Tucson's 31st Historic District  -  December 1, 2022

Get ready for Jefferson Park

to Light Up!

Wednesday

December 14 - 6pm

Ward III Meeting Room

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82788213643?pwd=bm12UkJlOSsxUnZ4OENWZ2dsU243UT09

Meeting ID: 827 8821 3643

Passcode: 812580

See agenda at: http://www.jeffersonpark.info/agendas.html

With the Omicron sub-variant and the new variant, masks are highly encouraged, but not mandatory. AZ is experiencing an uptick in Covid and flu cases. 

The company was great!

The food was delicious!

SO MANY TO THANK! JP neighbors- what a wonderful group! Great conversations and the chance to meet new neighborhood residents.Exciting as well to see so many children and grandchildren with our new families. JP planners -these events don't take place without a lot of planning, so special thanks to the committee: Joan Hall, Joanne Osuna and Debbie Keller and their helpers Trish,Woody, Trevor, and Belle. JP donors - Thank you to businesses who care about community: Ace Hardware, Bruegger's Bagels, Dunkin' Donuts, Walmart...and special mention for the salads and sweets contributed by the attendees. Our School/City Park-thanks to the IST staff who let us use the wonderful playground.

COMMITTEES - Review the committees on the website: http://www.jeffersonpark.info/jpna-committees.html. 

Most need more help. Think about it!

Contact the chair on the website.

You can find out more info from our nomination committee chair, Laurel-Heather Milden at: trdswmn@cox.net, or call her at 520-343-0073.

Who are the Friends? http://www.jeffersonpark.info/meet-the-board.html

NEIGHBORHOOD NON-PROFIT

Annual meeting January 25, 5pm at the

Ward III Meeting Room.

Interested in helping? Three At-Large seats are open on the Friends board. You are invited to apply. Contact President Joanne Osuna to volunteer, or for more info at cricket16@cox.net or call 520-798-3602. 

SEEK AND FIND - Four of the pots above are in the picture to the right. Can you find them?

DONATE AND HELP US - All painted pots and much will be at the JPNA Spring Plant Sale.

PAINT AND CHAT - Want to join the next painting/stenciling session? Contact Joan D at jdchama@msn.com.

Jefferson Park spring fundraiser. Contact Laurel-Heather Milden trdswmn@cox.net or Joan Daniels jdchama@msn.com to donate garden items. PS: Thank you, Virginia Preciado on Linden, for our latest donations!!

From the Undergrounding Coalition

In early November, the Steering Committee initiated informal discussions with TEP about the Kino to DeMoss-Petri Transmission Line Project. We want you to know those conversations continue with the representative from TEP. To date, we have discussed possible alternative methods for funding for the undergrounding portion of the project and optimizing the number of miles that TEP will construct underground within the guidelines that the City Council has set forth. 

What follows is our present understanding of the process to come. There will be considerable opportunity for public participation.

In a study session of the Mayor and Council that will take place in late December, TEP will present a draft proposal regarding a means to secure financing for undergrounding. After a public meeting (or series of public meetings) that will probably take place early next year, the Mayor and Council will make a decision. Should Mayor and Council approve, they would then call for a special election with a vote of the public that will likely occur in May, preceded by open public meetings. 

Our current understanding is that if the public gives approval in the special election, making funding available, TEP will then draw up and make their specific proposal for the project (the exact route, where construction will be underground or overhead, the cost of the project, etc.). That proposal will go through the phases of the special public process for gateway and scenic routes that the Mayor and Council recently adopted. If approved, TEP would like the project to be able to go to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in early 2024 and then the Zoning Examiner for the special exception permit for the substation. Barring difficulties and delays, the earliest construction would begin is in 2025 and, if so, the lines would be in use by early 2027.

We will continue trying to make certain that optimizing undergrounding and securing significant funding are top of mind with TEP in the process, and we will remain in touch with you.

Thank you once again for your activism and support.

(Steering Committee Member and JP Rep: Colleen Nichols, cnichols17@cox.net)

With the holiday season in full swing, many will be cooking up some delicious meals. But if you pour used cooking oil or grease down the drain, you could be inviting cockroaches to a feast of their own. Pouring cooking grease, oil or fats down the drain can attract hungry critters and clog pipes.

Instead, store used cooking oil or grease and bring it to Pima County Regional Wastewater's 18th annual Grease Collection and Recycling Event on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can bring your grease to one of the five designated collection sites set up around town. For more information,

visit www.pima.gov/grease/.

