Dodge/Flower Neighborhood Association

Summer 2003

Aug 03, 2003

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Following are the results of the election of officers at our May 31 Annual Meeting

President - Barbara Lehmann
Vice-President - John Cise
Secretary -
Treasurer -

Since there were no nominations or volunteers for the treasurer and secretary positions, Barbara and John will be responsible for those roles until any members in good standing volunteer for a one-year term of office.(?“Members in good standing?” are members who are current in their annual dues, or who have attended four meetings in the past 12 months.)

It is our fervent hope that our past year of positive experiences and efforts have made our association something you are glad to be part of. We feel that we do make a difference for the neighborhood and hope that you will consider volunteering for office. Please understand that the board members lend support to one another to ensure that our leadership responsibilities are equally shared. The board members meet regularly and provide assistance to one another as needed. Many hands make light work and accomplish more for all.

Your participation will help us fulfill our goals. For information about the duties of the secretary and treasurer, please feel free to contact John (327-3135) or Barbara (795-5494), or the Dept of Neighborhood Resources at 791-4605.
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STREETLIGHT AND SPEEDHUMP INSTALLATION UPDATE

Ward III Council Members Jerry Anderson and Kathleen Dunbar awarded Back to Basics funds to us and the four surrounding neighborhoods in 2001 and 2002, totaling over $1 million. The focus of the funding is to help reduce crime, traffic and traffic speeds in our neighborhoods. Based on information provided by our Midtown TPD Sgt. Bob Webster, crime rates go down when lights go up. And anyone who has driven over a speedhump knows it helps to reduce traffic speeds. Therefore, in 2002 neighbors voted to allocate the Back to Basics funding to the installation of streetlights at every major intersection in the neighborhoods, and to install speedhumps on streets as agreed upon by a majority of the residents on those streets.

The installation of the streetlights should begin by August. Installation was originally scheduled to begin in June, but was pushed back because of the need for a flood study in the Oak/Flower Neighborhood. The speedhumps to be installed on Winstel and Richey are scheduled to begin in August also. This is very exciting as we will finally see the results of a project that has been in the works for three years! Upon completion of the project - expected in December - we will have a turning-on-the-lights celebration.
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$1,000 AWARDED TO DODGE/FLOWER

Thanks to the initiative of our good neighbor John Cise who nominated our neighborhood, Southern Arizona Home Builders Association chose Dodge/Flower for its 2003 Neighborhood Award!

At the May 1 Volunteer Center Volunteers of the Year Awards, SAHBA President Carole Pawlak presented the $1,000 Neighborhood Award to Barbara Lehmann on behalf of the neighborhood. This award recognizes an individual or group who has performed outstanding volunteer service that has directly impacted the neighborhood where they live.

"This award celebrates advocacy and articipation in one's neighborhood," said Storie, CEO of ContraVest Properties. "SAHBA is extremely proud to support these fine organizations. We share many of the same interests in finding ways to build better neighborhoods through community service."

What we are doing in our neighborhood is making a difference and it?’s encouraging to know others in our community recognize and support the work we are doing together. We will begin planning how we can put this cash award to the best use. As more neighbors participate, there?’s no limit to what we can achieve!
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TMM MISSION VISTA SHARES VACANT LOT WITH D/FNA

Terry Galligan, Director of Housing Development for TMM Family Services, Inc., has generously offered to share the empty lot next to Mission Vista Apts (2455 N. Dodge) with our neighborhood. The purpose would be to turn the lot into something that can be used in a way that will bring neighbors together and make a positive difference here. We are so grateful to Terry for this contribution and for his continuing support and participation. Please let us know if you have any suggestions and are ready to go to work transforming this lot into a . . . community garden? . . . a playground? . . . information center?
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MEETING SCHEDULES

In an attempt to increase attendance and participation by accommodating the various schedules of our neighbors, we tried staggering meeting dates and locations. Unfortunately, doing so created confusion for our members and the City employees who attend our meetings. We found it makes better sense to have a regularly scheduled meeting time, date and location. Based on the results of a recent poll, we found the most popular day of the week is Monday. So our meetings will be scheduled as follows:

4th Monday of Each Month
7:00 p.m.
Catalina Heights Church at 2741 N. Dodge

Regular meetings are scheduled for the 4th Monday of the months of January, March, May (Annual), July (Social), September, November.

