Growing up, I was not a very good student. School didn’t come naturally, and I struggled up until my very last year in high school. Between kindergarten and 1st grade, I had to take a transition class for one year because of my reading and math comprehension weaknesses. I remember being given special attention and one-on-one teaching during this period. That transition period helped me regain the skills to keep moving forward. But, I still struggled and had to re-take geometry during my high school senior year.

While everyone else was getting out early from classes, I was there from…

Why should we force parents to send kids to failing schools? We shouldn’t and can’t continue with our flawed approach to education. My position on standardized testing in the schools is very well established. I don’t support it. Testing does not help our students learn skills and forces educators to focus on anything but teaching our kids to become leaders of the future.

I am a proud outcome of our public school system, and see the desperate need for reforms. As an education addict with a Doctorate Degree, I know based on substantial research that having a strong education system…

Introduction

Arizona’s over half-million veterans often are left out of critical budgetary discussions. Over the last 24 months, the homeless veterans’ rate has increased significantly, and little has addressed it. Temporary allocations or slim appropriations from federal funding will not suffice to cover our veterans’ long-term needs. For the last 20 years, America has been at war. Over 2.5 million military service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 [1]. An entire generation grew up in a country in a never-ending conflict. As this conflict continues, the need to address extraordinarily complex issues with our veterans grows more urgent. Elected…

Finally obtained a resolution to the pending clean elections complaint filed by Deborah Nardozzi (LD24 Chair) and Health Mroweic (MCDP Treasurer). Here is the exact response from clean elections. I am putting this out to offer a preview on some of the things they would rather focus on. Basically attacking their own instead of holding current elected officials accountable for the things they are NOT doing for us:

March 19, 2021

Dear Heather Mroweic and Ryan Starzyk:

I have reviewed the Complaint from Heather Mroweic, including the exhibits, as well as Ryan Starzyk’s campaign finance reports and other documents.

Under…

The recent violence against our Asian friends and family members is heartbreaking. The anti-Asian hate crimes have continued to rise because of harmful tactics and racist demonization by our own media and government. Racism is cancer that plagues our country, makes us weaker, and turns us against each other at a time when we need to be united. I am appalled by the previous administration’s rhetoric, senseless killing of innocent civilians, and discrimination that continues to hurt our country. It is our responsibility as Americans to come together, denounce this behavior, and work towards building a better future together.

Below are a few ways you can:

• Support…

About 13 years ago, I lived in Miami, FL, and had my first studio apartment after leaving active duty military life. The unit was small, less than 400 square feet, including the bathroom and kitchen. The neighborhood was up and coming with a lot of noise and traffic from the busy road (Biscayne Blvd.) just one block away. There were pine trees everywhere that shed like my cat, and at night, the street lights usually didn’t work. The smell was moldy with a little pine, and the people who lived in the building were often loud. Inside the unit, the…

I have been very open about my past issues with addiction and mental health issues. Most don’t ask me anything about it since the transparency is there. Often we find ourselves trying to be this model citizen and fail to let our vulnerabilities out because of fear of backlash. Not only is this jaded and misguided, but it’s also dangerous for your mental health. Being who you are, accepting the mistakes you’ve made are attributes of a stronger, not weaker person.

Social media plagues this need for a positive image. By trying to “fit” into society, people often feel the…

My past history with substance abuse is well known. I’ve been very upfront and honest about it because it’s the right thing to do.

140 days ago, I made the decision to quit drinking alcohol. I felt that alcohol was getting in the way of my goals, focus, and desire to be a better leader. I was right, and here’s why.

A lot of people have approached me to talk about their own sobriety. I’ve heard stories of pain, frustration, and determination. The people who’ve reached out are those I would have never expected to have a problem with alcohol…