A Message from Steve K...04/25/2022

Robin's story begins with her family moving to Tucson in 1983. Her dad was in the Air Force, based at DM. He died when she was 5 years old. Her mom remarried to a guy who ended up doing time for murder, ultimately being killed after his release from prison. Despite being dealt those tough life events, Robin stayed actively employed. Her trip towards homelessness began when a friend gave her some prescription pain killers to deal with some chest pain she was having. That led to an opioid addiction. Robin kept working, spending more and more of her income on pills to feed the addiction. As they became harder to come by, she switched to heroin. Still employed, she entered into a methadone treatment program. Others I've interviewed from the homeless community have also shared that they hid the addiction from family members and their employer for a while. Robin eventually moved in with her parents and found easy access to their money also made it easy to get money to buy the drugs. That situation didn't last and she ultimately joined a friend in a small encampment around Grant and Dodge. That turned out to be an unpleasant 'community' and Robin moved with her friend out to the culverts on Golf Links. After being washed out of them during the monsoons, she ended up in the tent city, the city recently bull dozed on Golf Links. 

Robin's goal is to make her son proud. That is motivating her to get off drugs - she still does crystal meth. Her fear is 'going backwards' and losing the progress she's making. Her message is 'don't be quick to judge.' She has met plenty of 'good people' in the camps and says we should not consider them to be bad just because they're unhoused. Robin says, "smile at them - they're people too." 

Here’s a segment KVOA ran last week on the continuing issue of whether we rely solely on rooftops for addressing homelessness, or if we recognize the reality that the issue must include a variety of approaches. One of those is controlled camps – check last week’s newsletter for the Eugene example I shared. 

DIGGING DEEPER: City leader looks to address homeless issues with controlled encampments 

Many of you ask us at the Ward 6 office about progress reunifying the judge with his young wife and 2-year-old daughter. The wife and kid are still stuck in Turkey – which is an increasing mess now that Ukrainian refugees are entering, joining the Afghans who have already had to flee Taliban. In the past week we’ve been able to get the U.S. Embassy in Ankara in direct contact with both the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and judged Ahmad here in Tucson. Over the weekend both judge Ahmad and I were texting to the embassy people. There are some logistical issues being worked out between the U.S. and Turkish authorities.  But this is the most promising glimmer of hope we’ve had in this months’ long effort. Fingers crossed for bringing this to a happy ending.  

The mess in Ukraine continues hourly. And as I’ll show more of below, killing in Afghanistan also continues hourly. In respect of both groups, Hotel Congress is hosting a benefit concert on May 4th to raise money for two organizations who are directly supporting people suffering in both of those countries.   

World Central Kitchen has provided food to millions of people who have suffered the kinds of incursions we’re seeing in Ukraine and Afghanistan. You can get more information on their work at this site:  

World Central Kitchen  In addition, Lutheran Social Services is active in our community helping refugees get established. They’ve touched hundreds of lives in Tucson, and worldwide. You can see their work at this site: Lutheran Social Services Southwest Refugee and Immigration Services    

On Friday, Eric Fink from KVOA ran a follow up story on these incidents. Here’s a link to his piece: https://www.kvoa.com/news/biden-administration-rolls-out-plan-to-welcome-100-000-ukrainian-refugees/article_4eb6b892-c2ae-11ec-9be7-0f29525c102b.html  

All of the Afghan families we’re welcoming to Tucson have this sort of experience in their immediate past. All of the Ukraine families who may be coming here will have similar very recent memories. The resettlement agencies must address the PTSD associated with all of this. And remember many of the people we’re seeing are children. They’ll live with this for a lifetime. 

Last week the community exhausted the fund the Kaimas Foundation had established for Afghan families at the Habistore. Kaimas stepped up and restarted the fund with a new $5,000 donation. I issued this release last week inviting people to take part. We’re only taking household goods, rugs and kids’ toys at the Ward office now. Habitat is an opportunity for you to help if you don’t have any of that you can offer. 

Another way you can support Afghans who are under threat from Taliban is through this Go Fund Me.  https://gofund.me/5f074bb2 

The back story on that is another tragic tale of people fighting for their lives and their rights under Taliban rule. I’ve met several people through Judge Ahmad’s sponsor who are advocates. In this case it’s a guy named Akbar. He ran a school for female journalists in Afghanistan. When the government fell Taliban immediately shut it down, ruined the broadcasting equipment and began a systematic persecution of the students. The station they created through the program was supported by a grant issued by the U.S. government. The judge’s wife’s sponsor worked on the ground and became familiar with many of the women and their desire to push out the truth.  

