We have a lot to be thankful for in Ward 5 and Tucson:
We have the ongoing construction of the new JTED Center for Innovative Learning at the Tucson Marketplace for the Bridges (Bridges) which will have 900 students and an additional 200 staff people; the expansion of the work force by 700 at the GEICO regional headquarters at the Bridges as well as more stores opening at the Bridges providing dozens of new jobs and shopping opportunities, including the Discount Tire, Mr. Car Wash, BRAKEMAX
We had the announcement of the further expansion at Raytheon of an additional 1,000 jobs, the expansion of Alorica Pharmaceutical and VXI as well, will an additional 250 jobs created and HomeGoods Distribution hiring their 1,175 employees, to name a few of the several expansions. During my time as your Ward 5 Councilmember I have worked to help create 10,000 new jobs in Ward 5.
We held the successful Kidz Expo at the El Pueblo Center, as well as the Back to School Bash at the Santa Rosa Rec Center where more than 2,000 total backpacks and school supplies were given to children returning to school.
We are proceeding with the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial at the Quincie Douglas Neighborhood Center for which a plan, put together by the neighborhoods, the Buffalo Soldiers group, the Ward 5 Council Office and the Quincie Douglas Neighborhood Center has brought this project forward.
We are seeing the expansion of the roadway at Kino Boulevard and 36th Street surrounding the Bridges and the University of Arizona will be turning dirt in December on the University of Arizona Tech Park at the Bridges.
One of my favorite events took place on Friday, November 8, when a contingent of elected officials and representatives joined me to give out thank you cards and letters to our Veterans at the V.A. Hospital as well as the staff.
I want to thank Tucson Vice Mayor, Shirley Scott, South Tucson Mayor Robert Teso, South Tucson Councilmember Herman Lopez, Karla Avalos representing Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, Ted Prezelski representing Councilmember Paul Cunningham, Byron Gwaltney representing Sheriff Mark Napier and Dusty the Roadrunner from the Tucson Roadrunners for being there to help hand out cards.
I want to thank the school children and teachers from the 26 schools who made more than 2,500 thank you cards, letters and posters for the Veterans:
Blenman Elementary, Bonillas Magnet School, Booth Fickett Magnet School, Carrillo Magnet School, Challenger Middle School, Cragin Elementary School, Craycroft Elementary School, Drachman Montessori K-8, Drexel Elementary, Gallego Intermediate School, Lynn/Urquides Elementary, McCorkle Academy, Mexicayotl Academy, Miles Exploratory Learning Center, Mission View Elementary, Morgan Maxwell K-8, Ochoa Community School, Ocotillo Learning Center, Our Mother of Sorrows, Pueblo Gardens K-8 School, Roberts Naylor K-8, St. Ambrose Catholic School, St. Joseph Catholic School, White Elementary, Wright Elementary and Nosotros Academy
The Veterans were grateful for these cards and letters to receive thanks for their service from these students.
I want to give special thanks to the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for naming me as their 2019 Public Servant of the Year, for my work I’ve done, as well as the work by my office on matters of concern and issues at hand. I also want to thank the Metropolitan Pima Alliance for their acknowledgement of the JTED Project at the Bridges and my involvement with the project to get dirt turned and doors opened by July 2020. It is moments like this that make it worthwhile to be a public servant.
Again to everyone, my thanks for you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Councilmember
for Tucson’s Ward 5.
