DISTRICT 5 DIGEST: JUNE 2021
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 June 2021.
Stay safe,
Photos & Media
The People of District 5
Youth Spotlight: Omar Sotelo
Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona Omar Sotelo graduated eighth in the class from Tucson High in 2021. He was awarded a $68K faculty scholarship to attend Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is interested in studying Environmental Policy and Law. He has a strong interest in science and desire to work with our community. The summer prior to the pandemic, he volunteered as a junior counselor for the University of Arizona Camp Fusion. His 2021 Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF) group project, “Investigating the Effects of US Border Wall Construction on Quitobaquito Springs” won his team two cash awards, “Innovative Thought in Engineering or Science” and “Future Leaders in Sustainability and Social Justice.” He was chosen as a delegate to the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) conference in Florida as a representative of Tucson Unified School District in 2019. At Tucson High, he was a member of clubs such as National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He is an avid runner participating in Cross Country, and Track and Field. He is looking forward to what lays ahead. Congrats Omar!
If you know a young person in our community who you think should be highlighted, please visit www.adelitasgrijalva.com/youth-spotlight and nominate a youth!
Business Spotlight: La Estrella Bakery
La Estrella Bakery is a family-owned, locally-operated business that has been serving delicious bread since 1986. They have two locations - 5266 S. 12th Ave and 100 S. Avenida Del Convento in the Mercado San Agustin.
"La Estrella Bakery dedicates its craft to baking bread fresh daily with raw ingredients. Nothing is pre-made. We maintain our culture, values, and heritage through Mexican pastries. We don't change ingredients.
We love to educate our community, and we do so with tours for schools where we talk about Mexican culture and traditions. We work in the community and give tours to young children to ensure we have Mexican bakers in the future!"
Our Community Strategic Planning Meetings
The District 5 Office has been working together for the past couple of months to create a Mission and Vision for District 5, along with a Strategic Plan to highlight our policy priorities for the District. But we did not want to do this alone!
We set out to cultivate a community sourced strategic plan that was guided by community leaders and experts. In June we held our first two meetings with our Strategic Planning Committee and we will continue to work together on this in the coming months.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in these first steps and we look forward to sharing the results with you all in the near future. WE ARE DISTRICT 5.
COVID 19 Updates
There are various ways to receive your COVID vaccine. For the most up to date information on how to schedule your COVID 19 vaccine, please visit pima.gov/covid19vaccine.
Pueblo High School Vaccination Site, May 21.
For the most up to date information on COVID 19, vaccinations, and testing, please visit the Pima County Health Department's website.
County Temperature Checks and Signage
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As per a memorandum from County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry, mandatory county-wide temperature screening will end on July 5th, 2021.
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Signage will change to specify that "unvaccinated" employees and visitors must wear a mask.
Vaccination sites
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Pima County is offering various incentives to get the vaccine, such as Arizona Lottery tickets.
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Vaccine eligibility in Pima County is open to everyone 12 years and older! Only Pfizer has been approved for minors aged 12 to 17. Check the Pima County Health Department website to see which sites offer the Pfizer vaccine. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
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Most vaccination sites don’t require advance appointments.
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County sites that closed June 30th - El Pueblo Library, Tucson Medical Center, and Tucson Mall.
COVID 19 Testing
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Testing has gone down, however, CDC guidelines and the Health Department has stated that testing and vaccines go hand in hand in ensuring we continue to keep track of the spread of COVID 19 in our community.
Policy Updates
Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Approved, Passed, and Adopted
- The Board of Supervisors held a final public hearing and passed the budget.
PEEPS (Pima County Early Childhood Education Program): Funding Passed 3-2
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As an education advocate, a strong supporter of early childhood education and a mama of three, Supervisor Grijalva was proud to vote in favor of Pima County’s critical investment in PEEPS.
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Ensuring quality early childhood education has far-reaching benefits, and improves students’ quality of life overall.
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Early childhood education also reduces participants' involvement with corrections facilities, law enforcement, the health care system, as well as their need for financial relief or rental assistance, all of which are county responsibilities.
Continuation of Contract with Casas Alitas
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The Board unanimously approved an extension of contract with Casa Alitas at the unused detention center facilities at the Pima County Juvenile Court Center at no cost.
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Continuing this program is the humanitarian thing to do. According to the Casa Alitas website, “The Casa Alitas Program serves migrant families who have left their home countries to escape violence and poverty. We provide care, short-term shelter and help to reunite with family members in the U.S.”
Home Sharing Pilot Program Approved for Funding
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The Board approved the inclusion of $100,000 in the Final FY22 budget to fund the Year 1 pilot of a Homesharing Program in Pima County, administered by the Pima Council on Aging, which pairs aging adults with people who can provide assistance to them in exchange for reduced or free rent.
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As stated in the memorandum, “Pima County is experiencing a significant affordable housing crisis, with older adults greatly affected.” The Home-Sharing Pilot Program is a solution with much potential.
Approval of Grants
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The Board approved grants for organizations in different areas such as community and workforce development, emergency food & clothing, youth, young adult & family support, including programs such as Pima County Teen Court.
For the People Act Resolution Not Adopted
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This resolution was in support of the “For the People Act” in Congress, which expands protections of voting rights.
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Supervisor Grijalva voted in favor of the resolution, but ultimately it did not pass.
Transition to Standard Telecommute Program Effective July 1, 2021
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Most employees will return to the workplace no later than July 1, 2021.
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Supervisor Grijalva voted against this measure, citing concerns about child care and adapting to a “new normal,” but ultimately this item passed.
If you are celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks, please be extra careful! We are in a drought and one of the driest years on record. Stay safe, everyone.
HAPPY PRIDE
For #PrideMonth, District 5 highlighted a few of the many community leaders in Pima County who have made positive impacts with and for the LGBTQIA+ community!
Andres Cano is a state representative and former District Fiver. He is also the AZ's youngest LGBTQ lawmaker. Cano represents the 3rd legislative district in the Arizona House of Representatives. Raised by a single mom, Andrés saw a path for advancement in Arizona’s public schools and is a first-generation college graduate. In 2012, he became the youngest policy advisor in Pima County's history, overseeing the Supervisor’s constituent outreach and neighborhood relations.
Lydia Otero is a historian and author, born and raised in Tucson with deep family roots on both sides of the AZ-Sonora border. They founded and directed the public history program at the U of A, "Nuestras Tierrras, Nuestras Culturas, Nuestras Historias." They also are serving as the Historian for the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commmission and have published two books - "La Calle: Spatial Conflicts and Urban Renewal in a Southwest City" and "In the Shadows of the Freeway: Growing Up Brown and Queer."
Women's History Spotlight
A section to celebrate important women in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona State, United States.
Sarah Herring Sorin
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1861-1914
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First Woman Lawyer in Arizona
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First Woman to argue a case without a man in front of the US Supreme Court
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First Woman teacher in Tombstone
