Major issues facing Dist. 7

The Arizona Republic
Oct. 14, 2005 12:00 AM

It's hard to imagine that nearly 10 years have passed since I started serving the community as the District 7 councilman. It's been an honor to work with so many people on hundreds of important issues over the past decade.

Phoenix's District 7 is extraordinarily diverse. Geographically, we cover all the way from parts of downtown west to the Avondale border and from South Mountain to north of Interstate 10. That includes seven Phoenix villages and 17 historical neighborhoods.

We represent people from many income levels, people of all colors and people who speak dozens of languages. We work hard to get out to all parts of the community. Four of my District 7 staff members speak fluent Spanish, which helps us communicate with many constituents. The diversity of the area gives District 7 a special nature and working with the 170,000 residents in this community is a job we love.

There is much work still to be done in my final two years in office. Here are some major issues:

• Affordable housing. As chairman of the housing, neighborhoods and historic preservation subcommittee, I am working to highlight the critical nature of affordable housing in communities across the city. When people can buy their own home, it gives their families and neighborhoods stability. The new Hope VI development just south of downtown is an example of a wonderful, creative housing solution.

• Homelessness. The summer heat and recent help that Phoenix gave Hurricane Katrina evacuees are dramatic examples of the need for better facilities to help the homeless and others in need. One solution I have been working on is to renovate the city's Watkins emergency overflow shelter so that it can be opened all year round, instead of just in the winter.

• West Phoenix revitalization. I am working with city staff and Councilmen Claude Mattox, Tom Simplot and Dave Siebert on a major plan to update and provide new services for west Phoenix. The City Council has approved $1 million and some of the improvements are under way. Many more will follow if voters pass the 2006 bond.

I am also pushing to locate the future South Mountain Freeway on an alignment that will benefit the Laveen, Estrella and Maryvale villages, with an exit at 59th Avenue. That is part of balancing the area's lifestyle with major growth.

Our city's downtown is another critical issue. Revitalizing the urban core helps all of Phoenix.

Thanks to all of you who have worked with us throughout the past 10 years. We appreciate your support, patience and opinions - even when we do not necessarily agree. Please call or e-mail anytime. Together we are making Phoenix, especially District 7, a better place to live, work and play.

Councilman Doug Lingner represents District 7. Reach his office at doug.lingner@phoenix.gov or (602) 262-7492.