Midtown Neighborhood Association

Minutes of General Meeting held September 18, 2001

John B. Wright Elementary

 GREETINGS:

Brad Holland, MNA President, welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.


SPECIAL SESSION - IMPACT OF RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS:

Brad mentioned that he had received calls from neighbors of Middle-Eastern decent who chose not to come to the meeting for fear they be identified and harrassed or endangered. Brad invited and introduced Rabbi Joe Weisenbaum of Temple Ner Tamid, Mr. Mohadim Abdul-Azziz, a Palestinian library specialist from the Rogers College of Law, and Rev. Ray McBroom of the River of Life Church in MidTown to share their thoughts on the recent terrorism attack in New York and how to maintain a strong community.  Their messages of peace and tolerance were greatly appreciated. 

 Brad then introduced Sargent Robert Webster from the TPD and Susan Eazure from the Pima County Attorney's Office, Hate Crimes Task Force.  Sgt. Webster encouraged people to have a heightened sense of awareness and to call if they see anything suspicious.  He noted the number of such calls has noticeably increased since the attack last Tuesday.

 Ms. Eazure reported that County Attorney Barbara LaWall has zero-tolerance policy with regard to hate crimes in wake of the terrorist attacks.  She suggested that threatening phone calls could be forwarded to the phone company for tracing by hanging up and immediately dialing *57 (star- five-seven).  Dialing *57 after a receiving a suspicious or threatening phone call flags the caller’s phone number in a database at the phone company.  If several calls from the same number appear in the database, an investigation can be started.  She asked that residents phone her at 740-5582 if they have questions or concerns.  Arizona has no specific Hate Crimes Legislation.  The Federal Government does.  Brad recited the United States Commission on Civil Rights Federal Hate Crimes Hot Line number as 1-800-552-6843.

 MidTown welcomes all neighbors to our gatherings.  Our meetings are a place of safety and community.

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Brad noted that both Paula Aboud, Democratic Candidate for Ward III City Council and Gayle Hartman, Democratic Candidate for Ward VI City Council in were in the audience earlier, but had to leave for other appointments.

 MINUTES:

Copies of the minutes from the May 2001 meeting were not distributed among attendees prior to the meeting.  Brad noted that they would be available for distribution next meeting and posted on the web site (www.thegardendistrict.org) in the meantime.   We are sad to say that our Secretary Candace Salisbury, submitted her resignation on 09/19/2001.  Her letter was hand delivered by Samantha Simms. Her resignation was accepted.  Howard Ward was drafted as the Secretary of the Moment. Thank you Howard!  Best wishes to Candace in all her future endeavors.

 TREASURER’S REPORT: (David Kha)

Fund

Cash on Hand

Deposits

Expenses

Balance
Midtown General $488.47 $845.81 $743.76 $590.52
JBW Nature Park $179.07 $0.00 $152.03 $27.04
JBW Marquee $2,247.01 $0.00 $2,019.96 $227.15
Green Retrofit $2,271.81 $0.00 $2,271.81 $0.00
TOTAL $5,186.36 $845.81 $5,187.46 $844.71

No motion was made or approved to accept the Treasurer's report. There was no mention or objection made to skipping this step.                      

UPDATES:
· Green Retrofit/Tree Planting (Samantha Simms)

Samantha reported that trees will be available from Trees for Tucson   (TFT) for a Fall Planting.  The trees cost $3.00 - $5.00 for a 5-gallon size.  Planting is scheduled for November 10.  Staging area will be Samantha's yard, and she has a volunteer to deliver trees to each recipient.  If enough trees are requested, the City will dig the holes, too.   A TFT representative will be at the next MNA meeting.  Samantha has brochures of different types of trees that are available in this program.  She encouraged applicants to look at what is available, so that we can get more variety than has traditionally been the case with tree-plantings in Midtown.  She has applications for residents to fill out.  Phone or email her for more information.

 Midtown Library and Learning Center: (Carol Clark)

Brad gave a brief history of the project.  Carol reported that Liz Miller of the City Library Dept. is working with James Keene on the details.  There will be a meeting this Thursday, 9/20/01 between the City and County to finalize a timeline for design and construction.  Kate O'Reilly from County Administrator Huckelberry's office will be at the next Steering Committee meeting (next week).

John B. Wright Report (Lisa Langford)

1.       Lisa welcomed all to JBW and their new air-conditioning (installed over the Summer).

2.       The four new classrooms being built on the east side of the school should be completed in mid October.  The portable classroom installed on the grounds is holding two of those classes until the permanent classroom are ready.

