Tucson's 31st Historic District - Homesteaded February 8, 1898

JEFFERSON PARK IS 125 YEARS OLD! Sept 27, 2023 

OCTOBER MEETING

October 25th, Wednesday - Special guest speakers

U of A Master Plan Team - Community Relations

Plan includes areas north of Speedway

The New UA Master Plan - Review it here - https://masterplan.arizona.edu/ 

ROLL OFFS COMING - Oct 19 - Oct 23

​​Located at 4 sites in Jefferson Park

917 E. Seneca,  1822 E. Lester St.,

850 N. Tyndall and  1740 E. Edison

UPCOMING NOVEMBER MEETING

November 15th, Wednesday special guest speakers

Presenters: TEP and TEP Midtown Reliability Project

Midtown Reliability Project—Tucson Electric Power (tep.com)

BID JEFFERSON PARK AND FRIENDS! These items and much more will be in the Silent Auction on November 5. Be sure to come, have a look, and get a bargain! Bidding ends at 2 p.m. Go to http://www.jeffersonpark.info/125-years.html to see more.

DONATE! If you have items to donate to the auction or sale, you may contact Joan Daniels jdchama@msn.com, Joanne Osuna cricket16@cox.net, or Colleen Nichols cnichols17@cox.net . Send a photo of your donation. We will give you directions about how to get it to the celebration.

Gloo Factory-- donating the printing of our "history" bookmarks.

Will be available at our 125 Year Celebration

https://thegloofactory.com/

On-line SABAKU gift certificate for our silent auction. Thank you Sabaku!

sabakuart.com

Old Pueblo Trolley Museum -1938 yellow coach exhibit

Take a chance! Purchase a ticket!

If you wish to purchase tickets you may contact:

Joanne Osuna 520-798-3602 (leave a message and she will return your call) Or e-mail cricket16@cox.net

100% of the ticket sales go to our neighborhood. Your ticket purchase has twice the power—one, you might win; and two, you support neighborhood projects.

National Preparedness Month incorporates a nationwide, coordinated effort sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure and remind citizens to plan and prepare for natural disasters or other emergencies in their homes, schools, businesses, and communities

The 2023 theme is "Take Control in 1,2,3."This theme empowers everyone, especially older adults, to (1) assess their needs, (2) make a plan, and (3) engage their support network to stay safe when disaster strikes. Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every resident in the City of Tucson, and everyone should make it a priority to learn about risk factors and protect themselves against possible injuries, property damage, and economic losses that often result from disaster. Follow the links below to learn what you can do to be prepared for emergencies.

Make a Plan

Build a Kit

Sign up for Pima County "My Alerts" to receive emergency notifications

Information about preparedness from Ready.gov

At our September meeting, Rosemary, chair of the JP Safety Committee, shared a small bag, a "Ready Pack" she keeps by her door. In an emergency, assuming the internet, electricity etc are down-the pack includes a hard copy of all her important phone numbers (do you remember your kids phone numbers?), cash (the debit cards won't work), medications, and the agreed upon place for family members to meet. Food for thought!

This invasive species can not take over Jefferson Park! Micheal Hailey, head of our Green Committee, will be working in the northeast corner of Jefferson Park on an especially nasty section. He would like some help. Learn to identify buffelgrass and other invasive plants and the best way to eradicate them.

DATE: Sunday Oct 22 TIME: 8:30AM

WHERE: Edison Parklet (corner of Edison and Campbell Access Road)

Thank you to Sam Hughes and Meg Johnson's notes from the presentation by Dawn Gouge, U. of A. entomologist at Ward VI.

A few Take-Aways from this very informative presentation on deterring rats.

• Do NOT use poison. Poisoned rodents kill animals in the food chain and domestic pets. If you truly have such a severe rat problem that you feel poisoning is necessary, use a professional extermination company.

• Reasons why you should deter rats. They and the parasites they carry spread disease to humans and domestic animals. Damage to your home, especially wiring. Increased risk of fire or electrocution due to wiring stripped of insulation. The speed with which rats reproduce and spread (3 - 6 litters a year).