Did you know this info about your wrapping paper?

One of the Oral Histories shared with Jefferson Park was Shirley Reid's. The family lived in Jefferson Park and we heard that the neighborhood children liked to go over and see the birds in their back yard. Another Jefferson Park gem!

        Gene Reid, the former director of Tucson Parks and Recreation, informally established the park in 1965, with only three types of birds on display. Two years later, the park became an established zoo.

               Gene became Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Tucson in 1947. Sixty-two parks were built from scratch during his 31-year tenure. When Little League presented the challenge of more places to play, Gene responded. Recalling the initial meeting at Randolph Park, he said he “had never seen so many little boys in one place at one time.” The ultimate result over a period of years has been 98 Little League baseball parks. “Places to play” was also the urgent request of many other groups. “We built what we could afford,” said Gene. In time, the facilities included 11 baseball diamonds, 11 swimming pools, 3 lakes, 2 golf courses and numerous tennis courts. Upon his retirement in 1978, Randolph Park was officially renamed Gene Reid Park, a most appropriate honor for the gentleman who helped give Tucson so many places to play. 

(Pima County Sports Hall of Fame website) 

GENE REID, as shared by his wife Shirley:      

 “ He was superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

The Reid family came to Tucson about 1926. Gene’s father had TB, he came down to Tucson from San Francisco--to die you know, but he lived 40 years more.

They had a ranch called Rancho Palo Verdes. It was out on Oracle and Orange Grove. It was called Reid’s Ranch. That is now a mobile home park. They had quite a few acres there. And they grew a lot of things that had never been grown in Tucson - banana trees and all kinds of tropical things.

Gene had grown up there and been involved in horticulture out at the ranch. He went to the University and he studied horticulture there. He worked for his father for a long time before he went to work for the city.

Reid’s Ranch was really very well known. I think they sold that place- probably around 1948. I remember as a youngster, anyone that came from the Midwest or the east we always took them out there to see the palm trees and the banana trees. and the avocado trees.”         (as told to S. Trappman, 2010)

Shirley Reid came to Jefferson Park as a young bride bride in 1952. After her youngest child entered first grade in Jefferson Park School, Shirley went to the University and became a teacher. She taught in the Junior High for a short while. Then she taught in a special education class for pregnant and teenage parents.      

SHIRLEY'S JOB TUSD's Pregnant Teen Program(TAP Program) - “…the personnel director called me and said, I have a job for you, a perfect job, if you want it. And I said, “ What is it?” 

And he said pregnant parent girls and I said, “What?” I never heard of that! Of course this was in 1969. And of course, it was very hush, hush. Most of the girls stayed at the Brewster Center, we had 10 girls staying at the Brewster Center. It was supposed to be very secretive. And these girls would be sent from some place back east to stay the winter with aunt “so and so”.  But then in the meantime they are writing their friends saying “I’m pregnant”. And so you know, I don’t think it was too secretive. But anyway, it was in those years. You didn’t talk about it too much.”

POLO VILLAGE - “I lived in Polo Village for awhile. My first husband was going to law college and he was a WWII veteran. That’s veteran’s housing and we lived,… I can remember walking from Polo Village to go to the movie. “

MONTERREY MARKET -.” I can remember visiting my cousins on Water Street and us running over to Dobric’s, with our pennies in our hand for candy. It was on the corner of Edison and Vine… Probably in 1940 or 41."

"My younger daughter was born in ‘56. And I think it was just about the time that she was old enough to start running over there with her pennies..when he closed up…in the early 60’s. … I would buy milk, or eggs, or bread. And send the kids over to get those things…it seems to me, he did have a meat counter. “

(as told to Suzanne Trappman, 2010)

Could the house you live in be contributing to the historic district and eligible for a break in property taxes?

For the step-by-step process on how to apply, go to:

http://www.jeffersonpark.info/buildinghistoric-status.html

As many as three TPD officers usually attend the Quarterly Safety Meetings. If you have a safety question, these meetings allow you to speak with officers assigned to our area. The next meeting is:

SAFETY MEETING - CENTRAL SEGMENTS

6:00 pm - January 24, 2023 (yes, next year)

In person at Ward III or via Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81523089176?pwd=RzluTFdCQ2NCZ1hOeTFBNWJrVS8xdz09

Meeting ID: 815 2308 9176   Passcode: 212661

SPEED HUMPS BY SCHOOL - The JPNA board agreed to fund one of the International School's speed humps from the Park Tucson monies allocated to Jefferson Park for traffic concerns. 

