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Hello Tucson,
Tucson’s work in collaboration with Pima County to address the fentanyl crisis continues. In a recent newsletter we shared an Op Ed by Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors Rex Scott in which he highlighted the county’s support of SB1257. The bill, under consideration in the state legislature, expands court-ordered stabilization and treatment to include persons in danger to themselves or others due to drug use/addiction. It would allow holding individuals for up to five days for detox and induction into treatment. Dr. Balfour, who has long been a partner with the city and county as the psychiatrist overseeing the Crisis Response Center, has joined the county in support of the bill as have others. Last week the Mayor and Council voted unanimously to support the legislation as it moves through the process (which will no doubt include some amendments in response to the ACLU and others).
Here is the link to the updated fact sheet on the bill:
Requests to speak or provide your input can be accessed through the Arizona State Legislative Information System website:
Our hope and belief is that providing a mechanism for engaging people into recovery and treatment will save lives and reduce harm to our community.
Please remember, if you haven’t mailed your election ballot yet, that tomorrow is election day for Proposition 414. On Tuesday, March 11, voters can get a replacement ballot or drop off their completed ballots at six voting centers that will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, including:
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Department of Housing and Community Development, 310 N. Commerce Park Loop
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Morris K. Udall Regional Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
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Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.
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William Clements Recreation Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Dr.
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El Pueblo Senior Center, 101 W. Irvington Rd.
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Parks and Recreation Administration at Randolph Park, 900 S. Randolph Way
Voters will also be able to get a replacement ballot or drop off their ballots at the Election Support Facility from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and can drop off completed ballots at any of the three branches of the Pima County Recorder’s Office between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Karin Uhlich
Diamondback Snake Bridge Art Repair Project
Repairs to the Diamondback Snake Bridge over Broadway will begin on Monday, March 10, 2025, and are expected to be completed by mid-June 2025. The project includes sandblasting, concrete repairs, and repainting.
During construction, two travel lanes in each direction will remain open, but the bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, who will be detoured onto Euclid Avenue. Sidewalk access under the bridge will also be restricted. Traffic control will be in place 24/7, with crews working Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Motorists should expect delays and follow all posted traffic signs. The schedule may change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Plan Tucson
The updated Plan Tucson 2025 draft is now available for review. This draft lays out a vision for Tucson’s future, focusing on growth, sustainability, and community development. It reflects Tucson’s rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and evolving needs, ensuring that future development aligns with the community’s values. The draft includes goals and policies that will help guide Tucson’s growth over the next decade.
As part of the current phase, and the next step in the process, the Planning Commission will hold two public hearings to gather feedback on the revised draft before making a recommendation to Mayor and Council. While this is not the final draft, this is one of the last, and most significant opportunities, for community members to provide input.
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Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
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Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Tucson City Court Warrant Quash Event
Community members who have a warrant, or think they have a warrant, in Tucson City Court, are invited to appear in Tucson City Court on March 14, 2025, to get their warrant quashed. Tucson City Court is located at 103 E. Alameda Street.
Options for Appearing in Court
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Schedule an appointment (preferred)*. If you do this, your court cases will be referred in advance to the City Prosecutor for review. If eligible, you may be able to have your case(s) resolved the same day. Appointments may be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
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Appear by video (Zoom). If you cannot appear in person, you have the option of appearing by video. An appointment* is required to appear by video. When you make your appointment, you must request to appear by video, and you will be given instructions and a link.
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Walk in without an appointment. Report to the check-in table in the Court lobby between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you check in after 2 p.m., your court date will be scheduled for another date.
*Appointments must be made no later than March 11, 2025, 5 p.m.
To make the appointment you can:
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Register online by clicking the link here
Full name, date of birth, address, phone number and email are required.
If you are interested in connecting with any social services (housing, mental health, substance abuse, etc.), in-person providers will be present during the event from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in Community Court (located in the City Court Building, 6th floor, Courtroom 605).
Tucson Water Survey
Tucson Water has a survey out this month. We invite you to take part in a nationwide survey aimed at understanding household water usage.
Tucson Water is one of 45 utilities across North America participating in the Residential End Uses of Water Study, a project led by Flume and sponsored by the Water Research Foundation.
The data gathered from this study provides valuable insights into how water is used in homes, known as "end uses." These insights help utilities and communities plan for the future, develop effective water efficiency policies, and create rebate and incentive programs for customers.
This survey is completely voluntary, anonymous, and takes just 5–10 minutes to complete. By participating, you’ll also have the chance to enter a raffle to win an iPad.
On behalf of Tucson Water and the research team, we appreciate your time and participation.
Donations
We are happy to announce that we will begin to accept donations again for immigrants and those in needs. Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Aid is the non-profit organization that will manage all the donations we collect. They also support local organizations that serve unhoused people, veterans, immigrants who have settled in Tucson and are going through the asylum process.
To find more information about Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Aid, please visit their website:
https://www.khaid.org/
Here are the items that they currently need:
1. Toiletries - feminine hygiene items, shampoo, toilet paper, tissues
2. Gently used kitchen items - cutlery, plates, pots and pans, paper napkins
Donations can be dropped off at the Ward 6 Council Office, located at 3202 E. 1st Street, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 1pm.
