Energetic BOBBY LARSON encouraged us to hit the delicious salmon & chicken buffet early. After some fun catching up with our tablemates, BOBBY rang the bell and we all stood. Smooth DAN KALM led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and accompanied by the talented GARY HIRSCH we joined in an enthusiastic chorus of “You’re A Grand Ole’ Flag”!
And then an inspirational moment by enthusiastic MITCH PISIK explaining why of all the spices, our enjoyment of salt best analogizes our enjoyment of Rotary: salt enhances enjoyment of food like Rotary enhances our enjoyment of life. Of the myriad opportunities our club offers, individually we select just the right number of activities, events, service projects for us, enhancing our lives.
The talented DAN called out the names of our numerous guests and we heartily welcomed them with applause! Lots of great looking folks, all encouraged to join our awesome club – love it!
BOBBY announced today’s Cookie Sponsor, JONI CONDIT! JONI runs La Posada in Green Valley and Pusch Ridge. We all appreciate the delicious cookies! You too, should consider sponsoring cookies for one of our meetings, at least for the super cool cookie monster badge! The advertising for your company is cool too.
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dvocate MICHAEL GUYMON introduced an illustrious panel to discuss Housing Affordability in Tucson: ANN CHANECKA Director of Housing & Community Development for the City of Tucson, but even more notably a Rotary scholarship winner back when she was 16 years old! DAN RANIERI, President of La Frontera with very relevant 45 years of experience in affordable housing! And DAVID GODLEWSKI, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association!
dvocate MICHAEL GUYMON introduced an illustrious panel to discuss Housing Affordability in Tucson: ANN CHANECKA Director of Housing & Community Development for the City of Tucson, but even more notably a Rotary scholarship winner back when she was 16 years old! DAN RANIERI, President of La Frontera with very relevant 45 years of experience in affordable housing! And DAVID GODLEWSKI, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association! |  |  |
MICHAEL fielded questions and our guests impressed us with the depth and breadth of their diverse knowledge in the field. Summarized, all agree there is a shortage of all housing in Tucson, as evidenced by the high sales prices and rental costs. Understandably there is a severe shortage of affordable housing. Factors playing a role are the lack of zoned land for development, the long zoning process, long and expensive permitting process, expensive infrastructure & building costs, lack of federal funding for income support in affordable housing. A constant problem is neighborhood opposition to affordable housing projects stopping them from moving forward. Both the City and County recognize the problem and are implementing initiatives to address the various issues, but these all seem to be only able to address the issue marginally.
Most interesting out of the discussion: DAN noted that a big, bold initiative is needed, whereby the City identifies and zones land for unusually high density, very inexpensive development of one of the many versions of Tiny Homes, against or away from neighborhood opposition. Currently no land in Pima County has zoning that would allow such a creative, intensely developed property. He described how easily many hundreds of these units could be inexpensively manufactured and placed on site to have an immediate, significant impact on the local affordable housing crisis. And how there is private and public money available now for such creative solutions.
ANN, DAN, and DAVID were then presented with the book “A Place Called Home” to sign and for us to add to the Make Way For Books library supporting children’s literacy.
BRUCE RICHARDSON presented a blue badge to DRE WILLIAMS! DRE jumped right in to our club, participating in luncheons, hiking treks, and numerous activities. Our Raffle Corvette looks good with DRE in it, shuttling it to our meetings!The lovely CHARLOTTE HARRIS presented Paul Harris awards to HOOT GIBSON and BRUCE TUNZE! HOOT has been in the club 29 years, this is his +5, and he likes t
o brew beer for fun! BRUCE is with us for 16 years now, this is his +2, and he loves our car show!
o brew beer for fun! BRUCE is with us for 16 years now, this is his +2, and he loves our car show!LAURA MELLO, Regional Major Gifts Director with Rotary International flattered us complementing our dynamism and generous giving compared to other clubs in her region! You can always move back to your Wildcat alma mater, LAURA, we’re all here for you!
DAN KALM announced the raffle draw and I did not win. Again. Darn it. At least the proceeds raised go to an awesome cause!
DAN also listed the numerous Rotary member businesses (9) that won the Reader’s Choice Awards. Congratulations to our members!
DAN also listed the numerous Rotary member businesses (9) that won the Reader’s Choice Awards. Congratulations to our members!
SHANNON ROBERTS / FAH SAETAN gave a Happy Jackson to announce the upcoming Boy Scouts Gala on Nov. 15th.
DAVE WHITE amped us up to sell more car show entry / raffle tickets with the show just three weeks away!
And another Happy Jackson moment by AIMEE GRAVES announced that CHRIS EDWARDS and his son are raising money for The Haven shelter to help women in need. Thanks CHRIS!
Via video, Rotary Youth Exchange student Amity Claggett expressed deep gratitude to us for her experience in Japan. JEANNE ZETAH asks everyone to recruit potential exchange students now, because the Rotary Youth Exchange deadline to apply is coming up in November. Also recruit for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp this January.
BOBBY closed out the meeting and enthusiastic MITCH toasted our close! What a fun meeting!
