A Message from Steve K...01/30/2023

Earlier this month a couple dozen of you took part in the Diamondback Shooting Sports gun safety class here at the ward office. It was an informative and useful safety training. At the end of the meeting, I spoke to Ben Anderson – owner of DBack – about hosting another training, this time focused on women’s self defense. He’s got someone on staff who does that work – hand's on self defense, not with guns.  

On Saturday, February 25th from noon until 2pm Roan Grimm from Diamondback Shooting Sports will be here at the Ward 6 office giving the women’s self defense training course. We’ll be holding this in our community room so given the room constraints, and the ability of Roan to give the best personal training he can, the size of the enrollment is going to be capped at 12 participants. 

Since the beginning of the pilot program, we partnered with ByFusion in last August the community has now brought 44.01 tons of plastic to the Ward 6 office. Given that significant sign of support, last week the M&C unanimously agreed to remove the ‘pilot’ label, make this a permanent program. We asked city staff to work with ByFusion on finalizing some deal points. It was that message I joined with Heidi Kujawa from ByFusion in delivering to a packed house at the Ward 6 office last Wednesday night.   

In advance of that meeting KOLD’s Bud Foster ran a very good piece on what the program is all about. Here’s a link to his story: 

https://www.kold.com/2023/01/26/tucson-is-revamping-its-environmental-portfolio-with-an-eye-clean-energy-reduced-waste/  

During the M&C meeting last Tuesday Heidi shared a power point presentation that outlined the various aspects of the program, both from their company perspective, and drilling down to the Tucson experience. This one slide speaks volumes about the pride all of you who have supported this work should feel.  

We’re scaling it up. 

The deal points will include expanding the number of drop off sites so ward 6 isn’t the only place in the state people can use for participating. It will provide some financial help to ByFusion to facilitate them moving a production operation to Tucson. They’re actively looking at several sites right now. And as I just hinted at, ByFusion is committed to moving a Blocker to Tucson so there’ll be no need to transport the material to California, fabricate the blocks there and ship them back to Tucson. Once they’re settled in Tucson there will be local jobs created and you’ll begin to see more and more building projects constructed using the waste plastic that may have come from your kitchen. 

The deal points should be in place in February. ByFusion is moving ahead with having the Tucson Blocker manufactured – ETA is around 6 months. They are not sitting and waiting on that to begin getting more active in the community. The site they select will need to be prepped and the outreach to the community will ramp up. Over the weekend I put them in touch with a shopping center looking to do some construction, and during their visit last week we made several other connections. This is taking off, finally. 

Our friends at Tucson Clean & Beautiful put together this very nice video showing the recycle/reuse climate work that’s happening at our office. I appreciate their involvement and know we’ll continue working with TC&B on projects using ByBlock as the program continues to expand.  

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cn0IZsVjgkU/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

Thanks for all of your support. I know having one single way to participate is tough, but you’ve delivered a clear message that this program needs to stay and to expand. It will do both. 

In the context of keeping Tucson environmentally tip-top, 4 city departments will be presenting a joint open house during which they’ll share information on services that are available to residents and neighborhoods, all in support of a clean community. 

The agencies will include Environmental Services, Housing, Police and Fire. They’ll make presentations on Brush & Bulky, the city homeless protocol and code enforcement. Each of these represent an important piece of the array of services you pay for through your taxes that go towards the quality of life we appreciate in Tucson. There will be several chances for you to take part. Here’s the schedule. I’ve bolded the Ward 6 presentation, but you’re free to attend any of them. 

Last year the M&C adopted a ‘Safety on the Set’ ordinance that says there can be no live ammunition used on movie sets being filmed in the city. That was in response to the tragic killing of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. Alec Baldwin and others are right now facing a variety of charges for that incident. 

At the time we adopted that I also shared information on my brother Pete. He has worked in the film industry for decades, being nominated for Director of Photography and a special effects guru in Nightmare Before Christmas. That’s a stop-motion film where they literally take days to shoot a 30 second scene. When the director shows up and says ‘give me some good fog effects’ the people on the set are in and enclosed environment for hours on end breathing in the materials used in creating the effect. Pete did multiple Tim Burton stop motion films, Matrix, Starship Troopers, and a bunch of other films where special effect creation involved long hours in an unhealthy environment. 

Pete now has Aphasia. It’s a condition in which the person affected has difficulty speaking and in understanding what’s being said. It can be caused by blunt trauma, or it can be a progressively degenerative condition caused by other factors. I believe in Pete’s case the movie industry and the cavalier approach to how films are shot is the causative factor.  

That’s not a made up conspiracy thought. Local journalist Paul shared with me that back in the day when they were creating snow effects – think “It’s a Wonderful Life” - they used shredded up asbestos as the snowflakes. We learn, things change, but it may be too late to undo the impacts of the practice.  

