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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford approves marijuana dispensaries ... Alleged Medford shooter has violent past ... Medford police garage facade improvement dropped ... Medford approves marijuana dispensaries ... Alleged Medford shooter has violent past ... Medford police garage facade improvement dropped ... PHOENIX Steve Schulman left a legacy of community activism Former council member, urban renewal chairman died Sunday Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 8, 2015 at 6:14 PM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 8, 2015 at 6:14 PM » Social News PHOENIX — In 2012, when he ran for mayor on a platform of government transparency and water rate fairness, former City Councilman Steve Schulman told the Mail Tribune, "They say you can't fight City Hall, but the ones who say that have probably never tried." A one-time head of the Phoenix Urban Renewal Agency board, Schulman, 76, died Sunday after battling health issues for a half dozen years. In addition to kidney failure and ongoing dialysis, Schulman faced myriad surgeries this year and made the decision last week not to receive further medical intervention. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Gail Schulman, two sons and a daughter. Family and friends say Schulman's death was much like his life: on his own terms and, said his wife, "without beating around the bush." Described as a "fighter" by those who knew him, Schulman served on the City Council for less than a term in 2005 before being recruited to manage a retail business in Grants Pass. Schulman co-founded the Phoenix "council watch" Facebook page and remained a vocal community member for a decade on issues ranging from marijuana dispensaries to urban renewal. Born Aug. 2, 1939, in Los Angeles, Schulman lived in various parts of the country working in teaching and administrative jobs. A retiree who moved to Phoenix 13 years ago, he first made headlines during his 2005 council stint for speaking out against a perceived "gag order" by then mayor Vicki Bear. Schulman voiced concerns about government transparency and water rates when he squared off against now Mayor Jeff Bellah in 2012. Schulman lost a second race for the council in 2014, but remained a regular presence at council meetings and on his Facebook page with its co-founder, former Councilman Mike Stitt. Stitt said he and Schulman lobbied for fewer closed meetings, lower water rates and less control from City Hall on matters of urban renewal and a medical marijuana dispensary and promoted community events. It was Schulman who suggested naming a new band shell in Blue Heron Park after the late Mayor Carlos DeBritto. "Out of everything, I think the fight that he really, really wanted to have was over water rates," Stitt said. "What's funny about that is he lived in the mobile home park so he didn't even get a water bill. But many times he sat before the council and tried to appeal for the proverbial 'little old lady' being charged 60 bucks a month to flush the toilet and water a couple of small plants on a $600-a-month income." Stitt added, "One thing about Steve, the guy was a fighter. He was a warrior. Sometimes I'd kind of grab him and go, 'Hey kid, come here.' As bad as he felt, he trooped through it. I always wanted to be more subtle and Steve wanted to be, 'Hell no. This is how it is!' " Local artist and community volunteer Judy Grillo remembers Schulman helping her in her own bid for a City Council seat. "Steve was so helpful giving me the history of the town and lay of the land. He was so encouraging — not cheerful, but encouraging," Grillo said with a grin. Schulman's wife, Gail, who said her husband was as passionate about his vinyl record collection, sports cars and watching sports as he was about politics, said his involvement in the city gave him strength. "I think it kept him going. He could shoot the bull with the best of them, but he was very passionate about politics and I really think he felt like he was making a difference," she said. "Even when he was so sick, he believed in what he was doing." Mayor Jeff Bellah said Schulman's absence in recent months did not go unnoticed. "He and I didn't agree on a lot of things, but I always felt like he was somebody that was involved in this community and I think that was a good thing," Bellah said. "Steve wasn't afraid to put himself out there and try to get his ideas across about how he thought the city should run. You could tell he really believed in what he was doing." Stitt said his final chat with Schulman was a nudge to stay involved. "Even up to the end, I go to see him because he's going to check out and he just smiles and says, 'I want you to do something for me, OK? I want you to put on the (Facebook) page, 'One down. One to go,' " said Stitt with a laugh. "I looked at him and said, 'Oh my God, you're killin' me. You want me to what?' Even in the end, he lived life on his own terms ... But that was just Steve." A memorial service for Schulman will be planned for Blue Heron Park. Details will be posted online, www.facebook.com/PhoenixORwatch?fref=ts . Reach Medford freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected] . By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 8, 2015 at 6:14 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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