Ward 2 Council Member Paul Cunningham
Paul's Note - January 17th, 2020
Posted January 17, 2020
One of the frustrations with our plastic containers is that, for the most part, can’t be used over again. We use a lot of natural resources (namely oil) not to actually make a product but to make something that a product is stored in. We then toss that container away and it ends up in a landfill.
And that brings us to plastic pill bottles. Most of us have a prescription to something, and when we are done, we throw the bottles away. The thing is, those bottles are, unlike plastic bags and plastic water bottles, quite durable and can be used many times over.
Paul's Note - January 10th, 2020
Posted January 10, 2020
Our local electric utility, Tucson Electric Power, is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission for a rate hike. There will be a hearing on Monday, January 13th and you’ll have a chance to weigh in.
The proposed rate increase would mean $76 million for the company, which would be $7.61 per month for the average residential rate payer.
I was briefed on the rate increase a few weeks ago, and there are a number of things that frustrate me beyond what is being asked of you as a consumer.
YWCA DreamBuilder Bootcamp
Posted January 10, 2020
The Southern Arizona YWCA is now enrolling for the DreamBuilder Bootcamp.
The DreamBuilder Bootcamp is a 13 week class that provides support and structure as you learn key business principles & build a business plan. The bootcamp includes access to online learning portals and in-person instruction from established business owners and mentors in a supportive community of other local entrepreneurs. The bootcamp's classes are taught by new & established entrepreneurs who would like a weekly dose of accountability and structure to reach business planning goals.
Paul's Note - January 3rd, 2020
Posted January 3, 2020
This week, Tucson hosted the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl. The preliminary numbers show that it was a great success for Tucson.
According to Visit Tucson, the agency that works to get more tourism and tourism revenue for our community, Wyoming fans blew through their 5,000 ticket allocation and, according to estimates, brought over 10,000 fans to the game. Georgia State fans accounted for an additional 3,000 in ticket sales.
Paul's Note - December 27, 2019
Posted December 27, 2019
I’ve been beating the drum, or maybe the cistern, for water harvesting for my entire time on the council. Many of you know that the landscaping at my office is fed by a water harvesting system and I’ve always been looking at ways to encourage water harvesting in new developments around town.
Tucson Parks and Recreation dedicated a garden just outside of their office this month that will also utilize water harvesting. The garden, called the Sonoran Desert Rain Garden, will serve as a memorial space for employees and their families.
Paul's Note - December 20, 2019
Posted December 20, 2019
This is my last update before the Christmas Holiday, so I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and of course a joyous Hanukkah holiday as well.
Broadway – Camino Seco to Houghton Road Improvement Project: Traffic Alert
Posted December 19, 2019
On Friday, December 20, 2019, crews from KE&G Construction, under contract with the City of Tucson Transportation Department, are scheduled to mill (remove) asphalt at the Broadway intersection approaches at Houghton Road, Harrison Road and Camino Seco.
Crews will work from approximately 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this work, there will be periodic traffic shifts at the intersection approaches and officers will assist motorists through the intersections.
Paul's Note - December 13, 2019
Posted December 13, 2019
I wrote about our dockless scooter program a few weeks ago, and we had a discussion at a study session last week.
As many of you know, the attempt to short-circuit the pilot program failed. As I have been saying here and at the council table, I support the program, although I think we can make some changes to encourage safer use.
TreeCycle
Posted December 11, 2019
For the 23rd year, residents can recycle their Christmas trees through the City of Tucson’s TreeCycle Program. The program begins on Thursday, Dec. 26 and continues through Sunday, Jan. 12. TreeCycle collection sites are located throughout Tucson and Oro Valley. Please remove all lights, ornaments, decorations, plastic tree bags, and tree stands before dropping off at the TreeCycle sites. Trees collected are chipped and these items can cause damage to people and the equipment. Please do not leave trees outside the collection time or area due to fire hazard.
Paul's Note - December 6, 2019
Posted December 6, 2019
As my staff and I were getting last week’s update ready to post, I heard the news of the death of Judith Blair. I was able to get a sentence or two up, but her work in our community deserves a lot more than that.
Judith was a Tucson transplant (a word I choose with good reason), coming here when her son Joseph played basketball for the Wildcats. She grew to love our community and stayed after Joseph became a professional player.
Paul's Note - November 29th, 2019
Posted November 27, 2019
You all have turkeys to defrost so I’ll keep things short. This week, I’m thankful that I have a wonderful family: my wife, my sons and two magnificent parents. I’m also thankful that I get to serve the people of a city that I love for another four years.
Tucson’s struggles aren’t unique, but we have faced our challenges while in ways that other communities haven’t. I’ll take some credit for that, but credit also goes to all of you as citizens and taxpayers. Thank you.
Trash & Recycling Collection Changes for Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Posted November 25, 2019
The Thanksgiving Day holiday will be observed on Thursday, Nov. 28. Residential and commercial trash and recycling will not be collected on Thursday. All City of Tucson residential and commercial customers with regular collection on Thursday and Friday will have their trash and recycling service delayed by one day.
Paul's Note - November 22, 2019
Posted November 22, 2019
Our six-month “pilot program” with e-scooters began in September, and there is already a move to end it early.
Count me among those who’d like the program to continue.
We don’t see e-scooters much on the road here in Ward 2. The layout of our neighborhoods and the lack of clear pedestrian centers means that they aren’t as practical as they are in central Tucson.
Paul's Note - November 14, 2019
Posted November 15, 2019
Chuck Ford passed away last week. He ably represented the residents of Ward 4 for two terms from 1979 to 1987.
My family and his shared meals together and I golfed with him occasionally. What was always great about speaking to him was his relentless positivity about our community. He knew we had problems, but he loved Tucson and Tucsonans.
Paul's Note - November 8, 2019
Posted November 8, 2019
Before I begin, I need to talk a little about the election. I am grateful that you and your neighbors chose to give me another term on the city council. There is a lot of work we need to do together, and by together I mean with you as constituents and with my two new colleagues, Nikki Lee and Lane Santa Cruz as well as my longtime colleague and our next mayor, Regina Romero. Congratulations to all three for earning the support of our city.