A compendium of messages related to increasing communication and possible joint action among leaders of Tucson's Neighborhoods. |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:47:09 To: (Big List of Tucson Neighborhood Association Leaders) From: Donald Ijams Subject: Neighborhood Associations Cc: [email protected],[email protected],[email protected] I've looked for a comprehensive list of Tucson's neighborhood association (NA) officers, past and present, and this group is the best I could find. (I don't know how comprehensive DNR's dnrlistserv is.) I read with interest this morning's Az Star Editorial "Ties that bind begin in Tucson's neighborhoods." The final line of this opinion piece was: "All neighborhood groups should link with each other through coalitions similar to Portland's, based on a shared interest in joining the city into a whole with a strong, well-defined voice." Is there some forum where we could talk this over? I have been President of my neighborhood association for two years now and have not heard of a meeting of NA presidents/officers. Has there been one that I missed? I understand that there are several neigh. coalitions now existing - do they function along the lines suggested in the editorial? Anybody else have any thoughts on this opinion piece - or want to meet on this issue or any others? Donald Ijams, President Peter Howell Neighborhood Association Map 4204 E. 4th Pl. 795-0770 [email protected] |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 15:04:43 -0700
From: "Marlena Hanlon" [email protected] Cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Subject: Neighborhood Associations Hi, Donald: I am glad to hear this bubbling up from other quarters!! I have also proposed this for about 2 yrs now. I sent a letter to M&CC last year and have been trying to create it in other ways. Strangely, there's actually antipathy, it seems, toward collaboration--I am involved with a couple of NAs, and I am frequently challenged on "whom I represent", as if neighborhoods are in competition, rather than common shareholders of goals and resources. I suggest that this silo attitude is one reason NAs are not more powerful collectively here as they are in other cities. In Ward 3, there is a Ward 3 Neighbors group that meets monthly. I attempted to start this in Ward 6, but the ward office was completely non-responsive and would not even return my phone calls or emails. The W3N group is a successful forum, and I invite you to attend if you are interested in seeing one model. Given that there are 135 NAs in Tucson, having a meeting that includes all of them may not be practical, but if each Ward had a similar coalition and then reps from those coalitions met, that may work. I am currently working with several state and fed legs, as well as city and county reps to host just such a forum in early November. If you are interested, please let me know. Marlena Hanlon President, Keeling NA Treasurer, Dunbar Spring NA Steering Committee, Ward 3 Neighbors Newsletter Chair, Feldman's NA Member, West University NA |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 15:27:33 -0700
From: "Linda Howell" [email protected]
Donald Ijams Thank you for including me (Dietz Neighborhood Assoc). I read the article as well. I think this approach is something to look at. I'm on my final allowed term as President of our association. DNR and PRO Neighborhoods really have been helpful as well as our local Ward 4 with Shirley Scott and her staff with issues in our area. When representatives from Tucson go to these cities in Oregon and Texas they come back with so much information and thank goodness the paper shares the information. So often in the neighborhoods we find a core group of devoted people, while others simply are not active, but want the benifits or information. How can we in this day and age here in Tucson do something? The person that comes up with that answer will deserve the GOLD STAR. I think it will need to start with a brainstorming session. Followed by action items with time frames. Don't just settle for a report to gather dust on a shelf. It will take an individual and key support people to initiate the effort. Who are the key people? Will money need to come from somewhere. It must be advertised constantly to keep citizens aware, like a fast food or cell phones commercial to make people "Want It". What will the goals be and what will they accomplish? So many things to think about. Where to start? We have a once a month cleanup on our medians in our old neighborhood. It can seem overwhelming as so few ever show up. Yet I tell myself "One Twig At A Time" & somehow I am able to do my little part to help. We have a lot of low income, full time working families and it is hard for them to find time to be involved in extra stuff. They are doing good just keeping up with caring for their immediate family. Does DNR already break down the associations into groups or certain Wards? It is easy ennough to look at the Pima County GIS WEB site and break down the information anyway that is needed. That would be a start. Identify groups of association. Could PRO Neighborhoods sponsor an event that brought officers together for a kickoff meeting. That would take some major coordination for sure as everyones schedules will conflict like crazy. Please keep me informed on your thoughts regarding this topic. Sincerly Linda Howell, President Dietz Neighborhood Association |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:06:33 -0700
Donald, I agree, I think this would be a great opportunity for NA Presidents to talk about their issues/problems in their neighborhood. We can all learn from others experiences and trials, on what works and what does not. We also become aware of new trends in crime, development or expansion and the good stuff, like community gardens. I would support this in Ward 2. I have over 1000 members of Bear Canyon NA, and I belief we all would be better served with this type of group. Lori Oien, President Bear Canyon Neighborhood Assoc. www.lorioiencitycouncil.com |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:20:49 -0700
