Letters to the Editor (8/27)

Hoop knows the Scoop!

Dear Editor:

Thomas O'Reilly is certainly free to object to my politics (AFN 8/20 letter to the editor This fall ... dump Huppenthal). He can even call me names and toss out his "Dump the Hump" slogan (although the "Hump" thing doesn't quite work since there is no "m" in my name ... but he can take "poetic license" if he wishes). However, whatever his politics, and whatever name calling he chooses to do, the facts don't belie my commitment to Corona.

Without republishing the article articulating my efforts on behalf of Corona, suffice it to say, I spent countless hours in negotiations with parents, administrators, engineers, architects, teachers, bond authorities, the School Facilities Board, the Governor's office, and other legislators attempting to craft multiple alternatives to solve Corona's air quality problems. I stopped at the district on a regular basis to continue the dialogue and assess the situation. I negotiated numerous budgetary fixes, and calculated their chances of succeeding with enough passing votes.

My efforts were thoughtful, consistent and persistent. I did not stand up at public meetings and inflame emotions, nor did I plant bogus amendments I knew had no chance of passing in order to politicize the issue. I thoughtfully analyzed the problem, took in hours of public and expert input, crafted solutions and assessed their likelihood of success.

In the end this method got us where we needed to be. So bring on the "Dump the Hump" Tom, ‘cause this "Hoop knows the Scoop."

John Huppenthal

State Senator

Senate Majority Whip

No real economic benefit to Loop 202

Dear Editor:

Regarding the article on the economic benefits of the Loop 202 in the Aug. 15 edition of the AFN, the projected $5.9 billion economic benefit over 16 years is an extremely weak argument for construction of the road.

If you take into account the time value of money and assume an interest rate of 6.5 percent, the initial $2 billion-plus net cost compounded over 16 years would be equivalent to approximately $5.9 billion.

In effect, there is no real economic benefit.

If this is the best the Arizona Department of Transportation and its for-hire engineering company HDR can come up with, then it clearly is not in the best interest of Arizona's citizens.

Is it in the best interest of the construction companies and the TIME Coalition, who have spent millions on promoting it? Sure sounds like it!

Daniel Wishnatsky