Tucson Realtors’ Endorsements for Pima County Board of Supervisors

tar-endorsements
Top: Steve Christy, Kim De Marco Bottom: Ally Miller, Ramon Valadez

TUCSON, AZ — The Tucson Association of REALTORS®( TAR) have endorsed Ally Miller, Ramon Valadez and Kim DeMarco for seats on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.  TAR additionally endorsed Steve Christy for the Pima County Board of Supervisors in the November General Election.

TAR President Eric Gibbs stated, “Our endorsements of Ally, Ramon, Kim and Steve are based on their records of service and accomplishment for our community as well as their dedication to creating real change in the direction in leadership of Pima County.”

Ramon Valadez has served on the Board for District 2 since September 30, 2003; Ally Miller was first elected in 2012 for District 1. Steve Christy is running unopposed in District 4 and Kim DeMarco is running for the first time in District 3 against a 20 year incumbent.

Gibbs continued, “The Tucson Association of REALTORS® and its over 5,100 members strongly urge you to get out and vote in this very important November General Election.”

Candidate interviews were conducted by the association’s Candidate and Ballot Measures Task Force.




Wreaths Across America in Tucson

Kelli, sheron, pete
Sheron Jones, Gold Star Mothers; Peter J Callahan, Evergreen Cemetery; Dr. Kelli Ward, State Senator and candidate for US Senate

Since 2011, Tucsonans have been showing up to place live holiday wreaths on the graves of servicemen and women buried at Evergreen, Holy Hope and East Lawn Cemeteries. Saturday’s ceremonies gathered hundreds in three locations sponsored by the Tucson Chapter of Gold Star Mothers, to place wreaths again this year.

The Wreaths Across America ceremony occurs at 1,000 veteran cemeteries nationwide and at 25 cemeteries overseas. The day always brings out memories and tears.

“We are here to honor all our veterans. The worse thing is not to die in battle for country, the worse thing is to not be remembered, and on this day we remember those who have fallen and everybody who has lost somebody,” Dr. Kelli Ward, State Senator and US Senate candidate said, while many sobbed remembering lost members of their families.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is an organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country. A Veterans Service Organization, established in 1928 and chartered by the United States Congress in 1984. American Gold Star Mothers continue to honor their sons and daughters through service — service to veterans and patriotic events, such as Wreaths Across America adopted by the Tucson Chapter.

Gold Star Family 12-13-2015 102156AM-List of fallen

This year’s donors who made the wreaths possible were Bruce & Jane Ash, Sean Hofhine, Sundt Construction Company, Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, Association of the United State Army, Pleasurebent Tours, Daughters of American Revolution, Harley Davidson, Saddlebrooke, Blue Star Mothers, and many individuals who donated money and volunteered to help with the ceremony.

Daughters of revolutionThe program was astounding from the first musket rifle salute delivered by Sons of the American Revolution to Amazing Grace being played by William Don Carlos on bagpipes.

The program included Raven Moore Troop 339 BSA who lead the pledge of allegiance, and Mark D Thomas, CW3 (Ret) KYARNG (Ret) KSP who sang the National Anthem. Mike Dyer, MOPH, who delivered the invocation and followed by Peter J Callahan of Evergreen Mortuary, Cemetery & Crematory who gave welcoming remarks and led everyone in a minute of silence to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action and honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s armed services.

Sheron Jones, President of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Tucson Chapter acting as emcee, introduced the speakers, Dr. Kelli Ward as keynote, Kim De Marco who served in the US Marine Corp and a candidate for Pima County Supervisor District 3, Marla Closen who served in the US Navy and a candidate for Pima County Supervisor District 4, followed by Bruce Ash of Paul Ash Management Company.

Onita Davis of the American Legion Auxiliary Oro Valley Post #132 read the Meaning of a Veteran Wreath and Sheron Jones emceed the Wreaths Across America Ceremony with each branch of the military placing a wreath, followed by benediction and taps played by CMSgt. Jose Barraza 12AF/CCC.

Part of the mission every year at Wreaths Across America is to educate young people about the sacrifices of previous generations. The mission seemed to be accomplished with Scout Troop 339 and ROTC Cholla Magnet School present and participating.

Kelli laying wreath2Frank Olivieri, Assistant Scout Master Troop 339 and Retired Major Steven G Spiece, Senior Army Instructor and Assistant Retired SFC Teddy DeSouza, Army Instructor with JROTC Cholla Magnet High School closed the program.

At the final tally, Tucsonans came together to make sure a total of 990 wreaths were placed on soldiers’ graves this year.

They will remain on the graves until Saturday, January 16th when volunteers pick them up.