My Response to Hume: Can Phoenix rise from the car era’s ashes?

This past Monday, a man named Christopher Hume wrote an article about Phoenix which you can read HERE.  As the article didn't allow commenting, this was my response to his article.


Dear Mr. Hume,

In response to your recent article on Phoenix, I would like to say the following:

I’m sorry to admit that much of what you say about Phoenix is true.   In fact, just this morning, I witnessed two historic buildings (built in 1909 and 1929) in the warehouse district be demolished so the PHX Suns VIP’s can have a surface parking lot for valet parking.  Yep, another parking lot.  Just what we need in the bulls-eye of climate change – another parking lot to add to our ever-growing asphalt jungle that is a major contributor to our little urban heat island effect problem we have going on here.

But when you speak of “locals,” I get the sense that you never actually conversed with one, or explored the vibrant areas of our downtown community such as Roosevelt Row, or took the time to do a bit of research on the local happenings offered in our downtown community – of which there are many.

I’m guessing you didn’t witness our Critical Mass bike ride, or walk over to the pop up park that is a creative temporary use project on 2nd St. & Roosevelt or check out the always full bike rack at the Crescent Ballroom.

I have a sneaking suspicion you made some very broad assumptions and looked for only those things to back them up.

I don’t really blame you, because Phoenix is a truly unique city.  I feel I can make this statement as I’ve lived in several other major metropolitan cities in the U.S., and Phoenix is indeed an odd bird.  It’s the kind of city that doesn’t slap its cool across your face, but makes you go on a bit of a treasure hunt first.  It’s the kind of city that’s full of hidden gems and interesting people and innovation.  Believe it or not, it’s easy to be creative and innovative in this city.

I’ve had numerous coming to Jesus moments about living in Arizona for the past 14 years, but can honestly say I love this place and consider it my home.  Phoenix has grown on me.  I can tell you that we have one of the most tight-knit communities I’ve ever encountered – especially in a city of this size.  I can also tell you that we collectively are working to make improvements on a daily basis, with regard to sustainability, vibrancy, walkability, placemaking, policy improvements and community building.

It’s really a shame you didn’t talk to us – the people who live here.  Many of whom don’t own cars but bike and rely on public transport such as the light rail on a daily basis, which in my experience as a resident is heavily utilized.

As a strong community advocate and activist; I find your pessimism insulting and your lack of foresight and hope as depressing as the poor planning and greed which got us into this mess in the first place.  I would make the suggestion that in the future, when you write off a city of nearly 6 million people and banish us to the abyss of stucco and strip malls that you at least first try to connect with a real local to see things from a different perspective.

I’d be more than happy to give you a tour any time.


Sincerely,

Ms. Champion

Senate Bill 1507 – Rio Declaration Prohibition – My Story and the Aftermath

I wrote this piece as a guest post for Blooming Rock.  Check it out!

AZ SB1507 - The Coming to Jesus Moment

AZ bad SB1507 will be back on the House floor tomorrow.  This is it.  Here's my latest letter to the House of Representatives.  Ugh.  Oh, and here's video from the press conference I pulled together in about 10 hours on April 17th in opposition to SB1507 along with the help of Sandy Bahr, Exec. Director of the Sierra Club.


Dear State Representatives,

I write to you yet again to urge you to please use your common sense when voting on SB1507.  The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposes this bill, the Arizona Chamber opposes this bill, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton opposes this bill, and at least 574 people who have taken the time to sign this petition oppose this bill.  SB1507 has the ability to hurt our economy, our people and our environment.  It's really that simple, and deserves a NO vote from you, regardless of your party affiliation.

This bill has now been covered by msnbc, Huffington Post, Gawker, TriplePundit (my story), the AZ Republic, AZ Capitol Times, Tucson Citizen, and various well-read political and environmental blogs.  Can you please stop making a mockery of our state to the rest of the world by inflicting your extremist conspiracy theories held by a minority, on us, your constituents - the majority.  If I were a moderate Republican within the AZ State Legislature I would like to think I'd be embarrassed by these sorts of bills...

