We Are D5 Monthly Newsletter
July 2022
The mission of this newsletter is to demystify the role of local government and keep you up to date with Pima County politics. As a life long resident of District 5 and now as Pima County Supervisor, it is my goal to keep you updated on all our office is doing. Please feel free to share widely and reach out to our team at district5@pima.gov with any questions or concerns. (Para español, haga click en el botón de arriba a la derecha y seleccione el idioma español.)
Stay safe,
The People of District 5
Youth Spotlight: Esmeralda Almazán
Esmeralda Almazán, an incoming sophomore Pueblo High School, won first place in the cross-examination event at the 2022 California Sol Great Debate at the University of San Diego, hosted by the National Hispanic Institute (NHI). Students participated from all across the United States and Mexico! Almazán was invited to return to the program as a coach next year, and she hopes to participate in the NHI's Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session for 10th and 11th graders as well. Almazán aspires to attend a prestigious college and become a biochemist to engineer alternative solutions to mental health conditions that don't involve dependence on a prescription. ¡Felicidades!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High took first place in the high school category, and third place overall, at the 30th annual Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Showcase Competition Concert! They are an amazing group of dedicated students led by their wonderful Director John Contreras. ¡Puro Aztlán! #MariachiAztlandePuebloHighSchool
If you know a young person in our community who you think should be highlighted, please email district5@pima.gov and nominate a youth!
Women's Spotlight: Annie Sykes
Annie Sykes is originally from Kansas and grew up during the Civil Rights era. She moved to Tucson in 1973 and started working for the Pima County Juvenile Court System. Sykes became a Housing Counselor for the Tucson Urban League and has worked with the Young Women's Company to teach women how to work "non-traditional" jobs such as electrical work. For many years she worked for the City of Tucson as a Project Coordinator in the Housing and Community Development Department. She became a charter member and is the current President of the Black Women's Task Force, has served as a YWCA Board Member, and was a member of Clarion Newspaper Board (Southern Arizona's only feminist newspaper which ran from 1976 - 2013). She is also the current Vice-President of the Tucson Branch of the NAACP. Sykes was named the 2012 National Association of Social Workers Arizona Citizen of the Year.
Supervisor Grijalva with Executive Director Michelle Conklin at the Tucson Botanical Gardens
The Tucson Botanical Gardens is located on the historic Porter property in the Garden District. According to the Canadian Garden Council and the American Public Gardens Association, it is one of the top 10 North American Gardens worth traveling to visit. One of their attractions from October through May is the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion where you can experience Butterfly Magic. There are also 16+ gardens and 2000 different species of plants to see. It is a great place to cool off from the heat!
Thank you to Executive Director Michelle Conklin and Director of Marketing and Communications Matthew Adamson for the wonderful tour!
Check them out at 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712
Policy Updates
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July
Christmas in July Food Drive
This summer my District 5 office and I were proud to participate in the Christmas in July Food Drive. Thank you to Pima County Public Works for organizing the event! Donations will all go to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. THANK YOU for bringing people together to support our community, and thank you to everyone who donated. Shoutout to Pima County Transportation Department for providing our donation box!
11th Annual Kidz Expo
Congratulations to Arizona Bilingual Newspaper for a wonderful 11th Annual Kidz Expo at the Tucson Convention Center! So many families and kids were able to access wonderful resources and organizations, and prepped for the new school year with giveaways, prizes, and games. Arizona Bilingual Newspaper stated that 3,500+ people attended the event and that they distributed 2000 backpacks to the community. Thanks to all involved in creating this wonderful event! District 5 was honored to participate and host a table with resources.
Visiting Emergency Eviction Legal Services (EELS)
This week I had the chance to visit the Emergency Eviction Legal Services (EELS) division of Pima County Community and Workforce Development at the Kino Service Center, and my office and I learned more about the resources, assistance, and community support that this great team offers to families and individuals seeking housing, employment, rental assistance, and other needs. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication! For more information about the program, visit tucsonpimaep.com/.
COVID-19 Updates
Covid-19 cases are up. Being vaccinated and boosted remains the best way to avoid serious illness, hospitalization and death. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, unvaccinated Arizonans 12 and older in May were eight times more likely to be hospitalized and 21 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated with a booster dose.
Information on testing, treatment, and vaccines available at www.pima.gov/livingwithcovid.
Pima County Health Dept. Meeting 7/27:
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The vast majority of COVID cases right now are the BA-5 Variant.
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There are at least three confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Pima County.
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The County has set up a "Test to Treat" program at the East Clinic (6920 E. Broadway Blvd.) where you can get tested and receive treatment for COVID on-site. For more information, click here.
Stay safe out there!
For the most up to date information on COVID-19, vaccinations, boosters, and testing, please visit the Pima County Health Department's website.
Business Spotlight: Tucson Botanical Gardens