, lists on its website three reported cases evidencing her legal expertise, but her list sent to the Arizona Republic omits one of them, 1145 (Wyo. 1986). In that case, which was also not a trial, she was a legal intern, not admitted to practice yet. Neither she nor the attorney supervising her represented a party, but rather submitted an amicus (friend of the Court) brief in favor of the State.

Although the Western Union case was not listed on the list with the eight cases, her campaign website touts that successful case in support of her candidacy. However, in that case she was not the prosecutor or a litigator, but rather she was the client (as Superintendent of Department of Financial Institutions) in an administrative consent order obtained by Assistant Attorney General Craig Raby, and also assisted by at least six additional Assistant Attorneys General who actually litigated civil cases in state and federal court and investigated a criminal case against Western Union. Ms. Rotellini resigned her position as head of Department of Financial Institutions in August 2009 and in September 2009 announced her run for Attorney General, several months before the settlement was achieved.

O’Brien v. State of Wyoming, 711 P.2d

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Crime and Punishment

McCain Victory Speech To Supporters On Primary Election Night

August 25, 2010 by 12 Comments

 

PHOENIX, AZ — U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will deliver the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Phoenix Convention Center tonight, August 24th, in Phoenix, AZ:
 
“Thank you, very much.  I’m very grateful for the honor – and it is a distinct honor – of being our Party’s nominee for re-election to the United States Senate.
 
“I’d like to thank my wife Cindy and my children for their tireless dedication and support.
 
“We won an important victory tonight, for which I am truly thankful.  I promise you, the Republicans and Independents who voted for me, and those Arizonans who did not, I will do my best to prove worthy of the honor.  I have never and will never take your support for granted, or feel I am entitled to your trust without earning it.  For it is your trust, and not the office I hold, that is the great ambition and privilege of my life.
 
“I’ve often said I consider myself one of the most fortunate people in the world.  Everyone’s life has its ups and downs, but I’ve had the honor to serve our country in good times and bad since I first swore an oath to defend her as an seventeen year old midshipman at the Naval Academy.  I know of no higher honor than that.  And I thank you, and all Arizonans, with all my heart, for allowing me the privilege to represent in Congress our beautiful state, and the interests, rights and dreams of the people who are blessed to call it home.
 
“This was a tough, hard-fought primary, and my opponents, Jim Deakin and Congressman Hayworth, and their families and supporters, deserve credit for having the courage to enter the arena, and give so much of themselves to the candidate they believed in.  I wish them well in the future.
 
“As gratified as I am for the support I received today, we all know this election isn’t over.  We have more than two more months of hard campaigning ahead of us, and I’m sure we will face a spirited challenge from the Democratic Party’s nominee.   I promise you, I take nothing for granted, and will fight with every ounce of strength and conviction I possess to make the case for my continued service in the Senate, and the policies and principles I will advocate and defend if I’m fortunate to be re-elected.
 
“This will be a consequential election.  No one should have any doubt about that.  No one is satisfied with the current condition of our country.  I know Arizonans, like Americans elsewhere, are rightly concerned with the direction we seem to be heading in – staggering unemployment; a devastated housing market that shows little sign of improvement; a river of red ink that threatens your prosperity and the prosperity of future generations of Americans, who will struggle to pay the costs of mistakes made before they were born; and a government that doesn’t seem to realize the trouble we’re in, and do what is necessary to confront it forthrightly and fix it effectively.
 
“I’m convinced that Republicans will win in November and we will regain the majorities in both the Senate and the House.  And we will win House seats here in Arizona.
 
“And when we do, we will stop the out of control spending and tax increases and repeal and replace Obamacare. We will keep families in their homes, we will create new jobs and we will allow our businesses to grow without Washington interference. We will secure our borders, defend our nation and bring our troops home from Afghanistan with honor and victory.
 
“We must act always and only on your behalf.  We must share your concerns and understand your frustrations.  We must help bear your burdens; fight your fights; defend your rights; and support your dreams. And I will fight to do the one thing every American generation has done: to leave a better country to their children than the one they inherited.
 
