We posted the video on our website because we don’t want anyone to miss this wonderful tribute to Tucson’s thriving community spirit. Janet Marcotte, Executive Director of the YWCA Tucson, shares her evocative book with stunning photos of the January 8th, 2011 memorials along with the words from President Obama’s McKale Center speech on January 12, 2011.

Access Tucson Community Media brings this wonderful book to you as a documentary with local children reading the words of President Obama. Access Tucson Video Production Specialist and Instructor, Tim O’Grady is the editor.

Encores for the month of January starting 1/11
Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm
Sundays at 2pm

All times play on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox) and simultaneously streaming at www.accesstucson.org.

TWT is a joint venture between the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding and YWCA Tucson. Arizona Lithographers printed the book for cost and the layout was done by TBRich Design. Of the $20 price, $17 goes to support the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding’s anti-bullying programs.

Visit FundForCivility and YWCATucson.org to find information about purchasing the book.

“Together We Thrive” Television Premiere—Only on Access Tucson Community Media.

You will not want to miss this wonderful tribute to Tucson’s thriving community spirit. Janet Marcotte, Executive Director of the YWCA Tucson, shares her evocative book with stunning photos of the January 8th, 2011 memorials along with the words from President Obama’s McKale Center speech on January 12, 2011.

Access Tucson Community Media brings this wonderful book to you as a documentary with local children reading the words of President Obama. Access Tucson Video Production Specialist and Instructor, Tim O’Grady is the editor.

“Together We Thrive” Television Premiere:
January 8, 2012 at 2pm
Repeats at 5:30 and 10:30 pm

Encores for the month of January starting 1/11
Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm
Sundays at 2pm

All times play on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox) and simultaneously streaming at www.accesstucson.org.

TWT is a joint venture between the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding and YWCA Tucson. Arizona Lithographers printed the book for cost and the layout was done by TBRich Design. Of the $20 price, $17 goes to support the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding’s anti-bullying programs.

Visit FundForCivility and YWCATucson.org to find information about purchasing the book.

It was a great night celebrating four of KXCI’s long-time deejays Milo Solujic, Carol “Ruby” Anderson, Kidd Squidd and Marty Kool, with 14 roasters taking to the stage to skewer and joke. The audience also enjoyed live music by Stefan George & Tom Walbank, Way Out West, Los Hombres and the Titan Valley Warheads trio.

Read the LIVE review in the Tucson Weekly by Jim Lipson.

Catch the encores during the month of January starting 1/8:
Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm
Sundays at 7pm
All on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)

Thank you to all of the Access Tucson supporters, speakers, videographers and faithful for a very important turnout last night. There were numerous speakers on behalf of Access Tucson and Cox. Lisa Horner says, “It was a solid draw on the outcome but there was much more impassioned and genuine delivery from our crowd. Even so, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of the license agreement with Cox.”

The motion, made by Council Member Karin Uhlich included the designation of channel locations as well as a directive for PEG partners and City staff to work together on channel sharing by all entities. Council Member Romero added a friendly amendment to add origination points for live cable feeds and EOD (Entertainment on Demand) for inclusion in the discussion.

The following text is taken from Council Member Steve Kozachik’s September 8th newsletter.

Some of the deal points that the Mayor & Council approved:

a) License agreement good for ten years – The existing agreement is for only five years. Cox will use the additional time in the new agreement to demonstrate to investors that they have a long term commitment from the City. That will enable them to more easily expand and improve infrastructure throughout the valley. A ten year deal is at the short end of what is the norm around the State.

b) Public, Educational, Government channels – A new State statute limits the City’s ability to compel Cox to negotiate any more than two PEG channels on their basic package and two PEG channels on their premium package. The decision as to which programming would be assigned to the various channels is completely up to the City to decide. The Council agreed to keep Tucson 12, the City channel on 12, and then place Access Tucson on 20 (both on the basic tier), and TUSD on 120 (on the premium tier). Channel 875 is currently assigned to TFD for safety and training purposes. The Council then told Tucson 12, Access Tucson and TUSD representatives at the meeting to work together and decide on how to share, split, or co-program the air time on the three channels. It is important that they work together to maximize content on the limited channel space we have to offer to the PEG audience.

c) While the current agreement doesn’t expire until May 2012, the Council felt it was important to come to terms at this time to avoid having to enter into a Federally mandated formal negotiation process that would kick in as we neared the end of the existing contract. That process could have conceivably cost the City in the $1/2 million range to conduct a Community Needs Assessment and the net return would have more than likely been a negligible change in what was adopted. There was wisdom in acting early on in the process.

d) We will negotiate outside of the license agreement other terms that deal with Entertainment On-Demand, origination points and other similar items that are not mandated at certain levels by State statute.