3.       Lisa asked that neighbors keep alert for children walking home from school, to help them stay safe.  School is out at 2:31 each day with a few exceptions: each Wednesday-1:31; next Wednesday-11:00 (Teacher Professional Development Day).

4.       JBW need readers for classes and individuals.  Also tutors, office help, and classroom assistants.  See Lisa if you want to volunteer.

PTA Activities (Chris Ryan)

Chris reported that the Book Sale for JBW is coming in December.   Last year they raised more than $2,000 for the school.  A sale is held each December and April.  The April event is buy-one-get-one-free.  Every JBW student got a new book as a result of last April's sale.  She reminds residents to bring cash to buy books.

 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

·         Communication (Carrie Rondeau)

Larissa Peterson, chairperson, was absent.  Carrie mentioned that 2,400 Newsletters had been mailed this month in the first of two mass-mailings.  She is aware that some residents did not get the newsletter and encouraged those in attendance to sign up on the sheet by the door.

 ·         Youth and Seniors (David Kha)

1.       David reported that the Lego Club has started (for kids, 5 years of age and up) and will be meeting each Saturday.  David introduced Roman, an MNA resident young man, who will help with Legos, much like he has helped with numerous other activities.

2.       Computer Class - new six-week class started at St. Vincent de Paul.   David has a volunteer, Luis Gonazles, who he has trained to lead the class.  Another 6-week course will be offered following.

3.       David introduced Charlie Beckman, 91 years of age, who has typed in all the old MNA newsletters.

4.       Bike Club - kids from Shalom House helped with club over the summer.   David needs money for tubes and tires.  He introduced Mary Mortenson, Account Executive with Entertainment Fundraising Books who made a pitch for buying books to support the Bike Club: $7 of $35 cost goes to the Bike Club.  See David if you to purchase yours today!.

 ·         Neighborhood Enhancement - no meeting.  Brad introduced Debbie Black, the chairperson so those interested in joining could see her after meeting.

·         Neighborhood Safety - met, but no representatives at the meeting.

·         Special Expertise - no meeting.  Margaret Leonard called Brad on September 17th to say she was resigning from the By-Laws Committee.  The resignation was accepted. Brad announced that anyone interested in drafting suggested amendments to the by-laws should contact him at 327-2558 or at NeighborhoodLaw@aol.com.  He requested amendments be offered for membership approval at the October meeting. Approved amendments could be voted on as early as November.

GUEST SPEAKERS II:

·         Kathy Brown (former President of Vista Del Monte Neighborhood)

Ms. Brown related her neighborhood's success strategies for recycling and cleanup.  She mentioned that it is better to proactively talk to your neighbors about junk in their yards, than it is to complain to City departments.  She mentioned such things as: (1) Neighborhood-wide yard sales (done 3-4 years in a row, with Association paying for newspaper ads; (2) Scrap Metal Recycling Day (time with Brush and Bulky, so that unclaimed metal will be picked up by City); Toxic Waste Collection Day (park collection truck at park); Firewood Giveaway Day (burn all that old scrap sitting out in the yard that will never be turned into anything else).  Brad Holland asked Debbie Black to contact Ms. Brown about setting up similar programs in Midtown.

 ·         Albert Elias, City Department of Transportation

Albert gave a slide show regarding an upcoming sales tax effort to fund transportation improvements.  He gave a summary of what various transportation improvements and maintenance items costs and then covered a wide variety of funding options.  An attendee asked Mr. Elias whether the new City General Plan policies addressed either Pima Street specifically, or collector/arterial streets in general.   He stated that the policies were at a higher level of generality than either.  A survey was passed out for attendees to fill out.  Albert Elias encouraged members to consider the upcoming Transportation Bond Proposal.

·    Tucsonans for Sensible Transportation (TST) Light Rail

Joy Herr-Cardillo, Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest and Ron Spark, MD, former president of the Pima County Medical Society presented a detailed proposal outlining TST’s vision for Light Rail Transportation in Tucson as well as varied methods for funding such a proposal.  The team presented maps illustrating proposed routes up 6th Avenue and down the Broadway Corridor, tie-ins with bus service and a proposed cross-town commuter route from Northwest Tucson to Southeast Tucson.  More information can be found on their website at http://www.tucsonlightrail.org.

 ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9pm.  The next meeting will be held in the air-conditioned comfort of Wright Cafeteria on October 16, 2001.  Per usual Pot luck and Plant Swap will begin at 6:30pm and the meeting promptly at 7pm.

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