Let common sense rule your world for a moment as you step outside your box and view things from a human being perspective.  Do you not want clean air for your families to breathe?  Clean water to drink?  Less pollution and smog?  Less poverty?  Healthier buildings for our children to learn in?  Savings on your energy bills?  Healthier food to eat?  Progress in solar technologies?  More jobs in Arizona?  A decrease in healthcare costs?

If you answered "No, I don't want any of those things for my constituents who voted for me" then by all means go ahead and vote yes for this bad bill.  If on the other hand, you agree that the items listed above are at the very core of our future and survival as humans (which they are) a yes vote on this bill will be a testament for your complete and total disregard to the health and well-being of every constituent you serve, as well as the planet you call home, and I promise you all that I will do my best to make as many people as possible aware to the way you vote on this bill.  And I'm quite tenacious.

So again, please vote NO on SB1507.


Sincerely,

Stacey Champion

P.S. Teri Proud - Energize Phoenix is a program, not a company as you indicated in your constant contact blurb.  You also had several other facts wrong in that memo, and I would highly encourage you to fact check before flipping things out into the public in the future.  I can also promise you that the sustainability community will never force you to buy organic or ride a bike.  You have my word.

Senator Burges - Who Do You Work For? Are You a Lobbyist for the Mining Industry???

Here is another HORRIBLE anti-environmental bill by Senator Burges (who WORKED for a mining company) that is being voted on in Senate TODAY. It too was a strike everything bill. This MUST stop. Please sign the action letter for it and sign into the AZ Legislature to state your opposition to this bill immediately!

TAKE ACTION - Say No to Polluter Protection

Ask Your Senator to Vote NO on HB2199.

HB2199 NOW: environmental audit privilege (Burges) allows companies to do internal audits, to keep the information, including violations of law, secret, and the information in the audit cannot be used to prosecute them for violations of law. What a deal! It rewards the most irresponsible industries and gives bad actors a shield of secrecy. HB2199 is being pushed by the Arizona Mining Association and Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold.

Anti-environmental zealot Senator Burges - protecting the mining industry - not US!

Arizona Senators Not Protecting Women - A Day of Testifying Before the AZ State Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee

Last week I went to testify before the Public Safety and Human Services Senate Committee in opposition of one bill, and in favor of the un-amended version of another one.  Both of these Bills, SB1127 and SB1248 have to do with something that has slipped through the cracks in a monstrous way in our state (and nation) – domestic violence within the family law court system.

SB1127, which I opposed (but was passed by committee) will scare victims away from exposing abuse in child custody cases unless they have ample evidence such as police reports or hospital records.  Without this “evidence,” the judge can make the determination of “false allegation” and use this determination when custody is established.  So unless there are tape recordings of verbal abuse or eye witness accounts of emotional and physical abuse, expect these victims to keep their mouths shut for fear of losing their children to the abusers.  The fact of the matter, is that false allegations of abuse are extremely rare.  Some substantive evidence can be read in Barry Goldstein's talking points on Domestic Violence, Abuse and Child Custody.

SB1248 would have for the first time added coercive control to the family law rules language which would have been instrumental to finally shedding some light on this growing problem in the family law courts, and make it a determining factor for judges to weigh when determining child custody.  The bill was amended by Senator Gray just the day before it was heard, literally gutting the bill of all mention of the term coercive control.

Even though there is ample evidence, research, statistical data and documents that point out the dire need for the courts to become educated and act upon coercive control within family law and custody disputes, most of the Senators on the Public Safety and Human Services Committee stated they were reluctant to place a Pandora's Box in front of judges.  Senator Gray even gave some examples which I found to be simply ridiculous.  

I would urge all of the Senators present, as well as any Legislators moving forward on any Bills pertaining to domestic violence, to familiarize themselves with a document called "A Judicial Guide to Child Safety in Custody Cases" written by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Family Violence Department.  I would also point them to a 2003 study conducted by the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence titled "Battered Mothers’ Testimony Project:  A Human Rights Approach to Child Custody and Domestic Violence."