“Americans can’t afford to continue on the course we’ve been on.  We can’t continue to ransom your futures, steal from your children for the sake of growing government beyond the size that is necessary or wise or wanted.  You should be trusted to make the right choices for your families, with your own money, your own industry, your own dreams.  
 
“There are things that only government can do, and we must do them better and at less cost to you.  And we must trust in the freedom of Americans to do those things for themselves that no government could ever do better than they can.  We must trust in the principles of free people and free markets to recover the strength and innovation of our economy.  We must make it easier not harder for small businesses to help our economy grow.
 
“We have never confronted a problem we couldn’t overcome.  And we never will.  If I’m privileged to win re-election, I will continue to work night and day to help Arizonans and all Americans to overcome our present difficulties, and succeed, as we always have, in building a better country.
 
“I promise you I will act always and only in what I believe to be the best interests of the state and country I love.  And I will always be indebted to you for the privilege of serving you.
 
“Thank you, again, for your support and encouragement.  We’ve had a good night.  Now let’s get back to work, fight as hard as we can through to November, and get our country back to building a future as great and honorable as our storied past.”

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

Hayworth Should Call Off the David Duke Dogs

August 19, 2010 by 24 Comments

I am not saying JD Hayworth is a racist, a KKK member, or anything of the kind.  I am saying…David Duke wants JD to win in a big way!  David Duke, the former Grand Wizard of the KKK, is sending out the message… 

On the “Official Website of Representative David Duke, PhD” is a long, angry missive detailing why David Duke wants JD Hayworth in Congress.  The premise is that Jim Deakin is the spoiler and needs to be convinced to drop out of the race and endorse Hayworth.  

The national website of the former Grand Wizard of the KKK has posted Jim Deakin’s home phone number on his site, calling for folks to wage an assault on Jim Deakin demanding he immediately withdraw and endorse JD.  That’s right, on the top of the David Duke national website, in big, bold letters and numbers…”Ask Jim Deakin to endorse J.D. Hayworth at….” and gives his phone number! 

The crowd that would burn crosses in yards, lynch blacks, and destroy lives for going against their beliefs is making a national call for their goons to harass and intimidate a private citizen, acting on his own, to fulfill his Constitutional right to run for office.

The official website describes Duke, the avowed racist, this way:

Duke has dedicated his life to the freedom and heritage of European American peoples.

There’s more…

Over sixty percent of the European American voters of Louisiana have voted for Rep. Duke in statewide races.

I’m not linking to his site..a simple google search will do it for you.  His brand of hate is so ugly, I won’t offer any help getting there. 

I doubt JD had prior knowledge of this action.  But once aware, your silence is complicit; to sit by while this hate group, led by a man famous for wearing a Nazi uniform, who blames 9-11 on the US and calls the standard understanding of that event the “Big Lie”, who encourages intimidation techniques to squash your opponent is wrong! 

JD, denounce this effort and denounce David Duke!

 

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Ethics, Race Relations

JD Hayworth–A Legend In His Own Mind

August 19, 2010 by 19 Comments

On CNBC this morning, House Majority Leader and FreedomWorks Chair Dick Armey ripped former Congressman Hayworth. 

CNBC’S JOHN HARWOOD: Mr. Leader, let me ask you for your evaluation, having served a long time with J.D. Hayworth, that a) he’s one of the dumbest members of Congress, b) John McCain’s criticism of him is somebody who took too much money from Jack Abramoff and is somehow tied into the influence scandal. And thirdly, his criticism for free trade and of business on immigration.

