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Latest regional, state and national issues

Lynch: Defending the Bayh-Dole Act from revision

Arizona State University recent accomplishments in innovation, where it ranked in the top 10 worldwide U.S. patents is a good reminder that there are tremendous benefits to public/private partnerships when it comes to patent development.
Opinion

Rose: The importance of investing in education

Arizona’s economy and communities benefit when students continue their education after high school. Whether studying for a four-year degree or a two-year specialized certification, most …

Drozd: Was Biden out of line on SOTU?

When critiquing President Biden’s state of the union address, please note that I am not a fan of either Presidents Biden or Trump.
Opinion

Sacco: With new partnership, Scottsdale aims to become accessible tourism destination

As the name implies, at Experience Scottsdale, we want everyone, from all corners and walks of life, to discover the wonders of our Sonoran Desert city. We hope visitors, no matter their background …

Stelter: Independent voter chooses incumbent

As an independent, I have decided to vote for Joe Biden for President, not because I fully endorse his policies. It is that Donald Trump does not deserve support.

Stidd: Be on lookout for Sun City scammers

I am an elderly resident in Sun City and am usually able to recognize a scammer.
Opinion

Lundin: Ignore the noise and decide based on policy

Senator Sinema has dropped out of the Senate race. But we know American politics does not reward those who take a middle road. After the SOTU speech, it is clear that our main party …

Sayres: Animal groups are leaving local pet shelters behind

The most high-profile decision of my four-decade career in animal welfare was in 2007.

Robb: Biden keeps making it tougher for swing voters

President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address represented a strategic choice and, in my view, a strategic mistake.
Opinion

Zientek: A message of thanks to George, the good Samaritan

I hope that a very kind and generous gentleman named George from Fountain Hills sees this letter. My bike chain slipped off its sprocket as I was riding along the McCormick Ranch path on Friday …
Take the Civility Pledge

Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road.  Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question. 

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen  & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

CheckmarkLook for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

Now that you've read the checklist, take the Civility Pledge. 

Your Community Your Voice
The Trailhead recently announced two tenants, but some Peoria residents aren't necessarily happy.

Peoria resident airs grievances over city decisions

A little less than a year ago myself and fellow neighbors witnessed a huge amount of truck traffic on Beardsley Road in violation of city code.
Llewellyn King

King: Summer isn't the only great time to visit Europe

The people of the world are planning to descend on Europe this summer. Not, I hasten to say, as migrants but as tourists.

Hendrix: Prefers Biden over Trump for president

I love the way others defend our Former Traitor in Chief.

Smyth: Charles Barkley for U.S. Senate?

Most Arizona voters are reasonably moderate, so I don’t sense a lot of enthusiasm for the presumptive nominees for Kyrsten Sinema’s U.S. Senate seat – far right Republican Kari Lake …

Schweers: How could anyone vote for Trump?

Never have I ever been in such total disbelief over the Republican party. Their chosen candidate told us what he’ll do if re-elected. He’ll take away freedoms for religions other …

Bjerk: Robotic surgery effective

I’ve been the recipient of robotic surgery for a cancerous growth on one of my kidneys awhile ago and would not hesitate to do it again.

Robinson: Thank you to Peoria Independent

All I can say is thank you to the Peoria Independent!
Amy McSheffrey

McSheffrey: What's on this mom's vision board? Clean buses, less pollution

If you’ve created a vision board for 2024, perhaps you included images of a dreamy vacation, fitness goals, or a resort-style pool.

Gant: Don't be fooled by fake calls

Several days ago, I received a phone call that went like this: “Hello, grandpa. It’s me your grandson.”
Jaime Roberts

Roberts/Voepel: Long-term care profession at critical junction

Many of the long-standing challenges that have faced our sector have been magnified as a result of the pandemic, particularly as it pertains to our workforce.

Hechos: Fact checking in presidential election

Whoa! There sure were a lot of fast and loose claims, opinions and assumptions tossed around by a few contributors to this forum in the March 6 edition.
Dr. Sushil Pandey

Abrazo Health: Early detection helps prevent colon cancer

The month of March is recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a reminder that proactive screenings can detect polyps or early cancers in the colon, which can be life-saving.

Svendsen: Trump vote a step in Putin's direction?

Where were all of you on January 6? Like me, were you glued to your TV the entire time, watching with horror as men and women wearing red hats and carrying Trump flags laid waste to our Capitol Building?

Cantrell: Resident encourages yes vote

Vote yes to retain safe streets as we all know them today during the upcoming Sun City West election of March 25, 2024.

Starr McLeod: Supreme Court botches Trump ballot decision

Clearly there are no Constitutional Scholars on the Supreme Court.
Karly Matthews

Matthews: Leaders must listen to rural voices on clean energy, environment

I grew up less than a mile from the Mason-Dixon Line in south-central Pennsylvania, where small towns lack stoplights but have an abundance of cows.

Clancy: Can an agreement be reached?

I find somewhat amusing the recent exchange between Graves and Hendricks.
Tom Patterson

Patterson: Bulk mail voting is an open invitation to fraud

Legislative Republicans in Arizona are advancing a bill to terminate your right to vote…well at least from the “comfort of your kitchen table,” according to columnist Laurie Roberts.

Packer: Time change would help club

I belong to the Women’s Club and play on Wednesday.

Rolph: Time for a cool change?

The RCSC members constant bickering between each other on gym floors over ceiling fans, complaining to staff members and remote control vandalism created the problem
Pictured are two urban fishers at Paloma Park. A reader comments on a story about the city's work to have parity in Peoria's park system.

Koch: Graphics derail story about park parity in Peoria

The article ("City looks to achieve parity in Peoria's park system," Independent print edition) was interesting and the graphics on page 22 were well organized and helped in understanding the discussion of park parity by region.

Salazar: Resource to help those who stutter

Your article “Chandler speech therapy business celebrates 5-year anniversary” was highly positive.
Jared Whitley

Whitley: Law firm doubles down on lawsuits targeting tribes

There’s an episode of “Parks and Recreation” where the chief of the local Indian tribe is negotiating with city leaders and jokes, “A native American tribe making a deal with the government. Heh! What could go wrong?”
David Williams

Williams: Postal service focusing on expensive products no one wants

The Postal Service has experienced better days.

Mueller: Regarding airport concerns in Goodyear

Regarding concerns with Goodyear Airport: The opinion writer lives 7.3 miles from the airport, which is not close, at that distance no trainee flies at rooftop altitude.

In Scottsdale, four decades of spring training partnership

It’s been 42 years since the San Francisco Giants became Scottsdale’s Spring Training home team. Four decades of games, sunshine and fun at the intersection of Drinkwater Boulevard and …

Gibson: Thoughts on Broken Window policing

I am a retired Phoenix Police Officer, 1962-1991.
Christian Josi

Josi: Failure to fix Medicare payment system could lead to socialized medicine

The nation’s Medicare physician payment system has been broken for a long time. Don’t believe me? Ask any doctor from any specialty. Every one of them will agree.

Shaw: Response to Marone letter

Writing a brief response to Tom Marone’s recent letter to address major factual inaccuracies regarding the Presidential Records Act.
Dylan Selterman

Selterman: Celebrating terrorism a moral failure

The world has been reeling in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist massacre that left more than 1,400 people dead in Israel.
Opinions with Civility