Dodge/Flower Neighborhood Association

May, 2002 Newsletter

May 12, 2002

In the Beginning . . .

In early 1999, Dodge/Flower N.A. was created by Joy O?’Brien (a resident on Flower at that time) after a neighbor of hers was hit by a car. Safety issues such as speeding, lack of sidewalks and lighting were of primary concern. The Ward 3 office promptly facilitated the installation of two speedhumps on Flower, east of Dodge.

At the initial meetings, neighbors were encouraged to join together to address quality of life issues within our neighborhood. At subsequent meetings, neighbors listed their top five concerns as follows:

1. Speeding cars
2. Lighting: streets too dark; invitation to crime
3. Drugs/drug houses
4. Sidewalks, walk along Dodge is hazardous
5. Junk/debris on road side; unsightly dumpsters

In talking with our neighbors in the adjacent neighborhoods we found we had many of the same concerns. At the suggestion of the Ward 3 office, we agreed to merge in order to work on our problems together.


Joint Ventures -

During our association with North Dodge, we had many successful events that you may have participated in: April Fun Day at Doolen, Christmas in April, neighborhood cleanups and social potlucks at meetings.


Recap of Recent History -

This past January, our merger with the Cabrini and North Dodge neighborhood associations became null and void due to inadequate notice of the vote on the merger that took place in October, 2000, as determined by the City of Tucson. So we?’re back to our original boundaries of Glenn to the north, Grant on the south, Alvernon to the east and PaloVerde on the west.

In February, the City Attorney?’s office stated Dodge/Flower would be treated as it existed prior to the merger. Therefore, per the original bylaws, the voting membership (at October, 2000) of Dodge/Flower elected an interim board: Barbara Lehmann, President; Hugh McCarthy, Vice-President; Beverly Van Den Borre, Treasurer.

On March 11, Dodge/Flower had an informational meeting which all neighbors within the Dodge/Flower boundaries were encouraged to attend. This meeting was held to inform the general membership of the status of Dodge/Flower and the board?’s recommendations on the upcoming merger vote.


Current Events -

The Ward 3 office, the City Attorney?’s office, and the Dept of Neighborhood Resources coordinated a neighborhood-wide vote that took place at Doolen on April 29th.

This enabled all the affected neighbors to formally vote (once and for all) on whether to merge or to remain separate.

The result was the separation of the Doolen/Fruitvale quadrant from North Dodge, and the re-establishment of the former Cabrini, North Dodge, and Dodge/Flower associations.


Back to Basics -

We are still deciding on the best use of the $800,000 that was awarded to our area by the Ward 3 office in 2001. The funded area remains the same, which consists of five neighborhoods: Oak/Flower, Dodge/Flower, North Dodge, Cabrini, and the Doolen/Fruitvale area.

UofA graduate students of Dr. Corky Poster (Director, Community Planning & Design Workshop) have presented a plan based on discussions with neighbors and on studies they?’ve done on our area. The plan?’s focus is on traffic mitigation, street lighting and sidewalks.

The next Back to Basics meeting will be held at the Ward 3 office on May 16 at 6:30 where you can see the final version of the students?’ plan. All neighbors are welcome to attend as your participation is vital to the how the plan progresses.

Meetings are ongoing and are usually held the 3rd Thursday of each month. For more details call the Ward office at 791-4711.


Back to the Future -

Per the Dodge/Flower bylaws, our annual meeting for the election of officers is held each May. The 2002 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28th at 7:00 at Catalina Heights Church (2741 N. Dodge). The agenda is as follows:

❀ Proposed change to western boundary
❀ Proposed bylaw changes
❀ Committees assignments
❀ Election of officers

We'll be discussing a proposed change to our western boundary - primarily for the purpose of "releasing" the east side of Palo Verde street so that those residents can be in the same assn on each side of the street, either by forming their own or joining another adjacent assn.

We'll have some suggested changes to our bylaws that will be available for everyone to review before voting on at the subsequent meeting.

Also, we'd like to form committees headed by anyone who has an interest in any particular issue that our neighborhood can benefit from (i.e., Crime-free multi-housing, Back to Basics, phone-tree, neighborhood watch, street cleanups, website mgmt., refreshments, social activities, traffic issues, garbage/recycling, newsletter, just to name a few).

The only voting to be done at this meeting will be for the election of officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Remember, our bylaws require that we have a quorum (50% of dues-paying members) in order to vote on any issues. Please come early if you would like to pay dues ($2) in order to vote at this meeting.

(5/7/02 bl)