• Rodent-proof your house. A rat can enter your home through a hole the size of a quarter. A mouse, a hole smaller than a dime. If their skull can fit through, they will enter at that point. If you can see light under your door, a mouse can enter. Most likely if you have rats, it is probably a roof rat. (We have Norway/Sewer rats, but they are not near as common in Tucson as the roof rats. roof rats survive in our desert heat better.) You need to seal all entrance points from ground to roof, including on your roof. Roof rats are expert climbers and can go straight up a wall or tightrope walk along a powerline to your house. Rats can chew through nylon mesh products. Use metal screens. There is a door sweep called the Excluder that is effective. Steel wool in a hole is a temporary fix, but rats will eventually remove it. They will eat foam caulking.

• Control access to food, water, and habitat. Clean up piles of yard waste and trash. Keep piles of anything away from your home. Older palm trees with a lot of dead fronds hanging from the crown make a great home for rats. Pick up dropped citrus (though they also love the fruit still on the tree.) Fix outdoor leaks. Turn compost piles frequently. Trays under bird feeders to catch seeds. Chickens attract rats who are after their eggs and feed.

• Signs of rodents in your house. Droppings, noise in the ceilings or walls, gnawing marks on food and other surfaces (rats and mice both continuously chew to sharpen and shorten their teeth and to determine if something is edible), smells, holes gnawed in the wall, nests. Rats continuously release micro-droplets of urine. You can use a Blacklight to search for urine markings. Anything you see that they have chewed on inside your home, food or paper product or ?, should be thrown away.

• Getting rid of rats - You can use a live trap or a killing trap. Mice are more inquisitive than rats and easier to trap. Pay attention to what the rodent is eating in your home and use it as bait. You can pre-bait the trap - don't set the trap, but put the bait in so that the rodent gets comfortable eating inside the trap, then, after a few days, set it. Killing traps- Be careful, especially with the traditional snap trap. Often the rodent is not dead, just caught. WEAR GLOVES when you pick up a trap. If you are bitten or scratched, seek medical help. Common for children to be bitten.

• Ultrasound devices do NOT deter rodents. They can hear ultrasound, but it does not bother them. Bright light will not really deter them either, though strobe light might have a little effect on them. Some research shows that certain scents can deter them for a little bit, but research is still being done on this.
• Rats can be sterilized through their food, but it needs to be a group of neighbors doing this for it to be a successful control method. Also, those animals that eat the sterilized rats can eventually be impacted.
• Feral cats as a deterrent - the representative from Game and Fish at the Ward VI meeting voiced concerns about bringing feral cats into Sam Hughes. Cats have a devastating effect on bird and reptile life and will not just catch rats.
• Owls - Game and Fish said that Barn Owls do not normally live in the city. Barn Owls weigh 600 grams and rats 300, so they would only eat baby rats. The owl that thrives within City limits and is very effective at rodent control is the Great Horned Owl. Great Horned Owls need very large trees to call an area home.
• HOW TO DISPOSE OF A DEAD RAT If you find a dead rat, you should dispose of it quickly and safely. Proper disposal will ensure disease is not transmitted by the rat or its parasites or that a scavenger or passing dog do not get poisoned by eating it. Dawn Gouge, a U. of A. entomologist, recommended the following if you were to discover a dead rat:
• Wear a mask, use a shovel and place the rat into a plastic bag and seal it. Then you can place that bag into a separate trash or plastic bag and tie the bag tightly. This might be overkill, but better to be safe than sorry. Throw the rat into your outdoor trash bin. If, for some reason, you have to extract a dead rat manually from a wall, crawl space, behind something, etc, use a trash grabber or long tongs. If you pick it up with your hands, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands very thoroughly afterwards.

Snap-trap system as outlined in this video... https://youtu.be/LrgiTI3pC7M

Also, we at Sam Hughes understand that peppermint oil is an effective short-term deterrent. It can be purchased at the Tractor Supply Store on Valencia Rd. and at various hardware stores. Be sure to follow the directions! There is also a product called Shake Away, available at Ace Hardware, which contains peppermint oil, rosemary oil, cedar oil and other non-toxics and is said to be effective in the short term.

Here's hoping the rat sightings are exceptional and that Jefferson park does not suffer the invasion that other neighborhoods have seen. Meanwhile keep this information in mind!

If you missed the September 21 meeting with TEP, you have a couple additional opportunities to let your opinion be heard,

October 25 and November 15.

OCT 25 - Board of Adjustment Hearing to be held virtually,1:30 p.m TEP will appeal to the Board of Adjustment, requesting to place lines overhead. It is a crucial meeting; please plan on participating.

WONDERING WHAT TO SAY???

