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I have been asked by many people with differing opinions to explain my votes on agenda item 12 https://tinyurl.com/2p9u3r65. The item had three separate proposed ordinances brought to us by the City Attorney in response to Proposition 312 approved by Arizona voters last November. In summary, the new law now allows property owners to apply for a reimbursement of the owner’s documented, reasonable expenses if a municipality does not enforce existing laws prohibiting illegal camping.
I supported the first proposition to prohibit anyone from loitering on the medians. To me this was not a hard decision as I feel it is first and foremost a safety issue for everyone involved, both pedestrians and drivers.
The second vote was to amend city code to prohibit camping in and watercourses.
This vote failed 3-3 with my vote opposing the new language. Because it was unclear whether Council Member Fimbres was able to vote due to difficulties with his online connection, the matter may be reconsidered at the next council meeting.
I am not sure of the wisdom of adding another law to the books that if not properly enforced, could lead to a lawsuit under prop 312. Currently, it is already illegal to start a fire, litter, or impede a water course. Our homeless protocol calls for immediate removal of any camp in a wash that is close to any residence, business, or school. I do not believe additional laws will change anything about the current situation other than further criminalize those without access to shelter.
I received an email in advance of the vote from one of the City’s Care Coordinators that influenced my vote:
“As you know, I have been working with unhoused constituents in the CSHW program in various capacities since its inception. Tucson is not unique in its attempt to mitigate the effects of homelessness. It is a very, very complex problem that requires varied and out-of-the box solutions. You have been a champion for looking for humane and effective approaches. You have provided resources to departments and organizations that are also working toward solutions.
“While the high courts have determined that we can criminalize homelessness, it does not make it go away. In fact, it can exacerbate the challenges that individuals have in finding housing. I am working with an individual who was denied housing because he has a pending charge relating to being homeless. Criminalizing homelessness works against everything that we say we want to do to decrease and eliminate it. I have a family living in a wash that I have had to track down multiple times as their camps continue to be razed. This is not only a waste of resources but contributes to the traumas that they have already been exposed to.
“I understand that ordinances are there to protect the city as an entity and business owners, but our unhoused neighbors must have rights also. The only emergency that I can see is the housing emergency. I can't see how declaring an emergency on anything else can be helpful.”
 This week I toured the recently opened Poverello House’s new site on Blacklidge Drive in the Keeling neighborhood. The nonprofit provides an “homelike place of welcome and a safe environment providing daytime rest, food, laundry facilities, showers, and companionship for men and women experiencing homelessness.” This location replaces a home they had rented on Lee Street since 2008.
 Poverello House is not a drop-in facility. A limited number of guests attend anytime from 8 am to 4 pm, where they can enjoy the amenities and comfort of a home. There are free clothes and hygiene items, and they can connect with other resource agencies to help them on their journey to permanent shelter.
This Franciscan hospitality center runs on donations and volunteer help. You can learn more about it at https://poverellohouse.com.
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This past week, the Ward 3 Office was able to meet one of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) newest staff members, Gene Martinez. Gene was brought on board to join the Thrive in the ‘05 team as the Thrive Zone Community Organizer, a position created due to the City being awarded the highly competitive HUD Choice Neighborhoods Grant. For those who aren’t familiar, Thrive in the ‘05 is a place-based City program focused on obtaining and instituting reinvestment to promote safety, opportunity, and well-being for community members in this historically disinvested area. The boundaries of the ‘05 Thrive Zone expand east of I-10 to Estrella Ave and north of 1st Street up to Delano St.
 Gene Martinez with Ward 3 Community Liaison Mike Edmonds.
Gene has been working with the wider Tucson community since he was 16 years old. He first began his journey at the City of South Tucson’s Youth Center, where he interacted with many kids and community members. He even coached the Ochoa Community School’s basketball team. Gene continued to build upon his “deep passion for community work” by working at Casa Maria during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Bootstraps to Share of Tucson (Bicas), Higher Ground, and then returning back to the Youth Center just before joining HCD.