Men who sue for full custody (outside of situations where mom has a drug problem, mental health issue, or is abusive to children) statistically have abusive personalities with a history of domestic violence.   In the state of Arizona, these men, even when there is documented proof of physical abuse (and sometimes sexual abuse as well) are winning either sole or joint custody up to 70% (or more) of the time.   They often take the woman back to court more than once, in an effort to maintain and exert control after she has left the abusive relationship.  Many times their goal is to intimidate and bankrupt the victim, making outlandish allegations and filing motion after motion.

When most people think of domestic violence, they think of black eyes and split lips.  Many people often place blame on the victim (or survivor) questioning why *she didn’t leave sooner, or wondering what she did to instigate the aggressive behavior.  Many people act as if violence toward women isn’t a huge problem – even though one out of every three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime – and for many women, they will experience both.   One in three women.  This is a sad and unacceptable statistic.

What many people don’t understand, including the majority of Senators who voted on these bills last week  (and a HUGE and HEARTFELT THANK YOU to Senator Lopez for speaking UP about the importance of the coercive control language being IMPORTANT to include in this bill, though she was ultimately out-voted) is that the main component of domestic violence doesn’t necessarily stem from physically hurting someone.   It stems from the need to control another human.  Often times, when the victim finally musters the courage to leave an abusive (emotional, physical or both) relationship, the abuser will use the legal system (in this case the family law courts) to continue a cycle of abuse that can, and often does, go on and on for years and years.  This form of abuse can be just as exhausting as the abuse which occurred while in the relationship.  It can be both emotionally and financially debilitating.  

And I am certainly not proud to admit that I know this from first-hand experience, but I am tired of being bullied, and I'm tired of thinking that the courts may do something to stop it.  I'm horrified at the prospect of enduring this ongoing legal abuse and harassment for another 13 years. Which is why I was there, taking time out of my very busy day as a small business owner, single mom, and community activist to have my voice be heard by the people who are supposed to help PROTECT women just like me.

Yet most of these lawmakers don’t seem to care.  Looking at the outcome of how both bills were voted on, it doesn’t appear they even want to understand.  And it certainly doesn’t appear that they are willing to listen to the experts who deal with these cases every day, or the women who have first-hand experience of the problem for that matter.  

I was livid at the treatment the one other mom who came to testify and I received at this hearing.  Though there were eight people who were present to testify in opposition to the coercive control language (7 men and 1 woman) - the only people who were rudely cut off and limited in their testimony were me and the other mom, a woman named Joy.  At less than two minutes, Joy was blatantly interrupted by Senator Gray (though Joy stuck up for herself and finished saying what she had to say).  I was cut off at just under two and a half minutes by Senator Gray, and completely shut down at just under three and a half minutes, though two of the men after me were allowed to speak for eight minutes and twenty seven seconds and another for five minutes and twenty four seconds without being interrupted or stopped by Senator Gray.  This is simply appalling to me.  Apparently your voice will be heard if it's in line with the ideology and beliefs of the Committee Chair - in this case, Senator Gray.  Shame on her, and shame on the other Senators who didn't stand up for their constituents who came to speak out about very uncomfortable and personal situations for not only themselves, but for women everywhere.

We must pay attention.  We must vote.  We must let our voices be heard.  Our rights as women are being trampled upon on a daily basis at the State Legislature.  Whether it is our reproductive freedoms (there were also THREE anti-abortion bills being heard that same day) or bills disguised to protect men from "false" abuse allegations that will only serve to muffle the voices of women being victimized throughout the state, the truth must be told.  Where are you media?  Where are you women?  If we don't start fighting for our basic human rights, who will?  

As the recent producer of the V-Day Phoenix events, including a production of The Vagina Monologues, it is my hope that women and men will find their voices to help stop violence against women.  Women are our future.  We must be respected and protected.

I leave you with the words of Eve Ensler and her plea for change.  

*I acknowledge that men can be victims of both emotional and physical abuse, but have used “she” throughout this piece as it pertains to my experiences, observations and research.

