News and Updates 
Next Mayor and Council Meeting
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings
Ward 3 Events
City Wide Events
Did You Know?

Happy Halloween from Ward 3 !!!! 

Cyclovia!

This Sunday come join me (and bring you family and friends) at Cyclovia. I’ll be sitting at the Ward 3 table in Mansfield Park, in front of the Donna Liggins Recreation Center, part of the Arizona Complete Health Hub. This is the first time the event has taken place in Ward 3, and we are excited that it will highlight some of our great neighborhoods, institutions, and businesses. There will be many great activities and things to see, from Old Pascua artists to a spooky obstacle course at BICAS. 

See all the hub activities on the very useful interactive map at https://app.cycloviatucson.org/map. 

- Kevin

Redistricting Public Hearing by Katie Bolger 

Redistricting Advisory Committee Public Hearing
Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Mayor and Council Chambers, City Hall
255 West Alameda, Tucson, Arizona

Although there is not as much public notice as we would like, the recently convened Redistricting Advisory Committee has approved a tentative map that moves a handful of long-time Ward 3 precincts into Ward 1. There are additional changes as well. If this is of interest to you, please attend the public hearing next Thursday. The precincts surrounded in red on the map are shown in their NEW Ward.

The Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation by Marlene Avelino

This week Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) hosted a luncheon for the Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation, whose mission is to provide Tucson and Southern Arizona with skilled and affordable trainings that transform destructive conflict into productive connection and partnership. It left me inspired and recommitted to our shared humanity. Pretty lofty right? And yet, that is the core of their work, and they are really good at it.

Previously known as the Center for Community Dialogue and Training, it was a program within Our Family Services for over 40 years, founded by a group of activists interested in providing opportunities for civil discourse and nonviolent communication. They hoped to achieve their vision of conflict resolution through training and education. Since its inception, the Center has trained hundreds of participants on nonviolent communication, conflict resolution, and cultural competency. 

The Center Board Members Chris Medvescek and Catherine Tornbom closing out a recent community forum on the opportunities and resources to shape the future of the Center.

In July of this year, Our Family Services closed the program in order to focus on the increasingly urgent need for housing. The program staff and board of directors recognized the equally urgent need for mediation and facilitation and decided to strike out on their own; they are now an independent organization. They are in the process of acquiring their 501c3 status and in the meantime, they are fiscally sponsored by the Culture of Peace Alliance.

We are grateful to Rebeca Roupp, our Neighborhood Engagement Specialist, for putting the lunch together. “Over my years with the City, I have been involved in engaging the Center for a variety of services, from staff training, to neighborhood association leader training, to mediation between neighbors. Participants learned ways to conduct meaningful and respectful dialogues, techniques to de-escalate tense situations, the difference between facilitation and mediation, and so much more. I strongly encourage anybody who is dealing with multi-party challenges to reach out to the Center and see whether their services could be helpful.”

Recent facilitation for PAAW held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. The purpose was to, "Bring together key stakeholders throughout Pima County to address the problem of temporary care for pets when their owners are in urgent short-term need." 

The Center was recently hired by the City of Tucson to facilitate forums with the community on the Reid Park Zoo expansion and The Sunshine Mile project. They offer a variety of services and trainings. Mediation for cooperative conflict resolution for individuals, families, neighbors, co-workers, groups, orgs, agencies and businesses. Listening Circles providing a safe and respectful opportunity for people in conflict to be heard and to hear each other. Facilitation for structured large-group conversations in which all voices are heard and considered. Restorative Practices include restorative circles, Alternatives to Violence Project, and Family Communication and Conflict Resolution. They also offer training for transformative mediation, dialogue facilitation, conflict de-escalation, and communication/conflict management skills.

You can check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CenterCMF or email directly [email protected]. 

Change can be very hard. Conflict can be very difficult. Thank you to the Center for Community and Facilitation for continuing to do this very important work. 

Doolen-Fruitvale Neighborhood by CJ Boyd 

The Doolen-Fruitvale neighborhood runs from Country Club Rd. east to Palo Verde Ave. and from Glenn St. south to Grant Rd. Founded in 2003, the Doolen-Fruitvale Neighborhood Association is one of the newest Neighborhood Associations in Ward 3.

As the name suggests, Doolen Middle School, located at the corner of Country Club and Grant, is neighborhood’s most significant feature. Built in 1942, the original name was Catalina Junior High School. The school currently has 578 students. At a recent meeting with Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott, we discussed the fact that he was an assistant principal at Doolen Middle School 22 years ago, and there were almost 900 students.

