Thursday, July 19, 2018
The Arizona Ground Game hosts community forums every month in hopes of educating our community on controversial issues that can become complicated once you dive into the details. The group wants to see citizens engaged and informed once midterm elections come around this November.
On Tuesday evening, TAGG brought Joel Feinman, head of the Pima County Public Defender’s office and adjunct professor in political science at the University of Arizona, to Pueblo High School’s Little Theater to talk about the causes of and solutions to mass incarceration.
He gave a half-hour presentation before taking questions from the audience. Here’s a recap of what was covered at the forum:
1. Plea agreements
- Over 90 percent of criminal cases tried in America are resolved by plea agreements, meaning that over 90 percent of defendants don’t see their cases go to a trial.
- On one hand, it would take the criminal justice system an eternity to process cases if they were all tried by juries, but on the other hand, plea agreements often force defendants into impossible situations.
- Feinman said, “Our entire justice system becomes a contest between the most powerful person in the room, the prosecutor, and the least powerful person in the room, the criminal defendant.”
- Mandatory minimum sentences also give power to plea agreements. In 2013, 97 percent of all cases in the federal criminal justice system were resolved by plea agreements. In 2012, the average sentence for federal narcotics crimes resolved by plea agreement was five years. The average sentence for the same crimes that went to trial was 16 years.
Tags: mass incarceration , joel feinman , the arizona ground game , forum , Image
Monday, July 16, 2018
Tucson is brimming with artistic talent, but resources to help support that talent are not as abundant. The LifeBlood Workshop was formed by a group of artists and experts to help facilitate discussions around mental health in the creative field.
This evening from 6 to 8 p.m. the LifeBlood Workshop will be in Tucson to offer a two-hour conversation with the goal of brainstorming solutions and decreasing the stress and anxiety associated with the artistic lifestyle.
According to their website, “the rate of depression and suicide among musicians and creatives is three times that of non-musicians. The pressure of being in the public eye, of having to create and still have some sort of personal life can lead to bad decisions. Professionals may prescribe medication for the symptoms, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem.”
The workshop will include a panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session and small group settings where artists will be given the chance to tell their stories and talk about their issues in a judgement-free environment. It’s a chance to receive advice from the experts and other attendees who share the same experiences.
The LifeBlood team, which consists of career artists and health and wellness experts, have a singular goal: to provide an alternative approach in helping the creative community manage mental and physical wellness.
The workshop will be held today, July 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spark Project Collective, a nonprofit organization that produces local art to raise money for local children with disabilities. Their building is located at 4349 E. Broadway Blvd.
The workshop is free, but the LifeBlood team requests that attendees RSVP beforehand at thelifebloodworkshop.com/tucson/
Tags: LifeBlood , artists , musicians , creative , art , music , mental health , wellbeing , awareness , workshop , Image
Bellecourt has also founded or co-founded other organizations that further his work as an activist in the United States: The Heart of the Earth Survival School, the first culturally-based education program under parent control in the country; the Legal Rights Center, which provides criminal
defense and restorative justice services to people with low income; and the Minneapolis Indian Health Board, the country’s first urban Indian program. Bellecourt also works on changing racist mascot names and school names throughout the country as a current coordinator of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media.
“Clyde Bellecourt Speaks – American Indian Movement: Past, Present
Tags: American Indian Movement , Clyde Bellecourt , things to do , American Indian , Native American , book signing , events , Image
Thursday, July 12, 2018
With an initial $3 million investment, the State of Arizona joins the NextGen initiative this year to foster the youth vote and give voice to marginalized identities in progressive movements.
“NextGen is one of the largest movements in history targeting youth voters from 18-35,” said Regional Organizer Richard Gallon.
NextGen is part of the youth organizing movement and aims to encourage young people to actively enroll in the elections and make their voices heard on issues of their interest.
Billionaire Tom Steyer sponsors the initiative to keep the first and ninth congressional districts under democratic control. Organizers are committed to replacing Gov. Doug Ducey with someone who they say is committed to causes that work for the interest of the people of Arizona and NextGen.
According to organizers, young voters today consider causes that serve their communities first, like immigration, healthcare and education funding, rather than casting their votes based on individuals.
Organizers are reaching out to young voters not only to educate them about the voting and registration process, but also to learn their views on causes of interest. In addition, organizers are visiting voters where they are, either schools, colleges, movie theaters, etc., to reach out to the largest community possible.