How To Get Your Vote On - Myth Busting and Mad Dash to the Phoenix Mayoral Election to Ensure Greg Stanton is Our Winner

It seems like this Phoenix Mayor race has been going on forevvver, because well, it kind of has been.  But here we are - FINALLY - down to the wire.  Back in June, I wrote a post about one of the debates I had attended which you can read HERE if you're interested.  I had personally endorsed Candidate Greg Stanton well before this debate, because I believe he is the best person for the job.

Phoenix, the 6th largest city in the U.S., (recently losing out to Philly for 5th) has a dismal voter turnout record (only about 15% of registered voters turned up to vote in the recent primary) which quite frankly just pisses me off.  So many people I've talked to, not just about this particular election but about voting in general, have an extremely blase' attitude about it.

It's become one of those rights that people seem to take for granted, and as a woman who will be forever grateful to my past soul sisters who fought for years for me to have this right - within the past 100 years mind you, I don't take it lightly.  Did you know women in Saudi Arabia still don't yet have the right to vote?  There should never be an excuse of "I'm just not informed." Or "I'm too busy."  That's just bullshit.

U.S. women suffragists demonstrating for the right to vote, February 1913

So in my many conversations I've been having, some things have come up that are concerning to me with regard to this Mayoral election that is now right around the corner.

I hope you can all help me spread this message, get out the facts, and in turn, GET OUT THE VOTES.

The job of Mayor for the 6th largest city in the U.S. is an important one, especially given the "hell in a hand basket" past few years we've had with our city and state politics, as well as some of our wretched legislation, our dismal unemployment rate, our lack of action to environmental quality concerns and our blatant disregard to the importance of quality education.  Arizona's reputation is in the gutter to the rest of the country.  (Unless of course you're having a beer with an extremist Neo-Nazi who owns 72 guns, thinks Sheriff Joe is the shit, knows that climate change is a hoax and owns a very large truck to compensate for his very small penis.)  Seriously though.  We look f*cking CRAZY to the rest of the world - which is going to prevent this state from putting our economy back on track because no one is going to want to come here.  Industry OR people.  We the (sane) people, need a leader in our corner for a change.  And for those of you who say you don't vote because politicians are politicians, I would say this: At the end of the day, we're all just humans, some nicer than others.  Take the time to do your homework and engage.  Get your candidate of choice to pinky promise you that they'll try their best to do a great job.  In my world, the pinky promise is golden...

Here are talking points to share beginning NOW so we can see Greg Stanton be elected Mayor of Phoenix, instead of a lobbyist.

• TODAY is your last chance to register to vote in this election if you need to do so.  You also need to re-register if you have moved or changed your name.  You can register to VOTE online.  Please ask everyone you encounter today who is a Phoenix resident if they are registered to vote, and if they're not, please show them how.
• If you voted for Stanton in the Primary election, that doesn't mean you don't need to vote again - YOU DO.  This is a very important message, as many people seem to be under the impression that he has already won.  You need to VOTE again by early ballot (if you're already signed up) or at the POLLS beginning on Nov. 5, 2011.
• Get involved.  Talk to your neighbors, talk to your customers.  Tell people who you're voting for and why.  Get neighbors to put out signs.  Knock on doors.  This election will be won with grass roots effort and determination. 

 We MUST be the change we wish to see.

Local-Washing is Gaining Ground in Phoenix

Just like "greenwashing" became the bane for the environmental/green building movements, so too it seems that "localwashing" is set out to bastardize the hard work of many community activists and independent small businesses.

This isn't a new phenomena.  We've been seeing it creep in more and more over the past few years.  What it means, is that the activists behind the push to support local business have done a kick ass job - and the corporations, along with all of the high-priced analysts and consumer research firms they employ - have taken note and reported back to their six-figure earning superiors.

Wal-Mart promotes Local - photo via Grist

"We need to jump into the "LOCAL" market and follow the trend!"

* If you want a good glimpse into how and why we became this "want-based" society we are now, versus the "need-based" society we once were, I highly suggest you watch the 4-part BBC documentary "The Century of Self."

For those of you who don't know, or maybe don't choose to acknowledge it, corporations will find ways to tap into our emotional psyches so we can feel good about what we're buying.  It's big, big business.

Numerous examples of localwashing abound...  Especially in the food industry.

