Candidates discuss immigration on ‘Elephant Walk’

A political cartoon by Thomas Nast published in Harper’s Weekly in November 1874 is considered the first important use of the elephant to symbolize the Republican party.

Sunday, 134 years later, Republicans played on the party’s symbol and hosted an “Elephant Walk” where the public was invited to meet with 17 Republicans running for a variety of political offices. The walk was held at 10 different homes in Quail Creek County,

Supervisor Ray Carroll and State Rep. Jonathan Paton carried the theme further and wore chic elephant ties.

Among the refreshments served at Dave and Nonita Werth’s home were elephant-shaped cookies.

Although the event was lightly attended, those who came had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with candidates.

State Senator Tim Bee, who is running for the U.S. Congressional District 8 seat now held by Gabrielle Giffords, spoke about the illegal immigration problem in Arizona and specifically in Green Valley.

“It’s a big frustration for Arizona because the federal government hasn’t acted; there’s been much debate but nothing accomplished.

“My family has been here for three generations; I’ve never seen the problem as bad as it is now,” Bee said.

Shown photos of the home at San Ignacio Vistas that was severely damaged on April 8 when a car of eight illegals crashed into it, Bee was visibly stunned and said, “We’re at a point where the federal government has to do its job; the state has done its job.”

He said if elected his first priority would be to secure the border, that there’s a technology company in Scottsdale that has the technology to secure the border; it works well at Goldwater Range in Yuma.

Running against incumbent Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik is Harry Shaw, who called the current illegal immigration problem in Green Valley “a border violation.”

“If elected, I intend to take full management; the present system is not working. There’s a greater influx of immigrants and there are more dangers.

“Dupnik said he would not overtax the criminal justice system. I would,” Shaw said.

Paton, who is running for the Legislative District 30 seat in the Senate, also spoke of “the big issue” of immigration. “I saw technology in Iraq to track people; it does exist. There’s technology at Fort Huachuca to track people and vehicles.”

Of the illegal immigrants coming into the U.S. Paton said, “It’s a terrible situation; it’s our No. 1 concern. I don’t know what it’s going to take to make the federal government do something.”

Carroll commented on the proposal of Green Valley and Sahuarita seceding from Pima County and becoming part of Santa Cruz County.

“Everyone deserves a hearing, but I believe that government closest to home is the best government,” he said.

Brad Roach, who is running for County Attorney at the Pima County Attorney’s Office, said, “It’s an office where politics should not matter; justice should run the office, not politics.”

Running as a team for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Marian McClure, Bob Robson and Bob Stump said their cooperative goal is to maintain a balance between consumers and existing services. Stump said their strengths are their collective public policy experiences.

Frank Antenori, who is running for a Legislative District 30 seat spoke passionately about the need to remove the personal business tax in Arizona, which works against manufacturing businesses. If a businessman buys new machinery, he will be taxed on it, Antenori explained. “Manufacturers can’t compete as business owners in Arizona; the personal business tax works for the service industry but not for manufacturers,” he said.

Other candidates who attended the Elephant Walk were Sharon Collins, David Gowan and Doug Sposito running for the LD30 seat, Joe Hobbs, Rick Fowlkes and Keith Swapp running as a team for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Linda Arzoumanian running for re-election as County School Superintendent and R.C. Brown who is running for re-election as constable.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.