TWO SPEED TABLES ON MOUNTAIN - The JPNA board agreed to work towards two speed tables on Mountain. Ten signatures required from adjacent residents.

SPEED HUMP ON SENECA NEAR TYNDALL - JPNA approved and petitions will be circulated.

Now it is up to the residents - If you live nearby, a volunteer may seek your signature. 60% needed to approve.

Petition Step

Do you live nearby?

TRAFFIC MITIGATIONS AT (1) Santa Rita near Edison and (2) Santa Rita at Seneca. The Traffic Committee is looking in to alternative mitigation in the form of street art. For more information contact the Traffic Committee chair.

At the request of Jefferson Park, WARD III asked for a speed study of Mountain. Mountain Ave north of Ft. Lowell has a speed limit of 25, but south of it reads 30 mph. Does this section warrant a slower speed due to the many cyclists and pedestrians using the road?

The Neighborhood Banner Committee continues to work with Banner.

Banner has an MOU (Memorandum of understanding) with Jefferson Park which describes a "Fly Friendly" zone. That zone is south of Banner i.e. all flights need to enter and exit from the south - not over neighborhoodsl Weather or patient condition may warrant an approach from the north.

To date we have no follow up to the meeting promised to describe Banner's new software system for tracking and reporting. The committee is dedicated to working with Banner on this issue.

Every 3rd Saturday of the month at 8:00 am, at the end of Edison at Campbell Avenue, neighbors do a quick cleanup in the parklet. It's fast with neighbors helping. 

Just show up, all garbage bags and tools are supplied. You are always welcome to go when it suits your schedule. If you do pick up trash during another time, please contact Joanne Osuna at cricket16@cox.net and your time will count. 

We report our hours to Tucson Clean & Beautiful as part of the Adopt-a-Park Program.

(JP Contact- Joanne Osuna cricket16@cox.net )

Our parklet is seeing an uptick in graffiti. You don't need a fancy app to report. Here's the phone info:

When reporting graffiti for removal or reporting graffiti that you have removed, please provide the following information:

•  Address or cross streets of the graffiti: Example: 7575 E Speedway Blvd, graffiti is on the west wall, black paint If no specific information is provided a work order will not be generated. We will remove graffiti only within City Limits.
• Report by Phone: (520) 792-CITY (2489)
• Graffiti on bus stops can be reported to Sun Tran customer service at (520) 792-9222.

The #1 strategy is to provide a hiding spot on your porch for packages - delivery personnel usually look for a spot, like a pot, plant, or porch furniture to hide your package behind if you are not home. I know of one neighbor who puts a crate beside her porch that is hidden from view from the street by bushes. A package sitting by your front door that can be seen from the street is just signaling "Steal Me."

Sign up for delivery alerts - If you are having your purchases shipped to your house, sign up for delivery alerts from the shipper. 

 Notify neighbors to watch for a package - If you aren't home when you are expecting a delivery, ask a neighbor to take the package back to their place until you get home.

 Make use of alternative delivery locations - Fed Ex delivers to Walgreens. Amazon has lockers and pick up sites around town. The closest to us is the Whole Foods on Speedway.

 Require a signature - If possible, require a signature for your deliveries. If there's no one home to sign for the package, it won't be left at your home. 

Be neighborly -  If you see a package sitting on a neighbor's doorstep, knock on the door and see if they are home or contact your neighbor to ask if they would like you to hold it until they are home.

Tucson Parks and Recreation is offering a full array of indoor leisure classes this winter and spring of 2023. Classes range from arts and crafts, Little Movers and Shakers, dance, gymnastics, jewelry making, music, and more for youth and adults. Get active in a health and fitness class, learn digital photography skills, or create beautiful pottery and ceramics pieces. There truly is something for everyone. 

Be sure to check out some of our new classes: 

• Beginning Jazz for ages 5-8 years old 
• Beginning Ballet for ages 6-10 years old 
• Beginning Yoga for ages 17 years old or older 

Classes are viewable online now, and registration will open on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 a.m. for City residents and 10 a.m. for non-City residents at EZEEreg.com. The deadline for registration for classes beginning in January is Wednesday, Jan. 10. Timely registration is recommended, since offerings fill up quickly. For questions or more information on registration or classes, contact Registration Services at 520-791-4877

HELPING OUR SENIORS LEND A HAND

Need help or want to volunteer?