My sister in law Katy – Pete's wife – is also involved in the movie industry. She’s a ‘set dresser’ - the person who comes in and paints the sets and the props. She’s now taking care of Pete pretty much 24/7 due to how far his aphasia has progressed. Katy is one of the people interviewed in this 5 minute video about how chemicals are still being used in movie making. It’s not coincidence that they’ve titled the video ‘Safety on the Set.’ 

Bonus 4: Toxic Chemicals | SafeSets 

There are plenty of industries that need to self-police. Sometimes that impacts their bottom line. We’re fighting with 3M and other chemical manufacturers over the production and marketing of PFAS. We were recently a part of a settlement with opioid manufacturers. We still have treatment plants in operation cleaning up the effects of chemicals such as TCE and 1,4 Dioxane. 

The movie industry needs to do some introspection. I’m glad to hear people who work on the inside speaking out about the practices that may well be costing people like Pete a functional quality of life. 

Another industry that could use some self-policing is the rodeo. I’ve shared before that many of the major rodeos around the country are doing that. In Tucson the board for the rodeo continues to insist there’s a valid use of electric prods used to shock the animals. I’ve written them asking that they join other more progressive rodeo events and ban their use. 

Last week the vice chair of the rodeo parade took exception to my tying together the rodeo and the parade. The parade is operated separately than the rodeo and so they feel any criticism of the rodeo should not fall to the parade committee as well. So consider – the Rose Parade celebrates the Rose Bowl. All of the Thanksgiving parades celebrate that holiday. The MLK parades celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s disingenuous for the rodeo parade group to suggest their celebration of the rodeo is anything less than supporting the event. If that is not the case then I invite them to also call on the rodeo to ban the use of electric prods. 

In a letter the parade committee sent to the entire M&C in their own defense they cite one of their own rules. Here’s an excerpt from the letter: 

Or when have you seen the owner ride up alongside the dog on a horse, drop off the horse, wrench the dog by the neck and throw it to the ground and tied its legs together. In the rodeo that’s steer wrestling.   

That’s activity the rodeo parade evidently does not consider abusive. 

How about this – you open the back door to let your dog out and when it hesitates you hit it with an electric shock to cause it to comply. The Tucson rodeo committee told me they use the electric shocks when the animal ‘stalls’ in the chute. In rodeo parlance, ‘he who hesitates is shocked into compliance.’ 

In the instant case I would appreciate the parade committee’s support in calling on the rodeo to ban the use of electric prods. If the statement ‘the Tucson Rodeo Parade does not condone the abuse of animals in any way’ has meaning, then they should have no problem sending a letter to that effect. 

Rodeos are banned entirely in San Francisco, Pasadena, Napa County, Fort Wayne, St. Petersburg and other major cities. Electric prods are banned in Leestown, Virginia, all over California once the animal is in the chute, Southampton, New York, Montgomery, New Jersey, St. Charles, Illinois once the animal is in the chute – and others, but you get the point. I’m hopeful the Tucson rodeo joins the parade in opposing animal abuse – and that the parade that celebrates the Tucson rodeo vocally supports banning this example of animal abuse. 

In counterpoint to the abusive way animals are treated during the rodeo, the Reid Park Zoo is all about international animal conservation, species preservation and education on how animals fit in with the larger ecosystem. Even bugs. 

Going on right now at the zoo is their Big, Big Bugs exhibition. When I was in Africa with my bride and little girl, I got a picture of a spider that was larger than the span of my hand. The zoo exhibit makes that guy look tiny.  

The exhibit runs from now through April 30th. It’s a combination of the large animatronic pieces such as the butterfly I’ve got shown in the picture, but also live species over in their Conservation Learning Center. It’s a cool combination of fun, entertaining and informative. The zoo hours are 9am until 4pm everyday. 

Gun Violence 

Clearly, we’re #1. Here’s a partial list of our January experience;  

Monterey Park - 12 killed, 9 wounded 

Half Moon Bay - 7 killed, 1 wounded 

Des Moine – 2 students and 1 adult staffer killed in a school shooting 

Yakima, Washington – 3 killed at a convenience store, not counting the killer who took his own life 

Red Springs, North Carolina – 3 killed, 1 wounded 

Goshen, California – 6 killed 

Rockford, Illinois – 3 killed, 2 wounded 

Cleveland, Ohio – 4 killed, 1 wounded 

Philadelphia – 3 killed, 1 wounded 

Huntsville, Alabama – 2 killed, 9 wounded 

High Point, North Carolina – 5 killed 

Los Angeles – 3 killed, 4 wounded 

So far in 2023 there have been more than 40 mass shootings in the U.S. - more than any other year on record.  