He was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina and moved to Tucson eight years ago. He is the middle child with an older brother, 27 and a younger sister, 9.

Darious is an intern at Access Tucson. He heard about Access Tucson through an internship coordinator at the U of A who thought this would be a great opportunity for him. He has a passion for telling stories and enjoys illustrating them through film. He also likes using media as another form of self-expression. Access Tucson provides the community with the tools and a place to tell their stories through media which makes it an ideal internship for Darious.
As an intern Darious immediately started editing promos for the station. Access Tucson now has promos for Democracy Now! and the kids’ summer classes running on the channels.

Darious says about his internship, “I’m excited that I’m getting a chance to improve my editing skills and also the opportunity to give back to a great organization. I can’t wait to get more experience in the studio.”

Once he graduates Darious hopes to move to Los Angeles to produce movies; drama, horror or whatever else he finds interesting. Darious is enjoying working as an intern, “I highly advise anyone to do an internship with Access Tucson. It’s very intern friendly and provides many opportunities to learn and to have hands on experience.”

Find out how much the sports industry brings to the economy of Tucson. Host Vicki Evans talks with Vincent Trinidad, Director of Tucson Sports for the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (MTCVB) and Jim Tiggas, Founder of Tucson Invitational Games.

Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays
6pm on 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)

Melissa Black, President and CoFounder of the Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce (SAGCC) and Hank Krzysik, an architect and member of SAGCC share their expertise on solar energy and sustainability in Tucson with the Tucson community.

Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce
Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays
6:15pm on 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)

Dr. Joan Ashcraft DMA, CoArtistic Director of Arts Express Inc. and Music Director of Let Freedom Ring and Peter Ageh, UA student and Arts Express choir member promote Arts Express’ annual free family concert, Let Freedom Ring, on July 4th. Watch to find out how to reserve your free tickets.

Arts Express, Inc.
Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays
6:30pm on 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)

Video Production
2 weeks, M-F, 9am to Noon
Session 1 starts June 20
Session 2 starts July 11
Fee: $250

Animation
1 week, M-F, 9am to Noon
Session 1 starts June 20
Session 2 starts July 11
Fee: $180

Studio Production
1 week, M-F, 9am to Noon
Session 1 starts June 27
Session 2 starts July 18
Fee: $180

For more information 186 KiB
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Contact Lisa Horner at 624-9833 x 109 or 275-0864 (mobile) or lisa@accesstucson.org to sign up.

Non-profit organizations No Labels, Tucson Fountain Plaza, JTED and Border Action Network are featured this month.

Imagine Democrats, Independents and Republicans working together to solve our nation’s problems. No Labels is a newly formed national movement, an organization that wants to grow from the local level up, a forward thinking group of people frustrated with the partisian gridlock. Bunny Davis, No Labels State leader and Brooke Bedrick, No Labels local member talk about how to re-engage the public in politics to make a difference.

What would it take to revitalize downtown Tucson? Some envision a touch of Las Vegas. Raj Kohli, President of Tucson Fountain Plaza and Melissa Black, President of the Green Chamber of Commerce talk about the possibilites and expand on the Tucson Fountain Plaza project.

Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED) is a voter initiated and very successful organization that enhances career technical education for local high school students to become qualified workers for local business and industry. Aaron Ball, Executive Director for Program Development and Jill Ranucci, JTED/CTE Coordinator at Catalina Foothills School District talk about how the 53% budget cut handed down from the Arizona State Legislature will effect JTED’s 99% placement rate.

To overcome our differences and fear of one another, Miguel Ortega, Deputy Director and Fernando Gonzales, board member of Border Action Network discuss BAN’s recent local, state and national advocacy efforts and their immigration and human rights training and support for local communities in Southern Arizona.

