It’s still crystal clear in my memory. Early in my first term after being elected to represent District 4 on the Board of Supervisors, during the winter of 2017, our office’s newly appointed Vail/Corona de Tucson representative Lucretia Free and I were out meeting with area residents. We were stopped and waiting to meet with several folks about some South Houghton Road issues, near Sahuarita Road. Lucretia turned to me and asked if I would be interested in forming a community organization that would meet regularly to discuss pressing local issues with officials from all levels of government there to address them.
My answer didn’t take long, as I immediately responded with yes, and at that moment the Southeast Regional Council seed was planted. With the support and backing of our District 4 office, that seed bloomed into one of the most successful and effective citizen-based, community-led organizations in Pima County.
Under Lucretia’s care and leadership, SERC began meeting regularly, forming working groups and individual silos of interest, hosting governmental officials from all levels to attend and interact with Southeast Pima County residents. Folks would attend the meetings in person or virtually and attendance was impressively high from the very beginning. The list of governmental representatives who attend or have attended is lengthy and formidable. Officials from Pima County, the State of Arizona, the Federal Government as well as local districts have all addressed SERC and have responded to area residents’ questions, concerns, problems and thoughts. As a Pima County Supervisor, I know what impact SERC has had as many Pima County administrators and officials not only knowingly refer to SERC in their conversations with me, but also interact directly with area residents. Forming SERC has become one of the most gratifying and proud accomplishments of my tenure representing you.
It’s hard to believe that seven and a half years have passed since SERC’s genesis, and all good organizations must adapt to change in order to remain viable and relevant. Currently, new names and faces are appearing in leadership positions and SERC’s name has changed accordingly. SERC has transformed into SEAC, Southeast Arizona Council, to reflect a more inclusive representation of its workings in the southeastern part of Pima County. And SEAC’s leadership has changed as well with a new coordinator, Elaine Schmerbeck (tel 623-693-0003, email seac@seazcouncil.org).
As an ever-growing and transforming enterprise, I’m confident that SEAC will retain the original core foundation and mission of SERC, and will continue to explore new and innovative pathways to be even more relevant, more contemporary, and more important to our greater Vail community.
SEAC is an example of what I call, “self-government at the curb”. Local issues and concerns being addressed directly by governmental officials at all levels is the most effective way to make government work for you. I urge you to get involved with SEAC today. There’s plenty of room for everyone. And I can sincerely attest that when SEAC speaks, government officials listen.
Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, District 4
33 N. Stone Avenue, Floor 11
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-724-8094
district4@pima.gov