There will be local elections this November. There will be federal and state elections in ‘24. The campaigns for those will begin soon enough. Please check the gun control credentials of everybody running. You’ll find 2 approaches to the 2nd Amendment -  

If you’re into data analysis – even on a very basic level – you can determine how much each elected official earned for each person killed by gun violence in his/her jurisdiction by dividing the amount of money they received from the NRA by the number of people killed by guns in their jurisdiction.  

Can't keep up with the pace of the killings? Thoughts and prayers aren’t getting it done. Elect people who will take serious action on gun control. 

One group that is engaged and is walking the talk is Mom’s Demand Action. February 1st through the 7th is National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Throughout that week Mom’s will be hosting a series of online community conversations, each related to a different aspect of this epidemic. For example: 

The Impact of Gun Violence on America’s Youth -

Friday, February 3, 2023 at 10 am  

Public Health Leaders - Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 10 am  

When There is No Justice - Monday, February 6, 2023 at 6 pm  

Please use this link to register for any or all of the seminars: 

https://momsdemandaction.org/events/

In addition, Mom’s is hosting a local event during which victims of gun violence will have the opportunity to share their stories. There’s a national site called Moments that Survive where survivors tell their story digitally. You can see that on this website momentsthatsurvive.org. If you’d like to listen in on, and/or share during the Tucson event, please use this link to get connected: 

Tucson is holding an event on Saturday, February 4 from 1-3 pm

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that we have a water issue. And if you’ve been living under a rock there’s a good chance that rock used to be covered with water – water that’s now evaporated into space.  

The federal government has given direction to the 7 states who rely on the Colorado River to voluntarily agree on deep reductions in what’s being pulled from the river. I read an article last week that said it’s ‘unlikely’ the agreement will be made. That means the feds will impose cuts on what’s available to about 40 million water users. 

Between drought, climate change and population growth, this is what’s happening to the supply chain upstream of Arizona. It’s Lake Powell – and all of that used to be underwater. Kevin Moran is the director of state and federal water policy for the Environmental Defense Fund. He’s quoted as saying “think of the Colorado River as a slow motion disaster – we're really at a moment of reckoning.” 

Last week, in response to the shortage declaration issued by the Bureau of Reclamation Tucson Water sent out notices to our ‘high-usage’ customers. The average Tucson Water customer uses about 8 hundred cubic feet (Ccf) of water monthly. High end users use 250% of that, or roughly 20 Ccf. That’s a lot. The purpose of the notices was to educate them about water conservation resources TW has that can help cut their use.  

The distribution of the high-user group is interesting. Tucson Water doesn’t only serve residents who live within the city of Tucson. Of the 7,003 high-use customers, 62% of them live in unincorporated Pima County – outside the city limits. That same group is who was complaining when we adopted the fee increase on county users. It’ll be informative to learn how they respond when TW reaches out and asks them to reduce their use. If the differential rate was such a confiscatory imposition, I’d hope that those 62% of Tucson Water customers take this opportunity to reduce their consumption, and thereby reduce their bills. 

This chart shows the distribution of high-use customers, both by ward, and by region outside of the city. MA is Marana, OV is Oro Valley, PY is Pasqua Yaqui, ST is South Tucson, TO is Tohono O’odham and UC is the county. 

On a brighter note, Sierra Boyer has put together the RSR plan for February. Note in particular the special event coming on February 25th at Himmel Park. It’d be great to see a big crowd supporting this program at Himmel – and at each of these recreational opportunities. 

For the past 2+ years TEP has been hosting various community discussions centered on a new transmission line project called DeMoss-Petrie. If you follow this newsletter, you’re familiar with the controversy; go above ground with 110’ tall poles on major corridors, or underground. The issue resulted in M&C adopting a Special Exception process through which TEP will request segments they’d like to keep above ground. That process has multiple layers of public involvement. 

Going underground is substantially more expensive than just planting a pole in the ground and stringing the lines. How much more expensive is a topic of debate, but the fact that it costs more is not in dispute. The recent exchanges with TEP have revolved around ‘who pays?’  

TEP has in place a 25-year agreement by which the utility is allowed to use public rights of way to develop their infrastructure. That agreement expires in a few years. Any extension must be approved by the voters. Last week the M&C unanimously approved moving the TEP franchise agreement vote to May 16th.  

The franchise agreement is germane to the ‘who pays?’ question because it contains a fee TEP pays to the city for the right to build in our right of way. It’s that fee that will be proposed for an increase in the May vote with the new amount being earmarked for going underground with their utility lines, or have it fund other climate-related projects. The increase is estimated to cost the average TEP residential customer under $1 per month. 

