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Project Civil Discourse Comes to PCC’s West Campus

September 21, 2012

 Statewide Forum Focuses on Key Ballot Initiatives

Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College and a consortium of Arizona academic institutions are joining Project Civil Discourse to host a statewide discussion on three initiatives that will be on November’s ballot.

The discussion will take place at seven locations across Arizona – including PCC’s West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road – on Thursday, Sept. 27. A presentation by a panel of experts will be simulcast to each of the locations before participants take part in a facilitator-led discussion about the initiatives.

“Arizona faces significant challenges, but our ability to engage in public deliberation to explore solutions is at an all-time low,” said Jane Prescott-Smith, the managing director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse and an organizer of the event. “Project Civil Discourse, an initiative of the Arizona Humanities Council, aims to change this by providing opportunities for Arizonans to talk and listen to each other through structured dialogue on important community issues.”

The discussion, called “Mapping Arizona’s Future,” begins at 6 p.m. It will focus on three initiatives:

  • Prop 115: Judicial Selection
  • Prop 204: Quality Education and Jobs (also known as the Sales Tax Renewal)
  • Prop 121: Open Government (also known as Open Elections/Open Government, Open Primaries and Top 2)

Michael Grant, the former host of KAET-TV’s “Horizon” program, will moderate the panel, which includes:

  • Justice Ruth McGregor, former Chief Justice for the Arizona Supreme Court
  • Ken Strobeck, Executive Director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns
  • Howard Fischer, Chief Correspondent at Capitol Media Services

Their discussion will be streamed live from the Mesa Public School edtv99 studio to the Community Room at PCC’s West Campus and other participant roundtable locations across the state.

 “There will be no attempt to persuade participants to support or oppose any proposition,” said Catherine Tornbom of the Center for Community Dialogue, which will provide the facilitators for the event. “And although we anticipate that participants may learn a great deal, this event is not primarily about sharing information. Our main purpose is for participants to share the experience of constructive conversation on potentially divisive issues.”

To ensure a seat, registration for the event is strongly encouraged. Registration can be completed online or by calling Jaime Martin at 602-257-0335.

In addition to PCC, “Mapping Arizona’s Future” also will take place in:

  • Apache Junction at Central Arizona College - Superstition Mountain Campus
  • Winkelman/SE Pinal County at Central Arizona College - Aravaipa Campus
  • Coolidge at Central Arizona College - Signal Peak Campus
  • Flagstaff at Coconino Community College – Lone Tree Campus
  • Phoenix at Scottsdale Community College
  • Yuma at Arizona Western College

More information about the event is available from Project Civil Discourse. And more information about the propositions is available from the League of Women Voters of Arizona, the Arizona Department of State and Maricopa Community Colleges.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu