Cherry Avenue Neighborhood Association
August20, 2016 Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 10:10 am.
The minutes of the June meeting were read and approved.
Presentation by Tucson Police Department
Statistics for the past 6 weeks were passed around.
Q: What happened to the dog after the stand-off incident with the man in the van at the Walmart on Tucson Boulevard?
A: The dog was picked up by family members of the man.
Discussion was held about the pepper balls that were shot into the van, explaining how the pepper is dispersed by the powder that is included in the shot, creating air that is irritating to the lungs.
Some projects that Operation Division South (ODS) is working on include a new officer’s project and a clean up of smoke shops in the vicinity of 12th and Ajo. That was a big operation and has made a difference in the area. However, the shops are moving south on 12th Avenue and TPD is talking to groups at a church in the area. A tactic that the “spice” criminals use is to change the formula, which nullifies the illegality of the drug.
Q: Did ODS lose dogs?
A: The dogs go wherever they are needed.
There are lots of scams regarding support for police. When something happens that gets a lot of attention, these scams pop up. Dial *69 if you get calls asking for donations. The Police Foundation supported by Jim Click and others is a credible group that helps police. The Foundation provides at least 100 vests a year, Thank A Cop bumper stickers, holds big fundraising dinners and seeks private donations. Back the Blue is another credible organization.
Q: Do storage sheds still get broken into?
A: There are still calls being taken about this.
Officer Mike Gonzales was introduced. He has been in the department 16 years. Regarding garbage cans in the alley, he knows a great guy that can help. Advice he gave us: have good lighting at night; if you know anything about smoke shop activity, call 88-CRIME; try to get plate numbers of suspicious cars.
Comment: there is racing on Bantam between midnight and 3:00 am.
While the Chief and the Captain received complaints about other divisions, they recognized ODS for its involvement with the community. Thank you CANA!
Q: Are you gearing up for riots?
A: Not thinking about it now.
Q: Is the Chief going to rotate officers?
A: No. Doing that doesn’t allow officers the opportunity to know the community. Commanders would switch every 12 to 18 months.
Presentation by Aaron Baumann
Mr. Baumann is running for State House Representative in Legislative District 10, which is the area from 22nd Street to Nogales Hiway, from 12th Avenue to Alvernon. There are two seats open.
He is a recent graduate of University of Arizona Law School and wants to develop these policies through law:
1.Education
Property tax funding should change and he would make it more uniform
2. Infrastructure
To help growth and revenue
3. Spend more money at the State level
To improve lives
Local hiways are not able to maintain the new $300 million dollar port of entry, causing transport to go elsewhere.
Raul Grijalva and labor unions support him.
Q: Independents were not able to vote during the presidential preference primary.
A: Stay Independent but request a specific party ballot.
Q: What is the new port of entry?
A: I-11, state and federally funded, Mexico to Las Vegas.
Q: What about rail?
A: There are a couple of issues and Nogales has an inferior system.
Q: Tax chases away big business.
A: A balance is needed – Caterpillar is good but education is related to taxes.
Q: Tax is cut too much
A: There is much partisanship and we are currently in a strait-jacket.
Q: Is there a balloon in tax incentives?
A: Can’t tell the future and we can lure businesses with something other than tax incentives. (He mentioned Gabby Gifford’s astronaut brother-in-law.)
Q: Do the casinos contribute to the State?
A: No.
Q: Interchange for trains and trucks
A: (I didn’t catch the response – did anyone catch it?)
Q: Water – keep the supply prices low.
A: Developers must show that water is available for 100 years. The State can look at water useage. There is a good chance Rosemont Mine will go through – the pecan groves use more water than mines.
Locals sometimes lose sight of State issues. APS (Phoenix electric compay) and Tucson Electric Power influence the elected ACC officers, who regulate home solar and the rate structures.
Q: How about coal plants?
A: Arizona should be solar – coal is finite and costs the environment.
Comment from President Tim Bacchus: Let’s invite others running for office.
Update from Sunnyside Unified School District
Mary Veres, Director of the Office of Public Information, gave out 2016-17 District Calendars. She told us that SUSD stories can be received by email and invited everyone to sign-up. The newsletters are still printed but not mailed and are available for people who don’t have kids in school.
Regarding House Bill 2481, the Superintendent said it’s very important and was passed quickly because the law states that no more than 4% of budget can be carried over into the next funding year and relates to property value.
Enrollment is down by 2,100 and they are looking at where the students went. A demographic study is being done.
The meeting was ended at 11:45.