I am former President of Midtown, the Garden District, Ward 6. I feel this meeting of neighborhood presidents would be extremely beneficial to all the areas we represent. Separately we have all taken steps to improve our areas, but together we could do so much more and learn from each other accomplishments and disappointments. I will pass this on to our current president, Ida Plotkin, [email protected]. Anna Marie Patti |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 18:14:23 -0700
I agree! we should Maria Reyes |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:52:19 -0700
Your email to neighborhood association officers was forwarded to me by Ken O'Day, who was our President until April of this year. Ken took a job in Florida and I reluctantly replaced him. If you're putting together a list to improve communications among associations, I would like to be included. I'm sure you know that Ward III has a group--Ward III Neighbors--which attempts something similar though on a narrower scale. John Sawyer, copied above, would be an appropriate contact for that organization. I would like to see an opportunity for neighborhood associations citywide to meet and exchange ideas, as well as, perhaps, form a stronger lobby to advocate for livability issues. Our membership is very concerned with the way the city seems to want to continue to grow at the expense of inner city neighborhoods. Regards, Mike Hayes Campbell/Grant Northeast Neighborhood Association |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:01:34 -0700
Donald, I would like to also second the idea of having some type of forum for the various NAs to share ideas, concerns and to pool our collective voices when there are regional issued that will impact our communities. The Civano NA has ~600 members, soon to be expanded to ~700. We would be interested in comparing notes on Neighborhood Watch groups, home and commercial expansion projects and aging in community programs even youth group programs. Bob Small, spokesperson Civano Neighborhood |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 23:01:19 -0700
Donald, I'm President of the Limberlost Neighborhood Association. We've been working closely with Campus Farms and Amphitheater Neighbors for several years on issues that transcend neighborhood boundaries. My sense is that most of the issues we are concerned with like crime, traffic impacts, infill development would be better addressed from a coalition perspective. For example: when police roust prostitutes or drug dealers from one neighborhood, they move to another. When Target builds a supercenter at Oracle and Roger, its traffic generation will impact three or four neighborhoods, not just one. It is clear that crime and other social factors don't respect neighborhood boundaries. Yet neighborhood identity forged of local ties is important to mobilizing our neighbors. I've attended Ward III neighbors meetings in the past, and they were largely presentations with brief Q and A by public officials. The most interesting interactions were side conversations among the neighbors present. More recently they are trying a more focused problem solving approach to crime, which I have been unable to attend. Ward council members appear at times overwhelmed by the variety of stakeholders and current events they need to respond to. The effect is that our interactions with Council staff are too often reactive and frequently frustrating rather than proactive and creative. Of course, the same dynamic exists in our relationships with managers of corporate retail stores like Target or Walmart, and the Police department, where managers and Police personnel seem to move around frequently, making it hard to develop trusting relationships. I would definitely support our coming together to share common interests and concerns. I think this can easily begin by finding ways to get to know each other one to one, as well as getting together in larger group meetings. I welcome individual or small group interactions, which in my experience are the most productive. Basically we need a social network built of connections that persist over time and build trust. My concern about large group meetings is that they be facilitated such that the participating neighborhoods set the agenda. I'm curious to hear more from Marlena Hanlon about the meeting she is helping configure for November. In the interest of transparency, I've added Ward III to this response, as well as some of the members of the Limberlost Neighborhood Coordinating committee. - Michael Ray |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 23:33:17 -0700
Well, I will throw my voice into the growing pile of e-mail that this message has generated in my box. It is good to see that it is a hot topic. I think it could be very beneficial to share info, be better acquainted, and work together more. Regionally, or by topic seems to be most appropriate for me. Vista del Monte has about 550 homes on our list and a system of street reps that makes my pres. job managable and effective. I have been president for about 10 years now, and do not have time to meet just to meet. I work full time and have kids. But, we neighborhoods need to work together. The easy isolation of American life these days makes it even more important that we share information among ourselves so that we can share with our neighbors. Thank you for starting this discussion. Katy Brown |
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Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 23:52:08 -0700