Fresh and Easy, your "neighborhood market"  is actually a subsidiary of Tesco, the 3rd largest retailer in the world.  From Walmart, to Barnes and Noble, localwashing is all around us.  It's getting plugged into big corporate names and identities left and right.

Downtown businesses, such as the newly-opened Oakville Grocery are touting the term "local" by offering roughly 300 products which are made in Arizona, which is another way "local" is being used.  Oakville Grocery Co. was purchased by New York company Dean & DeLuca in 2007.  Oakville Grocery previously had a north Scottsdale location, which closed, apparently because there was an assumption business would be more lucrative in downtown Phoenix.

While the 300 AZ products and jobs created by Oakville Grocery is great, true LOCAL in my opinion would be the Phoenix Public Market, which operates as an Arizona 501c3 non-profit, sells almost all locally grown/produced products, operates the bi-weekly open air markets, and serves as a community hub and meeting place.

Which of these two downtown grocery stores do you think will keep more money in our community and our State?  Which one is more invested in our community?

Phoenix Public Market - Photo: Stacey Champion

Who are you giving your money to?  Do you know?  This country was founded on Mom & Pop shops who made money in their community, then spent money in their community.  I try my hardest to do the same.

For example, there's a different feeling you get going to see a flick at FilmBar downtown, than going to the movies at AMC.  And again, which of these is more committed to community?  Your choices in local Phoenix abound!  There is a true local counter-part to every large corporation out there.  From places to eat, service providers, business services - you name it.  Local First Arizona can be your starting point.  My company Champion PR + Consulting is a member of Local First Arizona because I am committed not only to serving those in my community, but also because I want to do business with others who are doing the same.

FilmBar - Photo: Stacey Champion

Please don't get me wrong, my goal isn't to make anyone feel bad about going to Target, or shopping at a big supermarket or eating fast food on occasion.  I too am a consumer + a single mom, so in no way am I purporting to never do these things.  But I will say that I try very hard.  I am on a first name basis with almost every single person I do business with - the owners of the businesses,  the majority of which are within 2 square miles of my house.  We need to be each other's cheerleaders at all times.

Corporations aren't going anywhere, and on occasion they can even be beneficial to our communities.  My monthly educational/connection/project Rogue Green which is focused on sustainability issues, is up for a $10k grant through the Pepsi Refresh Everything project.  I had mixed feelings about even applying for inclusion due to my opinions surrounding large corporations, but the thought of how much I could help our community with $10k ended up clinching it for me.  Sometimes we have to pick our battles...

The message I want you to leave you with is this:

Just because something says it's LOCAL, doesn't necessarily mean it is.  There are plenty of great articles already out there on localwashing.  Read them.  Do your homework.  Try to keep as much of your hard-earned money in the community as possible.  Do business with those who give back to the community.  Get involved.

Keep it real.

From the Stacey Champion Who DIDN'T Mail A Puppy

Dear crazy people who keep sending me hate mail, leaving nasty comments on all of my various blogs, and are attaching my Facebook profile picture to the puppy mailing incident,

Hi there.  My name is Stacey Champion, I am 39 years old, I was born in Minneapolis, MN, I have lived in Arizona for the past 12 years, and I DID NOT TRY TO MAIL A PUPPY.  Got it?  I did NOT try to/want to/need to - mail a frickin' puppy. 

39 year old Stacey Champion, who lives in downtown Minneapolis, has a different birthday than me, and is African American - tried to mail a puppy.

If you're still pissed off, go find her instead of picking the first person (me) who shows up when you Google "Stacey Champion."  This is ridiculous.

And guess what?  They call public records PUBLIC, because they're PUBLIC!  If you're going to take the time to google a stranger, then harass them; why not take the damn time to make sure you've got the right Stacey Champion?! Get a copy of the arrest record like I did, when I was trying to make sure my identity hadn't been stolen.

Holy shitballs.

Watch this video and see for yourself!

And by the way, this is our newly adopted Humane Society puppy, Mazzy, who we got because we just lost our almost 12 year old dog this past August.  She is here, not in a UPS box, a USPS box, or any other kind of box.  Dummies.