Since starting my job at the Tucson Weekly, I’ve thought often of a longtime Seattle newspaper columnist, the late Emmett Watson.
It could be I see our own Jim Nintzel and Tom Danehy reflecting Watson’s own career as a tell-it-like-it-is newspaper man, although Nintzel and Danehy could use a few more years under their belts (and maybe less sunshine), or we need the ability to combine them genetically, if they’d agree to it. We could throw in Neto Portillo from the Arizona Daily Star for good measure.
Why? Because today, I decided we need an Emmett Watson in Tucson. Watson called everyone on the carpet, no matter what their political affiliation. He didn’t write feel-good pieces. He made many different people feel uncomfortable, and he created change.
I’ve been thinking of Watson for a term he created as Seattle began to grow with the influx of Californians moving to his beloved Northwest and native Seattle. He hated it and wrote about it, and said “KEEP THE BASTARDS OUT.” His movement was called Lesser Seattle.
And when I moved to Seattle via Los Angeles in 1992, I received earfuls from the Lesser Seattle apostles. I learned folks in Seattle aren’t too friendly, anyway: They are to your face, but there aren’t many dinner invitations cast to newcomers.
Now, as a fifth-generation Tucsonan, I’m wondering if we can start our own Lesser Tucson movement.
This previous sentence, however, is so hypocritical. I’ve been gone a long time. Just because my heart is here and always has been doesn’t give me special privilege to say, “I can move back, but you stay away.” Or worse yet, what I’ve also been thinking, “Why don’t you go back?” I’ve been thinking this about people who are in power in our regional governments that aren’t originally from here, the people I see at meetings who made their home here from someplace else-really, just like my family did more than 100 years ago.
As part of my job, I cover Pima County. I’ve been meeting county folks and activists the past two weeks–lots and lots of people who have been working the last 10 to 16 years in planning and policy. Meanwhile, I’ve been gone, working, writing and having a kid. I find myself angry–what have you guys been doing these past 16 years? This is not my grandfather’s Tucson, but you guys have been acting like it is.
If we can start a Lesser Tucson movement, how do we determine who stays and who goes? We are such a mutt of a city … should we leave it to the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham nations to figure out the problems we created?
The city and county have put projections out there that 700,000 people are expected here soon, so now we have to make room for them by creating a freeway system south of the airport; the city of Tucson has looked ahead to annex south; and the northwest is fighting about water … hell, we are all fighting about water.
But right now, we should be asking our city and county officials: Why are they rolling out the red carpet for 700,000 people? We should be talking about a moratorium and not be labeled anti-growth at the same time. The problems that come with 700,000 people will limit our economy and hurt our beautiful city. We’ll never be the same – just like Emmett Watson’s Seattle.
I’d like to think the Lesser Seattle movement had an impact, but it didn’t, because the attitude is that growth happens. Being anti-growth doesn’t mean you’re an anarchist, and this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. If your heart is in Tucson–if you’re Yaqui, a fifth generation or a transplant–now is the time.
I’m afraid; however, we’re just too busy being human. The reality: The red carpet has been out for a long time and may be stuck in place. It isn’t going to go away.
The other reality: We can all be an Emmett Watson. Lesser Tucson could become part of our city and county mantras. Emmett Watson could end up being a Tucson hero. We could end up being our own heroes. We don’t have to be mean or rude, but we can be progressive in our planning. These aren’t new issues. Other cities and towns are dealing with the same challenges, but planning is becoming more thoughtful. Don’t let them tell you anything differently. I don’t think we have to turn into Phoenix or L.A. I think we can have Lesser Tucson and grow in different ways.
I think we could come up with ways to KEEP THE BASTARDS OUT.
This article appears in Oct 4-10, 2007.
When we run out of water in a few years and have to drink our own urine, that will finally keep the bastards out, and none too soon. As for genetically combining Jim Nintzel and Tom Danehy, that is such an ugly image that I just retched a little on my keyboard.
I felt more than a little queasy at the idea, too. Keep your creepy Cronenberg fantasies to yourself, Mari!
Well see, here I thought Portillo could make it go down easier. I guess one thing to realize if we do have to start drinking our own urine, Cronenberg experiments to help drink sand will be a reality… don’t fret Jim… we now have a plan.
Genetically combining Nintzel and Danehy… Hmmm…. I just had a vision of Sloth from “The Goonies.”
Anyway if you want to keep Tucson’s population low just release the chupacabras.
Is there a name for the syndrome? You know, the “I moved my fat ass here, so now you all DON’T do the same because this plot of dirt is just for me” syndrome. Oh sure, sure, your native-ness was handed to you by grandpa (My Papago friends are laughing).
Anyone suggesting the merger of Danehy-Nintzel genes should be shot. Immediately. Oooh, I think I just threw up a little, in my mouth.
Which part of Tucson is NOT like Phx or LA? Oh, the denial of it? Drive out to the East side, the North Side, it’s satellite cities, and in a few years the New-South Side (Which will surely avoid connection to the pit that is, South Tucson), if that ain’t LA then you need to hook me up with some of that shit you’re smoking.
Hey, maybe genius plans like Prop 200 will save the city? You think filtered affluent is bad? Try reading the list of chemistry in bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. I bet the affluent is better for you.
Tucson is a city. You can’t reverse what’s happening by keeping people out. We need new blood, new ideas, not this protectionism type stuff.
I think you need to read the entry again Mr./Ms. Tortillas D’Elote. And also, how do you know I have a fat ass?
All of the world’s population is expanding. It’s inevitable. Unless we enact totalitarian population-control measures, people are going to go at it like bunnies, there will be more babies, and we’re continue growing like bacteria in an agar dish. Soon we’ll be out of resources that we took for granted (like potable water). Conservative estimates show that many areas of the Southwest will be beyond peak capacity by 2010. A variety of townships are already suggesting water-conservation methods for all citizens.
Nobody talks about this stuff because it’s depressing and “bad for the economy.” It’s called collective fucking denial. It’s the same collective fucking denial that got George Bush re-elected.
Dear Rummy:
I did it… I released the Chupacabras. They’ll be out and about tonight at Club Crawl.
Hey, Tortillas–that should be “filtered effluent,” not “filtered affluent.” Although filtering the affluent would be a good idea … it would slow the foothills sprawl.
BIG $$$ AND NEWS ALL WRAPPED UP IN A SINGLE, TASTY DEEP FRIED NEWS CHIMMY!!!!!
— All of the world’s population is expanding. It’s inevitable. Unless we enact totalitarian population-control measures, people are going to go at it like bunnies, there will be more babies, and we’re continue growing like bacteria in an agar dish. Soon we’ll be out of resources that we took for granted (like potable water). Conservative estimates show that many areas of the Southwest will be beyond peak capacity by 2010. A variety of townships are already suggesting water-conservation methods for all citizens. Nobody talks about this stuff because it’s depressing and “bad for the economy.” It’s called collective fucking denial. It’s the same collective fucking denial that got George Bush re-elected.
FAN-EFFIN-TASTIC IDEA PAUL G!
james, jimmy and jim and all the white male powers that be at the tucson weekly…
how about a 200 page special section in the weekly looking at sprawl/over population from every possible direction?
think about it: kb homes and the like could take out full page ads right along side earth first. big $$$$!!!! what biz would not want to paint themselves as green in this age of the al gore oscar?
BUT WAIT!
THERES MORE!!!!
you guys would also have a chance to address a serious issue facing the desert/sw.
think about it.
pay the same journalists who cover bot to cover some aspect of sprawl, over population, nimby, good ol’boy, etc.
heck have readers write in with their ideas for stories.
most hideous trophy house.
greenest housing development?
deepest desert fissure.
endangered species that will be missed most.
endangered species that will be missed least.
you get the idea.
if you need ideas let me know.
i could easily give you a couple hundred more.
so what do you think?
REAL NEWS AND BIG BUCKS ALL WRAPPED UP IN ONE!!!!
whats not too love?
come on gang you can do this.
think: journalism = $$$.
Hey Marlow, I’ve got an idea: With all those great ideas, why don’t you start your own newspaper and really show us how it’s done? Because I can assure you that no matter how much you fiddle around here, I’m not dancing to your tune. You’re not the boss of me.
Real news and BIG BUCKS all wrapped up in one!!!!
No whammies, no whammies, c’mon big bucks, no whammies, big bucks… stop!
Oh noes!
But seriously, you’re still going on about this?
— But seriously, you’re still going on about this?
naaah.
i really think the weekly is fine fine fine publication.
something we should all be asking ourselves is:
wwjd = what would jimmy/james/jim do?
now if you’ll pardon me i need to refresh my browser and see if the radar van notice has posted.
it does give me such a thrill.
where will it go next?
will we ever see it in action?
should they sell sonoran dogs and papaya as well?
what a glorious time to be!
love and peace to all.
You are correct, Mr. Nintzel. King Marlow is not the boss of you.
I, however, am.
(Same as the old boss…)
Um, actually no. I am Nintzel’s boss. And so is his wife. So neener neener.