 Interfaith Community Services, Borderlands Theater, and Community Gardens of Tucson tabling at last year’s Thrive in the ‘05 Resource Fair.
Gene also has a personal interest in the arts, film, and production, with goals to intertwine those interests with his work later down the road. Many of our neighborhoods on the westside of Ward 3 will begin to see Gene at many neighborhood meetings and community events. He will be tabling at We Care Tucson’s Tech Fest on Saturday, April 5th, from 10am-2pm at 3029 N Stone Ave. If you plan on attending, make sure to stop by the Thrive in the ‘05 table to introduce yourself! Also, Thrive in the ‘05 will be hosting an Earth Month Clean Up in the Miracle Manor Neighborhood on Tuesday, April 1st from 8am-10am and we will be meeting at the Sleepy Hallow Housing Development on 615 W Alturas. Ward 3 warmly welcomes Gene onboard and are excited to see how his passion for relationship-building and community empowerment benefit our residents. To learn more about Thrive in the ‘05 and its projects, please visit www.thriveinthe05.com.
 Mural at the Old Pascua Community Center by Salvador Sahuaqui. Yoeme in the Yaqui language translates to "The People." This mural was made possible through Thrive in the '05 Action Activities.
While Buffelgrass is the most famous of our local ecosystem-threatening invasive plants, there’s a new stinker competing for urgency - Stinknet! This pungent little yellow flower typically blooms in March and April and is a triple threat of problems: it's highly flammable, can cause severe allergies, and outcompetes native plants. Last spring, in Casa Grande National Ruins National Monument, 70 miles northwest of Tucson, the stinknet infestation became so severe that the picnic area was closed to visitors due to health and safety concerns. While Maricopa and Pinal Counties have acres upon acres of desert taken over by stinknet, Pima County has been able to stave off such takeovers for now.
 The highly flammable and pungent annual - Stinknet.
One reason is the outreach and mitigation work done by the Sonoran Desert Cooperative Weed Management Area — a group consisting of dozens of local organizations committed to fighting invasive species. The SD-CWMA has reached far into the community to encourage people to report stinknet sightings, and because of this, dozens of stinknet populations have been stopped before they had a chance to spread.
 Prevent the Spread.
Recognizing and reporting stinknet is a huge part of keeping our desert and our neighborhoods safe from this nasty, flammable invasive. If you see stinknet, remove it immediately and then report the location on stinknet.org. It takes only a couple minutes and is invaluable for tracking the spread of stinknet in Southern Arizona. You can also check the website's map to see if there is an infestation near you.
 Stinknet Lookalikes.
To learn more, view the online educational stinknet slideshow that the SD-CWMA created, and if you have any questions, contact Pima Extension invasive species outreach coordinator Ben Tully at bentully@arizona.edu.
 In solidarity with our neighbors and loved ones in the transgender community, the Ward 3 office would like to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people across the globe. Trans people have always existed, will continue to exist, and the world is richer for it.
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 DUSTY /ID#A856582
Age: 1 year 4 months
Qualities:
This handsome boy was named for Dusty Springfield, a famous singer and animal welfare champion. He can’t sing like his namesake, but he’s got plenty of other talents, like playing fetch and chewing Nylabones. According to a previous foster family, Dusty is housebroken, and affable with children and other dogs. “Dusty is super friendly, cuddly, attentive, smart, loving and responsive,” his foster family wrote. He's ready to show those awesome traits to his new family!
Fee:
Dusty is free to adopt. He is neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association
Tuesday 4/8, 5:30-7pm
Marty Birdman Center
2536 N Castro Ave.
El Cortez Neighborhood Association
Thursday 4/10, 6- 7pm
Donna Liggins Center
2160 N 6th Ave.
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am -1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
The Ward 3 Council office will be closed on Monday, 3/31 in observation of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Day.
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United Way VITA Tax Preparation in Our Ward 3 Community Room on Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM, February 8 - April 12
 Questions? Contact Us!