You can see Local Matters on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox) on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays starting at 6pm.

May 2011
No Labels at 6pm
Tucson Fountain Plaza at 6:15pm
JTED at 6:30pm
Border Action Network at 6:45pm

In June, watch for the Metropolitan Tucson Convention Visitors Bureau (MTCVB), Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce, Casa Adobes Optimists Club and Arts Express.

Please call 624-9833 to register.

Studio Production
Make a TV show. Learn studio cameras, audio, directing green screen and special effects.

Ages 9 and up.
One week, Monday-Friday, 9am to Noon.
Session 1: June 27-July 1
Session 2: July 18-22
$180 a session.

Animation
With an easy to use animation program, imagination and a soundtrack, students can make their own cartoons. This one week class lets students learn about art, computers and storytelling.

Ages 9 and up.
One week, Monday-Friday, 9am to Noon.
Session 1: June 20-24
Session 2: July 11-15
$180 a session.

Video Production
This session provides instruction for shooting video on location to make your own film. Camera technique, lighting, audio, scripting and computer-based editing are all covered in this class.

Ages 9 and up.
Two weeks, Monday-Friday, 9am to Noon
Session 1: June 20-July 1
Session 2: July 11-22
$250 a session.

Please call 624-9833 to register or please email lisa@accesstucson.org.

Some of you may also be interested in another recent survey. The Alliance for Communications Democracy, with support from the Benton Foundation, completed an analysis of recent PEG closures (148 KiB) across the country and the primary forces driving such closures. Access Tucson was one of the respondents in regards to the challenges we currently face.

You must have a PDF reader to view and print these files.

The 2011 Access Tucson Board of Director Candidates are:
Sandee Brooke
Joan C. Hall
J. Lisa Jones
Jonathan Peck
Tom Prezelski
Glenn Wolfgang

Ballots were mailed out to all active members on March 25th. If you do not receive a ballot by April 1st, please let us know so we can be sure to get one out to you.

In order for your votes to be counted, the accounting firm DeVries CPAs of Arizona must receive your ballot either through the mail or in person by 5pm on April 12th.

The results will be announced at the Annual Meeting at Access Tucson on April 14th. The meeting starts at 6pm.

Sandee Brooke
Statement and Qualifications 42 KiB
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no video available

Joan C. Hall

Statement and Qualifications 30 KiB
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J. Lisa Jones

Statement and Qualifications 68 KiB
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Jonathan Peck

Statement and Qualifications 38 KiB
Portfolio 113 KiB
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Tom Prezelski

Statement and Qualifications 30 KiB
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Glenn Wolfgang

Statement and Qualifications 40 KiB
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March 31st from 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Any interested certified volunteers are welcome to attend a free refresher training session organized by Carl Fiske and facilitated by the old gang: Kevin, Jeff, and Rob.

Carl will stage an interview with entertainment interludes and record it. The idea is for crew members to have a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with production techniques. You’ll get to try out zany things that you may not have time to play with during a live show. You’ll also be able to review tried-and-true interview production techniques and really tighten up your skills to make a polished show.

Please RSVP to Carl Fiske at existkind@aim.com or call 225-0027. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Board provides overall policy direction but is not involved in the day to day operation of the organization. Board members attend one meeting a month and serve on at least one committee. See Board job description below.

The last day to become an active member and thus be eligible to vote in the 2011 Board of Directors elections is 5pm on March 16th. Ballots will be mailed out to all active members by March 25th. If you do not receive a ballot by April 2nd, please let us know so we can be sure to get one out to you.

In order for your vote to be counted, the accounting firm DeVries CPAs of Arizona must receive your ballot either through the mail or in person by 5pm on Tuesday, April 12th.

The results will be announced at the Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Event at Access Tucson on Thursday, April 14th.

Board Candidacy Application Instructions-
- Please read the board job descriptions
- Please download the candidacy application
- Type information
- Save word document as last name, first name
- Email candidacy application as a word document attachment to lisa@accesstucson.org (Email subject line should read: Candidacy Application)

If you have problems downloading the application or have any questions or concerns please email lisa@accesstucson.org or call 624-9833 ext. 109.

Non-profit organizations are invited to a workshop focusing on a variety of cost-effective ways to make media a key component of their communications strategy.

“As a fellow non-profit, Access Tucson’s mission is to serve the citizens of Tucson,” says Executive Director, Lisa Horner, “one of the ways we do this is to provide space for viewers to learn about the resources available in our community. In our 26-year history we’ve partnered with 100’s of area non-profits to showcase their events, issues and services.”

Access Tucson can provide non-profit organizations with low-cost alternatives to media resources that would cost hundreds of dollars more at commercial sources.

“Right now, budgets are stretched to the limit and using media technology can be expensive”, says Horner, “at the same time it is imperative for organizations to maintain community support and visibility.”

Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a $50, 30-second organizational PSA that would be telecast for a month on Access Tucson’s 3 channels.

Access Tucson provides training, access to telecommunications technology and a public forum for all Tucson residents, organizations and businesses. Access Tucson’s 3 cable channels reach more than 200,000 households in Pima County.

Contact:
Vicki Evans
vevans@accesstucson.org
520-624-9833
c-917-399-0890

Encore presentations of the TV Telethon are scheduled now through December 31st.

Saturdays and Sundays at 7pm and 11pm
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm

All cablecasts on Access Tucson
channel 99 (Cox) / 74 (Comcast)

Simultaneous streaming at
http://www.accesstucson.org/whatsontv/watch_online/

There is still time to make a year-end tax-deductible donation to Access Tucson and don’t forget that the online auction continues through January 1, 2011.

Featured items include a night’s stay at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa with one day of golf for two people, Watsu Aqua massages, gift certificates for Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange, passes for The Loft Cinema, dining certificates for restaurants like Janos Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails and art work from many local artists.

You can even bid on unique experiences like a ride in a WWII bomber plane or a horseback ride on the Gila Mine Trail in the Tucson Mountains.

Now back to the show. Enjoy the big entertainment hosted by Kitty Kat of Powhaus Productions and actor/community activist, Miguel Ortega.

Kevin and Tanishia Hamilton with Southwest Soul Circuit play throughout the evening as the house band.

Blues musician, Tom Walbank

Singer/songwriter Amber Norgaard

Local Laff’s comedian Robert Mac

Gabriel Ayala, classical guitarist

The telethon also spotlights Access Tucson’s community producers and partners in the business and non-profit sectors.

Additional highlights include our strong commitment to youth media education and local, indie voices like KXCI 91.3 Community Radio, Pan Left Productions, TucsonSentinel.com and the Latino Doctrine.

Don’t miss it!

Gabriel Ayala, musician

Renowned Tucson entertainers, who perform nationally and internationally, are joining Access Tucson to celebrate community media during a live telethon.

Amber Norgaard, singer/songwriter

Thousands of local fans will recognize Gabriel Ayala, a member of the Yaqui people, who is at the forefront of a new generation of Native American musicians; singer/songwriter Amber Norgaard; blues musician Tom Walbank; Kevin and Tanishia Hamilton with Southwest Soul Circuit; Rialto Theatre favorites Powhaus Productions and comedian Robert Mac who appears locally at Laff’s Comedy Club as well as on Comedy Central.

Tom Walbank, Blues musician

We will show the viewers the many faces of Tucson and the power of local, independent media as a valuable community resource,” says Access Tucson’s Executive Director, Lisa Horner. “We’re inviting all of Tucson to tune in on December 15th, because Access Tucson really does bring Tucson into our living rooms. It will be 3 ½ hours of ‘totally Tucson.’”

Robert Mac, comedian

The telethon spotlights Access Tucson’s community producers and partners in the business and non-profit sectors, as well as its strong commitment to youth media education and features local, indie voices, KXCI, Pan Left, TucsonSentinel.com and the Latino Doctrine.

Kevin Hamilton of Southwest Soul Circuit

“We’re also very fortunate to have well-known actor and community activist, Miguel Ortega and Jared McKinley of Powhaus Productions as emcees for the telethon,” says Access Tucson Board President Bob Kovitz. “We’re excited about this chance to show folks how much we’ve been a part of their lives for the past quarter century and that the future of Access Tucson is all about community and connectivity.”

Powhaus Productions

The telethon provides viewers and Access Tucson supporters the opportunity to donate to the continued operation of Access Tucson as well as the future of an innovative community media center.