Michael and Everyone: Of course it's true that not all concerns will be shared by all 'hoods in equal measure, much less will solutions be a fit-all. But from the perspective of Ward 3 Neighbors, the emphasis has been two-fold: one, to begin to create a source of shared information/resources so that there are ready-made tools available for newbies or for refinement appropriate to the application (as opposed to re-creating the wheel for everything). Two, it's clear that many of the frustrations referenced by Michael are a result of poor process management within the city, and only by bringing demands to bear in a collective voice can we demonstrate the "critical mass" necessary to move anything forward. I don't know about you, but many of my requests are dismissed as a one-off, even though I know that many other groups are looking to do the same thing--but maybe spoke with different people, or maybe we're just being played off each other in our isolation. Worse, sometimes we know of groups who've had an outcome we are trying for, but there is no system in place to allow others to achieve the same result. As one example, earlier this year I met with Karin and Miguel to request that an interdepartmental task force be created to handle neighborhood projects involving sustainable materials and/or concepts. At the moment, TDOT does not have a uniform policy to handle these kinds of proposals, because it is so dependent on the skills and perspective of whomever you contact. In the absence of a concrete policy, the answer tends to be "no", even if what is being asked conforms to current guidelines...it becomes an issue of unfamiliar territory rather than measured evaluation of merit and viability. My idea with this task force is that it would be comprised of personnel who have relevant training and interest, and it would offer a consistent review process for all comers. However, to date, nothing of the sort has been done, nor has there been any follow-up. I am hoping that our sustainability segment in the fall will bring key players to the table to get something like this in place. This is just one example of where collaborating on a large scale could result in a real base of support that is process based, rather than reactive or relationship based. I know another issue that has come up is about how NAs are pitted against each other for funding, instead of having a system that evaluates need and resources on a broad basis and makes decisions accordingly. Anyway, I'm glad that this issue is now on so many people's radar. I had begun to think I was crazy. Marlena |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 05:11:24 -0700 (MST)
Hi Donald, I am the chair of the Westside Development NA and am a part of the Desert Voices Coalition. This coalition includes 4 NA's, A-Mt., Santa Cruz SW, Enchanted Hills and my own. Area this coalition covers: Starr Pass (north), Ajo (south), Santa Cruz River (east) and Tucson Mt. (west). We are having a meeting this Tuesday (8-21-07) at the Archer Center (1665 S. La Cholla Blvd) at 7PM. We are hosting the two candidates for the Ward 1 Council seat. You are welcome to attend. I don't know if we will have time to answer any question during the meeting, but there is always a lively conversation afterwards. Count me in! Abreeza Zegeer, Chair of Westside Development NA Member of Desert Voices Coalition (consisting of 4 NA's) 410-2276 |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 06:03:51 -0700 (MST)
Hi Donald and others, I found replying to all of you arduous, only because some of the addresses may not be in use any more, but I'm sure this will get to most of you. Issue List or Action Commitees (phase I) 1) Development issues (big box stores, new residential housing clusters..?) 2) Neighborhood renewal (older homes, parks, gardens...?) 3) Crime (drugs, thefts...?) 4) Community involvement (neighborhood pride, non-political influence on public officials..?) 5) Infrastructure (waste, sewer, water, cable, roads...?) 6) Defacing of hoods (dumping, graffito...?) 7) ???? It has been said already that some of us have full time jobs and families that take up much of our time. In addition we also have the need or drive to be involved in our community, so our time becomes the limiting factor in everything that we do. I have started an issue list above, but it won't hurt my feelings at all if someone wants to re-arrange the issues. Is there a person or persons that could hook us up with a web site to continue this process? Create an action forum site with committees that do most of their communicating on line and then bring it into the "real world". I like working at home in my PJ's, saves an half-n-hour right there having to get ready to leave the house. :) Cheers, Abreeza Zegeer 410-2276 |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:15:23 -0700
Dear Donald and other Neighborhood Presidents, We are pleased to see such a positive response to the Star's editorial. I am one of the co-founders of the Neighborhood Infill Coalition (NIC) a group of committed community advocates who have been "in the trenches" for many years now. We have dealt with a range of issues and pool our collective knowledge and skills to work on issues of infill development and the impacts this has on our quality of life. We are currently working with DNR to prepare a training course for this September/October time frame that will be designed to teach neighborhood representatives how to access and research information about properties in their neighborhoods. For a short time during council member Ronstadt's tenure, there was a group in Ward 6 known as the Central City Leadership Network (CCLN). However, his office eventually pulled its support and it proved to be too much work for the few volunteers who tried to keep it going. We are still applying pressure to council member Trasoff's office to resurrect this organization, so we encourage anyone living in Ward 6 to contact her office and let her know you would like to see the CCLN brought back. NIC has done better, in part because we rely heavily on email to assist neighborhood associations, but in part because we believe in helping neighborhoods to learn about land use code and development issues and teaching them how to advocate for themselves. We were recently involved in the attempt to address the mini-dorm issue, which sadly, failed because of a lack of political will and concerns with Proposition 207. Our current focus is water and the impending crises we see on the horizon. All other issues will pale in comparison to this one. We would be more than happy to assist any neighborhood in trying to connect with valuable information and contacts. Just let us know how we can help. Colette Altaffer, Neighborhood Infill Coalition President, Catalina Vista Neighborhood Association |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:40:43 -0700
