Houghton Neighborhood Association

NEWS LETTER

Mar 30, 2006

HOUGHTON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
NEWS LETTER

All - Please mark your calendar for the next HNA annual meeting on April 12, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. at Soleng Elementary School - 10520 E. Camino Quince
We will have Carol West and some guest speakers attending this meeting to provide helpful information and answer questions that you may have about the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA Plan on the May 16, 2006 election ballot), Web Site ===> http://www.rtamobility.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=152 There are pros and cons about the plan. Here is another Web Site with con information, ===> http://www.tucsonrealplan.com/index.html so that you can make an informed decision on Election Day. Also, you can obtain additional information by E-mailing tucsonrealplan@gmail.com

We will also have a Tucson Police Department Officer speak about what is going on in the neighborhood, ward II and city. If you have any subjects of interest for future quarterly meetings, please contact the HNA president, Richard Hagenah at E-mail Hagenahr@aol.com or 298-0701.


Houghton Neighborhood Association
The Houghton Neighborhood Association was established in 1984 after the annexation of the area
into the City of Tucson. Membership is voluntary and open to residents living in the two-square mile area bounded by Speedway on the North, 22nd Street on the South, Houghton on the West, and Tanque Verde Loop/Melpomene Way on the East. Our purpose is to uphold the policies of the Houghton East Neighborhood Plan http://www.tucsonaz.gov/planning/plans/area/henp.pdf adopted by Mayor and Council in 1985, to guide the orderly development of the area, and to preserve or improve the inherent scenic and ecological characteristics of the area; and to protect the integrity of the Saguaro National Park East and its buffer zone. More information is available by visiting our Web site http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/tucson/houghton/ or contacting the president Richard Hagenah, 298-0701. Annual membership dues are $15.00 per year, (see attached dues form).


January 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes
General:
The Houghton Neighborhood Association held a quarterly meeting on January 6, 2006 with guest speakers from the City of Tucson Water Dept. ?– Status/Future Strategy, Saguaro National Park East ?– Impacts to Park/2006 Programs and Medicare ?– Schedules/Requirements.

City of Tucson Water Dept. ?– Status/Future Strategy
Wally Wilson provide a power point presentation, showing the current source of water and what future plans will be to handle the increasing requirements. We are allocated 140 thousand acre feet of CAP water per year. In 2005 Tucson Water delivered 146 thousand acre feet. We are currently paying $145 per acre foot. Here is a Web Site to find additional water information http://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/ .


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Saguaro National Park East ?– Impacts to Park/2006 Programs
Bob Love spoke about Trails Planning currently underway, stating that public meetings will be scheduled in the near future. He stated that they would be resurfacing Cactus Loop Drive probably in the summer. Bob stated that the HNA has done quite a bit to help with maintaining wildlife corridors by working with the City to develop the Houghton East Neighborhood Plan http://www.tucsonaz.gov/planning/plans/area/henp.pdf. He stated that some of the impacts to the park and habitat are noise, domestic animals, high speed traffic next to the park, and danger from increasing growth of Buffalo Grass. You will find Saguaro National Park news releases on community pages on the HNA Web Site and you could go to the Saguaro National Parks URL http://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm for additional information.


Medicare Schedules/Requirements
Stew Grabel from Pima Council for Aging provided information about Medicare Plan, stating that it is a good plan with government allowing private companies to participate. It is very good if you have low income or a high cost of drug usage. If you want to sign up for the plan without penalty, you must do so by May 15, 2006. Annual renewal period for plans is Nov. 15th to Dec. 31st. You can find more information on their Web Site http://www.pcoa.org/Services.htm .


Board Officers/Members:
Currently the board officers are Richard Hagenah, President Sheila Enos, Vice President, Dan Porzio, secretary, Mike Salvo, Treasurer and Rex Taylor, director. A full board consists of nine people, four officers and five directors. In order to continue the Houghton Neighborhood Association we need additional people on the board. Several of the board members that served since May of last year have expressed their desire to step down. Therefore, those of you who would be willing to spare the small amount of time required, please contact the President at E-mail Hagenahr@aol.com or 298-0701 before April 7th.


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Attachment:

2006 ANNUAL DUES (Calendar Year) AND/OR CONTRIBUTIONS
Send To: Houghton Neighborhood Association
10740 E. Migratory Place
Tucson, Az. 85748

Comments:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________________ Phone Home/Work __________/___________
Cell Phone ___________ e-Mail ___________

Address__________________________________________________________

We (I) can help by: ___ Mailings ___ Walking Neighborhood

___ Telephoning ___ Other

My (our) background(s) in _____________________ / _______________________
and would assist and/or work on board teams

Enclosed: ______ Annual Dues $15.00 Contribution ______