Miguel Ortega, co-host

Catch it LIVE:

Where Tucson’s On TV!-Celebrating Community Media
Wednesday, December 15th, 6pm-9:30pm

Encore Presentation:
Thursday, December 16th at 7pm

Replays:
Scheduled through December 31st
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm
Saturdays and Sundays at 7pm and 11pm

All cablecasts on Access Tucson channel 99 (Cox) / 74 (Comcast)
Simultaneous streaming at www.accesstucson.org

Online Auction

The live telethon on Wednesday, December 15th will also kick off an online auction through the Access Tucson website.

Look forward to bidding on a night’s stay at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa with two days of golf, Watsu Aqua massages, gift certificates for Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange and passes for The Loft Cinema, art work by many local artists, dining at many fine restaurants like Janos Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails and even fly among the clouds in a Piper Arrow Three airplane to capture aerial footage.

The auction is scheduled to run from Wednesday, December 15th at 6pm to December 31st at 11:59pm.

More to come….

Due to massive budget cuts made by the City of Tucson, our funding has been slashed by 60%.

Clearly, Access Tucson cannot continue to provide the same level or number of services as before. Therefore, we are turning to you to help prioritize what kinds of activities should be emphasized during these difficult financial times.

All responses will be anonymous. Access Tucson and its Board of Directors will use the results to help in planning for the coming year and beyond.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey. We value your opinions and we look forward to hearing from you. Once all the surveys have been completed and tallied, we will be happy to share the results with you via our website.

Click here to begin the survey online.

If you prefer, you can print out the survey, complete it by hand and then mail it to us at 124 E. Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact Vikki Dempsey by email, vikkid@accesstucson.org or phone, 624-9833.

Access Tucson hosted a community meeting to update and to get input from its members, the community and viewers about the transition-in-progress and the re-opening (to be announced).

Catch the entire meeting on TV!
Monday 9/20 at 1pm on 73 (Comcast) / 98 (Cox)
Tuesday 9/21 at 7am on 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)
Thursday 9/23 at 12am on 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)
Friday 9/24 at 9am on 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)
Saturday 9/25 at 10:30pm 72 (Comcast) / 120 (Cox)

Programming on Access Tucson channels is also simultaneously streamed on our website.

Please continue to contact the Mayor and Council in support of the survival of Access Tucson. Council members need to hear from you.

This is the beginning of creating a new public resource that maintains the heart and goals that define us, reaching to provide education and access to the new tools of media and communication and finding a way to do this on a shoestring.

On September 9th, Access Tucson hosted Studio A Live: Core Services Tax Televised Forum. The panel answered some tough questions from the studio audience as well as callers about Proposition 400, the proposed half-cent Core Services Tax that would be dedicated to funding core services like Police, Fire and Parks and Recreation.

With a $50 million dollar budget deficit, the City will be forced to terminate 659 city employees and many services from the Tucson Police and Fire Departments, Parks and Recreation, City Court, Public Defender and City Prosecutor’s offices— if the Core Services Tax (Proposition 400) fails at the ballot box.

The panel included Roberto Villaseñor, Tucson Police Chief; Patrick Kelly, Tucson Fire Chief; Mike Letcher, City Manager; Fred Gray, Director Parks & Recreation; and Roberto Bedoya, Executive Director Tucson Pima Arts Council. Bob Kovitz, Chair, Access Tucson Board of Directors will moderate.

If you missed the forum, catch it on Access Tucson.

Cablecasting through September 22nd and throughout October.
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 6pm
Sundays at 7pm
Wednesdays at 12pm

Cablecasting October 1st through November 1st
M/W/F at 8pm
Tuesdays at 7am
Thursdays at 12pm

All on Access Tucson channels 74 (Comcast) and 99 (Cox)

Access Tucson also covered a Ward 6 Town Hall hosted by Council Member Steve Kozachik on September 16th. This Town Hall presented information about Proposition 400 (Core Services Tax) and Proposition 401 (Tucson Charter change).

Catch a replay of the Ward 6 Town Hall and be informed.

Monday 9/20 at 8pm
Tuesday 9/21 at 8pm
Wednesday 9/22 at 8pm and

Starting October 3rd through October 31st
Tuesdays at 8pm
Thursdays at 8pm
Sundays at 7pm
Wednesdays at 3:30pm

All on Access Tucson channels 74 (Comcast) and 99 (Cox)

Early voting starts October 7th.

In particular, we’re looking for Board members who have familiarity with Access Tucson, may have particular expertise in fund raising / legal / accounting, and who represent a broad diversity of people in our community.

Please give some thought regarding friends, co-workers and community leaders who might be valuable Board members. The application form is found below and–of course–Board members must also be members of Access Tucson itself–joining is a simple and free process that can also be found at the website.

We will be accepting applications through September 30, so please don’t hesitate in reaching out to people you think will best fit the organization. Thanks in advance.

Bob Kovitz
President, Access Tucson Board of Directors

The Board provides overall policy direction but is not involved in the day to day operation of the organization. Board members attend one meeting a month and serve on at least one committee. See Board job description below.

Board Candidacy Application Instructions-
- Please read the board job descriptions
- Please download the candidacy application
- Type information
- Save word document as last name, first name
- Email candidacy application as a word document attachment to Bob Kovitz, kovitzbob@gmail.com (Email subject line should read: Board Candidacy Application) or via post to 124 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85701.

Please call Access Tucson at 624-9833 and leave a message if you have any questions, problems downloading the application or would like to confirm that you are an active member.

Applications must be received by Thursday, September 30 at 5pm.

UPDATED 9-16-10

The Access Tucson channels provide the only local, community television programming in Tucson.

The doors of Access Tucson will close for the month of June, and perhaps for longer. The budget has been slashed by the City of Tucson and we must raise at least $50,000 to stay in operation.

We need your help now more than ever! Will you make a contribution of 25, 50, 100 dollars– or whatever you can afford—
to keep community television alive in Tucson?

Please contribute today.

It’s easy — click on here or send us your check (124 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85701)

With your help, Access Tucson will not only survive, but thrive!

Thanks!

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

Mr. Behrend along with Jan Lesher, La Monte Ward and Jerry Anderson were the start-up team when Access Tucson (then, Tucson Community Cable Corp.) opened in April, 1984. Behrend was Director of Operations until being named Executive Director, succeeding Lesher, in November, 1987 and has served in that position since. Mr. Behrend has been a recognized leader in the community media field for 30 years. He has served on cable television and telecommunications advisory boards in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Tucson. He has been a consultant with The Buske Group providing assistance to Cities and PEG groups nationally. Mr. Behrend has been a faculty member of the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. He has served in a variety of leadership positions with the Alliance for Community Media which honored him with the George Stoney Award (now The Dirk Koning-George Stoney Humanistic Communication Award),and with the Alliance for Communications Democracy of which he is treasurer. Under Behrend’s leadership Access Tucson has also been honored locally, regionally and nationally, year after year with awards and accolades too numerous to mention.

Mr. Behrend’s Statement:

“It has been an incredible honor for me to spend over 26 years at Access Tucson. I have been fortunate to work with the finest staff I can imagine. La Monte Ward and I were partners in managing Access Tucson and he is as good a business partner as anyone has ever had. He was always fair and even-handed with the staff and the public. He was my sounding board and we were a great team all these years. I miss La Monte each and every day. Carol Romano continues to be the heart and soul, brains and conscience of the staff but more importantly, her sound footing as CFO and solid judgment of what is right made her invaluable to me in my job. I simply don’t know how I will be able to get through the day without Carol. I have worked with Jim Thomas since we were both volunteers at a cable access studio in Pittsburgh in 1973. He has been my friend, advisor and confidant all these years and so often provided me advice I needed to make a difficult decision. Jim always knew the right thing to do in every situation.

Lisa Horner is a tireless worker and leader and has wonderful vision for the future of what this organization can and will become. Under her leadership, Access Tucson will thrive albeit in new and exciting directions. Vikki Dempsey is a gifted artist and programmer and will continue to embrace new technologies and methods to distribute the community’s free speech and voice. Rob Shoults and Eric Peery serve our membership energetically, with great skill and with the sensitivity needed to work with a diverse public. They as well as Dawn Petry form the front line of Access Tucson and all who come in contact with them are lucky. Dawn is an amazing artist with a devilish sense of humor which gives her balance as she works with thousands of people each year to make sure they are served properly in their transactions with Access Tucson. Larry Foster and Tim O’Grady are talented producers and exceptional instructors and have given Access Tucson its well-deserved reputation of having the finest production classes anywhere.