1. An overhead project is in direct conflict with the UA Area Plan (UAP) and Major Streets and Routes Plan (MS&R Plan).

  "[U]tilities in the right of way or visible from the street should be placed underground, wherever possible" MS&R Plan at Policy 5 & 6 Guideline 4.

2.To allow an unprecedented invasion of the massive overhead lines runs completely against these longstanding values - the city's distinctive character, vibrant neighborhoods and thoughtful growth - as reflected in numerous development codes, ordinances, area and neighborhood plans, and scenic and gateway routes, such as Kino/Campbell. 

3. The presence of residential neighborhoods adjacent to or directly within the proposed route will lead to a loss of property value. TEP cites studies that show the devaluation of private property from overhead lines reaches a minimum of 10% when within 500–1,000 feet of the proposed right-of-way.

4. Quite a few affected neighborhoods within the study area are designated as National Historic Districts, and two neighborhoods are Neighborhood Preservation Zones (NPZs). Jefferson Park is both!

5. The cost to TEP to go underground is negligible, estimated to be 2/100th of the most current 11.5% rate increase, or about .20 per month per customer. The ACC could very possibly allow a zero rate increase for such a project, so TEP might have to absorb the expenditure as an ordinary cost to TEP and its shareholders of doing business in Tucson and complying with Tucson ordinances and plans. The city, U of A, and Banner should help as well. They are huge energy users, and this is to their advantage as much, if not more, than anyone else.

6. Coalitions, neighborhood groups and associations, and individual citizens have invested an immense amount of effort.To dismiss the need to go underground is not acceptable. A collaborative group of stakeholders willing to discuss the issue should be formed.

7. The proposed Vine substation will be located in a densely populated area, with the hospital nearby, residential neighborhoods on two sides, and U of A buildings and their residences on the other. TEP stated the Vine location as most appropriate due to the need to remain in the "Load Center". The substation could and should be moved to a more industrial area.

8. The issue of undergrounding affects the entire community—residences, businesses, and scenic areas. Undergrounding will safeguard the city’s extraordinary views. Pre-pandemic, in 2018–19, tourists spent $2.4 billion for the year in the Tucson market. That comes to more than $5,000 per household.

NOV 15 - TEP will meet with Jefferson Park at the regular monthly neighborhood meeting, Wednesday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m., Ward III meeting room. We will be able to discuss our specific concerns (see above).

A project webpage is available at Midtown Reliability Project—Tucson Electric Power (tep.com), where visitors will find an interactive map, online comment form, and other information about the project

On the 3rd Saturday of the month at 8:00 a.m., at the east end of Edison at Campbell Avenue, neighbors do a quick cleanup of the parklet. It's easy 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 )

Ward III is accepting furniture, cooking supplies, etc.—anything that might help someone set up a house. Drop items off at the Ward III office, 1501 E Grant (corner of Grant and Vine). Is the item too big? Give a call for pickup at (520) 791-4711; they will come, pick it up, and take it to the Wildcat House, where it will help folks who are just getting into housing.

• If you haven’t signed up for UAlerts, the University’s emergency alert system, you can do so at https://cirt.arizona.edu/sign-ualert.

• If at any point your peace is disturbed, report neighborhood loud party/unruly gathering complaints to 911. You may also call the UA Neighborhood Hotline at 520-282-3649. A team from the University’s community relations office and TPD’s Red Tag Unit are available to visit problematic properties to educate students about the City’s Unruly Gathering Ordinance and the UA’s consequences for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Karen L Sanson, Office of Government & Community Relations

FAMILY FUN

This event shared at the CCRC meeting. Please plan on dropping by our neighbor, Rincon Heights.

From Oct. 27 to Nov. 7, the Presidio Museum will host several ofrendas (altars) that the public can contribute to honoring veterans, pets and Presidio Museum Friends and Family. Community members may also include ofrendas for loved ones who have passed.  The museum will accept applications for altar displays through Wednesday, Oct. 20.  Click here for more information and to register or contact Kate Avalos, Interpretive Programs and Volunteer Manager, at katea@tucsonpresidio.com

History Walking Tours, Tour of the Santa Cruz River History. FALL TOUR DATES AND NEW TOURS HAVE BEEN ADDED!  Click here for more information!

