Nine Lives

My interspecies family and I are coexisting peacefully in a 1350 square foot residence. There are eight feline housemates in various “shades of gray” roaming in the main living space; nine semi­-feral felines hanging out in a separate 10′ x 20′ enclosed porch with an added den area; one red Pekingese pooch snooping sneakily into …

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Trials of a Cat Lady

Picture of a kitten in a cage

Wrenched from a bond with their families, there is a population of animals in Tucson now languishing in cages, awaiting adoption or death. Often the cause is their human companions’ homelessness. I have seen the forlorn eyes and agitated pacing of innocent creatures confined at Pima County Animal Care and The Humane Society. Estrangement from …

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Bear Camp Proposal

The City of Tucson, under the leadership of Council Member Richard Fimbres, has been hosting monthly meetings to address some of the ongoing struggles with providing safe, decent housing for all of us. At the same time, Council Member Karin Uhlich and her staff have been investigating some housing options that are being used in …

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Privatized Services Cost Taxpayers More than Government Funded Services

Closeup of dollar bill

This article was created by editing down and rewording the articles that are linked throughout—Ed In 33 of 35 cases the federal government spent more on private contractors than on public employees for the same services.  Bad Business: Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Wasted on Hiring Contractors * Health Care: Markups of 100%….1,000%….100,000% In his most …

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Six West

Image of the number 6 on a sign from the building site

A New Housing Model for Tucson There is a nationwide conversation about low cost housing solutions. In cities like Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas, low income residents have taken the initiative to create their own villages. Here in Tucson, we are just starting the conversation. Some discussion took place within the Occupy Tucson movement, which …

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