Carol West reflects on two terms with council

Today is her last day.

West is looking forward to traveling with her husband as well as visiting their four children and 12 grandchildren, all of whom live out of state.

While she welcomes her retirement, she said she will miss her Ward 2 constituents and the "marvelous staff" at 7575 E. Speedway.

What will she miss the most?

"Probably working with the citizens and trying to improve the quality of life for the whole city," said West, 66.

While sorting through mementos in recent weeks — cleaning up for her successor, Rodney Glassman — West said she found herself fondly remembering the many people who influenced her political career.

A history of involvement

West's reputation has been shaped by her interest in water issues, her efforts in the city's recycling program and the formation of the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

She grew up in North Dakota and lived in Texas and Oregon before moving to Tucson with her husband, Neil West, 67, now a retired pediatrician. She worked for the Southern Arizona Water Resources Association, the Tucson Regional Water Council and also as an aide for her predecessor, Janet Marcus, before being elected in 1999.

West's two terms included the construction of several new parks within her ward. There was also the long-awaited purchase of a 5.3-acre historic site at North Craycroft and East Fort Lowell roads as well as construction of the Vista Del Rio Cultural Resource Park, 7575 E. Desert Arbors St., which preserves what remains of a prehistoric Hohokam village.

Ward 2 also offered bus tours to landfills and the city's Downtown revitalization project, Rio Nuevo, as well as workshops on positive aging for women.

"I think she's just been an outstanding role model for women, for all women whether you're elected to office or you're home taking care of your family," said East Side resident Pat Weidhopf, 63.

Along with the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, West twice invited women from Kenya here.

"The thing that I really stressed to them is the importance of serving the public," she said of the visitors. "I really think that on a local level, you can still make a difference."

Among the most controversial issues of West's terms was her change in 2005 from Demo-crat to independent. Her reasoning: Too many decisions were being based on partisanship instead of the community's needs.

West acknowledges that was an unpopular decision to some, but she offers no apologies for that or for her support of the $14-per-month garbage fee.

At the time, in 2004, Demo-crats called her a poseur who voted with Republicans. But West defends her decision, saying the fees paid for environmental services and also freed up more general funds for parks, and police and fire department employees.

"We are a growing city and I don't care what anyone says, growth costs," she said. "You have to diversify your revenues."

Another controversial issue during her career was the construction of several big-box superstores in Ward 2.

Betty Karkosky, 70, of the Hidden Vista neighborhood at Old Spanish Trail and South Harrison Road said in spite of her frustration at having a Target Greatland built right behind her home, she believes West tried to help.

The Tucson City Council approved plans in 2002 on property already zoned for commercial use, but the builders had to obtain special approval because of the store's size. That triggered widespread opposition.

But Karkosky said West "did go to bat for me" when builders tried to infringe on Karkosky's property, which extends 10 feet beyond her backyard wall.

Dolores Fife said when she was concerned about a Home Depot near her home at East Broadway and North Prudence Road, West tried to help.

She said it was apparent that West cared deeply for the people in her ward.

"She always took the time to try to help with issues and problems," said Fife, 76. "She has a special way of working things out with everyone."

East side