Photos from Mortar Board Clean-Up Crew on March 28, 2009
Below is a slideshow of photos from our Mortar Board Clean-Up Crew on March 28, 2009.
Easter Egg Hunt
This Saturday, April 11th, the Northwest Neighborhood Center is having their annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children in our area. For more information, please contact Mike at the NWNC at 791-3247.
Northwest Center — April 2009 Newsletter
Northwest Center Newsletter for April 2009 is available for download.
- April 2009 (PDF, 248 KB)
Tomorrow Night: Building Healthy Neighborhoods Meeting
This is the final segment of our Building Healthy Neighborhoods grant.
Please join us on:
WHEN: Wednesday, March 25th
FROM: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
WHERE: The International School of Tucson, 1730 N First Ave (First & Lester)
This session will talk about Outdoor Living Strategies. Topics include designing microclimates & water harvesting, using plants for shape & shade, and how to maintain your open air space.
I would love to see as many of you attend this meeting as possible. I would like us to be able to say THANK YOU to the Drachman Institute for all they have done for us over the past 3 years. Some of the designs given to us under the grant are our neighborhood concept plan, Mansfield Park concept plan, and the 4th Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian plan.
Two of the three plans have already received partial funding. I would like to thank all of you who participated in this grant. These plans will make our neighborhood not only more attractive; but healthier.
Tori Stypula
President, El Cortez Heights NA
NoTAG: Graffiti Removal Pocket Guide
Download the NoTAG Brochure [296 KB]
2010 Property Valuations for El Cortez Heights
I met with the Assessor, Bill Staples, yesterday during my lunch. Chairman Elias’ office arranged the meeting for me.
The current valuations are based upon the sale of houses in our area prior to January 1, 2009. We reviewed the “Residential Property Equity Analysis” for our neighborhood. This report showed the house sales in our area since 2003.
The valuation process included an adjustment for homes sold prior to June 2008. There are no adjustments to sales 6 months prior to January 1., 2009. This adjustment is based upon the trend or sales in our area. You can see a graph of the trends on the “Sale/Resale Market” link on the Assessor’s webpage. The specific percentage of adjustment is not shown. However, in our area there was a slight decline in the sale values.
In looking at our area sales, Mr. Staples pointed out that the sale prices have stayed fairly consistent in price ranges. The good news is that we are a highly desirable area. The bad news is that our valuations went up. Mr. Staples stated that area residents could try to locate a parcel, similar to theirs, in our area with a lower valuation. With this information an appeal could be submitted. The deadline is April 2, 2009.
Chairman Elias’ office has provided me with several appeal forms and instructions for those interested. The appeal is a paper process only. The Assessor’s office does not come out and inspect (unless you request it). Mr. Staples also gave me some sample verbiage to use on the appeal form. I will be glad to share this with anyone. Mr. Staples also stated that your appeal can be based on a parcel that has not recently been sold. The parcel should contain similar features (eg, SQ footage, heating, AC, etc.). However, more weight is given to recently sold properties.
When researching comparable parcels for appeal, please be aware some may be ineligible for use because of extenuating circumstances. The most common in our areas is the Senior Valuation Freeze Program and/or the Widows/Widowers Reduction Program. If you feel that you may qualify for either of these programs, please call 243-7500.
In summary, based upon the sales data available our valuations rightfully were increased.
Tori
Final Building Healthy Neighborhoods Meeting
This is the final segment of our Building Healthy Neighborhoods grant. Please join us!
WHEN: Wednesday, March 25th
FROM: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
WHERE: The International School of Tucson
1730 N First Ave (First & Lester)
This session will talk about Outdoor Living Strategies. Topics include designing microclimates & water harvesting, using plants for shape & shade, and how to maintain your open air space.
I would love to see as many of you attend this meeting as possible. I would like us to be able to say THANK YOU to the Drachman Institute for all they have done for us over the past 3 years. Some of the designs given to us under the grant are our neighborhood concept plan, Mansfield Park concept plan, and the 4th Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian plan.
Two of the three plans have already received partial funding. I would like to thank all of you who participated in this grant. These plans will make our neighborhood not only more attractive; but healthier.
Read more details in the attached flyer.
Tori Stypula
President, El Cortez Heights NA
Should Pima County Hold a Bond Election In 2009?
Please take a short online survey before Wednesday February 25, 2009.
Pima County typically funds the construction of major capital projects with bonds. Types of projects funded this way include: court facilities, sheriff substations, parks and recreational facilities, community centers, libraries, public health clinics, museums, flood control improvements, affordable housing, neighborhood reinvestment projects, land purchased to conserve natural areas, and sewer treatment facilities. From January 2005 to December 2007, Pima County construction projects provided construction related jobs to prime contractor and subcontractor firms with nearly 28,000 employees, most of whom are local.
Voter approval is required to authorize Pima County to sell bonds. However, voting for the bonds does not automatically mean the County will incur debt. Debt is only incurred when the County sells the bonds to build the authorized improvements. The next opportunity for voter approval is Election Day on November 3, 2009.
Pima County and its cities, towns, and tribes have identified a number of projects for voter consideration. We would like to hear from you as to whether the County should hold a bond election in 2009 for approximately $800 million, and if so, what types of projects are important to include. For more information please call 740-8450.
Please click here to go to the survey, or cut and paste this address into your web browser: http://www.bonds.pima.gov.
Tori Stypula President, ECHNA