Block Captains/Neighborhood Advocates meet the 4th Monday of the months of February, April, June, August, October and December. Please note - all members are welcome to attend the block captain meetings.

Please mark your calendars!
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NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATES/BLOCK CAPTAINS:

Baxter (2700-2799) & Bermuda (3600-3699)
- Pat Hamilton: 325-4382

Dodge (2600-2799) - Jo Zane: 327-8270

Dodge (2400-2599) - John Cise: 327-3135

Haskell (2400-2599) - Linda Bansback: 795-6674

Winstel (2600-2799) - Eve LeVine: 326-8914

We need you to volunteer to become an Advocate for your street or apartment complex. For more information or to sign up, call any of the Advocates listed above, or call our board members, John (327-3135) or Barbara (795-5494 or 237-2140).
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WE NOW HAVE A P.O. BOX

Dodge/Flower Neighborhood Association
P.O. Box 57004
Tucson, AZ 85732-7004

There are several benefits to having a P.O. Box.

1) To provide an address - that remains constant - to all our members, City departments and independent agencies that send us mail. Previously, everything was sent to the president?’s home address.

2) Having an independent address eliminates the need to update our mailing address whenever there is a change in leadership.

3) Members can use this address as another means to communicate with the board regarding any neighborhood concerns they may have.

4) Members can send in contributing articles for our newsletter.
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HELP FOR SENIORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS - PCOA
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

This Pima Council on Aging program was created to train neighborhood volunteers to provide information to elderly neighbors, and those who care for them. Ambassadors meet the first Thursday morning of each month for updates on services and to share what type of assistance they have provided to their neighbors. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our neighborhood Ambassadors, Beverly (881-6533) or Barbara (795-5494).
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< < < COMMUNITY CORNER KUDOS > > >

This is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge and express appreciation to those neighbors who are committed to making a positive difference in our community.

John Cise - Besides having such a friendly disposition, John?’s expert organizational skills and good sense help keep us focused and on track. On top of the countless things he does as a leader of our association, John organizes the flea markets on his property that have helped bring neighbors together while also boosting our bank account balance.

Pat Hamilton - Pat is always at the ready to participate in everything we do. She willingly helps pick up trash, solicit contributions, offers thoughtful and helpful ideas, and is quick to share a mile and a laugh with everyone she meets. Pat initiated a phone tree and is the friendly voice that calls to remind you of upcoming meetings.

Beverly Van Den Borre - Last year Bev volunteered to be treasurer and helped to make a difficult transition less painful during our regrouping last year. Bev has been a steady and positive force in the success of our association and we are lucky to have her as a PCOA Ambassador.

Elizabeth Ramey - Elizabeth, with the support of the Dodge Flower Apts?’ owner, has turned the complex from a deteriorating haven for crime to a safe, welcoming and attractive home for its tenants. She is outspoken, hard-working
and good-hearted - three traits that made the turn-around possible.

Pastor Gary Kirk - For over three years Pastor Gary has graciously shared his Catalina Heights Church with us for our meetings (even when asked at the last minute!) This is a huge contribution - we are very grateful for his neighborly support.

Becky Bishop - Becky has made Georgetown Apts a real asset here by supporting Crime-Free Multi-Housing and keeping the grounds beautifully maintained. Armed with her can of "goop" Becky has taken it upon herself to personally remove graffiti as soon as she sees it in our neighborhood.

Carol Murphey - As manager of Royal Alvernon Apts, Carol?’s hard work and dedication to maintaining a quality apartment complex is another asset to our neighborhood.

Advocates/Block Captains - Thank you Jo, John, Linda, Eve and Pat for volunteering to distribute newsletters, flyers and anything else you?’re called upon to do. ?“Many hands make light work.?”