I would be interested in attending this meeting. I am involved in many monthly meetings concerning our Coalition area, therefore, it would be very difficult to add another monthly meeting. We are the only group that is located in both the city and county. Also, we are working on a HUD Flowing Wells Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Plan covering 3 sq. miles of the 10 sq. miles in the Flowing Wells School District which is the Coalition area. I was unable to send this to everyone. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Ellie Towne, President Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association and Community Coalition |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:42:14 -0700
Good points and ideas all around. Santa Rita Park NA is interested in stronger alliances with all NAs. Daniel Patterson President, Santa Rita Park NA santaritapark.blogspot.com |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:44:24 -0700
Miramonte Neighborhood Assn would be interested in participating. Charles Casey, President Miramonte Neighborhood Association |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:07:25 EDT
This is so genuine. Thank you Ken Green A Mountain Community Association |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:47:20 -0700
I have been president of my neighborhood association for over 15 years and have helped establish the Westside Coalition of Neighborhoods. I am glad to see that there are others out there that seem to realize there is a need to stand together. If something does become of this and we do decide to meet and stand together, let me know. Margaret Mckenna, Barrio Hollywood Neighborhood Association Westside Coalition/President Westside Weed and Seed |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:29:32 -0700
Hi all, I'm the immediate past chair of Iron Horse NA (8th St to Broadway Euclid to 4th Ave). We have had a lot of success recently in working with Ward VI to convene monthly meetings with the 4 historic neighborhoods surrounding Tucson High, THS and TUSD administration, City of Tucson Depts ( TPD, Transportation), Fourth Ave Merchants etc to identify and collectively solve shared problems (traffic, trash, student/resident safety, planning) and develop joint solutions. It's an example of an issue specific coalition that has been highly effective and proactive. We'd be happy to share more. Ward VI's lead was vital. Downtown historic neighborhoods are currently "under siege" with so much development and public works. Our small neighborhood has been inundated with requests for representation. The need for the City/Ward offices to provide extra resources to these NA's is great, so that they can be more effective in representing their neighborhood concerns. This approach would have been very helpful to coordinate concerns with Downtown Links. There is a Downtown Neighborhood Alliance that meets monthly. For more information about this contact our new Chair: Jeff Digregorio at [email protected] Thanks, Jennie Mullins IHNA |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:31:14 -0700 Since 3 PM yesterday, I have heard from 16 neighborhood leaders interested in or already engaged in joint discussions/efforts with other neighborhood associations. They are:
Until we find a method of communication that is better than email, I have gathered the messages sent so far in one place. I find it easier to consider content when it is gathered together in one place - we've already got a lot to digest. If you want your name off the list, please tell me. Also, tell me if you have another address to add. Marlena's work to set up a forum in November seems the most promising thing I've heard so far. Marlena, can you give more info on the purpose of your forum? We don't want to usurp what you have underway unless the purpose is close to what's being discussed. We need a moderated, computer-based message system for communication - any ideas? We need a forum steering committee - does one exist already? Thanks, Don |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:56:48 -0700
Donald, I will be happy to be involved in any effort that gives neighborhoods an opportunity to unify and have some clout. You have already started the process. I have been president of Midtown - The Garden District for less than a year and I am learning as I go along. Ida Plotkin |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:56:55 -0700
I am interested in meeting and working together, but I have 1 question...How many neighbors come to your monthly meetings? We can meet but when it comes right down to it, our Neighbors are the ones who have Final say, as I have learned in the past...So Im curious. Cindy Ayala, President Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association 792-8367/ 668-3776 |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:44:45 -0700
I don't want to overdo this message business, but there appears to be a lot of latent interest in cross-neighborhood collaboration. "I am glad to see that there are others out there that seem to realize there is a need to stand together. If something does become of this and we do decide to meet and stand together, let me know." Margaret Mckenna, Barrio Hollywood Neighborhood Association As you see, we're getting some very thoughtful comments - I'm adding them to the collection. New messages this afternoon have been received from Ruth Beeker of Miramonte, Jennie Mullins of Iron Horse NA, Ida Plotkin, new president of Midtown, The Garden District and others. The comments have been added to the bottom of the collection page. From what I can tell, we are over-blessed with agendas sparking mid-level coalitions and failed efforts to get beyond organizational meetings. What to do? Efforts at city-wide collaboration have failed more than once - what were the lessons learned? My take is that we need good pre-meeting identification of core issues and values, firm meeting facilitation, effective movement to action items and plenty of time to consider process implications and establishment of project management elements, including resource requirements, milestones, deliverables and issue logs. Why not try some of the most effective methods ever invented? Hopefully, we will move from this free-flowing conversation to more tangible plans soon. Don |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:54:32 EDT
Please include Amphi NA as well. Rick Wicinski Co-President, Amphi NA |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:27:35 -0700
