Ward 5 February 2024 Newsletter

Letter from Council Member Fimbres 

James Christopher is the founder of the “Christopher, Black Memorabilia Museum.” Charles Kendricks is the founder of Tucson’s original Black History Museum, which is now the Tucson Center for Black Life. Jon Covington with the GSAAC (Greater Southern Arizona Area Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers) was instrumental with the Buffalo Soldier Memorial. All have contributed so much to preserving the great legacy of our Black History in Arizona.

James Christopher has the “Traveling Museum,” which is a large collection of memorabilia that he has taken on the road to share with groups and organizations. It was recently featured by KGUN 9 where he shared pieces of the past. My wife Mary and I had the privilege of visiting his museum and were quite impressed!

Charles Kendricks, locally known as “Mr. K” from “Mr. K’s BBQ,” collection is at the Tucson Center for Black Life. Rhonda Kendrick-Moniz, who is Mr. Kendricks’s daughter, is now curator of the museum and nonprofit. Charles Kendrick was recently featured in an article that was published by UA Now. It was titled “Charles Kendrick made UArizona College of Pharmacy History.” It told the story of the college’s first Black-in-state graduate (Mr. Kendrick) and recalls his lifetime persevering to build a legacy in Tucson.

One more place that should be on your must-see list is the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial, which is located at the Quincie Douglas Center, 1575 E. 36th. It honors the Buffalo Soldiers and showcases their exploits in Arizona. This beautiful memorial was completed in 2021. I am proud to say that I worked closely with Jon Covington and the GSAAC to make this dream a reality.

We encourage you to visit these museums and the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial. They are an impressive collection of Black History.

In closing, I want to thank the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee for another successful Rodeo Parade. This year marked the 99th anniversary and it followed a new route. Next year will be the Centennial Anniversary. We know that the Parade Committee is already making plans for this grand celebration. We look forward to having this historical event next year in Ward 5!

Peace,

Meet the New Ward 5 Council Aides

Gabriel Holguin

Hello, my name is Gabriel Holguin. Some of you may already know me, because I have previously worked for the Ward 5 Council Office as a Council Staff Assistant. I am happy to be back, and I look forward to working with our constituents. I was born and raised in San Diego, California, but have called Tucson my home since 2017. I am the first person in my family to attend college, and I am proud to say that I obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in Human Resources Management from Franklin University. I enjoy working closely with members of the community to address their needs.

Lucinda “Cindy” Gonzales

Hello! My name is Cindy Gonzales and I have lived in Tucson, predominantly on the Southside, for the last 40 years. I have decided to dedicate my time to my community and now I am working as Council Aide for the City of Tucson, Ward 5 Councilmember, Richard Fimbres. I have been happily married for 38 years. We have five dogs and a pet turtle. I am currently a non-traditional student at the University of Arizona, in my senior year. I hold an associate degree from Pima Community College. I have worked previously at the Arizona Department of Corrections and the Tucson Police Department. My hobbies are biking, painting, woodworking, hiking and listening to music. I look forward to serving and assisting our community as I represent the Ward 5 Council Office.

Meet William “Bill” Fitzgerald

The Ward 5 Council Office had the pleasure of meeting with William “Bill” Fitzgerald to discuss all the important details regarding the 311 Program.

William grew up in Orange County, California. He played sports in high school and received an athletic scholarship to play baseball at California State University, Fullerton. He pitched for Cal State Fullerton in the College World Series and was drafted by the Houston Astros Baseball Organization.

He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from California State University, Fullerton. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from Chapman University in Orange, CA, with MBA Electives taken at Law School. He also received a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. His published thesis for the Naval Postgraduate School was titled, “Enhancing Public Helicopter Safety as a Component of Homeland Security.”

In addition to baseball in college, William graduated from Army ROTC and was commissioned as an Officer in the Aviation Branch. He piloted the AH-1 Cobra, AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Blackhawk while serving various assignments within the Aviation Branch for the U.S. Army. He served as an Operations Officer and UH-60 Blackhawk Pilot during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005. He retired as a Major after 20 years of service from the U.S. Army and Army National Guard.

William worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Custody and Patrol Operations prior to being transferred to the Aviation Support Unit. He was assigned as a Patrol Helicopter Pilot and Tactical Flight Officer. He was promoted and remained in the Aviation Support Unit as the Manager/Supervisor of the unit. In addition to managing the administrative tasks of the unit, he was the unit’s Certified Flight Instructor for Search and Rescue operations, Aerial Firefighting, patrol pilot operations to include aerial platform shooting and tactical insertions. He retired from the Sheriff’s Department after 22 years of service.