Doolen Middle is one of seven schools in Pima County that use a Community School Model, which is a pilot program partially funded by the county to meet the economic, emotional, and behavioral needs of students of students. Doolen has the highest student homelessness rate of any middle school in TUSD, and has multiple programs to address the needs of refugees, and other student groups who need extra help. There are 19 languages spoken at Doolen, which provides special challenges as well as a rich cultural landscape in which students and families are able to learn from each other. Keep an eye out for a future newsletter article dedicated to just the Community School Model program.

According to Helen Garfinkle, founding Neighborhood Association board member and resident of Doolen-Fruitvale for over 30 years, the neighborhood was named not only after the Doolen Middle School, but also the Fruitvale Subdivision, which is how the surrounding area was historically designated. 

The Neighborhood Association was responsible for installing the Sparkman Butterfly Garden in the dirt yard in front of the TEP Substation between Bermuda St. and Flower St. One of the boulders was donated by Ward 3’s own Bennett Bernal.

The Sparkman Butterfly Garden is a lovely oasis in the neighborhood, which doesn’t contain any official parks or churches. It does contain a few other notable neighborhood resources such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson on Grant Road and Exodus Community Services on Country Club Road. The latter, according to their mission statement, exists to provide people in recovery “with safe, drug and alcohol-free, twelve-step oriented environments” in order to provide clients with the “care and structure necessary to develop life skills essential for transition to independent living.”

Doolen-Fruitvale has a mix of single family homes, apartments, and mobile homes, with an even mix of homes that are rented and those that are owner occupied. 

One of the few local restaurants in Doolen-Fruitvale's bounds is Robert’s Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch spot serving American diner fare located on Grant Rd. and Edith Blvd. Another interesting local business is Native Rainbows, a Native American goods store located on Glenn St. 

When asked her favorite thing about living in Doolen-Fruitvale, Neighborhood Association co-chair Kali Van Campen said, “Since I’ve been here, I was happy to see the City-owned land behind/attached to Doolen Middle School be developed into soccer fields and a walking park, as I live just a few blocks away.”

Neighbor Helen Garfinkle mentioned the same soccer field as one of the great improvements the City has recently made. “My favorite thing about living here is the beautiful soccer park created in the Doolen School playground area. It is well maintained by Parks & Rec, and I walk the track every morning in a lovely open green space, with full view of the mountains and sky. The other thing I love is that I can be anywhere in less than 10 minutes. Very convenient.”

Ms. Garfinkle added, “I’ve lived here for over 30 years and have seen the neighborhood change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Lately I’ve see small changes for the better, a little free library, a new owner who beautifies their yard. I am always hopeful.”

Coffee with a Cop by Mike Edmonds 

“Coffee with a Cop” was held the morning of Thursday, October 20th at Oasis Apartments, located at the center of the Dodge Flower neighborhood, at the intersection of North Dodge Blvd. and East Flower St. just north of Grant Rd.

Area residents were able to converse with officers from the Tucson Police Department (TPD), management of the apartment complex, representatives of neighborhood associations, and staff from the Ward 3 office (on behalf of Councilman Kevin Dahl). Residents from surrounding areas were also invited and able to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know members of TPD, including Community Service Officers. Coffee and donuts were provided for free.

Oasis Apartments are a high call location for TPD and one of the focal points for violent crime in the Midtown Police Division. TPD has designated the apartment complex as one of their four current Place Network Investigations (PNI) locations.

PNI is a pilot program that attempts to interrupt gun violence in places where it has persisted for years, attempting to change certain elements of the environment that are conducive to violent crime. This approach has had some good results early on, and acknowledges that poverty, infrastructure, and environment all play a significant role in producing violent crime. 

Next Mayor and Council Meeting 

The next Mayor and Council Meeting is on Monday, November 14th, 2022.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here: Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings

Cabrini Neighborhood Association
Thursday, November 3rd, 6:00- 7:00 pm
Vineyard City Church at 3150 E. Fort Lowell Rd. 

Feldman's Neighborhood Association  
Thursday, November 3rd, 7:00- 8:15 pm
on Zoom

The Ward 3 office is open. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email [email protected].

Ward 3 Events

Tricks and Treats Event at the Marty Birdman Center 

Upcoming Tucson Norte-Sur Open House Meetings

The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) continues outreach for Tucson Norte-Sur: Investing in Resilient Communities + Transit, the equitable Transit-Oriented Development (eTOD) plan for a north-south corridor extending from the Tucson Mall/Tohono Tadai Transit Center in the north to Tucson International Airport in the south.