If you click on the link and read the story, you’ll see this sentence: Five female journalists and their families (21 people) were referred for a P2 visa by a US citizen who worked with USAID and supervised the program. That “US citizen” is the judge’s wife’s sponsor I’m in regular touch with. The Go Fund Me is to pay for those 21 people to travel to a 3rd country in order to begin the process of reaching the United States. Yes, our refugee resettlement program is so awkward that they must figure out a way to escape Afghanistan before they can begin the process of applying to get here. Don’t bother trying to make sense of it. It doesn’t. And full disclosure – any money given is a dice roll. Reaching them and getting them safe transit out is very difficult. 

On May 23rd the Biden administration will be ending Title 42 – the COVID-related policy that was keeping asylum seeking migrants in Mexico. When that happens, we’ll be watching capacity at local shelters. As that evolves our donation needs may also change. Please stay tuned to the newsletter and we’ll keep you current on all of this. 

Last week the Star ran an article on RTA project costs. In it they wrote “the RTA is only required to meet the funding amount that was listed on the 2006 ballot.” It’s clear they took the word of the RTA folks and didn’t do much deeper research. I’ve written several times in the newsletter about cost escalation and how the RTA should be on the hook for that. It’s not just my opinion – it's in their own policies.  

The Star article went on to say a ‘program spokesman’ from the RTA said “it is the responsibility of the local government agency constructing a project to identify and provide funding for cost overruns beyond the RTA voter approved ballot amount.” That’s their party line. And it’s one of the several issues we thought had been resolved when M&C voted to continue talks with the RTA about our participation in RTA Next. Evidently, it’s not ironed out if they’re still taking that posture.  

I’ve shared this before – here it is again for the benefit of both the Star and RTA board members. It’s their own policy statements. I’ve circled the relevant pieces in red: 

When the RTA Board voted – essentially to keep us at the table – one of their commitments was to “identify the proposed plan and funding to complete the projects as part of the original RTA.” That was specifically in reference to City of Tucson projects. Full funding was just one of the issues we trusted was going to be addressed. There still has not been an answer on our proposed modified design for 1st Avenue, we still have not seen our 2 new representatives placed on the Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) committee, and we’re still waiting for our new appointment to the Technical Management Committee.   

I’m sure we’ll revisit our participation later in the summer. For now, though, keeping the facts and commitments straight is a key to how we frame our position later on.  

The parks summer class program is about to open for registration. This includes all of the indoor leisure classes, arts and crafts classes, sports and fitness and the KIDCO summer camps. All of the classes and camps are viewable right now at this link:  EZEEreg.com Registration starts on Saturday, May 7th. Parks is still hiring lifeguards so the swimming lesson schedule is still being put together.  

The registration process will be similar to what it has been in previous years. City residents get first crack at both classes and camps with the online registration. For KIDCO, city residents can start signing up on the 7th at 6am. Non-city residents can start at noon. For the classes, city residents can begin online registration at 9am on May 7th, with non-city residents joining the process at noon. The call-in registration begins on May 10th, and walk-in registration starts on May 12th. Classes fill quickly so if you’re likely to want to take part, the online process is your best opportunity. You can call the parks team anytime during business hours for more information – 791.4877. 

The festival culminates on Mother’s Day with several specials in honor of mom. You’ll be able to find them at Barrio Charro, Blue Willow, Charro Steak and Del Rey, Charrovida, Cup Café, El Charro, The Parish, Tito & Pep, and Tucson Tamale. Note a particular homage to Carlotta of the Flores family fame. 

This is a very very Tucson festival. Please visit www.pueblosdelmaiz.com to get a complete rundown on the events and locations. 

Another activity-related option is being offered by the Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports (SAAS) group. They’re a non-profit 501c3 that works keeping the disabled community outdoors and active. I see them all the time out on the loop. Oftentimes the activities they promote include able-bodied peers and family members participating.  

SAAS has sports programs for people ages 6 through adult. They have programs geared to veterans as well. Some of what they offer is competitive, and some is purely recreational. All of them are run by experienced coaches and instructors – and everybody is welcome from first-timers to Paralympic competitors. The goal is getting people active and in community.  

SAAS has handcycles, sports wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment they can lend to people with disabilities. The goal there is to reduce barriers to participation. Starting on Tuesday, May 3rd they’ll resume their pre-pandemic programming over at the Donna Liggins Recreation Center (2160 N. 6th Ave.) The programming is a partnership between SAAS and the city parks and therapeutic recreation staff. Masks are no longer required, but they’ll be recommended for activities where social distancing can’t be adhered to.  

Use this link to register – or call Mia at 370.0588 to get more information about the program. Their activities happen on Tuesday and Thursday evening, and on Saturday mornings. 

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE WHEELCHAIR FITNESS & SPORTS ON SAAS WEBSITE

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=PXTr-8xT-oufA5_NCaxehGkJ7EWzfGQoznRRQ9Hr-1zIWDwqiGZQ94-5zgIqOB-4n5FPHXJv9asZ-KpV

Another thing to consider as summer approaches is what to do with the kids when the temps reach 110 outside. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is one way to be sure you’ve got good internet connection all summer long.  