Want to support the Pima County Public Library? Go to the Friends Community Book Sale at 2230 N Country Club Rd. (1/2 block south of Grant on the east side of Country Club, across from Ace Hardware).Choose from over 70 categories of books – carefully arranged so you can easily find what you are looking for! They also have a great selection of vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, audio books, and more. There are even games and puzzles, computer games and software available at most sales.

Book sale information and times go to - https://pimafriends.com/buy-books/buy-books-in-person-sales/

Adult art classes, painting and photography and much more. Go to DesertMuseum.org

https://www.desertmuseumarts.com/

To see their print catalog go to desertmuseumarts.com/fall-2023-print-catalog

Search all presentations, parking, tickets (show $12 adults,$8 for kids exhibit extra) at the UA Planetarium. See schedules etc. https://flandrau.org/explore/planetarium

PIMA COUNTY POOLS AND SPLASH PADS

Click HERE to view the extended-summer pool schedule.

For all the locations of Tucson pools and splash pads

 CLICK HERE

The White Paper - shares what the adjacent neighborhoods want to see in the plan CLICK HERE.

The latest information is in the minutes of May 17 meeting with Department of Transportation, PSOMAS, and Planning and Development Services (PDSD). Click here http://www.grantroadcoalition.com.

A NOTE: Much depends upon the status of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA); with luck the project begins in 2026.

CRIME STATISTICS BY WARD and DIVISION:

To start, please visit: https://policeanalysis.tucsonaz.gov/   

Once you go to this site click on the “Reported Crimes” dashboard link.

Then click on the “Go to the Data” button and you will be brought to the Dashboard’s homepage that provides a brief navigation guide for using the dashboard.

from Cpt. John Carlson and Lt. Ericka Stropka of the Tucson Police Department:

CRIME STATISTICS BY NEIGHBORHOOD

Info based on police reports sorted by neighborhood go to neighsupport.net

Feel free to email notifications of illegal dumping in Jefferson Park directly to ward3@tucsonaz.gov . Ward 3 informs us they can get illegally dumped items cleaned up pretty promptly. It's best to include the nearest address and a brief description of what's been dumped. Photos are great as well.

GRAFFITI

• Report by Phone: (520) 792-CITY (2489).
• Graffiti on bus stops can be reported to Sun Tran customer service at (520) 792-9222.

When reporting graffiti for removal or reporting graffiti that you have removed, please provide the following information: Address or cross streets of the graffiti. Graffiti removed only within City limits.

Is there a pothole you'd like to see filled? Is a street sign missing? Is a tree limb hanging over a roadway or sidewalk? You can report these issues to the City of Tucson's Department of Transportation and Mobility, (520) 791-3154, or email the exact location to TDOTConcerns@tucsonaz.gov.

Department of Transportation and Mobility

When your own home trash or recycle bin needs to be replaced, email Eshelp@tucsonaz.gov - give your address and request a replacement. It’ll help out both the drivers, and your neighbors will appreciate clean streets, free of litter.

City to assist with sidewalk repair. The neighbor supplies the material and the City supplies the labor.

To get started, send an E-mail to: TDOTConcerns@Tucsonaz.gov.

Provide your name and address and a little information about your project.

For graffiti, potholes,etc: You don't have to use the "SeeClickFix" app on your phone! You can also report issues online using it. It's not necesssary to include a photo and you can remain anonymous:

SeeClickFix Online

View SeeClickFix Tutorial Video

To report an encampment online, please scan the QR code on the left to access the Reporting Tool page:

Or go to the Reporting Tool website:

https://reportencampments.tucsonaz.gov/  

To report an encampment by phone, please call the City of Tucson Resource Line: (520) 791-2540



For homeless who wish to access services go to: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/homelessness-resources

For Services & Resources for the Homeless/Unsheltered:

Call: 520-791-2540.

Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness

by phone: 

BUMC Security: 520-694-6533

or on-line:

On-line reporting tool:

• https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=0tzqra86NUiycx6-incm8cqK9bZ04jtJowQZjB_IHAFUNzBTQ0RVWUpWUk5RV1I4V1VDWTVCWVRTSSQlQCN0PWcu

BANNER HELIPAD REPORTS

2022 NOV - 85 medical flights/14 reports from neighbors

2022 DEC - 91 medical flights/20 reports from neighbors

2023 JAN - 91 medical flights/16 reports from neighbors

2023 FEB - 90 medical flights/18 reports from neighbors

2023 MARCH - 102 medical flights/14 reports from neighbors

2023 APRIL -129 medical flights/14 reports from neighbors

BANNER HELIPAD number of flights for 2021/2022 1,034 total flights

to see report in its entirety:

http://www.jeffersonpark.info/helicopters---banner.html

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:   