 
DICK ARMEY: First off, remember, I’m a free market economist that begins with Adam Smith. So obviously free trade is a position I’m going to draw a sharp distinction between myself and the position taken by J.D. It was my job for eight years to manage the Republican majority. I’ve made this point in Arizona. J.D. had a fairly undistinguished career. I don’t remember a single legislative initiative that he took nor do I recall him actively working on a legislative manner. J.D. was quite an orator. He would take the well and give fairly good orations. But –

 
HARWOOD: He noted that yesterday he was the first Republican to serve from Arizona to serve on Ways and Means. And he’s saying in his ads and in the town meetings that he helped write the Bush tax cuts.


ARMEY: Well, is that right?


HARWOOD: Yep.


ARMEY: See, I was there at the time, but I must have been busy with something else because I missed that

The House Majority Leader says he “missed” JD having anything to do with the Bush tax cuts.  He also can’t remember JD being of much use in the House but does remember that he could sure  talk a lot and well.  Hmmm…maybe that is where he gets the “consistent” label!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0t9etm9NoE

 

 

So, what do people who deal in reality think? 

Armey commented on that, too.  Armey predicted a decisive McCain victory on Tuesday, saying

The fact of the matter is that we consistently hear from our ears on the ground, our real activists who are involved is that John McCain cannot be beaten in the Republican primary in Arizona. I think the polling data that the experts from afar garner from it validates the observations of our activists. So I would predict John McCain to win this thing and win it decisively based on the polling data which is the second better source from our people on the ground.”

 

UPDATE…You may see the entire interview here.  The excerpted dialogue calling the election for McCain can be seen at about   2:52 into the over 5 minute long video.  The section of the interview where Mr. Harwood asks Mr. Armey questions begins at 3:45 and continues as Mr. Armey says he must have “missed” JD having anything to do with writing the Bush tax cuts.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Ethics, Predictions

Once Again Thomas Lies About Investigations

August 16, 2010 by 20 Comments

After the release of grand jury records revealing Andy Thomas had purposely mislead the public for his own personal and political gain, often referring to an ongoing investigation that had long since been  thrown out, you would think he would learn a lesson.  Or maybe when other County Attorney’s told him..you’ve got no case, buddy…he would stop.  But, no.  He lied and attempted to keep it going while he shopped for someone to prosecute what he perceived as his political enemies. 

All in the name of the law.

But, it is very clear that the law means nothing to Mr. Thomas and the truth even less.

Today the Thomas campaign issued a press release, you can see it in the post below, saying the ACC was investigating Tom Horne.  If you read the letter they use as the evidence, it is nowhere near a statement of investigation.  It is nothing more than a reply to a letter of complaint they received from Thomas’ campaign. 

There is no investigation. Thomas’ claims are not true says the Arizona Corporation Commission.  Not at all.

But, never one to let the truth get in the way of a good press release…Thomas ran with it and once again, lied.

It’s actually not accurate,” commission spokesman Rebecca Wilder said of the Thomas press release. “We received a complaint. We’re not conducting an investigation at this time.”

So will Andy retract his statement…of course not.  He will continue to spread his version of the truth.  After all, isn’t that all that matters?

Thomas however is under investigation;  reportedly by the State Bar and the FBI over abuse of power allegations related to his pursuit of criminal charges against county judges, supervisors and top administrators. 

Either the law means something or it doesn’t.” Jason Rose….

 

Unless you are Andrew Thomas.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Conspiracy Theories, Crime and Punishment, Ethics

John McCain is VITAL to Arizona and America

August 16, 2010 by 14 Comments

With the confidence of knowing he continues to fight the good fight, his devotion to service before self, and the overwhelming support he receives from Arizona voters…John McCain is the obvious choice to continue and represent Arizona in the US Senate. 

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Federal Budget, National Security

A Socialist by Any Other Name is Still a Socialist

August 15, 2010 by 15 Comments

Hopefully, many voters remember this little “slip of the tongue” by the ethically challenged Congresswoman Maxine Waters.  The voting record of many Dems has long left us with the idea that the imposition of socialism into our government was their purpose.  Now, we have evidence that it is more than just a philosophy. 

