By Dr. ED ACKERLEY
The future of Tucson rests with the important election for Mayor on November 5. Tucsonans have the opportunity to vote for one of three candidates who have differing views on Tucson’s future. I am running as a Tucsonan, not as a Republican or Democrat or any other party. The vision that I have for Tucson is one that is safe, with good roads and clean, green parks – as this is what the Charter for the city instructs Mayor and Council to prioritize. The founders of our community envisioned a Tucson where the citizens were protected and safe, where the roads were complete and in good shape, and that the parks would be accessible in every neighborhood to provide families an outdoor area to come together as community.
The discussion of climate change has become a popular social and national issue. It is important that as we move into the next five decades, Tucsonans and it representative government address climate change in accordance with a growing body of evidence, plus state and federal laws. As this issue rests mostly with our national delegation, the question is “what can Tucsonans do to be more conscious of our impact on the environment?” The City of Tucson over the last few years has responded on a variety of levels including: a move to solar power and renewable energy for city facilities; transforming Tucson water pumping stations to solar; encouraging the use of low flow toilets, dishwashers and washing machines; incentivizing rainwater harvesting; purchase of four new electric buses; LEED® Silver Standards for a new city-owned buildings and renovations; green streets and complete streets initiatives; storm water irrigation plan; green space development; first and last mile transportation options; a robust trash and recycling fleet with compressed natural gas; and a variety of other initiatives. All of these measures have been undertaken to keep Tucson a leader in preparing for climate change and drought.
As we move forward, water continues to be an important discussion. Tucson is located in a desert, water resources are scarce and drought happens. We need to ensure that a long range plan be implemented to insure water resources over the next 80 years to provide residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial users a consistent and reliable supply of water. This includes large water users such as Davis Monthan Air Force Base and the supplement to the University of Arizona populations. In Tucson’s future the 4600 miles of buried water lines will need to replaced, repaired or rerouted. Some pipes are almost 100 years old. Addressing this issue in a proactive way will help mitigate huge costs in the coming decades as water lines deteriorate. Tucson has 200 miles of reclaimed water lines serving schoolyards, large institutions, golf courses and government facilities. This reclaimed water program has leveled off because of lack of demand and lower overall potable water prices, however, an effort needs to be made to increase the number of users so that drinking water is not used for irrigation purposes. Since 2000, the demand for water has increased by 100,000 users as the population of the area increased from 650,000 to 730,000 users. Although the per capita per-day usage has fallen from 110 gallons to 80 gallons, a continued effort in addressing demand is paramount. Incentives can be created for installation of low-flow toilets, rainwater harvesting and reducing consumption. A revival of the “Beat the Peak” program is also an option. In 1968 when Senator Carl Hayden and others helped craft the legislation for the Central Arizona Project, Tucson began the switch from groundwater use to a combination of CAP and Groundwater blend. The current agreement allows for Nevada to receive 4% (300000 acre feet), California 58% (4.4 million acre feet) and Arizona 37.3% (2.8 million acre-feet) per year. Arizona is at highest risk for reduction in allocation based on the agreement – so city officials need to work with state authorities to insure continued sourcing of water from the Colorado River Basin project. In April, 2019 a federal bill was signed authorizing a drought contingency plan, impacting 40 million Colorado River water users in the West, a milestone following years of negotiations between the states and stakeholders in the river’s water. The drought contingency plan helps reduce water usage now and deals with a shortage if it is declared. As Tucson Water provides water regionally, this issue affects many in the region. It is projected that by the year 2050 Tucson water will service nearly 1.3 Million users. Part of the plan includes the increase use of reclaimed and recharged water to supplement the CAP allocation and back-up well recharge. Recently the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project introduced recycled water back into the river basin to bring a perennial flow to a portion of the river for vegetation and wildlife, recreation and economic opportunities.
As a region, the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) is addressing climate change with concentration on greenhouse gas sources and trends with local jurisdictions working on mitigating carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The City of Tucson plays an important role in PAG. The University of Arizona Institute of the Environment is working with 19 leading research institutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and works with the city on these issues. Our government officials collaborate closely with the University on water and climate issues – as some of the best and brightest minds live and work right here in Tucson. Pima Community College is also working on climate change mitigation on area campuses.
One of the tenants of municipal government is for the city to provide garbage and recycling services. At Tucson’s Los Reales landfill, more than 1,500 tons of garbage arrives every day. The recycling rate from Tucson’s blue barrels has increased from 9% to 23% over the last few years. However, the recent commodities problem with reduction of sales in recyclable material from the city has created an economic and management hardship costing upwards of $3 million. As the community plans for future waste management and recycling services, operating current and future landfills, and plans for groundwater cleanup and air quality – it is important to support these efforts as they directly affect the quality of life and economic development.
For every action there is a reaction – and what we do as consumers and citizens has a response in the environment. Under my administration as Mayor, the council will continue to develop initiatives in accordance with state and federal law that keep Tucson on the forefront of environmental concerns. It is with an eye on the next fifty years that city government works toward reducing emissions, ensuring effective environmental services and providing precious water into the future. The theme of my campaign for Mayor has been “JumpIN”. This is a call for all of us to JumpIN and reduce our water usage, increase our recycling efforts, mitigate our own footprint so collectively as a community we build a better, sustainable and just future for all.
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Dr. Ed Ackerley was born and raised in Tucson and is a partner with his brother Bill in Ackerley Advertising, a full-service advertising agency established in 1968. Since 1976, Dr. Ackerley has been an account executive at Ackerley Advertising responsible for managing client relationships, new businesses development, and customer and client satisfaction. In addition to his executive career, Ackerley teaches college-level courses at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. These classes include Marketing, Advertising, Creativity, Creative Professional Communication, Sales, Public Relations, Leadership, Administration, Media Arts, and Hospitality. His affiliation with the American Advertising Federation includes leadership roles in the American Advertising Federation Tucson including past President, and nationally as a Governor, National Board of Directors and Chairman of the Council of Governors.
Recognition includes Advertising Professional of the Year, Hall of Fame and AAF Silver Medal Award. CreatingMAGIC is both his educational seminar and book of the same title, and includes consulting and management training.
Ackerley holds an Ed.D. and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a B.F.A. in Radio & Television from the University of Arizona. He graduated from Palo Verde High School. He is active in the American Advertising Federation and the American Marketing Association. Board Memberships include the Rillito Park Foundation, The National Football Foundation and he is President of Coaches for Charity.
Dr. Ackerley is an Independent Candidate For Mayor of the City of Tucson.
https://www.mayorrothschild.com/initiatives/environment/
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/water/docs/wp-ch03.pdf
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/SCRHP
http://www.pagregion.com/Programs/SustainableEnvironment/ClimateChange/tabid/1113/Default.aspx
https://www.environment.arizona.edu/UC3