The new fee is being called a ‘resiliency fee’ since its use will be tied to climate resiliency. For the first 10 years of the franchise agreement the new funds will be prioritized towards undergrounding – so TEP can get started on the upgrades that began this larger discussion. However, the fee will also be used to fund projects that support implementing the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, decarbonizing city-owned buildings, getting the city fleet off from fossil fuels, promoting EV infrastructure, heat mitigation work and using nature-based solutions to sequester emissions.  

My primary objection to moving quickly to a May election is that none of those goals had specific timetables or articulable measurement goals identified. To the mayor’s credit she was able to get in writing from the TEP CEO a clear statement of intent to work together with us to achieve ‘100% clean energy for city operations’ as soon as possible. Here’s the relevant section of Susan Gray’s letter to the mayor: 

There are other parts to the updated franchise agreement – things such as stronger language related to removal of ‘ghost poles’ after TEP removes their service lines, the duration (25 years) and interim ‘re-check’ dates of 10 and 15 years. At those intervals the city and TEP will look at the progress being made towards the climate goals and mutually reassess how the agreement is working, or not. 

Since this will be a ballot measure, I cannot use city resources like this newsletter to advocate either for or against the measure. I can list the facts – which I’ve done. TEP will now begin their public educational effort. If you’d like to read through the full proposed franchise agreement, you’ll find it online in the M&C agenda materials from our January 24th regular session. I’m sure TEP will also be promoting it widely. 

The city is partnered with several regional groups conducting a survey of the entire transit system. We’re looking for your input – whether you’re a regular rider, or not so much.   

Each of the elements of our overall transit system will be included in this analysis. The city is a member of the wider Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and it’s in partnership with that group of jurisdictions that we’re conducting the study. 

There are a variety of ways you can get involved and provide your input. The comment period will run from January 23rd through February 17th. The goal is to improve the system where that’s needed, and to keep doing what’s already working well. We want to hear from you. 

One easy way to get involved is by taking a survey online. You can find that through the Sun Tran website at www.suntran.com. Scroll down and you’ll see the link for the COA page. 

There will also be a series of pop-up events where you can go and give your input in person. Here’s the schedule for those: 

 Pop up events for Tuesday, February 7th  

Our parks staff is hosting what will be a fun event involving local high school bands. It’s coming on Sunday, March 26th at the DeMeester band shell in Reid Park. 

To be eligible all of the band members must be between the ages of 13 and 18. The grand prize will be the chance to record an album at the Luna Recording Studio, and to host their own ‘release’ event downtown.  

Don’t be misled by the idea of ‘high school bands.’ This isn’t for the school marching band (although they can apply too) – all genres are welcome and as long as there are at least 2 members in the band, they can apply. Use this link to see the rules, and how to get involved: High School Battle of The Bands. The deadline for applying is Wednesday, February 15th at 5pm.  

Most of you know the city received several thousand Afghan refugees last August. Many are now housed in apartments, employed and establishing themselves in the community. And most of them are also still connected with their families and loved ones back in Afghanistan. None of the people here are living high on the hog, but most are making it. And they’re concerned about the safety of their loved ones. 

The AP reported last week that since Taliban took over control the malnutrition rates in Afghanistan are at record high levels. Roughly half the country is enduring severe hunger and millions are living in abject poverty. Getting them aid is nearly impossible – but some aid organizations are still working in the area. 

Along our southern border we’re still getting hundreds of people daily. Casa Alitas recently received a significant donation of hygiene products and underclothes. What they really need right now is warm jackets and possibly sweaters for men, women, and children especially size S-M. Not tattered and worn, but new and/or in good dignified condition. And we’re still looking for nice travel sized towels and washcloths, and blankets.  

Your donations continue to be welcomed by the hundreds of migrants who are arriving at Casa Alitas daily. You can bring them to the ward office M-F from 9am until 1pm, or if you want to do the Amazon route the mailing address is 3202 E. 1st, 85716. We join the recipients in thanking those of you who are offering these donations. 

Last week I opened by saying the case count data was ‘very good.’ It went back in the wrong direction again last week. The numbers are still too high, and there are plenty of reports expressing concern over the potential for new variants forming based on the casual social interactions now commonly taking place. 

Here are the current numbers for new case counts. Please keep in mind though that the elderly and immunocompromised are a high percentage of COVID fatalities. Statewide last week 144 people died from COVID complications in Arizona. In Pima County we lost another 29 of our friends and loved ones. 

You can check the Pima County health site if you want to see where to test or to get a vaccination:

https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?pageId=527452  

Please do not come to the office if you have any symptoms – COVID or otherwise. Call and reschedule. And if your group is using the ward office, we strongly encourage you to require participants in your meeting to wear a mask. My casual observation is that some groups are requiring it, others are rolling the dice. Respiratory diseases are spread in part through airborne transmission. While not 100% effective, masks do help in reducing spread.  

Here’s the statewide COVID count map by county.