Shirley's Notes and News! March 2011
Greetings and welcome to Shirley's Notes and News! After much discussion with staff and many requests from residents for an informational news email, it is now here!
We hope that you benefit from the information contained and if there is anything that you would like information on or a community event that you would like to promote, please contact my office at 791-3199.
Happenings:
There are many things happening in Ward IV. For those that have been to the Lincoln Park area recently, you may have noticed that the bulldozers are very busy on the construction of the new 4 softball field complex just north of the Children’s Outdoor Performance Area (COPA). This is a City of Tucson project that I requested through the Pima County Bond Program.
Barring any unforeseen delays, the new facility should be ready for play in Spring of 2012. In the meantime, come on out to Lincoln Regional Park this month and watch dozens of women’s teams from various colleges throughout the country participate in the Tucson Invitational Softball Tournament.
Last month, I was pleased to be able to participate in the groundbreaking of the new Julian Wash Greenway out at the University of Arizona’s Science and Tech Park. This 94-acre, 2.7 mile linear park with multi-use pathways is a welcome addition to our Parks Department inventory. It will also include a solar node that will allow you to view the varied technologies that are a part of the over 200 plus acre solar project that is being built at the University of Arizona’s Science and Tech Park. This project should be completed this summer.
We also look forward to the ribbon cutting of the Pantano Riverwalk and Children’s Memorial Garden. This project extends from Pantano Parkway at 22nd Street heads south along the Pantano Wash past Michael Perry Park to Stella Road. More details on the ribbon cutting in the next edition.
Budget:
These are very difficult times for the City of Tucson and for all of our residents. Many of you may not be aware that the City of Tucson is currently operating with the same amount of personnel as we had in 1995. The cuts that we have made on staff’s recommendations have been huge. We have given the City Manager the framework for a balanced budget that does not include a rental or advertising tax. As a Council, we are awaiting the budget recommendations that the City Manager will be bringing forward next month. While we realize that this budget will include reductions in the services that our citizens currently enjoy, Council and staff are striving to make sure that our core services (public safety, parks and transportation) are reduced as little as possible.
In order to help spur economic development during these difficult times, I developed a plan that has been approved by the Council that defers impact fees so developers can get their projects off the ground and create jobs now.
The plan allows them to put those fees in a savings account, where they can gain interest. Impact fees would then be due when the business obtains their certificate of occupancy. This is a win-win program that will allow builders to build, helps businesses open, and provides opportunities for employment within the community.
Fact or Fiction:
In closing, I’d like to propose a segment that you, as constituents, can contribute to. I am calling it “Fact or Fiction – Rumor Control”. I am asking that readers submit questions on information they may have heard and we will answer those questions. If you have a question, please submit it to us at ward4@tucsonaz.gov and put “Fact or Fiction – Rumor Control” in the subject line.
In the meantime, if there is anything that my staff or I can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to contact the office. While we may not always be able to resolve issues in your favor, my staff and I are here to serve.
Shirley C. Scott
Ward IV City Council Member
Upcoming/Ongoing Events:
Stay tuned for upcoming meetings on Tucson’s General Plan. Citizens are encouraged to give input.
Look for the latest Parks & Recreation Summer Class Catalog, coming April 18
Tucson Invitational Softball Tournament – the whole month of March at Lincoln Regional Park, 4325 South Pantano Road. Games run through March 25th, generally from 8am to 8pm. Go to www.tigsports.com for more details
Imagine Greater Tucson: The Big Reveal Event April 7th! Click for info!
THE WATER PROJECT: TUCSON'S SYNERGISTIC WATER FESTIVAL
March 24 • March 27 • April 3 Click for info!
Enduring Eyes: Remembering the Holocaust to Protect the Future
This Holocaust remembrance exhibit created by the FBI will be on display around our community thanks to the Phoenix Chapter of the FBI Citizen's Academy Alumni Association. It can be seen at the following locations on these dates:
March 23-24 from noon till noon at the University of Arizona Old Main Mall, Hosted by the Hilel Foundation
April 1-21 at the Jewish History Museum, 564 S. Stone Avenue.
Important Phone Numbers:
Ward 4 City Council: 791-3199
William Clements Recreation Center: 791-5787
Fitness Center: 791-4730
Pool: 791-5785
Graffiti removal: 792-2489
Code Enforcement: 791-4605
Environmental Services: 791-3171
Tucson Water Customer Service: 791-3242
Tucson Police Department Eastside Substation: 791-5700
Voter Registration Information: 740-4330
