The Simpson Stump - April 2022

Greetings all!

Spring 2022 Update

The heat is upon us! Remember to start watering your outdoor plans more as the heat ramps up into the 90’s and 100’s during the days. Many nurseries in the area (such as Summerwinds and Dig-It) offer free classes on both indoor and outdoor plant care, selection, and landscape design.

Current neighbor requests and information

• Do not block sidewalks with vehicles - A new law went into effect at the beginning of the year (AZ House Bill 2395) that revised the language stating that vehicles cannot partially block sidewalks (including bumpers and trailer hitches). The intent is to ensure that pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs, with canes, or walking strollers can use the sidewalk without having to move into yards or streets. While not covered by the law, it’s a good idea to keep the sidewalks free of trash and recycling cans as well, placing those along the curb.

• Increase in graffiti and illegal dumping - please help us report! - It’s a constant battle to keep on top of the most obvious blight issues around the city, including in Simpson. And large issues almost always start small. So help us resolve those smaller issues early by reporting graffiti at myPHX311, and reporting illegal dumping in progress to Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 (report illegal dumping after the fact by calling 602-262-6251)

• Keep an eye on Vacant Buildings - Houses continue to sell rapidly around the city, but even a house that sells in a day is likely going to be vacant for weeks. Please help your neighbors and neighborhood by keeping an eye on those vacant properties and report any break ins or visible damage to Crime Stop, or 911 if the break in is in progress.

Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings

April’s neighborhood meeting will be back at a familiar location: Choice Learning Academy (formerly Simpson School). Please join us early for a tour to see the changes to the school. Park at the south end of the school along 23rd Avenue by the Auditorium (formerly the Gym) for both the tour and the meeting.

Meeting guests will be Vice Mayor Laura Pastor’s office and Stacie Butte with Neighborhood Services, and our Community Action Officers if their schedules permit.

Our next meeting will be held on 06/21/22 at 6:30 pm and we hope to have our new neighborhood neighbors, Catholic Charities, present their plans for their stretch of 19th Avenue. The Location for June is TBD, and will be provided in the next newsletter.

Thanks everyone, and please let us know if you need anything in the meantime.