Letter from
Council Member Fimbres

Along with the summer season, the Monsoon season began on June 15 and ends on September 30. Monsoons are created when moisture meets with extreme summer heat and the humidity increases. This results in dangerous weather conditions like thunderstorms, flash floods, and lightning. Please exercise extra precautions around this time, especially when you are driving.

On June 16, we celebrated Father’s Day. Fathers are very important. They work hard every day to provide the best they can. They teach us valuable skills and lessons, and they are there to offer words of encouragement when we need them the most. Fathers are our everyday superheroes! I also want to honor all the selfless and brave men who have taken on the role of fatherly figures. You are also worthy of honor and admiration! On behalf of the Ward 5 Council Office, we hope you all enjoyed your special day with your loved ones. You deserve it!

Lastly, June 19 is Juneteenth. This is a historical day in which 250,000 enslaved black people in the Confederate state of Texas were freed by the Union Army. This event took place on June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This was a monumental accomplishment in our country that allowed for everyone to move towards a path of reconstruction following a bloody Civil War.

Farewell City Manager Michael Ortega

On June 5, City staff were invited to an Open House where they were able to speak with Mr. Ortega personally. My Council Aides: Mary Kuchar, Gabriel Holguin, and Cindy Gonzales attended this event.

Mr. Ortega ended his tenure this month as Tucson City Manager after eight and a half years. He is the second-longest serving appointed city manager after Joel Valdez who served from 1974-1990. He has led the City of Tucson through very complex issues over the years. I have had the absolute pleasure and honor of working alongside him throughout my time on the City Council.

Thank you, Mike, for all you did to make Tucson a great place for all of us. You will be missed!

Honoring Ward Five Resident Beki Quintero

This month, we are honored to spotlight a very special Ward Five resident, Beki Quintero.

Beki is a dedicated and responsible individual who demonstrates an exceptional commitment in her community and during the summer with Camp LEO. As a labor of love, Beki has created the Children’s Peace Garden at Manuel Herrera Jr. Park where young children and families find a safe place to gather in the community.

Beki’s passion for arts and crafts and education shines through as she tirelessly organizes and leads various creative activities such as bike rides, movie nights, meet and greet with the Mandalorian and gardening. Her collaboration with the Cyber Lyon’s Rotary Club, the Valencia Library, Tucson Police Department and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association is commendable, as she actively works towards providing activities for children in the community. Her efforts in promoting literacy among the younger generation are truly praiseworthy as she continues to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her.

Not only does she dedicate her time, but she also passionately engages the children with their community. Beki’s dedication to this cause is evident in her efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of children through the power of learning. Education is the key to success.

School is out, and summer is in full swing. With high temperatures being forecasted throughout the summer, why not cool off at one of our City’s splash pads? On Wednesday, June 12, Council Aides Cindy Gonzales and Gabriel Holguin visited CSM Martin R. “Gunny” Barreras Memorial Park. They were amazed to see so many children running around and playing in the splash pad.

This was an important day for the residents in the area and the Fire Station 14 crew, who have outgrown their current station. The new facility will house 13 full-time personnel with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. I created the First Responders Coin, which I presented to the Fire Station 14 crew, to recognize and honor our public safety personnel as they risk their lives for our community. 

Reid Park Zoo Summer Safari Nights

 Come to Summer Safari Nights, Presented by TMC Health and enjoy the Zoo in the cooler evening hours! Each week will feature keeper chats, animal encounters, artifact stations, giraffe feedings, carousel rides, crafts and games. Face painting and glitter tattoos will be available for purchase. Refresh with dinner and a cold drink at the Flamingo Grill, listen to live music by some of Tucson’s best bands. Take a ride on the Cox Jungle Carousel, and play games with Tucson Parks and Recreation’s ‘Ready, Set, Rec!’ There will be a different theme each week, so every visit brings something new and plenty of photo opportunities to remember a great evening.

Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Food Drive

The Ward Five Council Office, in partnership with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, is hosting an ongoing food drive. We kindly encourage you to bring canned and other nonperishable foods to our office at 4300 South Park Avenue. For more information on ways you can help, please visit communityfoodbank.org or call (520) 622-0525. The Ward Five Council Office thanks you for your generosity.

On Monday, June 24, my staff and I attended the grand opening of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. It is the newest addition to the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges. If you haven’t had their frozen custard or delicious steakburgers, you are in for a treat!

We look forward to the new jobs and opportunities that Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will bring to our community. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is at 1385 East Tucson Marketplace Boulevard. The Ward Five Renaissance Continues!

Former Arizona State Representative Andrés Cano joined the City of Tucson on June 10 to serve as the City’s Director of Federal & State Relations. In this role, he will strategically champion the City of Tucson’s legislative priorities by actively engaging with federal and state partners to secure vital resources and support for initiatives established by the Mayor and Council.

A little background on Andrés: He earned his master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. From 2019 to 2023, he represented District 20 (Tucson) in the Arizona House of Representatives, serving as Minority Leader in his final year. Also, before his legislative tenure, he was an advisor to the late Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías from 2012 to 2019. Additionally, from 2020 to 2023, he served as the Director of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund, an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

Welcome, Andrés! We are so happy to have you join us. We know you will excel in this new role!

City of Tucson Opens New Cooling Center as Summer Heats Up

The City of Tucson has opened a new cooling center to help individuals escape the punishing heat by providing people with a safe and comfortable place to recover and relax.

Two new “COOLtainers,” provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the governor’s office, were placed at the Amazon Shelter, 1135 W. Miracle Mile, to provide a restful place for people to get out the sun and heat. The Amazon is a shelter operated by the Housing First Division of the City of Tucson’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The Amazon cooling center will be available from 12-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It will operate until Aug. 31. In addition to the pods, HCD’s portable shower will be available at Amazon but that schedule has not yet been set.

People who need an escape from the heat can go directly to the cooling center located immediately west of the shelter. Inside the “quiet COOLtainer” will be cots for individuals to nap or rest. Both COOLtainers have television, and staff are working on securing internet service for people to access Wi-Fi on their devices. In the second COOLtainer there are board games, dominos, cards, adult coloring books, snacks, and hygiene items.