As of July 9, the youth vote program shows 7,793 registered voters and 6,242 supporters signed up, with 306 active volunteers working with the youth in the field.
Local organizers met today for the office opening in Tucson. The inauguration event celebrated art and how it represents social justice cases, to allow young voters to realize the connections between voting and what they are fighting for. Read more about NextGen here.
Tags: NextGen , politics , voters , youth , young people , voting , political involvement , voter suppression , paintings , Image
Monsoon season is rolling in and giving the Tucson desert a much needed dose of rainwater. However, it’s important to remember that with each passing year, Southern Arizona is becoming drier and hotter. Without being engaged in the decisions that define our region’s water supply, who knows where we might be a few years down the line.
Luckily, the Sustainable Water Workgroup is hosting the second of a public hearing series to discuss the current and future state of Arizona’s groundwater.
On their website, the Sustainable Water Workgroup, made up of 30 involved coalitions across the state, say that the Arizona Department of Water Resources plans to meet future water needs through "augmentation," or increasing state water supplies through expensive projects that essentially move water from one area to another.
The group opposes these ideas, and believe in conserving the water we currently have, restoring water in natural rivers, streams and springs, and evaluating alternatives that may offer the most cost-effective way to supply water.
Thomas Meixner, Ph.D., will be in attendance to explain the current state of Arizona’s environmental waters. Meixner is a professor and Associate Department Head of the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Arizona. In addition, Julia Fonseca will be there to discuss the county’s management of environmental water and some current legal challenges they are facing. Fonseca is the environmental planning manager for Pima County’s Office of Sustainability and Conservation.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session. Anyone from the interested public is welcome to come to the event, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17 at Pima County’s Water Energy and Sustainability Center, located on the eastern bank of the Santa Cruz River at 2955 W. Calle Agua Nueva.
Tags: water , Sustainable Water Workgroup , public hearing , conservation , sustainability , Tuesday , July 17 , Image
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
At 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 10 a Union Pacific train derailed between Twin Peaks Road and Avra Valley. Roughly 20 rails cars fell off and scattered across the train tracks and adjacent areas.
The derailment caused no injuries, according to Jeff DeGraff, Arizona Director of Media Relations at Union Pacific. Two crew members were on board, however they were at the front of the train whereas the derailment occurred toward the middle.
The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, although heavy rainfall and flooding likely played a role. Union Pacific will release an official announcement once a full examination of the tracks can be completed.
Northwest Fire District were the first responders to the scene, originally on the way to the area on a stranded motorist call, right around the time the train derailed.
“There was a bit of irony that we were already on our way,” said Brian Keeley, Captain and Public Information Officer for Northwest Fire District. “So it was lucky, we were right on it.”
The fire department’s role was mainly for hazardous materials management. Although haz mat crews were dispatched, no hazardous materials were found on scene, according to the Northwest Fire District.
The derailment obstructed two sets of tracks. The first set of tracks is now cleared and already has some trains passing through, in an attempt to prevent any further delays. Workers are still clearing equipment and containers from the second pair of tracks.
Because of the intensely busy day for emergency calls caused by monsoon rains, local agencies assisted Northwest Fire due to mutual aid agreements. The Marana Police Department, Tucson Fire Department, Golder Ranch Fire District, Town of Marana, Pima County Sheriff, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety all joined the effort.
“Public safety is a team effort,” Keeley said. “No one person could take care of all of this, it requires a network.”
Around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, once the haz mat units okayed the area, the project was turned over from the fire departments to Union Pacific.
Union Pacific has no firm time of completion, and plan on continuing to work through the day.
Tags: train , derailment , i-10 , monsoon , flood , rain , emergency crews , police , fire department , tracks , Image
Monday, July 2, 2018
Here are five tips each with five tricks to make sure you have a fun, safe and legal Independence Day:
1. Make sure your fireworks are legal: Aerial fireworks such as sky rockets, roman candles and firecrackers are all illegal in Arizona outside of professional shows. But don't fear, according to Tucson Fire Department, you can still set off smaller fireworks from June 24 through July 6. Be careful with all firework use as if damage occurs to someone else's property, the firework launcher is responsible.