CONTACT US (520) 248-6882  coordinator@lahseniorhelp.org

or Go to https://www.lahseniorhelp.org/volunteer to volunteer.

Lend A Hand Senior Assistance, PO Box 41323, T/A 85717-1323

HELP END DANGEROUS ILLEGAL GATHERINGS

REPORT any time of day, any number of people, if unruly.

1) Loud party calls should go to 911.

2) Additionally, if student-related, contact the UA Neighborhood Hotline to report concerns at 520-282-3649.

3) Loud music/noise calls may be reported online: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/apps/crime-reporting/

For the red tag info sheet - CLICK HERE

MONTHLY STATS:   Last 4 months

June- 2 loud party, 0 red tag, July-0, August- 3 loud party, 3 red tag Sept-3 loud party, 1 red tag.

PROPERTY MANAGERS TO CONTACT:

•      GOODMAN properties have a hotline - 520-512-5308 (evenings) You can use this for unruly gatherings, trash , etc. Daytime number is 520-884-3410.
•     CASA BONITA properties office # is 520-398-5738. Residents can call regarding any Casa Bonita property and their staff will take care of the problem.

(JP contact, for information: Colleen Nichols cnichols17@cox.net)

TPD West Division: Operations Division West front desk at (520) 791-4467, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM, or you can stop by the substation with questions/concerns, located at 1310 W. Miracle Mile. 

JP Community Resource Officer: Officer Montserrat Rangel

Email: montserrat.rangel@tucsonaz.gov

Phone: (520) 837-7241

New Sergeant: Dustin Dial, Dustin.dial@tucsonaz.gov, Phone: 520-269-1405

Are there orphan shopping carts that need to be picked up? 

If there are shopping carts that need to be picked up, you can now call or email the City to remove them. Call 520-791-3171 or email to ESHelp@tucsonaz.gov.

HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT REPORTING TOOL

If you see an encampment in the neighborhood submit an On-Line Report. You will fill out a report.  Reporting tool  or call (520) 791-2540

The address will be sent to the outreach team at the Housing and Community Development (HCD) department. Cleanup is determined by City department ownership or oversight responsibility of property in question. Cleanup will take place 72 hours after notification and posting. The City is making efforts to assist unsheltered individuals with support services and housing when feasible. Read more on City of Tucson website

Monument sign at Grant and First

Many thanks to the Rainbow Collective, Inc. and neighbor Michael Crawford for the donation of $1500 for the proposed Monument sign at the corner of Grant and First.

Volunteers will be erecting the sign in November!

North American Powder Coating

Thanks for powder coating the history sign stands celebrating the stories of Jefferson Park. Special thanks to owner Mark Barger.

MARK'S ACE Hardware - Campbell Avenue.

Thanks for the new plant pots and the shop-vac prize and the popcorn!. They help make our fundraisers and projects a success!

Carly Quinn is our neighbor and also an artist extraordinaire who works with tile. She custom-designed our Campbell Ave.entry signs and donated a sizeable portion of their cost. Her studio, on Russell Ave. in Barrio Viejo, features many items with her signature designs. She also designs and creates many custom products.

For more info and store hours: 520-624-4117

Contact her at: info@carlyquinndesigns.com

Jefferson Park is proud to support local businesses that support our neighborhood. To place an ad in our E-news, contact jdchama@msn.com. Rates start at just $30 to publish/share your business card in a newsletter or lock in all newsletters for the year for just $150. We have 12-15 editions annually that reach local residents.  

District Five Contact Info: Adelita Grijalva

• Email: district5@pima.gov, Phone:724-8126
• Website: www.pima.gov/district5 or https://www.adelitasgrijalva.com/
• Facebook: Supervisor Adelita S. Grijalva
• Instagram: @adelitasgrijalva Twitter: @SupGrijalva

Special assistant to Supervisor Grijalva: Nicholas McCullough, (520) 724-8764, Nicholas.McCullough@pima.gov 

Board of Supervisors Meetings:

www.facebook.com/pimacountyarizona/ Live meeting broadcast: http://pima.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

Participate in the call to the public: Contact the Clerk of the Board’s Office at (520) 724-8449 Send in a written comment: email COB_mail@pima.gov