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DISTRICT 5 DIGEST: DECEMBER

Welcome to District 5 Digest! Our mission of this newsletter is to demystify the role of local government in our community and keep you up to date with County politics. As a life long resident of District 5 and now as Pima County Supervisor, it has always been vital to our shared community to know what's going on in our community and how everyone can get involved. Please share widely with your community and as always, please reach out to our team at district5@pima.gov with any questions or concerns. This newsletter will highlight District 5's activities for December 2021. 

 

Stay safe,

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December Photos 

The People of District 5

Youth Spotlight: National Mariachi Vargas Vocal Competition Finalists

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Giselle Aubrey:

"I was very grateful and excited to be chosen as a finalist for the National Mariachi Vargas vocal competition. It was an amazing experience, and I felt honored and proud to be there representing Tucson and Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School."

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Marisol Duarte:

My experience representing Pueblo High School and Tucson was one to forever carry with me as an amazing experience. Talent is meant to be spread across the world, especially people who participate in the traditions and culture of mariachi music. I was honored to represent Mariachi Aztlan but most of all Tucson and the true beauty and power we hold. Go Pueblo Warriors and viva la gente de Tucson.

If you know a young person in our community who you think should be highlighted, please email district5@pima.gov and nominate a youth!

Business Spotlight: Pop-Cycle Shop

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Pop-Cycle was founded in 2008, with the goal of promoting local art made from recycled materials, re-used products and refurbished goods. Tucson is a desert community that has long shared an appreciation of makers and a dedication to sustainable causes. When you live in an environment of scarcity, you quickly learn to rethink usage. We believe in producing beautiful new things out of old. Our true goal is to support artists in the USA who are already making items out of recycled materials, and encouraging artists in our community to do the same. The focus is on stuff made from other stuff.

We have two in-house brands, created by co-owners DeeDee Koenen, Shannon Riggs, and Jennifer Radler. Riggs and Koenen are responsible for DDco Design, decorator items made from all kinds of found and junked materials. Radler is the maestro behind Monster Booty Threads. Libby Tobey is the face of Pop Cycle, always ready to help you find the perfect gift for someone you love, or to help you treat yourself!

Pop-Cycle is located at: 422 N. 4th Avenue

*Remember to shop local this holiday season!*

COVID-19 Updates

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For the most up to date information on COVID-19, vaccinations, boosters, and testing, please visit the Pima County Health Department's website.

Policy Updates

December 7th Board of Supervisors (BOS) Meeting

D5 Item: Information on $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

  • At least $5.4 billion is dedicated to Arizona.

  • At the meeting, Supervisor Grijalva asked for status updates on the funds and projects from this bill. She wants to ensure that a fair share of the funds are dedicated to projects in Pima County.

D5 Item: Discussion of utility placement along Scenic Routes

  • Supervisor Grijalva would like the Board to revise code to require undergrounding of utility lines along Scenic Routes during all significant repair of existing overhead lines and poles.

  • Repair and construction of utility poles has been very destructive to native desert vegetation and habitat.

  • Supervisor Scott asked for additional information as well.

  • This item will come back at a future meeting.

D5 Item: Discussion of Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Facility

  • Ethylene Oxide is flammable, explosive, and carcinogenic.

  • Pima County has a limited role in regulating this facility but Supervisor Grijalva wanted to highlight this issue for our community.

Appointments to Legislative Districts 9 and 10

Congratulations to Christopher Mathis and Morgan Abraham!

Supervisor Grijalva did not vote for either candidate because she feels strongly that we need more diverse representation in the state legislature, and advocated for the Board to appoint women.

Investment and renovation of Teatro Carmen

  • This item passed 4-1, with Supervisor Grijalva voting in favor.

  • The County will purchase the property and dedicate $1 million to its renovation and restoration.

Appointment of Jan Lesher, Chief Deputy County Administrator, as Acting County Administrator

  • This item passed unanimously.

Creation of Redistricting Advisory Committee for the redistricting of the Board of Supervisors and Pima Community College Governing Board

  • This item passed unanimously.

Dismissal of employees who work with vulnerable populations and are not vaccinated against COVID-19

  • As of the December 20th, out of the 2,168 employees who were identified as working with vulnerable populations, 239 are full time employees with unconfirmed vaccine status or exemptions. 

  • Of the 239 full time employees, 186 work in the Sheriff's department.

  • A final notice of involuntary termination will be issued no later than December 31, 2021.

  • This item passed 4-1 with Supervisor Grijalva voting in favor.

Retention of Snell & Wilmer to represent Pima County in litigation against the City of Tucson regarding differential water rates

  • This item passed 3-2, with Supervisor Grijalva voting against it.

  • While Supervisor Grijalva does not agree with the way that the differential water rates were applied, she believes that the City is within its rights to impose differential rates.

December 21st  BOS Meeting

Countywide Mask Mandate - Indoor Public Places

  • This will require people to wear face coverings when they are in indoor public places and cannot easily maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet from all other persons.

  • This was at the recommendation of the Pima County Health Department.

  • This item passed 3-2, with Supervisor Grijalva voting in favor.

  • Chair Bronson and Supervisor Heinz also voted in favor.

Revision to personnel policy - special leaves of absence with pay

  • This item would provide 100 percent of regular pay to employees on parental leave for six continuous work weeks within the first 12 weeks after the birth or adoption of a child.

  • This item passed 4-1, with Supervisor Grijalva voting in favor. 

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Women's Spotlight: Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford
A section to celebrate important women in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona State, United States.

  • Born in Nogales, resides in Tucson

  • Author of My Tata's Remedies, My Nana's Remedies, and Hip, Hip, Hooray, it's Monsoon Day! 

  • Co-Author, with her son, of Miguel and the Amazing Alebrijes, inspired by the movie Coco

  • 2009 Winner of the Judy Goddard / Libraries, Ltd. Award recognized as a lifetime Arizona Children's Author

  • Upcoming book: Raulito: The First Latino Governor of Arizona 

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'Tis The Season!

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