Donald thank you for putting the "COMPENDIUM PAGE" together. It will allow a little time to review everyones comments. You opened a can of worms, but that is a good thing. My concern is that there are those that do not have access to or know how to use computers. Their input is important as well. Sincerly Linda Howell, Pres. Dietz N.A. |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:16:30 -0700
Donald, "From what I can tell, we are over-blessed with agendas sparking mid-level coalitions and failed efforts to get beyond organizational meetings. What to do? Efforts at city-wide collaboration have failed more than once - what were the lessons learned?" In response to your question (above): my inclination is to make this explicitly a network form of organization, based on exchanging the value of our experience in a shared context of City of Tucson, Pima County, Arizona and the desert in which we all live. I sense a shared concern about our futures here that goes deeply into issues of sustainability in a time of increasing chaos. In a network we could find ways to create value. I suggest a resource for network building: NetGains Handbook (857k). We might be able to agree on a purpose discussed there: 1. Sharing connections (like who do you seek to fund park equipment; or who has successfully engaged absentee owners of an apartment complex to adopt the crime free housing contracts?) 2. Sharing knowledge (who knows how to write grants? Who knows how to facilitate meetings?) 3. Sharing competencies (ability to get the word out; ability to accurately take the pulse of the neighbors; ability to negotiate and open doors that were shut). 4. Sharing resources (sources of funding; expertise; staffing) If we prove our ability to share and exchange with each other, then we can evolve into a network that coordinates action. if we demonstrate our ability to coordinate action, then we can work on projects in which we produce tangible services or products together (surveys, coalition objectives, shared leadership). I'm curious what others think in response to Donald's concern about lessons learned. As for a tangible plan: If someone has a house with a big enough living room and parking to fit those who have responded in, then I say, lets start with a face to face on a Saturday morning in the next couple of weeks. We can make it a snack potluck. If we want to prepare in advance, we could all respond to the four sharing dimensions above in terms of what we bring, and what we are looking for. Most of all, we can begin building ties with each other. That would be a satisfying start. - Michael Ray 520-888-6452 [email protected] |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:21:37 -0700
Our neighborhood is involved with 1) Regular monthly NA meetings and subcommittees, 2) Ward-wide Neighborhood Monthly Meetings 3) a monthly 4 neighborhood crime coalition meeting, and 4) a monthly 4 neighborhood visioning group meeting. Tonight I attended the Ward 3 TPD New Strategies meeting. Honestly, I have learned from all of these meetings that ALL neighborhoods have mostly THE SAME problems (Crime, Infrastructure, etc. see the list someone sent out). And each neighborhood has it's own specific priorities- like, maybe your neighborhood wants new bike paths, street lighting (or no lighting), street maintenance, flood control, or a park. We don't need a city-wide meeting to figure all of this out! It seems to me, that what we REALLY NEED is A VEHICLE (website was mentioned) with which we can share the information we need to get things done: Who to call when you need what. How have you gotten help with... Who is doing this in your association... It's always about who you know to get things done. Then when your group decides to tackle an issue or a project, you could talk to someone who's already done it and every single neighborhood could do for itself, with help and guidance from others. Maybe we already have a start with this email list and the List of Neighborhoods/officers on the City of Tucson site? http://www.tucsonaz.gov/dnr/Neighborhoods/neighborhoods.html Our councilperson and her staff have been more than helpful in getting our concerns to the right person, giving us the tools we need, and getting things done. Use the resources the city has and whatever information we can exchange. Ed Brogna Email: [email protected] Cabrini Neighborhood Association Website http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/tucson/cabrini/ |
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Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 23:58:40 EDT
Add my name to the list. I am the president of the San Carlos NA and the association has tried to do a joint project with an adjacent NA. We would be very interested in meeting to develop a comprehensive city wide association. Roy Garcia |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:25:04 -0700 (PDT)
A resource/connections forum will be a valuable tool. Coalitions are also a valuable tool. This forum could serve as a starting point for neighborhoods with similar issues to come together to resolve issues on a small scale. As Jennie Mullins mentioned, the Ward VI office was very responsive to our small, issue specific coalition. We were able to resolve the issue as a coalition much more effectively than as individual neighborhoods and residents. Larger groups of neighborhoods will be necessary in efforts to drive changes on important City-wide issues such as: follow through on recommendations from the AIA SDAT Sustainability Forum, Land Use Code revision, transportation, growth, water, etc. If larger groups of neighborhoods work in conjunction with groups such as the Neighborhood Infill Coalition and the Downtown Neighborhood Alliance, we can actually begin to "shape policy" as well. I would also be interested in the forum planned for the fall. Lori Boston President West University Neighborhood Association 623-1664 |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:51:37 -0700