A Very Special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to One of Our Catalina Vista residents, Aleida "Madame" Gehrels!
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Aleida was born on March 16, 1925, in the town of Oegsteest, The Netherlands, near the city of Leiden. The Netherlands was occupied by the Germans during her teenage years (ages 15-20). At the age of 26 she met her future husband Tom Gehrels, and they immigrated to America for his graduate studies in Astronomy. Following graduate school, Aleida and Tom moved to Tucson in 1962, for Tom's career as a Planetary Scientist and Astronomer at the University of Arizona. In 1968 Aleida received her PhD in French Literature at the UofA, but because of a nepotism rule at the time, she was not allowed to teach at the University. Pursuing other teaching opportunities, in 1976 she was hired as the first teacher at University High School (originally called Special Projects High School). She taught French and Art History at UHS for 21 years (from 1976 to 1997) and was affectionately known as "Madame." In 1998, at age 73, Aleida went back to the UofA, and four years later received a Bachelor's of Science in Ecology. On top of her academic accomplishments, Aleida is an accomplished pianist, playing a few hours a day. But most of her neighbors in Catalina Vista know her as the woman who bikes around Tahoe Park on her red trike, with her dog Bowie nearby. Aleida is turning 100 on March 16. Happy Birthday sweet Aleida!
Happy 70th Anniversary to Tuller Trophy
On Friday, last week, Stacy and Diana celebrated with Howard and many friends at Tuller Trophy. Every 10th anniversary the family has painted the sidewalk gold. It was an honor to present them a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Regina Romero. Congratulations on 70 years of being an interictal part of our community!
We also wanted to share this awesome feature that KGUN did on the history of Tuller Trophy and their original owner Morton Tuller, Howard’s dad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMp3O4TDwXc
Community Events and Resources
Sustainable Tucson
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Join Sustainable Tucson on Tuesday, March 11, at 6:00 pm, for an examination of the TEP Franchise, the issues that impact all of us as TEP customers, and considerations that need to be taken into account in deciding how to move forward when the vote comes up later this year. At this meeting, a panel will address the prospects for a strong partnership between the community and TEP. |
We hope to shed light on the potential of franchise agreements to build sustainable partnerships and help achieve energy resilience. Our speakers will be community climate and energy leaders Ron Proctor and Garrett Weaver, along with Steven Eddy, Director of Public Affairs at TEP. The Zoom link for this meeting is on our website (www.sustainabletucson.org), Facebook, and Meetup.
Tucson Clean and Beautiful Volunteer Opportunity
Building a Resilient Neighborhood (BaRN)- Neighborhood Resilience Meeting
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Building a Resilient Neighborhood (BaRN) is a coalition of Tucson residents from diverse neighborhoods. Inspired by Physicians for Social Responsibility, we have come together to spread the word among neighbors about extreme weather and build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. |
Their MISSION is to teach disaster-resilience to neighbors empowered by the BaRN Blueprint - enabling them to stay in contact with other neighbors on the street where they live.
Their VISION is to see neighbors around Tucson applying versions of BaRN to their blocks and connecting with others, creating a comprehensive preparedness network across the metro area.
We all know it’s getting hotter each year. In 1975, Tucson had 26 days of 100+ degree temperatures. This compares to the year 2020, the first time we had over 100 days of 100+degree temps — 108 such days. And last year we had 112 such days.
These two strategies will not surprise you:
1) encourage people, programs, and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the root cause of climate disorder
2) prepare our neighborhoods to weather the heat and be resilient should an extended power outage occur during a heat wave
Join their 1-hr informational Zoom session on building a more resilient community – making connections between neighbors and preparing for climate-related emergencies. This month’s session on Zoom will be Wednesday, March 12, 6-7 pm.
You can learn how to become a Block Connector – reaching out to neighbors in your own block of households – whether the “block” is your street, your apartment complex, or your section of a mobile home park. The job is simple and straightforward; and can be done on your own schedule.
Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Parks & Recreation Job Fair
Pet of the Week
Qualities: Happy boy Mattis is always down for an adventure! A previous foster family says Mattis is a quiet and considerate houseguest who does well on walks and loves to play, especially with stuffed toys. He’s also a favorite among PACC staff and volunteers, who’ve described him as a “friendly and joyful guy.” After months in the shelter, Mattis would love to start his next chapter in a home!
Fee: Mattis is free to adopt. He is neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped.
Contact: Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., 520-724-5900. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12pm - 7pm. Wednesday 1:30pm - 7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Ready, Set, Rec Ward 6 Van
Upcoming Meetings
Mayor and Council Meeting
Alvernon Grant Initiative Meeting (AGI)
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 6-7pm (every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
Emmanuel Church, 1825 N Alvernon Way
5th/Alvernon Crime Coalition
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6-7pm (every 4th Wednesday of the month)
Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E 1st Street
Palo Verde Neighborhood Meeting
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 6:30-8:00pm (every third Thursday of the month)
Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E 1st Street
29th Street Coalition Meeting
Thursday, March 27, 6-8pm (every 4th Thursday of the month)
Midtown Police Station Public Meeting Room, 1100 S. Alvernon
City of Tucson Resources
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