2022: June - 2 loud party, 0 red tag; July - 0; August - 3 loud party, 3 red tag; Sept. - 3 loud party, 1 red tag; October - 6 loud party, 2 red tag; November - 0 loud party, 0 red tag; December - 0 loud party, 0 red tag;

2023: January -0 loud party, 0 red tag, February -0 loud party, 0 red tag, March -0 loud party, 0 red tag, April -4 loud party,2 red tag. May -2 loud party, 0 red tag June

0 loud party, 0 red tag, July- 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.

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

Get your neighbors together and increase safety in your area.

With an uptick of petty crime in the midtown area, your block may want to participate in Neighborhood Watch. For more information, see https://www.tucsonaz.gov/police/neighborhood-watch.

Also, check out this handy guide to securing your home. Some things you may not have thought of,

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/police/nhw_home_security_booklet.pdf

“Neighborhood Watch—A Leader’s Guide To Getting Started” 

• Block Map 
• Neighborhood Watch Sign Application 
• Home Security Booklet 
• “Operation Identification” Information 

If you are a TEP customer, your TEP account qualifies you for a free smart thermostat. They lead to lower energy use, which protects our environment and helps keep our electric service affordable for everyone. You’ll need to agree to install it within 60 days. Claim yours while supplies last!

For technical assistance in the selection of a compatible thermostat option, please call (855) 393-9717. To find all the information

 CLICK HERE

Qualifying Tucson Water customers can apply to receive grants and loans to install rainwater harvesting and gray water irrigation systems. Other programs include discounted high-efficiency clothes washers. There's also free toilet replacement available,.

Tucson Water rebates, incentives, and services

Found a baby bird, someone shooting at birds, etc? Wildlife questions answered: CLICK HERE for information on what to do with wildlife in your yard.

SEE A SWARM OF BEES? CLICK HERE for the YouTube safety information from the Tucson Fire Department.

The 70+ ton pile of plastic getting ready to be baled and sent to ByFusion this week.

Upcycle your plastic - Save and bag plastic. 

Take your plastic waste to 

the Ward 6 Council Office at 3202 E First St

Behind the Walgreens,across from The Loft Theater

If it is plastic, we will take it!

Sorting is not required, but please bag your items!

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE PAPER LABELS ON PLASTIC

AND IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE TOTALLY CLEAN.

IF THE DUMPSTER IS NOT THERE WHEN YOU DROP OFF YOUR PLASTICS,

IT MEANS THAT IT HAS BEEN PICKED UP TO BE EMPTIED.

JUST LEAVE YOUR PLASTICS AGAINST THE WALL.

BE SURE THE BAG IS TIED SO PLASTIC DOES NOT GO FLYING.

A VOLUNTEER WILL PUT THEM IN THE DUMPSTER WHEN IT IS RETURNED.

THE WARD VI DUMPSTER GETS FULL SO QUICKLY, IT HAS TO BE EMPTIED MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK.

For all schedules and info go to; https://www.suntran.com/fares-passes/

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.

Need a recommendation for a handy-person or a business? Go to http://www.jeffersonpark.info/recommended-services.html

Would you like to recommend someone to your neighbors? Let Cricket know. cricket16@cox.net, 520-798-3602 - Help us keep the list accurate- report any retired/inactive numbers to the cricket.

Many thanks to The Prime Leaf

Thanks to North America Powder Coating

MARK'S ACE Hardware - Campbell Avenue.

Thanks for several donations!!

Carly Quinn - tile work at Campbell Entrances

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 over 350 local residents.

See a new neighbor? Alert the representative in your area to let them know to take by a welcome packet!

Every Area Rep would appreciate help distributing doorhangers or taking Welcome Packets to new residents. Contact them via email.

Another newsletter chock full of information!

WARD VI, 520-791-4601

Steve Kozachik's newsletter:

 www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-6/news

District Five Contact Info: Adelita Grijalva

• Email: district5@pima.gov, Phone:724-8126
• Website: www.pima.gov/district5 or https://www.adelitasgrijalva.com/

Chief of Staff: Keith Bagwell, Keith.Bagwell@pima.gov, (520) 724-8723

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