Citizens for Phoenix coalition offers proposal to deal with city budget crisis
In early February, the Phoenix City Manager proposed $140 million in budget cuts to the Mayor and City Council. In response, a nascent coalition of neighborhood groups and non-profit organizations began meeting to research and draft their own budget proposal to maintain public safety while preserving essential services that Phoenix residents require for a reasonable … Read more
Phoenix residents show support and opposition to 2% food tax
[Source: Scott Wong, Arizona Republic] – Drowning out the voices of a handful of anti-tax protesters, hundreds of Phoenix residents and employees rallied Wednesday in support of the food tax, saying it was critical to save police, fire and other city services. “As council members, you have a responsibility to help us get through these … Read more
Phoenix steps up efforts for accurate census count
[Source: Scott Wong, Arizona Republic] – The sputtering economy, spike in home foreclosures, and crackdown on undocumented immigrants could pose significant hurdles for officials working to get an accurate count of Phoenix residents for the 2010 census. At stake are hundreds of millions of dollars in federal and state funding, disbursed to cities based on … Read more
Coalition raises community awareness of metro Phoenix homelessness
[Source: Sadie Jo Smokey, Arizona Republic] — They’ll walk. They’ll share a meal. And hopefully, they’ll challenge the preconceived notions and myths about people who are experiencing homelessness. This week, a coalition of 11 service providers, faith-based organizations, and non-profits which make up the Homelessness Awareness Coalition, will do their part to raise knowledge on … Read more
ASU students organize panel on Phoenix homelessness
[Source: Rachel Jimenez, Arizona State Press] — The ASU Wells Fargo Student Center held a homelessness panel at the Downtown campus Tuesday to discuss the myths and misconceptions of homelessness. Creative writing senior Eichelle Armstrong had the idea for the panel and put it together. “When I was a freshman I lived [in] downtown [Phoenix] … Read more
Phoenix seeks residents’ input on General Plan revision
[Michael Clancy, Arizona Republic] — Meetings are taking place citywide to ask citizens what they like about Phoenix, and what they want to change. The gatherings are the first step in a three-year process aimed at revising the Phoenix General Plan, a document of nearly 500 pages that governs growth and development in the city. … Read more
Water, apples feed bodies and souls of Phoenix homeless
[Source: Susan Casper, ABC News 15] — Even before sunrise Friday morning, volunteers started loading pick-up trucks with cases of bottled water and boxes of red apples. Organizers and volunteers met outside the US Bank building in downtown Phoenix, which served as ground zero for the 2009 AZ Water Drive. The goal of the drive … Read more
Phoenix homeless seek refuge from heat
[Source: Colton Shone, KTAR Radio] – The warm temperatures are making it extra tough on the Valley’s homeless population. At the Human Services campus in downtown Phoenix, many people are seeking shelter, but some have to be turned away. “There’s not endless resources for this sort of thing, especially now that we have a 60 … Read more