Regular attendees of meetings - To those of you who regularly attend our meetings, thank you for your support and commitment to the goals of our association.

My Family - Last, but certainly not least, boundless thanks to Karl, Jen and Jake for your patience and the sacrifices you make for my time away from you (even when I?’m home!). I especially appreciate your cooperation when you are volunteered to help. B. Lehmann
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CPSA/COMPASS/SAMHC UPDATE

Good news from the directors of the organizations that have recently completed their move into the former Desert Gardens facility at Dodge and Flower. In response to the concerns of neighbors wary of the impact of the facilities in our neighborhood, the directors have informed us that there will be 24-hour on-site security on the grounds. In addition, transportation from the facilities will be provided to all clients/patients who don?’t have transportation of their own.

The directors promise to be accessible and responsive to our concerns. If you have any questions for them, following are the names and numbers of the directors/representatives of each organization:

Community Partnership of So. Arizona (CPSA)
- Neal Cash, CEO: 325-4268
- Judy Johnson, Asst CEO: 318-6907

Compass
- Joan McNamara, CEO: 882-5608
- Pat Carnes, Program Director: 624-5272

SAMHC - Carol Little, CEO: 618-8607
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DODGE/FLOWER NAME CHANGE

Too often we?’ve been confused for the North DODGE or Oak/FLOWER neighborhoods. For example, the Dept of Neighborhood Resources has sent our newsletter to the Oak/Flower neighborhood and we've received theirs. From time to time, people we?’ve talked to at City Depts. or other neighborhoods get the idea we are North DODGE as soon as they hear "DODGE/Flower."

Most recently, Howard Ward of Midtown created a crime map for our July 10 landlord meeting. The color map is poster size and pinpoints various crimes committed during a specific month within a particular area. It's an excellent visual aide that helps us get a better grasp on where crimes have happened in our area. Unfortunately, because of the similarities in our names, the police officer e-mailed the OAK/Flower stats to him rather than the crime stats for
DODGE/Flower. We?’re very grateful that Howard redid the map for us with the correct stats for Dodge/Flower - gratis!

To avoid confusion in the future, it seems it would be best to remove Dodge and Flower from our name. Put your imaginations to work. We?’re requesting suggestions to be submitted in time for a vote at our September meeting.
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MEMBER WINDOW SIGNS

As a show of support around the neighborhood, we created signs that members can display in their windows. Displaying the sign in your window will give a visual message to other neighbors that you support our efforts to improve our quality of life by cultivating a safer, friendlier and cleaner neighborhood.

Households make a statement by flying the American flag or by putting up holiday decorations. Displaying the neighborhood sign also makes a statement and helps to create a common bond among neighbors. Once we decide on a new name at our September meeting, you can pick up your sign at subsequent meetings, or by contacting Barbara Lehmann.
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HOW TO REPORT DRUG ACTIVITY

Do you ever see suspicious activity on your street or in your apartment and wonder if it is drug related?

The Drug Enforcement Agency encourages residents to report drug-related activity in their neighborhood.

Call 573-5500 and ask for the duty agent. You may remain anonymous. You may also call the Pima County Attorney's Office anonymous tipster line, 88-CRIME, or 911.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 10: Landlord Meeting at Mission Vista Apts.

July 12: Potluck Pool Party at Dodge/Flower Apts.

July 15: Coffee at John Cise?’s

August 4: Brush & Bulky Pickup

August 25: Block Captain Meeting - Tools of the Trade

September 22: Regular Meeting with Guest Speaker
from SAAVI - So. Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired (formerly Tucson Assn for the
Blind)

October 18: Glenn View Neighborhood Yard Sale

October 27: Block Captain Meeting

November 24: Regular Meeting

December 22: Block Captain Meeting
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NEWSLETTERS

Newsletters are written quarterly. We?’d love to hear from you! Any letters or articles you?’d like to contribute are welcome and appreciated. The deadline for the Fall newsletter is September 15. Please mail your contribution to our P.O. Box, or e-mail it to KBJJ2000@cs.com.