I hope that everyone takes some time this weekend to enjoy the Tucson Festival of Books. As the third largest book festival in the country, it really is something to experience. You can check out the schedule and find more information here!
There really is something for everyone from Science City, an interactive experience for kids, to author and illustrator workshops to help writers and artists hone their craft, to panels with award-winning authors to cooking demonstrations and entertainment to learning about non-profits and organizations serving our community. The Festival of Books is free and open to the public on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday March 10 at the University of Arizona Mall. And, by the way, it is accessible by free transit on the streetcar and our buses.
Over the next several months, the City of Tucson is working on our budget. Learning about the budget and the decisions that Mayor and Council will make along the way, are on each agenda from now until we wrap up, likely in June. I hope you will take the time to learn about our City Budget, share your thoughts through Call to the Audience at our Council Meetings and consider participating in one of our Budget Town Halls that will be happening over the next month. For instance, at the City Council Meeting this week voted to increase the employee contribution to TSRS, the employee pension system. Mayor and Council approved the City Manager’s recommendation for employee health care to incentivize moving to a Health Savings Account. There were also lively discussions about the future of fare free transit. It is my preference to keep transit fare free. You can see and listen to the discussion here.
I hope we continue to have lots of engagement as we go through our budgeting process. Your input is important.
Last week, I was able to accompany Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Mesa Mayor John Giles, Charlene Mendoza, my Chief of Staff, Felipe Garcia of Visit Tucson, Joe Snell of Sun Corridor, Ted Maxwell of SALC , Lisa Urias of the Arizona Office of Tourism, Sandra Watson of the Arizona Commerce Authority, members of the Governor’s staff, and private sector leaders (pictured below).
Arizona Delegation in Mexico City.
We traveled to Mexico City to connect with officials from the government and key leaders from Mexico City’s public and private sector. Our goals were to:
Elevate Tucson and Arizona’s profiles as trade and investment partners
Promote two-way trade and investment opportunities that support quality job growth
Position Tucson and Arizona as innovative, business-friendly hubs that connect the Americas
Educate our Arizona delegation on potential trade and investment opportunities in Mexico in compatible industry sectors
I was able to provide welcoming remarks at Ambassador Ken Salazar’s home. We met with officials from the US Embassy Officials and leaders in Mexico City. I was able to share that Tucson is situated geographically to be the connection to air, rail and highway north and east. We are the largest city closest to the border of Arizona’s largest trading partner. I spoke about our shared culture and heritage. I also spoke about the businesses here in Tucson who are looking to expand into Mexico. Along with the Governor and other mayors, we explained why Arizona is a great place to invest.
I met with US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar and his staff. I was glad to know that he is paying attention to the situation with legal asylum seekers here in Tucson and is aware of the numbers moving through Casa Alitas every day. We also spoke directly with Mark Johnson, US Deputy Chief of Mission, and John Breidenstine the US Embassy Minister for Commercial Affairs.
The yellow rectangular area shows the Sonoran South Annexation District. The areas to the west, south, and east of this District are already in the City of Tucson.
I also gave remarks at the Growing Business between Mexico and Arizona panel with Raquel Buenrostro Sanchez, the Mexico Secretary of the Economy and Governor Hobbs. Here, I spoke about all of the unique attributes Tucson has to offer.
Our Tucson delegation and I were able to connect with airline executives about bringing service between Tucson and Mexico back, diversifying our supply-chain and near-shoring opportunities. We spoke candidly about security concerns and the necessity of making sure we are able to move goods and services across our border. Tourism was also a significant topic during this trade mission. I am grateful for the contributions of Felipe Garcia, Joe Snell and Ted Maxwell.
Expanding the City of Tucson’s International Trade program has long been a priority of mine. From working to make sure the initial position was funded to working with our Economic Initiatives Department, our local Consul, Visit Tucson and the Sun Corridor, I am confident our relationship with Mexico will continue to be fruitful and help us to grow our local economy.
We gifted each dignitary original art by Michelle Myrose at our meetings. This is customary in Mexico and the gifts were much appreciated. I was happy to be able to amplify the work of a local artist.
Sonoran Secretary of Tourism, Roberto Gradillas (left) and U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Johnson (right) with Mayor Romero and a print from Michelle Myrose.
Neighborhood Association Spotlight: Balboa Heights
By: Eryck Garcia
Community Engagement Advisor
Balboa Neighborhood Association Board Members hard at work planning their community events!
From left to right: Paul Maxon, Hilary Madrid, Susan Alexander, Derek Dolley, Monica Parker.
Happy Friday! It seems like the rain won't stop, and I hope it doesn’t!
Earlier last month, I revisited Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association at the Marty Birdman Center. Balboa Height’s neighbors were excited to plan for their upcoming neighborhood potluck. Last year, Balboa Heights held a neighborhood splash pad event at the Balboa Heights Park. The association is working tirelessly to activate this community center and welcome anyone who wants to join this upcoming Tuesday, March 12th at 5:00 PM. There will be food, card games, and activities from Ready, Set, Rec!
Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association member, Ed Birdman (son of Marty Birdman) asked me to spread the word about the School’s Out program held at the Marty Birdman Center.
The School’s Out program is for youth aged 5-11 (K-5th grade). It’s run by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and helps working families by providing supervision of children during fall, winter, and spring breaks. This includes games, sports, social interaction, dance, art projects, and nutrition-based learning activities.
For more information about the School’s Out programs and other year-round after-school drop-in programs throughout the City of Tucson, contact (520) 837-4804 or (520) 791-3247 or visit TucsonAZ.gov/Parks-and-Recreation to check out the wonder programs and activities at your local recreation centers.
This week, I'd like to also shine a spotlight on Tucson Clean and Beautiful and their participants who successfully completed the Climate Equity Workforce Leadership (CEWL) program in collaboration with American Forests.
The CEWL program, hosted by TCB, is a 6-month paid pre-employment initiative designed to guide young adults aged 18-26 towards promising green career paths in Southern Arizona. Through a comprehensive and holistic approach to personal and professional growth, participants gain valuable insights into tree care and rainwater harvesting, setting the stage for leadership roles in arboriculture and green storm water infrastructure.
For those curious about the CEWL program, don't hesitate to reach out to Tucson Clean and Beautiful for more information!
Aligned with the City of Tucson's Climate Action Plan, the Environmental Services Department, alongside various community partners, spearheads a citywide cleanup initiative. From individuals to families, neighbors, groups, and City employees, everyone is invited to join forces as a unified team, working hand in hand to enhance and beautify our beloved community.
There’s plenty of Team Up To Clean Up volunteer opportunities going on across the City. Visit the 29th Thrive Zone website here to learn more about there clean ups hosted on every 29th day of the year.
Ready, Set, Rec! is a mobile recreation program that brings games and outdoor activities to parks for Tucsonans of all ages to enjoy. It was introduced by Mayor Romero and Council Member Fimbres to bring recreation to Tucson families during the pandemic
You can schedule Ready, Set, Rec! vans to attend a public event by filling out this form. You can also see the van's schedule here. Want to know where the next Ready, Set, Rec! van will pop up? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