DTM, along with the Housing and Community Development Department, will present findings from Phase 1 of Tucson Norte-Sur at four upcoming Open House Meetings;

• November 15, 6-8pm, City of South Tucson City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Ave (includes presentation to South Tucson City Council)
• November 16, 5-7pm, Armory Park Center, 220 S. 5th Ave (Downtown Open House)
• November 17, 5-7pm, La Esquina, 4876 S. 6th Ave (South Side Open House)
• November 19, 10am-12pm, Jacinto Park, 2601 N. 15th Ave (North Side Open House, as part of Thrive in the 05 Block Party)

These meetings will include an overview of the Tucson Norte-Sur project, public input received so far, updates on affordable housing efforts underway along transit corridors, and opportunities to provide additional feedback. Food and activities for kids and adults will be provided! More info at tucsonnorte-sur.com.

Ward 3 Cemetery Wash Monthly Clean Ups! 

Join Ward 3 staff and the City of Tucson for clean up events the second Thursday of each month from 8am to 10am through January 2023. That's November 10th, December 8th, and January 12th. Find us at N. Balboa Ave. and W. Delano Street ready with supplies to help us clean up the wash. Register HERE! 

Request for Donations for the Lapan Sunshine Casitas 

Goat Head Pulling on Thursdays in the Keeling Neighborhood Continues!

Thursday November 3rd - Glenn from Fontana West to Stone: 8-10 AM
Thursday November 10th - North side of Keeling School:  8-10 AM
Thursday November 17th - East side of Keeling School:  8-10 AM
Skip November 24th - THANKSGIVING (giving thanks we're not pulling goat heads)

Free Vaccines at the Humane Society 

City Wide Events

Build a Community Altar for Día de Los Muertos on Saturday, October 29th

Commission on Equitable Housing and Development Committee Meetings 

HCD invites Tucson residents to participate in the meetings of the Commission on Equitable Housing and Development (CEHD). The Mayor and Council created the Commission two years ago to focus on housing issues and to advise Mayor and Council on policies that will help guide the City to create more housing opportunities for Tucsonans and to deal with historical barriers to fair housing.

The Commission is made up of 15 voting members and four ex-officio members. The Commission meets virtually on the first Thursday of the month from 4- 6 pm. In addition, there are three subcommittees: Affordable Housing which meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 4-5:30 pm; Housing First which meets on the fourth Wednesday from 4-5:30 pm; and Housing Segregation which meets on the last Thursdays from 1-2:30 pm. All meetings are set unless otherwise noted for a different day or time.

To find more information, virtual meeting links and current agendas, and past agendas and video recordings of Commission meetings, go to this site: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/cehd

Sustainable Tucson 2045 Workshop on November 12th 

What’s your vision of Tucson in the year 2045? Sustainable Tucson is starting a new initiative: ST2045 - Envisioning our Sustainable Future. For this, we will hold two workshops this Fall (and two more in the Spring) for community members to work together to express their vision of the future we want for Tucson.  

You are invited to be part of one of this workshop. Led by UA Professor Kathleen Kennedy, workshop participants will use a creative and stimulating collage process to create images of Tucson now and the Tucson they expect and want to see in 2045.  

Following the workshops, you’ll also have the opportunity to be part of a “special interest group” to explore key visions further, focus on a specific issue of interest, and recommend first/next steps for action. The workshop results will also help Sustainable Tucson plan what to focus on next year, to help make our community’s vision a reality.  This year, ST2045 will take the place of the Envision Tucson Sustainable Festival.  

A workshop will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 10:00 am-noon, at the Ward 6 Office, (3202 E 1st St).  We hope you can participate. If you’d like to be part of this new initiative, use the link below to register for one of these workshops.   For more information, please contact Tres English [email protected], and you can Register Here

Nominations Open: the Greater Tucson Leadership Community Impact Awards

Nominations for Man and Woman of the Year Award, Founders Award, and GTL Alumni Excellence Award are OPEN Now thru November 30th, 2022! It's a great opportunity to recognize people in our community who are making things happen! Click this link to make your nomination: https://greatertucsonleadership.org/form.php?form_id=39&c=1

Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report! 

You can use this link to subscribe to the Climate Action Report through the City Manager's Office:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/subscriber/new   

Did You Know?

Connect Arizona Affordable Connectivity Program

Tucson Water Discounts

Call 520-791-5443 to make an appointment or visit this site for more information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/low-income-assistance-program

COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance

Funding requests for unpaid rent and utilities are available for up to 12 months in arrears and three months in advance. Those without internet access can call (520) 447-4423 to apply, and bilingual case managers are available. Go to this site for more information.