Legal fireworks include:
1. Sparklers, including Morning Glory and sparkler trees
2. Smoke Balls, Smoke Cones, Smoke Candles
3. Ground-based sparklers, including ball and disk, and cylindrical sparklers
4. Sparkling wheels
5. Ground Sparklers (up to 500g) including cylindrical, square, cone and California Rocket fountains.
2. Leave it to the pro's: There are many professional shows happening locally where you can sit back, relax and let someone else do the work:
1. "A" Mountain Fireworks - Downtown 9 p.m.
2. Star Spangled Spectacular - Marana 5 to 9 p.m.
3. Diamonds in the Sky Celebration - Kino Sports Complex 5 to 9:30 p.m.
4. Oro Valley July 4 Celebration - Naranja Park 5 to 9:30 p.m.
5. Red, White and Boom - Sahuarita Lake Park 6 to 10 p.m.
Check out our event calendar for a full list of local shows.
3. Stay safe while handling fireworks: Safety must be a priority when using fireworks as they can be a danger to yourself, others and the environment. Tucson Fire Department recommends you always use fireworks in a clear area away from your house or any plants. Fireworks are only allowed on private property, never in the street or on any city property. Be careful of all plants and dry brush as Smokey the bear says only you can prevent wildfires.
1. Know your fireworks: always read all of the packaging instructions
2. Never give fireworks to children
3. Alcohol and fireworks is not a good combo, don't drink and firework.
4. Never carry fireworks in your pocket (ouch!)
5. Wet finished fireworks before throwing away
Tags: Safety , fireworks , Independence Day , 4th of July , events , Tucson , Image
Friday, June 29, 2018
The latest proposal for development around the Benedictine Monastery didn’t receive much support from the 100 or so neighbors who attended a public meeting at the historic chapel on June 28.
Architect Corky Poster with Poster Frost Mirto, a local design firm that emphasizes preservation and sustainability, framed the proposal as being their last effort at compromise before the property and monastery itself is turned into student housing, allowed under the current zoning.
“Plan B is our firm is no longer involved with the project and it proceeds under current zoning,” Poster said.
The current zoning allows for 40 feet (four stories) of high-density residential, which could be used for student housing. The zoning also allows for a maximum 222 living units, given there is ample parking and setbacks from the road.
Tags: Benedictine Monastery , Neighbors for Reasonable Monastery Development , Ross Rulney , Poster Frost Mirto , Image
Monday, June 25, 2018
A group of county sheriff’s auxiliary volunteers have begun setting up at the base of the mountain every Saturday and Sunday, distributing fire safety fliers to passing motorists. The fliers, created in collaboration with Pima County District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy, include orders like “No campfires! No barbecues!”
This is the first year for the fliers, but the Supervisor’s office hopes to make it an annual program. They printed 10,000 copies to last the remainder of the dry season.
Mount Lemmon and the rest of the Coronado National Forest has been under Stage II Fire restrictions from the U.S. Forest Service since May 1, due to especially dry conditions. Mount Lemmon Fire Captain and EMT Dan Leade urged campers and visitors to obey the restrictions.
“It’s important to follow the regulations because they’re in place to prevent things like what happened 15 years ago, the Aspen Fire,” he said. “That was started by a discarded cigarette, but campfires start fires all the time.”
Tags: Mount Lemmon , fire danger , summer , wildfire season , Aspen Fire , safety , Image
Friday, June 22, 2018
Gun-regulation advocates are re-invigorating the gun violence discussion with a call to hold people responsible for firearm related deaths that came out of negligence.
#URResponsable is being held on the six-year anniversary of the death of 27-year-old Genna Ayup, who was shot by her boyfriend. He said he was putting a rubber grip on the gun and accidentally shot her. Although there were reports that he had been drinking before the tragedy, he was never prosecuted.
Councilmember Steve Kozachik, who’s hosting the event, says we need to find a new way to deal with gun negligence.
“We can no longer allow people a pass,” he said. “If you’re handling a gun in a negative manner in this community, it can’t just be ‘oops.’”
A number of groups will be at the event, discussing gun safety and responsibility, including Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Gun Violence Prevention Arizona, Tucson Now chapter of the National Organization for Women, and Homicide Survivors, Inc.
The event is on Tuesday, June 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St.
Tags: gun safety , regulation , responsibility , violence , prevention , guns , Image