Lori, Thanks for your thoughtful note. I too like Michael Ray's resource/connections idea, but I also recognize Ed Brogna's problem of too many meetings and his desire for some web-based tool for organizing NA's experiences, priorities, common problems and best practices. Maybe we can do both. I'm hoping to hear more details on what Marlena has in the works for a forum in November. Don |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:19:06 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Hi, My email will not let me respond to over 100 email recipients. Would you forward this to the group? My name is Deborah Tosline, Presiding Chair of La Madera Neighborhood Association (northwest sector of Country Club and Glenn). I support the formation of a coalition. I too work full-time and manage a household. In addition, I have other volunteer obligations. For me, meetings would need to be brief, focused, well-facilitated, maybe quarterly. My neighborhood has had a difficult time finding a website for our own neighborhood communications (we currently have newsletter, meetings, email list, mailings, and message board to share info...would like website too). Perhaps something like a my-space page would suffice for communication. My email box is loaded. BTW...La Madera is currently working with P&R to design a ramada remodel using sustainable materials and practices for public education/outreach. Looking to form partnerships to facilitate and optimize this effort. Regards, Deborah |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:20:37 -0700
I also have a bldg to lend for meeting space, if the crowd warrants a larger space. W3N is still nascent in the changes we've made, but on the Yahoo Group (horribly underutilized), we created several databases that users could add to. The databases are community assets through social agencies, volunteers, businesses, etc. In essence, exactly what Michael has proposed. Sustainable Tucson is a network model and certainly has some high points, but is also still working out an identity--so not totally crib-able, yet. However, I'm sure among us we've seen enough examples of things that do and don't work to navigate a template. As to my perceptions of what hasn't worked, I think I've touched on it already: one, there is no depository for central knowledge, lessons learned, etc., leaving everyone to either recreate the wheel with every project or rely entirely on strength of personal relationships. Two, the dialog never gets escalated into process or action. Sure, we know we want to do cisterns, for example, but now how do we approach making it HAPPEN? And, how do we get projects approved with the existing grant structure, when we have staff resistant to something they haven't seen before? That issue needs a solution created within the system to pave the way for everyone coming and someone in the city or county is going to have to be a leadership partner. It's late, and so I don't wanna right now, but tomorrow I'll send a message in response to the specifics about the November meeting. Maybe that could be a formal kick-off, whereas the Saturday meetings proposed could be the revving up??? Marlena |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:45:37 -0700 To: Jaime Gutierrez, Associate Vice President of Community Relations Office of Community Relations University Services Building PO Box 210158 Tucson, Arizona 85721 Telephone: (520) 621-3316 Fax: (520) 621-6011 Email: [email protected] Sir: I am writing to explore whether The University of Arizona could be of assistance in furthering the interests of Tucson's neighborhoods and their neighborhood associations. An ad hoc group of neighborhood association presidents seems to be forming around last Sunday's Az Star lead editorial. After reading it, I was provoked to write an email to the best list I had of neighborhood association leaders. My email is at the top of a compendium of comments generated by my query. The comments you see are the result of only 48 hours or so of reaction. You will notice several references to a need for better communication and information organization throughout the compendium. This is the area where I think we could use assistance. There may be other areas you and your colleagues could suggest - we're open to whatever assistance might be available. In looking at UA resources, I was intrigued by CMI and its facilitation services. Thank you, Donald Ijams, Ph.D., President Peter Howell Neighborhood Association 4204 E. 4th Pl. 795-0770 UA '66 '68 '72 [email protected] http://phna.soaz.info/ |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:05:05 -0700
I read with interest the comment from one of the presidents that dealt with trying to run an association while raising children and working full time. Basically, I'm dealing with those same issues, besides having an aging core group of people who are also dealing with health and "sandwich generation" issues. I'm President of Silvercroft NA and would be interested in being kept in the loop on developments of this Neighborhood Network. Gloria Manzanedo, Silvercroft NA |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:27:16 -0700
I'm chair of the Prince - Tucson NA. Yes, there should be some mechanism to join together to address common problems. I suggest Ward meetings of NA presidents as a start. Maybe this onslaught of email messages can identify Ward leaders. 31 email messages in 2 days are too many for me. David P. Tiers, Prince - Tucson NA |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:48:42 -0700
> We need a moderated, computer-based message system for communication > - any ideas? I am a member of two Yahoo listservs and they serve their communities well. I don't know what's involved in setting up a listserv, but basically each person who signs on can post an email, which then gets distributed to everyone on the list, either via individual email or group digest. Then anyone on the listserv can respond. The system works. You need a list matron (or master, I guess), who monitors the list for off-topic or inappropriate subjects or flaming, and a list of "subjects" so people can decide what they want to read. I don't know how much time it takes to set it up or monitor it. Does anyone have that kind of time and is computer savvy? If this is of interest to anyone, I can research what is involved and report back. I also agree with Ed at Cabrini ... we go to some of the same meetings. "It's always about who you know to get things done." And also lighting a fire under the City agency that deals with that specific problem. Until the City realizes that