Mitchell Park West Neighbors

Latest Neighborhood Services News; updated 11/03/09

Budget Forums, Agenda and Recycling

1 - Tempe budget community forums in November (please pass on)

Tempe community members are invited to attend either of two forums in November to learn about the city's projected 2010-2011 fiscal year budget deficit, and about the work currently going on to resolve the issue while continuing to provide high-quality services. Tempe's residents and other stakeholders also are invited to submit ideas and input online.

The forums are scheduled for:
* Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the City Council Chambers, 31 E. Fifth St.
* Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Tempe Police South Substation auditorium, 8201 S. Hardy Drive.

For more information on the 2010-11 budget, as well as a feedback form that community members can submit online, visit www.tempe.gov/budgetplan. For those without computer access, hardcopy feedback forms will be available at the forums. The Nov. 17 forum will be taped by Tempe 11 and made available online the next day at www.tempe.gov/budgetplan, for those who cannot attend. In addition, the Web page features a copy of the presentation that will be made at the community forums. Tempe also is holding a series of informational forums this week for city employees and retirees.

2 - Hearing Officer agenda for November 17, 2009 http://www.tempe.gov/planning/agendas/HO/20091117Agenda.pdf.

3 - Friendly reminder to mark your calendars for Saturday, November 14, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as the City of Tempe honors America Recycles Day by offering a free, multi-purpose recycling event at the Household Products Collection Center (1320 E. University Dr ).

Tempe Transit: Follow Up Meetings on Orbit Routes and Schedules

Contact: Sue Taaffe, Community Outreach/Marketing Coordinator (480) 350-8663 sue_taaffe@tempe.gov

Tempe residents are encouraged to attend one of three public meetings to learn more about potential route changes to the existing Orbit neighborhood circulator system. The purpose of these meetings is to gather ideas from neighbors and get input on potential route changes using existing monetary resources. The same information will be presented at all three meetings, which are scheduled for:

Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m., at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center, 655 E. Southern Ave.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m., in the Don Cassano Community Room at the Tempe Transportation Center, 200 E. Fifth St.

Orbit is a free system that uses mini-buses to serve residential areas and connect them to local destinations such as parks, shopping areas, other neighborhoods, major bus and light rail routes, schools and multi-generational centers. Orbit buses are smaller and quieter than traditional buses. Each bus holds about 20 passengers and travels along collector and residential streets. Residents may board Orbit anywhere along residential streets by signaling the driver.

An online comment form will be available beginning Oct. 26. For information call (480) 350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim

An Invitation to the next Who's Your Neighbor

The Diversity Department's Brown Bag Lecture Series continues at 11:30am on Wednesday, October 28th with the "Faces of Homelessness". (Bring your own lunch, desserts provided.)
TOPIC: "Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau"
WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, Tempe City Hall, 31 E. 5th Street Council Chambers, Garden Level 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
PURPOSE: To create a greater understanding of each other in an effort to eliminate biases and build community. On any given night, there are more than 8,500 homeless men, women and children living on Valley Streets and in shelters. The Faces of Homelessness presentation will focus on two to three of these individuals and their experiences. Speakers will describe what their life was like before and during homelessness, what changed to end their homelessness and their hopes for the future. The information shared will challenge preconceived notions and myths about people who are experiencing homelessness while raising awareness on this complex issue.
For information contact Ginny Belousek, Diversity Specialist, at 480-350-8979 or www.tempe.gov/diversity

JOIN CITY OF TEMPE FOR A GREEN DAY CHALLENGE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

The City of Tempe in partnership with Assured Security Document Destruction, Nike Reuse A Shoe, and Bashas' invites residents to help the environment by participating in a FREE multi-purpose recycling marathon event in honor of America Recycles Day. All items brought to this event will be recycled, thereby keeping them out of the landfill. Residents are encouraged to participate in the following recycling activities:

Shred-A-Thon
E-Waste
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program (used athletic shoes), and
Plastic shopping bags.

BONUS: Each person who participates in this eco-friendly event will receive one FREE Tempe reusable shopping bag.

You can help by forwarding this email to members of your community and/or posting the flyer. See the event flyer or visit the Tempe website for additional information: www.tempe.gov/recycling

Tempe Talks Diversity Dialogue

Now accepting applications for the Fall Diversity Dialogue Session - see the press release for dates and details.
Volunteers Needed! TCC and the City of Tempe are looking for citizens to engage in a human services grant review process titled "Agency Review." You will work to make funding recommendations to the Tempe City Council regarding human service monies. The time committment includes 3-4 days over 3 months starting November 2009.
If you are interested, email caterina_mena@tempe.gov or call 480.858.2311

TEMPE EXPANDS SHOE RECYCLING PROGRAM

City, schools to join collection drive

Tempe, Arizona - This fall, the City of Tempe is expanding its Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program by inviting students and schools to get in the game. A school-based collection drive for used athletic shoes will begin Sept. 8 and run until Dec. 14.
The program promotes environmental stewardship and recycles athletic shoes into "Nike Grind," a material used for sports and playground surfaces. This helps reduce landfill waste and create new places for people of all ages to play.
Schools wanting to join the program can contact the City of Tempe Public Works/Solid Waste Services Program. To receive informational posters and an athletic shoe recycling/collection bin, call 480-350-8224 or visit www.tempe.gov/recycling. The Web site will also feature updates to the shoe drive and announcements for the school team with the highest number of collected shoes.
Councilmember Ben Arredondo, who has championed Reuse-A-Shoe in Tempe since the program's inception, said expanding it into schools further spreads the message of environmental stewardship to Tempe children and their families.
"Saving the environment is not a spectator sport. We invite students to join the team and give an assist to planet Earth by recycling used athletic shoes," Arredondo said. "We are excited to see what the community can do by pulling together."