Miller said later that she could not consider raising the gas tax by 10 cents. “Our employees and residents in Pima County are struggling and I cannot support a tax increase at this time.” Both supervisors Carroll and Bronson were silent on the matter.
Recently the Board of Supervisors meetings have grown increasingly uncomfortable for regular meeting attendees, as Supervisor Richard Elias has ramped up his verbal attacks on Miller. At Tuesday’s meeting, the normally soft spoken Miller had had enough of Elias abuse and asked the Chair Ramon Valadez for assistance.
A bizarre assault by Elias confounded everyone including Valadez, who tied to maintain some decorum after Elias had claimed that one of his constituents had been interrupted by Miller. Elias’s claim appeared to be intended to embarrass Miller, and was not based on the events as they had actually occurred. “Mr. Chairman, Mr. Elias seems to have a problem with everything that I ask. I will tell you this, it’s getting a little tedious and I think we need to have some more order. He has been caring on conversation from the sideboard while we are talking and it’s difficult to hear and I’m insulted every time I ask a question and I think you need to have more order in the meetings.”
Later the Board voted unanimously to reject a variance request by William Timmins who built his home too close to Gates Pass Road. Timmins’s builder admitted that they had made some placement adjustments after they had received approval by the County.
The small home was built on the corner and unlike the other properties in the area, it is clearly visible from all directions. Timmins said the decision will be appealed.
After the decision to by the Board, Timmins threatened his neighbors and had to be physically pulled away from them by a County security guard.
Timmins will be forced to tear down the $130,000 guest home, but an appeal process will most likely prevent that for the time being.