The Socialist Party of America has released their list of members who also are members of Congress.   Arizona has 2 illustrious members on the list, the full document is 15 pages.  Here are a few of the highlights:

American Socialist Voter–
Q: How many members of the U.S. Congress are also members of the DSA?
A: Seventy

Q: How many of the DSA members sit on the Judiciary Committee?
A: Eleven: John Conyers [Chairman of the Judiciary Committee], Tammy Baldwin, Jerrold Nadler, Luis Gutierrez,
Melvin Watt, Maxine Waters, Hank Johnson, Steve Cohen, Barbara Lee, Robert Wexler, Linda Sanchez [there are 23 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee of which eleven, almost half, are now members of the DSA].

Q: Who are these members of 111th Congress?
A: See the listing below

Co-Chairs
Hon. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07)
Hon. Lynn Woolsey (CA-06

YEP!  Our very own “Boycott Arizona” Raul Grijalva is an avowed Socialist! 

Under the long list of D’s I also found this name

House Members
Hon. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC-AL)
Hon. John Olver (MA-01)
Hon. Ed Pastor (AZ-04)
Hon. Donald Payne (NJ-10)
Hon. Chellie Pingree (ME-01)
Hon. Charles Rangel (NY-15)

The voters in CD-7 and CD-4 should know…you are not voting for Democrat but a Socialist! 

All of Arizona should know this.

Filed Under: Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science

I couldn’t have said it better…

August 14, 2010 by 21 Comments

I have been reading Espresso Pundit for years.  I usually agree with Greg on most subjects and find his wit and style interesting.  He is front and center in the CD5 campaign, anyone who has read his blog for more than awhile knows he is squarely behind Schweikert.   A CPA, he is also an attorney and dude, until recently did not have a TV in his house!

 He doesn’t pull any punches. Greg has taken on APS, The Republic, and now he has a new object of his effort.

Sometimes you just have to give credit where credit is due, Greg Patterson who writes Espresso Pundit,  nails the reality of Andy Thomas in his latest post on the subject… 

With such flagrant and well documented ethical violations, I don’t see how Thomas could possibly still be a licensed attorney this time next year. 

This is the reality most have come to believe.  The evidence pointing to extreme abuse of power and corruption is so overwhelming, that to suggest Thomas will escape this without, at the minimum, being disbarred is foolish.  The odds he may very well be sitting in Camp Cupcake very soon are pretty good.  Disappointing.

So, what is a conservative to do?  Patterson had this to say about Tom Horne:

…he supported parental consent as well as the ban on partial birth abortion–and he has pledged to defend the laws that the legislature passes. 

So I can say that from a Conservative perspective, I’m not simply voting against Thomas.  I’m very comfortable voting for Tom Horne. 

However, there is another point that has been made by more than a few very conservative folks.  When faced with the idea of having an AG who is likely to be indicted, disbarred, and tied up in personal fights of corruption…

And if Horne doesn’t win the Primary…?  Ok, then I’ll simply be voting against Thomas.

A growing number of R’s will not pull the lever for Thomas.  No D’s will.  Certainly a good portion of I’s will go with the Democratic nominee.  In light of these latest developments, Andrew Thomas should immediately step aside, get his house in order, fight his good fight and when, or if, he can… return to public service.  For now, he is doing more harm than good.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Conspiracy Theories, County Government, Crime and Punishment, Ethics

Arizona’s very own “Bridge to Nowhere” over nothing.

August 13, 2010 by 11 Comments

While in Congress, JD Hayworth sent out a press release bragging about his ability to bring home the bacon!  And boy did he…to the tune of over $445,000,000. Yep, that is millions.  This must have been before “the scales were removed from his eyes” allowing him to see the true effects of wasteful Washington spending and to become a consistent conservative.