In addition to these folks I want to also mention some staff members who were laid off recently and who are severely missed by everyone – Kevin Sloan, Jeff Edson, Ivy Roberts and Daniela Ontiveros. And Vicki Evans who left last year was brilliant as our outreach and volunteer manager. She was the key to our outstanding relationships with hundreds of local community groups and organizations. I have been most fortunate to have also worked with an amazing roster of former employees who have all gone on to shine in their careers after working at Access Tucson. Besides pioneers Jan Lesher and Jerry Anderson, this includes Mark Taylor, Joseph Beadreaux, Roy Knappenberger, Shelli Hall, Karla Ronquillo, Maricela Martinez-Whitmore, Michael Mulcahy, Leslie Carlson, Kate Hiller, Robert Ashley, Delma Sanchez, Miguel Ortega, Zack Williams and so many more.

I have had committed Boards and passionate Board chairs. My work with Ben Jacobs and Jerry Freund goes back to the early days of the cable license. We have traveled a long way together. They as well as my very good friends Jerry Harwood and Sandee Brooke have been stalwarts. The rest of the current Board has been very supportive and worked hard during this especially challenging time. Cynthia Dickstein has led the way establishing the People for Access Tucson Foundation and its fundraising efforts which are needed more now than ever. Liz Burden along with former Board member Vicky Stromee conducted an important planning process which will continue to bear fruit in years to come.

J. Lisa Jones has been my partner on the board as chair for many years and has literally thrown herself into the role with passion, good humor, love and commitment. It has been a real joy as well as an honor to work with her. She continues to serve this organization without reserve. We are all lucky to have her. I also worked with many others who served as Board Chair, all of whom have become great friends including Charles Casey, Robert Michael Hersch, Colleen Mahoney-Greer, Michael Serres, Kris Masalsky, Sharon Kha, Caren Deming and the late Peter Treistman. Together we overcame repeated obstacles and roadblocks and persevered in delivering the best possible service to the greater Tucson community.

I’ve also enjoyed working with (and sometimes against) many city and cable company personnel, Mayors and City Council members and must single out Lisa Lavallo as an exemplary Cox local manager. Cox and Tucson are fortunate to have her in this position. And it has been a pleasure to be in the great company of colleagues Jennifer McKinney, Mary Canty, Joe Chitwood and many others as we fought together for our PEG community. Access Tucson and I have also been extremely well-served by corporate counsel John Escher and CPA Jimmy Lovelace. And we have enjoyed a terrific long association with David Becker in developing and marketing our Facíl software.

And I want to give special thanks to all of the great Access Tucson producers and volunteers. They created the purpose for us all to give our best and they continue to give their best to the community too.

I am very proud of what has been accomplished and am confident that Access Tucson will weather the current economic storm and emerge stronger, working toward establishing a vibrant community media center serving our community for decades to come.”

Lisa Horner Named Acting Executive Director

Lisa Horner has been with Access Tucson in a variety of positions since 1986. She has served on the regional Board of the Alliance for Community Media since 2003. She has been a producer, editor, and videographer for over 25 years, producing media for non-profit groups, educational organizations, independent and commercial media. She has worked extensively with youth in many programs including projects in Ecuador and Brazil as well as on-going youth projects at Access Tucson. She has worked with several media literacy projects through Access Tucson and in partnership with the University of Arizona and Arizona State University and helped conduct media training for teachers throughout the state. Her passion remains to help individuals tell their own stories in their own words.

Ms. Horner’s Statement:

“There is a definite and bright future for community media in Tucson–as well as a more equal, collaborative relationship between government and educational access and Tucson’s community media organizations. It is a tragedy that our organization has suffered so greatly-five staff members were laid off in March, losing Sam adds salt to that wound. I will miss his leadership not only here at Access Tucson, but at the national level as well. He has been pivotal in making Access Tucson a well respected organization in Tucson and across the nation. I do have his cell phone number.”

Below is the official document from the accounting firm who tabulated the votes.

Board Results