inner city neighborhoods have become a rotating roster of people who have no investment in the neighborhood, and that the people who do care are crying out for more help, then we cannot move forward. I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the services the City does provide, it's just that I don't think we yet another meeting to discuss what we already discuss at our meetings every month. Until one person (or group of people) puts pressure on an agency, very little gets done. In my neighborhood, we care about meth houses cropping up, wandering drug dealers, kids needing to be safe going to and from school, cut-through traffic from Grant, loud-car radios careening through the hood all night, trash lining the street, dilapidated rental units, seniors needing services, crumbling streets, graffiti, etc. ... the larger issues like water and sustainability come up among my neighbors rarely if at all. A listserve, with clear subject lines, would allow each person to read the emails that are of concern to their "constituency" and perhaps skip over other topics. With so much diversity in our neighborhoods' concerns, we may need to crystallize the focus a bit. My two cents. (I am enjoying this discussion.) Helen Garfinkle President, Doolen/Fruitvale Grant to Glenn, Country Club to Palo Verde |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:59:05 -0700
Good Morning Don: I received the following email from Ruth Beeker: "Are you aware of the buzz about the Star's editorial calling out the need for involved neighborhoods? Don Ijams from Peter Howell sent out an e-mail to neighborhood leaders asking if anyone was interested in trying to do something about the void, and he has had about 20 responses -- all calling for action. I have been trying to reconstruct the City's action which resulted in your removal from the role you played in the City-neighborhood connection. This old brain can not come up with the details. What was your position called? When was it that Liz Miller fired you from that position?" I responded to Ruth with the NETeam information. I was the chair of MetroNET and the representative from the City to Peter Howell NA for approximately eight years. During that time I worked with Clague Van Slyke and a few other presidents. Here is the timeline: February 2005 Liz Miller told all of us at our monthly NETeam (Neighborhood ENAncement Team - MetroNET serviced the midtown neighborhoods of which I was chair for nine years) meeting that Neteams would be a thing of the past as of April 1, 2005 (we all thought that was a bad April Fool's joke). The NEW program was to begin as of that date....City Teams. One year later, May 2006 they were weakly getting off the ground. Midtown's Team is basically on life-support ... showing no brain activity. The other teams muddle along ... the reason being - staff were TOLD they would be in this project, they did not volunteer. Their excuse for non-involvement ... they are too busy. It is not a priority for them, they are not passionate about what they are doing, and it is just one more item on their 'TO DO' list. My passion never went away. In March 2005, I had a meeting with Liz ... trying to save NETeams. I did this incredible PowerPoint that I made her sit through .... but, it was an exercise in futility ... but I gave it my all. I have written Back-2-Basics grants for my NA - Palo Verde - as well as a Reinvestment Lighting Grant. I was the president of PVNA, now am the VP .... and retired on 5/31 from the city after 40 years. My position now is as a neighborhood advocate, as I don't walk the fine line of a neighborhood representative working for the city. Fortunately as a NET member I made a name for myself with department heads who know I do not take no for an answer, and was one who could think outside the box. They know I will not be pushed aside, and if staff does not respond I know what buttons to push. I support your efforts and look forward to assisting in any way possible. Regards. Ronni Kotwica |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:00:40 -0700
Hi, My name is Robert Schmit and I'm this year's president for Sewell Neighborhood Association. We were part of the CCLN with Fred Ronstadt. Please include our neighborhood association in your emailings, for we believe that having a forum for neighborhood leaders to communicate with each other about our shared interests and concerns is vital, vital to the strength of our own neighborhood as well as others spread across the city. My email address is: [email protected] Robert Schmit, President Sewell Neighborhood Association |
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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:33:35 -0700
Short note: I would like to add a point or two to this list. - Neighborhood emergency preparedness. CERT training. In the event of a power outage or such, the neighborhood is best poised to help itself. - Environmental sustainability - How to retrofit our neighborhoods so that they take advantage of current technologies and designs to promote neighborly relations and energy conservation. Katy Brown, Vista del Monte |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:49:34 -0700
Add managing parks for neighborhood use, not just regional sports facilities; CoT DNR censorship of NA mailings and speech; and street widening projects that threaten neighborhoods. Daniel Patterson, President Santa Rita Park NA santaritapark.blogspot.com |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:14:43 -0700
