Phoenix owes New Times co-founder its thanks

Phoenix has lost Jim Larkin, our friend of more than 40 years. Jim’s contributions to Phoenix were real.

With Michael Lacey, Jim operated Phoenix New Times for nearly 50 years.

New Times was at the forefront of a successful 1982 citizen initiative campaign that ended “at large” representation in Phoenix. City council candidates would no longer be chosen by elites who promised that they were more enlightened than the rest of us.

It was New Times that first exposed the racism and cruelty of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. New Times raised the first red flags about the pretextual traffic stops where U.S. citizens of Mexican heritage were being dragged from their cars by deputies demanding to see proof of citizenship.

And when Arpaio’s special enforcement squad conducted illegal retaliatory nighttime arrests of Lacey and Larkin, they sued Arpaio and won a settlement of nearly $4 million. The settlement money was given to Latino rights organizations. The accomplishment closest to Jim’s heart was the restoration of Booker T. Washington High School. The building at 12th Street and Jefferson preserves the memory of racial segregation in Phoenix.

Anyone who knew Jim Larkin would describe a giant man with a gentle elegance.

He was principled. He was passionate. And no one hated pretense more than Jim.

Our tribute is that God never made a more selfless and loving father, or a better human being, than Jim Larkin.

Pat Cantelme, former president of United Phoenix Firefighters

Phil Gordon, former Phoenix mayor Alfredo Gutierrez, former state Senate majority leader