My staff is well equipped to handle a variety of issues that constituents ask us about. Is there speeding in your neighborhood? We’ll talk to the police about deploying motor officers. Is there dumping in the wash? We can get in touch with the transportation department. You have a question about what you can get rid of at the next household hazardous waste collection? We can find that out for you.
The one thing that my staff has had trouble with is when people come in with water questions. If someone comes into our office with anything more complicated than “here’s my check,” or “could you call someone so they don’t shut me off,” there wasn’t a lot we can do except advise the person to call the water department. Frankly, that’s neither what people should hear and not what we should be saying.

The trouble was that our water window wasn’t staffed. Before our closure due to COVID, we had a window with a Tucson Water employee, not a member of my staff, who was equipped and trained not just to handle bill payments, but issues with shut-offs and payment plans as well as payment for other city services, even bus passes.

After COVID, Tucson Water ran into the same staffing issues that many employers have had and it was difficult for them to staff our window. People were still coming in with billing and account questions, however. While my staff could call Tucson Water staff on many issues, there was a lot, even simple things like paying a bill in cash, that we had to send people elsewhere. It was frustrating for my staff and, needless to say, for the constituents that were coming in looking for help.

I have good news, however. Tucson Water has spent much of the last week updating the equipment in our water window and it is now staffed during our regular office hours, 9-2. I’d like to thank Tucson Water for getting this done so we can better serve constituents that come into our office.

Today is the deadline to request your vote-by-mail ballot for the 2022 Arizona primary election if you don't get your ballots mailed to you automatically. Early voting is already underway and runs through Friday, July 29. In 2020, nearly 90 percent of Pima County voters cast an early ballot by mail. The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 2. Request your ballot and learn more about early voting by going to the Pima County Recorder site here: https://www.recorder.pima.gov/BallotByMailRequest

The Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) is a non-profit law firm that assists Arizonans with disabilities to promote and protect their legal rights to independence, justice, and equality. ACDL is mandated by federal laws to serve individuals with developmental, intellectual, psychiatric, and physical disabilities. If you are interested in helping with their work, there is a new volunteer opportunity available.
 
In the PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) program, ACDL investigates abuse or neglect in institutions or facilities, and advocates for the legal rights of Arizonans with mental illness. The PAIMI Advisory Council assists ACDL to develop the annual PAIMI Areas of Focus and provides ACDL with information about issues facing persons with mental illness. The Council meets 4 times a year.
 
Persons with mental illness, family members, service providers, attorneys and professionals are all represented on the Council. ACDL is committed to ensuring that the Council is representative of Arizona’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities and reflects different geographic areas of the state. 60% of this group's members have to be persons with mental illness or their family members.
 
In order to be eligible for the Advisory Council, a member must reside in the State of Arizona and cannot be an employee of ACDL. If you are interested in applying, contact Asim Dietrich at (602) 274-6287 or email [email protected]. Or check our website, azdisabilitylaw.org for more information.