Ward 2 Council Member Paul Cunningham

There have been two recent environmental stories covered in our local news. Both have major implications, but they also will have a particular effect on you as a water-user in Tucson.

I wanted to take a moment to remember someone that Tucson recently lost. Claudia Ellquist was one of those people whose names don’t always make headlines, but they have a tremendous impact in the community. She passed away earlier this month after a short illness.

The Mayor's office has asked that city flags be flown at half-staff for the deputy US marshal that was killed in the line of duty serving a warrant in Tucson.

The deputy's name has not been released by the Tucson Police Department.

We finished up another successful El Tour de Tucson this weekend. As with every large event in our city, from the Gem Show to the All Souls Procession, we get a couple of complaints about traffic congestion and general disruption around town. It’s understandable. We got a note from Richard DeBernardis, the founder and director of El Tour de Tucson, that addressed some of the complaints as well as some of the benefits of this event.

Here’s what most people don’t know about the Tour:

The Southern Arizona office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) currently has many volunteer opportunities available. A volunteer orientation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6, 3:30-4 p.m., at 2020 N. Forbes Blvd., Suite 102. At the orientation, you will be able to review all available opportunities and go over the volunteer application and background check form (if applicable). Some of the opportunities include court monitoring, outreach volunteering, victim impact panels, and serving on a planning committee for Walk Like MADD events.

The Tucson Parks and Recreation department presents the annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair in Reid Park. Come get a jump on your holiday shopping. This free event will draw in more than 140 vendors from all over the Southwest, ranging from artists, crafters, photographers, painters, potters, jewelers, and more. This Thanksgiving weekend fair has become a tradition for many holiday shoppers for more than 30 years. 

Words fail me when I think about the violence that occurred this weekend. Mayor Rothschild managed to sum up how I felt in his comments at the Jewish Community Center on Monday night. Here is a part of what he said:

After the assassination of President Kennedy, President Johnson urged the nation to “turn away from the apostles of bitterness and bigotry … and those who pour venom into our nation’s bloodstream.”