Dear Colette and Don: Citywide (as well as Ward-wide) collaboration between neighborhoods is long overdue. Perhaps it could start with a list serve, which is easier than e-mailing lengthy address lists. An inexpensive website, such as a Yahoo group, might also be a good idea. I agree that the grant proposal process by which neighborhoods compete for funds, goods, and services is deeply flawed. The energies of dedicated activists are diverted from collaboration into fighting for pieces of an artificially small pie. I think the entire construct is morally offensive and counter to the interests of the city as a whole. I say this, despite the fact that my neighborhood has succeeded in working the existing system to our benefit. We have attracted grant funds far out of proportion to our size. However, I am concerned that if a coalition of neighborhoods demands that M&C change the current process by which we fight for scraps, then even the scraps will be taken away. Or worse yet, funds will be allocated by some political process that is even less transparent, accessible, and inclusive than the current inchoate "system." It's not that we shouldn't engage this issue, just that we should proceed thoughtfully. One possible place to start creating greater fairness in the allocation of funds would be to establish a central clearinghouse for all grants neighborhoods are eligible to apply for. I consider myself quite knowledgeable and active in grant writing for my neighborhood, yet I have almost missed several deadlines in the past year, simply because the information did not reach me in a timely manner. Diana Lett Feldman's Neighborhood Association |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:27:29 -0700
Dear Donald Ijams I am delighted to see neighbors coming together for the common good of this beautiful valley. Thank you for taking the initiative to bring us together. We live on the far west side of town, part of the Saguaro Miraflores NA. My husband is the current chair of the city's Planning Commission. Please add our email address to your list of contacts [email protected] 743-7566. I would enjoy participating with the organization of a citywide forum to address issues that concern all of us. Tracy Williams, Lifetime Tucson Resident, Saguaro Miraflores NA |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:26:12 EDT
Don: Sorry about the bad e-address, but thank you for taking the effort. I thought the same thing when I read that editorial. Since many of our midtown neighborhoods experience much the same problems, it would seem that a coalition effort to address them would be more effective than tackling them piecemeal, neighborhood by neighborhood. Palo Verde neighborhood has had problems with street flooding since forever and we will be addressing our concerns to TDOT at our next meeting. However, street flooding is a problem throughout the midtown strip and calls for a comprehensive plan to deal with it, not a patch solution for our square mile that may aggravate the problem elsewhere. Count us in; I would be pleased to attend any meeting that develops from this discussion. Sincerely, Wood Sanders, President, Palo Verde NA |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:39:02 -0700
Don, let me get additional information regarding the CMI i.e. costs , availability and I will get back to you soon. This sounds like an exciting endeavor and we will see how we can help. Thanks for your effort in this important matter to the Tucson community. Mr. Jaime P. Gutierrez The University of Arizona Associate Vice President Office of Community Relations phone--520.621.3316 fax---520.621.6011 |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:57:03 -0700
Here's a sample table of Issues by NA for you to consider. Not all NAs are there, not all issues/topics/projects are there and the only code in the body of the table is X, to show that this item is of interest to this NA. If it were refined and filled out, this kind of table might be of some use. Keeping it up to date might be a job. See what you think. I continue to add comments to the compendium as they come in, thinking that a record of what we're saying and doing would be useful. Occasionally, I read over the comments again to keep the fabric of our effort in mind. I also continue to update our email list. On request, I have removed several addresses and added a few that have come in. If you would like to send a message to the whole group, please contact me about the cleaned up list I've created. We'll be getting together a small steering group soon, to put together a plan for an introductory meeting. I'll let you know what we recommend. Don |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:11:15 -0700
Katy Brown, Vista del Monte wrote about Neighborhood emergency preparedness. CERT training. Our wonderful plus 55 community at Tucson Meadows Mobile Home Park has had extensive classes on CERT. They may be a good sourse of information on this program. We have also experienced growing traffic problems on the busy streets surrounding our square mile with a lot of new infill subdivisons and business. Ward 4 has been very open and helpful with looking into solutions & talking with COT Dept. of Transportation for us. It took over five years but we did get a new left turn light at 29th and Kolb recently. Linda Howell, Dietz NA |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:35:28 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Hello Everyone, My name is Ron Walcott and I am the president of Stella-Mann NA and I believe that a meeting of all the people that represent their NA's would be great especially when we need our elected officials to listen to us for the greater common good instead of pandering to people that don't have "the people's" interests at hand. Good idea! Ron Walcott, President, Stella-Mann NA |
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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:03:20 -0700
Don, thanks for putting a lot of effort into this idea (project). The Table is a good idea to visualized the issues. Looking over the table I saw several other issues that Civano residents are interested in. Item 1 better describes our concerns about development, instead of the #18. Item 8 Crime in the form of vandalism has definitely found Civano. Item 22 Water issues are a very important part of the Civano story. Our community was designed to consume only 55% of what a typical Tucson home consumes. Item 27 Bike paths are always important. Thanks for taking the time for this work. Bob Small Civano NA (Ed Note: Bob, hold onto your ideas for Civano's participation in the joint issues/projects sheet. I see an expanded, refined one going out to NA leaders, probably more than once, for their input. Don) |
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DNR - Associations and Neighborhood Maps NA and NA both stand for Neighborhood Association DNR stands for City Department of Neighborhood Resources Last Updated: August 31, 2007 Managed by: D. S. Ijams |