July 29, 2005

Hayworth District’s Transportation Priorities Big Winners In Latest

Authorization Bill

Congressman Steers ‘Earmarked’ Funds Back Home To AZ 

  • $3.2 million project from 40th Street to Baseline in Maricopa County; for the design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of an I-10 widening 
  • $2.4 million for the design and construction of the Rio Salado Pedestrian Bridge in Tempe;
  • $2.09 million the new ASU Scottsdale Center for New Technology and Innovation at the intersection of Scottsdale and McDowell roads; to plan design and construct a transit passenger center in Scottsdale to serve
  • $5.4 million over four years to construct the East Valley Metro Bus facility in Tempe; and
  • $434.4 million through 2009 for the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Transit Project

Among the pork” projects…a bridge to go over the now dry Tempe Town Lake:

 The Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge will connect existing bike and pedestrian paths on the north and south sides of Tempe Town Lake, allowing those who continue on the north bank to access the Indian Bend Wash without having to interface with motor vehicles. Those who cross from north to south will be able to link with the Mill Avenue District. This bridge will create a much safer transportation route for runners, walkers, bicyclists and those who use wheelchairs.” (City of Tempe Website, www.tempe.gov, Accessed 5/6/10)

After funds for the bridge were approved in the 2005 Transportation Reauthorization Bill, “The Bridge” was derided as wasteful pork barrel spending, and even compared to the infamous “Bridge To Nowhere”.  It got plenty of attention, not so good attention.

The Arizona Republic’s Robert Robb Asked, “Why, Pray Tell, Is It A Federal Responsibility To Build … A Footbridge To Connect Trails Across The Western Bank Of Tempe Town Lake?” “There’s a tradition of pointing to the earmarks in other states as pork. But the real issue isn’t pork. It’s the federal government doing something that should be a state or local responsibility. And you don’t have to look beyond the borders of Arizona for a multitude of examples. Why, pray tell, is it a federal responsibility to build a bicycle-pedestrian bridge at McDowell Road and 35th Avenue in Phoenix, or a footbridge to connect trails across the western bank of Tempe Town Lake?” (Robert Robb, “Republicans Snap Open Taxpayer Wallets Again,” The Arizona Republic, 8/5/05)

In 2008, The East Valley Tribune Editorialized That …Tempe Should Reject Federal Funding For The Bridge, Comparing It To The Infamous “Bridge To Nowhere” In Alaska. “Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is now well-known for having once supported what has been called the ‘bridge to nowhere,’ a $400 million proposal for a structure that, if Congress had funded it, would have given about 50 Alaskans on one island road access to a more populated one that is currently reached by a short ferry ride. In the face of this, Tempe city officials might be persuaded to do, regarding a bridge of their own, a similar about-face to the one the Republican vice-presidential nominee did.” (Editorial, “Tempe Should Take A Pass On Bridge Funds,” East Valley Tribune, 9/14/08

The East Valley Tribune’s Le Templar Pointed Out That While The “Bridge To Nowhere” Was Costlier Than The Tempe Bridge, “The Principle Is The Same.” “The Tribune Editorial Board noted today an interesting parallel between the Alaskan issue and a proposed pedestrian bridge over Tempe Town Lake that will be funded mostly from federal dollars set aside in highway funding bills. The scale of the two projects certainly were different ($400 million for the Ketchikan bridge vs. $5.7 million for the Tempe bridge). But the principle is the same, isn’t it?” (Le Templar, “Will Hallman Say ‘No Thanks’ To Tempe Bridge?,” East Valley Tribune (Blog), 9/15/08)

  • Templar Noted That While Republican J.D. Hayworth “Was The Bridge’s Primary Champion,” The Bridge Represented The Kind Of “Pork-Barrel Spending” That Another Republican, John McCain, Railed Against. “Still, Arizona Sen. John McCain has built his campaign for president, in part, on his absolute refusal to seek pork-barrel spending that the Tempe bridge seems to represent. (Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., was the bridge’s primary champion.)” (Le Templar, “Will Hallman Say ‘No Thanks’ To Tempe Bridge?,” East Valley Tribune (Blog), 9/15/08)
Filed Under: Economic Development, Economics, Federal Budget, Uncategorized
« Previous Page
Next Page »