His wife is a Tucson native with family in the area, so they decided to move to the Tucson area after retirement from the Sheriff’s Department. After arriving in Tucson, he was hired by the City of Tucson in Procurement working with the Tucson Police Department. Outside of work, most of William’s time is spent with his wife and 3 children. He coaches baseball in his spare time and provides pitching instruction to local travel ball teams. 

• 311 – Call Back Request
• Abandoned Building/Nuisance Property/Vacant Lot
• Abandoned Shopping Carts
• Abandoned/Junk Motor Vehicle
• Buffelgrass
• Damaged Bus Stop/Bus Shelter
• Debris/Illegal Dumping/Litter
• Graffiti
• Homeless Encampment
• Water Waste
• Damage to Park Amenities
• Grass or Weed Control
• Irrigation or Water Leak in Park
• Lights out in a park
• Noise
• Other issue(s) in Park
• Pest Control
• Restroom Condition
• Storm Drainage
• Trash CansTree
• Trimming or Damage
• Dirt Street/Alley Grading
• Drainage/Wash Maintenance
• Irrigation Leak in Median or Road Shoulder
• Overgrown Vegetation/Trees
• Potholes
• Sidewalks
• Signs
• Speed Humps
• Street Condition
• Streetlights
• Street Sweeping
• Traffic Markings
• Traffic Signals

Congratulations Tucson Jaguars!

I would like to congratulate the Tucson Jaguars 13U Youth Football Team for their victorious season and city championship win! The Tucson Jaguars recently held their team celebration at Defy Tucson where the coaches and players each received City of Tucson, Ward 5 certificates and Medallions of Hope. I would like to give special thanks to the coaches for their hard work and effort. They volunteer a tremendous amount of time with the players and should be congratulated for their effort! Go Jaguars!

Congratulations Audrey Jimenez!

I would like to congratulate Sunnyside High School’s Audrey Jimenez on becoming the first girl in the State of Arizona to win a state wrestling title! This comes after her triumphant appeal with the Arizona Interscholastic Association to allow her to play against boys. Her amazing accomplishment is proof that with strength, perseverance, and steadfast determination, anything is possible. Audrey, you make Sunnyside High School and the entire Tucson community proud!

Congratulations America Cazares!

I would like to congratulate Pueblo High School’s America Cazares for breaking 1,000 career points! While many hope to achieve this incredible feat by their senior year, she has achieved it in her sophomore year. She joins her sister, Victoria, who also achieved this amazing milestone in 2021, proving that basketball can be a family affair. Her amazing accomplishment is proof that with strength, determination, and discipline, anything is possible. America, you make Pueblo High School, and the entire Tucson community proud!

Congratulations to Ann Chanecka on being appointed as the director of Housing and Community Development!

Tucson's Mayor and Council, voted to approve the appointment of Ann Chanecka as the director of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Ann has been serving as HCD’s interim director since previous director Liz Morales was appointed as assistant city manager in June 2023. She brings more than 20 years of community development and urban planning experience to the director role. She has a master's in public administration from the University of Arizona and was a Peace Corps volunteer. Previously, she was a deputy director for the department, overseeing the Planning and Community Development division, Strategic Planning and Community Engagement division, and the El Pueblo Housing Development nonprofit arm.

Tucson Parks and Recreation will be hosting an open house event at the El Pueblo Center, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, located at 101 W. Irvington Road from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

This is a great opportunity to stop by to see what your local recreation center has to offer; from weight rooms, walking tracks, programs, and events, to game rooms and public computers.

The first 100 people will receive a parks and recreation cooling towel and will be raffling off a free annual Universal Membership.

A Message from Tucson Water

“Did you know that the water provided by Tucson Water is safe? The quality of water provided is Tucson Water’s top priority. They go above and beyond to make sure our water meets or exceeds the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency. Tucson Water operates their own state certified water quality lab where chemists and water quality analysts test almost 8,000 samples per year from various points in the distribution system to monitor and maintain the water quality. So, when you turn on the tap for a drink, you can trust that Tucson Water is safe for you and your family to drink. Stay hydrated and stay healthy, Tucson!”  Check out the Water Quality page for more information.