Ward 6 Candidate: Jay Tolkoff
A 45+ year resident of Tucson, I wish to use my extensive background in nonprofit and for-profit business to make city government more efficient and thorough in meeting the citizens' needs and desires.
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No matter what physical changes we make to our streets to create a more inclusive and equitable transit system, our streets will not be safe if they are not maintained in an acceptable condition. In 2021, 70% of our neighborhood streets were rated in poor or failed condition. I believe it is essential to maintain all streets and thoroughfares at a level where everyone can navigate smooth passage without the need to take dangerous, evasive measures to avoid hazards such as potholes, damaged and/or missing pavement, etc. As a city council member, ensuring Tucson's streets are funded to sufficiently maintain them in a safe and acceptable will be a top priority.
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By accomplishing the objective relating to the first question, the cost of transportation will be reduced due to lower repair costs and efficiently moving more people, safely, in less time. For those people using public transportation, currently, fare free transport is available on all forms of city mass transportation and I don't know any condition more affordable than free.
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The question is much too broad in scope to render a satisfactory answer in this format. If the term "public transportation" refers to mass transportation, then the question makes the presumption that everyone desires to use public transportation. The most recent data shows that approximately only 3% of the population of Tucson uses public mass transportation as their primary means of getting around. To accomplish what the question proposes, a significant shift in the demands of the general public would need to occur before sustainable resources could be reallocated to effect the necessary and massive infrastructural changes which would facilitate workable mass transit for all.
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No
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I'm using this space to explain my reason for answering "No" to the last question. I believe that it is imperative that fare free mass transportation be made available to members of the public. I wholeheartedly disagree with the current policy granting any person unconditional access to public transportation. I do not believe that unconditional access to public mass transportation is a right. It is a privilege and that privilege should be denied to persons who do not respect the publicly provided services and facilities, as well as the other persons using those services and facilities. Regarding the RTA, the Tucson Regional Metropolitan area needs to be looked at holistically. I believe the transportation needs of the area will be much better served if we work in collaboration with other jurisdictions within the region. Accordingly, the RTA can be an excellent mechanism in which to facilitate that collaborative effort.
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My choice of transportation to city council meetings would heavily depend on where the particular journey begins. With that in mind, the final portion would always be as a pedestrian.