Mr. Merrill, We tend to disagree with you on your comment. What the public and the nation has been witnessing, is years of hard work by a couple of courageous investigative reporters — rather then the same ole, same ole — who did the intensive work it takes to follow what was truly happening in Arizona. These reporters have awakened the people who have been paying attention and will continue to pay attention and take action wherever necessary.

Arizona’s corruption is like a centipede with some legs cut off, a head cut off and many more left. It’s truly shameful and disgusting the a few puppets are controlled by something more sinister then meets the eye.

Arizona has been hell-bent on destroying itself. While destroying their political enemies, they have also destroyed themselves and unfortunately destroyed hundreds of thousands of peoples’ lives in the process.

Do we thank ALEC or Grover Norquist? Or do we thank CCA / Chuck Coughlin / the Sensemans / or Kris Kobach, KS DMV controlling the state of Arizona from afar? Just saying… am sure others know more and they should be the ones the public needs to hear on local TV and in the media.

These guys are small potatoes compared to the powerful who have “controlled” legislation for years. Your article has serious omissions in this election year. Write about the bigger picture of this past year in Arizona politics. Also include who’s under investigation. The public needs to be informed — not with just bits and pieces.

Round out the past year by mentioning the historic first — ousting a sitting president of the Senate — Russell Pearce; the ethics investigation of his brother, Lester Pearce, a former justice of the peace; disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas; the justice of the peace Melanie DeForest who just resigned from running for Maricopa County Superior Court judge, and the list goes on.

You fail to mention the most powerful position in the state, the County Attorneys/DA’s — and their impact on legislation with full time “prosecutor-lobbyists” influencing legislation that works against the people / taxpayers, who have spoken out for years and demand reform of the criminal justice system.

Where is the mention of disgraced, disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, who bragged about his over 200,000 felony cases (in one term in office — had no trial experience but got elected)? The devastating impact and cost will last for decades and generations for many of the innocent, wrongfully imprisoned, wrongfully charged through malicious intent or incompetence.

Mr. Grado, You’ve been writing for years what the prosecutors hand you without ever writing about the “other” side.

Have you or any other reporter asked MCAO Bill Montgomery to investigate the 200,000 cases of “ordinary” people who have been ignored who may be innocent, falsely accused, wrongfully convicted and wrongfully imprisoned?

When a DA / County Attorney joined at the hip with a County Sheriff can wield their power falsely accusing and charging prominent judges, lawyers, officials and executives of newspapers, then what do you think they did to the “ordinary” people — many of them taxpayers in this state?

And who is asking about term limits for County Attorneys and County Sheriffs, which should be #1 on the legislators list at opening of the session?