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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this holiday season has brought you joy, surrounded by the warmth of family and the promise of a new year. As we embrace the spirit of a new year, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey we've taken together in 2023, coupled with the anticipation of what lies ahead in 2024. The past year was a testament to resilience, dedication, and collaborative efforts that transformed challenges into accomplishments, setting the stage for a promising future.
In 2023, our collective efforts propelled us toward remarkable milestones:
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Community Safety & Neighborhood Investment: We strategically invested $21 million in Western Hills/Las Vistas, elevating the quality of life through infrastructure, parks, and water system enhancements. Additionally, targeted interventions led to a staggering 75% reduction in gun violence, significantly enhancing community safety.
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Public Safety Initiatives: Innovative public safety programs were introduced, the 911 Communications Center underwent essential remodeling, and substantial investments were made in officer support programs, reinforcing our commitment to the safety and well-being of every resident.
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Tucson 311 Service: The launch of the 311-system revolutionized access to city resources, handling 9,000 calls with a remarkable 70% immediate resolution rate, alleviating pressure on the emergency 911 line. Simplifying access to services remains pivotal in our ongoing efforts to better serve our community.
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Housing & Homelessness Initiatives: Implementing Housing First programs, navigators, and mobile shower projects proved transformative, assisting over 1,000 Tucsonans in finding stable housing. Over 650 individuals found solace in permanent homes, underscoring our commitment to addressing housing challenges.
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Climate Action & Grants: A robust Climate Action Plan was developed, securing substantial grants dedicated to climate resilience, housing, urban forestry, and water conservation. These initiatives lay the groundwork for a sustainable future, ensuring our city's resilience in the face of evolving challenges.
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Economic Initiatives: Our city attracted $179 million in capital expenditure, fostering economic growth, and generating 708 new jobs, marking significant strides toward a thriving and resilient economy.
As I embark on my second term on the Tucson City Council, I’m eager to share the primary focus areas guiding my objectives in 2024. Our commitment remains unwavering toward building a resilient and prosperous Tucson.
Here's where I will concentrate my 2024 efforts:
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Excellence in Core Services: Our local government is committed to delivering top-notch services to you. Despite staffing shortages and resource constraints, our focus will be on ensuring that we excel in providing high-quality services to our residents and businesses.
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Financial Stability and Transparency: The sunsetting of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will significantly impact our upcoming budget. Transparency is key, and I am committed to involving you in our decision-making processes. Look out for a Budget Town Hall soon.
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Economic Prosperity: Economic growth and equal opportunities for all Tucsonans remain pivotal. I will persist in my efforts toward economic and workforce development, fostering a business-friendly environment and ensuring opportunities for all.
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Preparedness and Emergency Resiliency: Our community has faced challenges, and we must be prepared for any future emergencies. I will continue advocating for optimal emergency preparedness to ensure minimal impact during crises.
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Technological Innovation and Cybersecurity: Embracing technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers opportunities to enhance city services. However, our focus will remain on people-centric, secure technologies and robust cybersecurity to protect our infrastructure and data.
As your Ward 4 representative, I remain devoted to propelling Tucson forward, ensuring prosperity and resilience. As we turn the page to a new chapter, let's carry forward the spirit of accomplishment, collaboration, and progress. It's through our collective efforts that we've made 2023 a year to remember. Here's to an even brighter and more prosperous 2024!
With heartfelt thanks for your trust and support,
Inauguration
To catch Mayor Romero's empowering address, you can view it on YouTube here. For a deeper dive into her remarks and plans, I encourage you to read her full report here. Together, let's continue our journey toward a brighter future for Tucson!
Prop 411
 
RTX Expansion Celebration
TPOA Shop with a Cop
  
TFFA Christmas Food Box Prep
One of the most heartwarming events of the holiday season is the Tucson Fire Fighters Association's (TFFA) Christmas Food Box Prep! Each year, TFFA goes above and beyond, raising funds, organizing activities, and assembling Christmas meal boxes for those in need within our community. The need is palpable in Tucson, where over 15% of our fellow Tucsonans live at or below the poverty level.
 Over this past weekend, we joined hands in assembling and distributing 600 Christmas meal boxes to our community partners, ensuring that these essential holiday provisions reach those who need them the most. Proudly representing Ward 4, my team and I delivered 95 of these holiday food boxes to our incredible partner, ReSources Vail Food Bank. They're doing an amazing job distributing these meals to neighbors in and around Ward 4.
 If you or someone you know could use some support this holiday season, ReSources Vail Food Bank is here to help: resourcesvail.org/food-bank/
A heartfelt thank you goes out to TFFA, their dedicated members and families, and our community for their tireless efforts in brightening the lives of those in need during this special time of the year.
TPD Promotion Ceremony
 I recently had the honor of attending the TPD Promotion Ceremony, where remarkable achievements and dedication took center stage. It was a privilege to meet two extraordinary members of the TPD - the adorable Maisy, our Wellness Dog spreading joy and cheer across TPD operations, and Zona, an integral part of our Crime Lab pup team.
One thing that truly shines at these ceremonies is the unwavering support from family members. Their encouragement and support are the unsung heroes behind the success of our officers, reminding us that their commitment extends far beyond the badge.
It's heartening to witness the pride each member carries for their work. They are not just individuals in uniform; they are an integral part of a team dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
We cannot overlook the sacrifices these officers and their families make for their careers. Their commitment to service often comes with personal sacrifices, and we owe them our deepest gratitude for their selfless dedication.
 As a community, we extend our sincerest thanks to all the officers and support staff promoted, recognizing their exceptional contributions to our city's safety. Your commitment does not go unnoticed, and we stand with you, appreciating the sacrifices you make to keep our community safe.
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