Karin's Note:  Friday, December 16, 2011
 

- Building A Community Garden at Doolen Middle School

- Winterhaven Festival of Lights

-Toy Train Museum Holding Holiday Open House

-7^th Annual Holiday Express

-Downtown Parade of Lights

-Did you know...

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Dear Tucsonans,

Here are some of my thoughts on recent items before the Mayor and Council and other highlights that might be of interest to you.

INFILL

There is no doubt that planned density and infill will help us meet key goals as a community: robust transit ridership, reduced mini-dorm development within our neighborhoods, vibrant economic districts for job and business growth, less sprawl and better integration of the University with downtown.

This week Mayor and Council unanimously adopted plan revisions to the West University Transition Area bounded by Speedway, Park, 6^th, and Euclid. I wholeheartedly embraced the majority of the proposal, and attempted to garner support for a January Public Hearing before the City’s Planning Commission to address the portion of the plan that the Commission had not yet offered specific recommendations.

I will continue to be reluctant to adopt plan revisions without the benefit of expert guidance from our Planning Commission. I attended the Commission’s October hearings and I’m impressed by the group’s range and depth of knowledge, as well as their thoroughness. Moving forward we must be sure that we abide by a sound process to be sure we that sustain the broad public support necessary to continue enacting density and infill in Tucson. Areas bounded by wide corridors such as Speedway and Euclid make sense to consider, and I will advocate for both sound process and decisive progress every step of the way.

PUBLIC INVESTMENTS

Mayor and Council also refrained from committing to City financing for the new City-County Courthouse to bridge a gap identified by the County despite voter-approved County bonds passed for the project some years ago. I agree with my colleagues that we cannot spend more unless and until we can fully account for any such shortfall. The County Administrator will be working with the City Manager to address questions about County funds invested in other facilities and to clarify whether in fact the City could in any way be viewed as the appropriate source of funding if a gap exists.

A proposed City investment in the hotel adjacent to La Placita and the Convention Center downtown has similarly been assigned to City staff for further scrutiny and vetting. The public and the Mayor/Council have been clear on the demand for fairness (I believe any type of incentives or partnerships should be offered to all potential applicants through a competitive process). The City has a lousy track record crafting development agreements with the private sector. We must learn from those mistakes and hold our focus on appropriate public investments that benefit the entire community (e.g. improving public infrastructure) and that attract private sector investments independent of City taxpayers’ money.

During the economic downturn it may have been true that few projects could proceed without public partnership. But the recession leaves City resources tapped out. The infrastructure stage has been set downtown, and private dollars have been flowing into the area as anticipated. We ought to let that trend take hold.

SMALL BUSINESS LIAISON

For the past few months I have shared news of the leadership being offered by Ward 3 appointees to the Small Business Commission, Karen Clifton and Katharine Kent. With hard work and many volunteered hours Karen and Katharine crafted the concept of a City Small Business Liaison. The idea earned unanimous support from the full Commission and the entire Mayor and Council this summer, as well as the endorsement of the Southern Arizona Alliance of Chambers of Commerce. Karen, Katharine, and I, as well as Shelly Fishman of the Alliance of Chambers, met with Mayor Rothschild immediately following his swearing in ceremony. He reviewed the proposed job description and we discussed ways in which the new liaison could work with guidance from the Small Business Commission, the Alliance of Chambers, and other groups comprised on businesses to be served.

To our new Mayor’s credit, this vital position has been created in his office. My thanks to Karen, Katharine and the many Tucson business people who vetted this concept and provided the detailed framework upon which this important work will be based. My staff and I look forward to working with Tucson’s new Small Business Liaison, Maricela Solis (former Director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) to promote the startup and growth of homegrown and locally-owned businesses. Those businesses create 80-85% of all new jobs in the region. Their prosperity determines our prosperity as a City.

CONGRATULATIONS

Bennett Bernal of my staff was appointed this week by the Pima County Board of Supervisors to the position of Constable, Precinct 6.  I want to congratulate Bennett for earning the appointment, and thank him for his tireless service to the residents and businesses in Ward 3. I have no doubt our opportunities to collaborate in public service will continue!

Karin  

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Ward 3 Events

 - Community Garden at Doolen Middle School – Saturday, December 17 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Community Gardens of Tucson, The Drachman Institute and the Doolen-Fruitvale Neighbors are joining forces to build raised gardens at Doolen Middle School, 2400 N. Country Club Road. Volunteers welcome—bring your work gloves, hats and energy!

 -Winterhaven Festival of Lights 2011 –  Festival runs through December 25. Walk through every night from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Drive through night is December 20^. More info at: www.winterhavenfestival.org or 881-4482

-Toy Train Museum Open House – Saturdays and Sunday, December 17 and 18. 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Gadsden-Pacific Toy Train Operating Museum is at 3975 N. Miller (near Prince and Romero). Free admission—bring the family! More info: 888-2222 or www.gpdToyTrainMuseum.com

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Events City Wide

 -7^th Annual Holiday Express – Saturday, December 17 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Write letters to the North Pole, photos with Santa , showing of the movie, “Polar Express.” Train Depot at 414 N. Toole Avenue. More info 623-2223 or www.tucsonhistoricdepot.org

-Downtown Parade of Lights – Saturday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a chair and line the streets as floats, bands, fire trucks and convertibles light up the downtown sky! Annual parade begins at 17^th Street and Stone, winds throughout downtown and ends at Armory Park. More info: 971-0905 or www.downtowntucson.org

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Did You Know…

the Ward 3 Council Office collects for the Community Food Bank and Tucson Diaper Bank throughout the year? We especially need donations during this holiday season.

That the City of Tucson Parks & Recreation Department (West District) is holding a “Winter Break Schoolzout Program” this month? From December 19 through the 30th, at both the Marty Birdman and Donna Liggins Centers, kids ages 5-11 and IBC (11-14) can enjoy a fun day of activities, i.e. games, field trips, movies, even cooking! Cost is $2/day and parents must provide a lunch and snacks for their children. Registration began this week. Space is limited, first come, first serve basis. Payment and waiver form due upon registration. More info: Marty Birdman Center: 791-5950, Donna Liggins Center: 791-3247.

A Community Event, sponsored by Beyond Tucson, is scheduled to commemorate and celebrate loved ones injured and lost on January 8th. We will come together on January 7th to remember what happened, acknowledge how it changed us and commit to building a stronger community. Join us at any of our healthy, fun, safe, and inclusive outdoor events that day. Engage in activities that are good for your mind, body and spirit! Come walk, run, ride, stroll, dance at locations all over our region: 25 events are listed including remembrance, social, physical, and entertainment activities.  Look for updates, register and find a site near you at www.beyond-tucson.org