Email: vita@unitedwaytucson.org
Phone: 520-333-5810
Website: https://unitedwaytucson.org/vita/
Danny Lopez Park Request For Qualifications Opening March 27
Tucson Clean & Beautiful Tree Planting March 29 In Flowing Wells Neighborhood
 Tucson Clean & Beautiful Job Opportunity
Earth Month Kick-Off Community Clean-Up April 1 From 8-10 AM With Special Semarks By Mayor Regina Romero
Grant Alvernon Area Plan Neighborhood Meetings On April 1 And April 3
Tucson Energy Townhalls On April 2 & April 4
 The City of Tucson invites you to be part of an important discussion about Tucson’s Energy Future! Your voice matters as we explore clean energy initiatives and collaboration pathways to advance our community’s climate goals.
We are hosting two townhall sessions where you can share your ideas and help shape the future of energy in Tucson:
Townhall #1 (In-Person)
Location: 300 S Fire Central Pl. Training Center Room 121
Date: April 2, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Townhall #2 (Hybrid)
Location: Ward 3 Office – 1510 E Grant Rd
Online: Zoom link will be shared upon registration
Date: April 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
This is a great opportunity to engage with community leaders, energy experts, and fellow Tucson residents to discuss how we can work together toward a sustainable future.
We look forward to your participation!
Songs of Resilience and Solidarity on April 2 From 7-9 PM At El Crisol Bar
 On April 2nd, 2025 at El Crisol Bar for their second evening of Songs of Resilience and Solidarity - this time with our focus on Latin America.
Artists include:
Salvador Duran
Oscar Fuentes
Gardenias AZ
and
Rebeca Cartes
In these times, we seek comfort in singing songs together in community and honoring the voices of those that have led movements in times of hardships.
Please join in on this very special evening at one of Tucson's favorite music venues. Intimate setting, amazing selection of drinks.
Lend A Hand Yard Sale On April 4 & 5 From 7 AM - 1 PM At 4309 N Radin Ave
Lend A Hand will be having a yard sale April 4th and 5th from 7am-1pm. If you have items to donate you can drop them off at 4309 N Radin Ave which is a half block south of Wetmore and a few blocks west of 1St Ave. Please call or text 520-360-7613 to let us know you will be dropping things off.
Be sure and come to the sale! We will have all sorts of interesting items to choose from!
Please don’t bring candles, clothing, VCR or cassette tapes or old tvs!!!
Thank you all for your support of Lend A Hand!!!
We Care Tucson Tech Fest Saturday, April 5 From 10 AM - 2 PM
Cyclovia Tucson Needs Volunteers for April 6!
 Cyclovia Tucson Comes to Treat Ave. on April 6!
26th Annual EGGstravaganza Saturday, April 12 From 10 AM - 1 PM At Doris Thompson Park
Solutions-Focused Community Book Club April 10 From 5:30 - 7:30 PM
 The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona with Tome Gnome and Tucson Spotlight to host the Solutions-Focused Community Book Club!
When: April 10, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: CFSA Campus
Book: My Side of the River: A Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez
This book club aims to bring together interested community members from all walks of life to bond over a shared desire to make our community better for all – and be inspired by a shared reading experience!
Light refreshments will be provided.
More Than a Bed Needs Donations
 More Than a Bed provides essentials to children in foster, adoptive and kinship care to alleviate the financial burden on the families caring for them because every child deserves to feel valued.
More Than a Bed collects anything a child needs; clothing, toys, bedding, beds (not mattresses), housewares, bikes, new or used for redistribution at no cost to the families.
Our drop off hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30-1:30 and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 8:30-1:30.
Our website is www.morethanabed.org
Southern Arizona Home Share
 Jefferson Park Plant Sale On May 2-4 From 8 AM To 2 PM
Need a break and a boost? You might find it just outside your door. Research shows that exposure to natural environments:
Want to learn about local nature areas? Check out this web page: https://sustainabletucson.org/nature/ [sustainabletucson.org]
Ready, Set, REC! in March
Help Reduce Waste & Support Refugees! Donate Mason Jars At The Ward 3 Office
$5000 Scholarship Opportunity
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30 - 6 pm, Thursdays 6 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8 - 9:30am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
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