New Pueblo initiative

Editor:

Let’s face it, we are never going to have a Rio Nuevo plan that makes sense to the majority of our citizens and we have difficulty putting together an alternative plan because of our governmental structure.

So we need to do two things, put forth a plan that makes sense and adapt our government into an effective and efficient structure to carry out that plan. Let me propose:

1. The region needs to change its vision from the “Rio Nuevo” downtown development model to a “distributed” model.

Rio Nuevo is a throwback to a bygone era, has no recognizable public support, and is impractical.

The obvious facts are that growth has, and will continue, to outstrip transportation infrastructure, and that energy costs are high and will continue to go higher.

Therefore, a centralized plan in which the primary service, educational and recreational resources are concentrated downtown ignores reality.

Rather, the regional model should be based on having governmental services, community education, performing art centers, parks and other community amenities carefully planned, funded and operated so that our communities meet society’s needs at a local level.

Probably five such regional centers distributed around Pima County would do it.

2. While we’re stuck in traffic, our governments are stuck in neutral.

The region is bogged down with too many governments, which inhibits regional thinking, planning and execution in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner.

In addition to being ineffective, our multiple governments are inefficient, with massive duplication of function resulting in less services and higher taxes.

This needs to change to a single regional government for all of Pima County.

The model for this new governmental structure is Indianapolis, Indiana, which, under the able leadership of Mayor Richard Luger, adopted Unigov in 1970.

3. To attract employers for the high-paying jobs we seek, the region must become a better place to live and raise families.

Using the “distributed model” a significantly increase its investment in education resources and cultural activities would be a good place to start.

The University of Arizona should expand its presence through outreach programs and off-campus programs.

Pima Community College should incorporate the distributed model in areas underserved and upgrade the programming in the adult education field.

Cultural centers with performing arts and galleries need to be planned and developed and utilized to enable traveling performances and art collections to be convenient and accessible close to regional communities.

Steve Wilhelm, Green Valley