This is a program co-sponsored by our friends at Literacy Connects. Through it you can get discounts on monthly internet charges, and up to a $100 discount on a device. There are eligibility criteria such as at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, involved with a program such as SNAP, Medicaid or SSI, and other equity-based items. To see the full program, go to www.connect-arizona.com. Or you can call on weekdays at 529.1519. This flyer has general information on the program. 

You should have received your mail-in ballot for Prop 411 by now. This is the extension of the current ½ cent sales tax that’s right now going to a combination of residential road repair and public safety capital needs. That allocation ends on June 30th. We’re asking you to approve a 10-year extension.  

If approved the money will go to a combination of residential road repair and road safety elements. Those safety pieces will be things such as sidewalks, lighting, HAWK lights and that sort of thing. Eighty percent of the money will go to fixing roads. Twenty percent goes to the safety elements. That’s roughly $60M annually for road repair, and $15M annually for the safety portion.   

Publicity brochures have also been mailed out. If you missed yours and would like to do some homework on Prop 411 before voting, you can find answers to your questions at this link:  

"The Choice is Yours" (PDF) Proposition 411 

And if you’ve got questions about the Proposition, or voting generally, you can browse the city clerk’s website at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/clerks/elections or call them at 791.4213.   

Last week the federal courts ended the federal mask mandate that had been in effect for public transit. More on the decision below in the COVID section. That includes our buses, streetcar and Sun Van service. Shortly after the court had made the decision, the CDC filed suit to have the ruling rescinded. Their argument – with which I agreed – is to let the medical people make the medical decisions. For now, pending the challenge to the ruling our transit system mask mandate is ended.   

You may still wear a mask on any of our transit vehicles. Even the court (possibly inadvertently?) acknowledged the value of masking when it said masks capture some of the droplets inside the mask. That’s the point. The court used it trying to demonstrate they’re not effective. Like I said – leave medicine to the medical people.

The CDC continues to recommend masks while using public transit, if for no other reason than as a courtesy to those around you who might be immuno-compromised. And you can still pick up a free mask at any of Sun Tran’s information booths. Sun Tran/Sun Link/Sun Van/Sun Shuttle CDC 

After my mom died, I connected with Lend A Hand to sell some of the belongings she left behind. Lend A Hand is a wonderful group of neighborhoods – all in Ward 3 – that uses the proceeds from sales to benefit seniors who are living at home. I really wanted to support aging in place, and continue to believe that’s a significantly important issue.  

Lend A Hand is hosting a Shred It event as a fund raiser. It’ll be held on Saturday, May 14th from 8am until 10am at Jacobs Park. This flyer has all of the information. If you’ve got sensitive documents to shred, or if you’d just like to drop by and offer a donation to Lend A Hand, this event gives you that opportunity. 

142nd Anniversary  

On Saturday, May 14th the all-volunteer staff at the train museum is back and hosting a free family event. The celebration will include a reenactment of the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad into Tucson on March 20th, 1880.  It’ll formally start at 10am, but music begins a half hour earlier.   

The event is free and will of course include bilingual exhibits. In addition to celebrating the train’s arrival to Tucson, this is the museum’s own 17th anniversary, so expect a good crowd and a fun event. This flyer has all the details. The volunteer staff at the museum puts on a good show, so don’t miss out. 

Last week included some mixed messaging from the federal level. First a federal court ended the CDC requirement for masks on public transportation. A couple of days later the CDC announced they’d be challenging that ruling. For now masks on our transit system are recommended, but are not mandatory.  

Here’s a portion of the announcement made by the CDC complying with the ruling.  

Embedded in the ruling was a curious admission by the court that masks indeed do reduce the spread of the virus. In it they said masks trap COVID droplets inside the mask. The judge might have been trying to make a point about them allegedly being potentially harmful to the user. In so doing she validated their value.  

Two days after the ruling the CDC put out a statement in which they said “to protect CDC’s public health authority beyond the ongoing assessment announced last week, CDC has asked DOJ to proceed with an appeal in Health Freedom Defense Fund, Inc., et al., v. Biden, et al. It is CDC’s continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health.” Until the case is finalized, we’re bound by the court ruling.  

In the past 2 weeks the number of COVID cases in the U.S. have increased by 43%. Vaccines and boosters are effective at mitigating the impacts, and they’re universally available to anyone who’s at least 12 years of age. While COVID continues to be mild when contracted by most children, hospitalizations have risen for adults in some states during this recent uptick in cases.  

Here are a couple of examples of case counts and hospitalization counts. First, New York City. Case counts have increased significantly since March 1st, and hospitalizations have dipped up a bit. 

You can get both the COVID and a flu vaccine at each of those sites. Right now, the flu isn’t a big deal in Arizona. But it is in neighboring New Mexico, and is getting worse in Utah, Nevada and in Colorado. You can get a free flu shot at each of the Pima County health vaccine locations.