Ward 2 Council Member Paul Cunningham

I maintain a list of links to city departments and community groups that you can find on my Ward 2 page. Sometimes I get requests from one group or another to put on that page.

I got one this week from Literacy Connects. Literacy Connects is going to be celebrating their tenth anniversary next year, but many of the groups that merged to form their organization had been doing fantastic work in our community for decades.

Oftentimes, if someone wants to build something new, they will need to go through the rezoning process. This requires meetings with residents in the area, the oversight of our Planning and Development Services Department and a vote of Mayor and Council. Most rezonings that come before the council are non-controversial. However, there can be concerns about impact on the area such as traffic, noise and protection of our environment expressed by people in the area.

Earlier this week, outgoing County Attorney Barbara LaWall elected not to prosecute the three officers involved in the death of Carlos Ingram-López. Neither I, my colleagues nor Chief Christopher Magnus have any authority to tell the County Attorney’s office what to do in this case. It is worth noting that all three officers left the Tucson Police Department shortly after this case came to light. 

Thanks to Mayor and Tucson City Council, we are hosting mobile mask giveaway events at multiple locations and times throughout the city as an opportunity for community members to obtain washable face coverings for themselves and their families.

I am going to do something that not enough people in politics are willing to do: I’m going to admit a mistake.

In my newsletter two weeks ago, I wrote that Tucson Electric Power spent money to elect candidates to the Corporation Commission, the body that regulates utilities. They did not.

My youngest son’s name is Lute, after our coach who just passed away.  I wanted him to have a strong Tucson name.  One that embodied wisdom, compassion and class. I fell in love with the game of basketball when I was 9 years old due to two people: Coach Lute Olson and Coach Dave Lynch.   Coach Lynch was the girls’ coach at Santa Rita High School and my youth coach.  Coach Olson signed my program when I attended my first University of Arizona basketball game.  I attended one of his basketball camps. I was already a Wildcat fan, but Lute showed us how to love and understand the game.

Do you need help with grocery shopping?

Call PCOA’s Helpline at (520) 790-7262 or email help@pcoa.org

With COVID-19, it is important for people 60 years of age and older to avoid trips outside of their home and to maximize physical distancing.

Applicants must be 60 years of age or older and have an annual income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($25,520/person/year).