El Independiente

              FEBRUARY
iI JI
CI ube s euïieute
SOUTH TUCSONS ENGLISH-SPANISH NEWSPAPER - 1996
Triple Fatality Leads To Preventive Program
Fatal Accidente Ayuda a Crear Programa Educacional
By Joseph M. Molina
Photojournalist
Inwakeof the city's
most deadly car accident,
South Tucson police are
educating teenagers about
the hazards of drinking
and driving.
The need for such a
program is evident by the
Jan.14 accident that re-sulted
in the deaths of
three young people.
South Tucson
Police Officer Manny
Amado is coordinating the
presentations. He believes
that the program's success
hinges on truth and fact.
"I'm doing it to dispel
any rumors about the
accident," Amado said.
"These kids have to
understand they're mortal
and they have to think
about what they are
doing," Amada said.
The ultimate goal is to
stop these young adulta
South Tucson Remains Independent
By RTosa M. Concepcion
Reporter
from killing themselves,
Amado said.
When Amado is
contacted he asks school
officials what they want, If
they want a presentation of
simply information or one
of pure education, it is
entirely up to the school,
Amado said.
The presentations
are considered a-type of
"community-oriented
policing ," said police chief
Gerald Brewer.. "This is the
way that South Tucson
police are showing their
human side. We can't
forget that we are public
servants."
Amado had a
presentation Feb.16 at
Canyon Del Oro 1-ligh,
where two of the victims
were students.
Killed inthetwo-car
accident were Monica
A. Montano,16, of West
Soge Street; Heather B.
See Fatality pg. 2
- Dan Eckstrom said, "If the ma-jority
of the popolattort in Sooth
Tucson no longer wanted to be
an independent city, Tncson
would have to incorporate South
Tucson into its city. The likeli-hood
of this happening is slim."
The possible annexation of
South Tucson by the city of Tuc-son
is like a tennis match as the
incorporation decision shifts
between the two cities.
For some residents of South
Tucson, annexation is seen as
beneficial to the community,
while others believe maintain-ing
South Tucson means main-taining
their heritage.
"Il would be beneficial for
South Tucson to be annexed by
Tucson for the safety of the resi-dents,
especially the children.
However, I don't see it happen-ing."
said Arlene ArmenIa
Lopez, executive aide for Tuc-son
Mayor George Miller. "It's
only a square mite."
Pima County Supervisor
By Rosa M. Concepcion
Reporter
The bleak future for some
South Tucson teenagers is com-ing
toan end with the help of a
local organization which is try-ing
to show them the bright side
of life.
La LuL Social Services
Inc., was founded in 1987 to
assist teenagers in the struggle
against drugs, crime, youth
pregnancy, domestic violence,
school dropouts and poverty.
"It's a great organiza-tion
that helps many in the
South Tucson area." said South
Tucson City Manager Rene
Gastelum.
La Luz, awarded a
"The possibility
for annexation
has always been
talked about; the
people just don't
want to give up
their city."
City Manager
Rene Gastelum
"It was tried in 1982 with an
advisory referendum, however
70% of the population didn't city."
five-year substance ahuse prc-vention
grant in 1991, works
with the neighboring high
schools to keep teenagers on
track.
Pepe Barran, a coun-selor
for La Luz said, "There's
a 30% drop-out rate in South
Tucson and 3% go back to fin-ish.
-
We try to help the kids to
stay in school and go to college.
We also help them find finan-cial
aide." -
Barron also said that
the organization works with
parents in counseling their chil-dren.
La Luz also provides
educational assistance for par-n
tragico accidente aulomovilistico en el
que perecieron tres jovenes forzó a las
autoridades de la Ciudad del Sur de Tucsón
a crear un programa de orientacion para
prevenir que los jovenes manejen bajo el
influjo del alcohol.
Monica A. Montafio, de 16 años; Heather
B. Colvin, 16; y José Caro Jr., 21; murierón
durante el accidente,
El accidente se suscito luego de que Ramón
Ochoa, de 21 años, se pasó un semaforo
want to disincorporate them-seIses."
,aid Eektrom
South 'I'ucson is a small
community which first incor-porated
in 1936, disincorpo-rated
in 1938 and reincorpo-rated
in 1940.
Records show South Tuc-son
has a population of 5,500
people, 83% Hispanic, and
10% tobe Native American. lt
is governed by a mayor, six
council members and a city
manager.
South Tucson has its own
police and fire stations run by
both full-time and volunteer
personnel.
City Manager Rene
Gastelum said, "The possibil-ity
for annexation has always
been talked about; the people
justdon't want to give up their
La Luz Lends Helping Hand
cuts who were unable to finish
their education.
"For those Itarents we
have counseled and assisted in
getting their education, some
have gone on to become teachers
at local schools in South Tucson,"
said Barron.
"We work with the ma-jority
of southern Arizona, mainly
with the Chicano families. How-ever,
there is a wide diversity of
people in these areas, and we try
and satisfy all of their needs," said
Barron.
La Luz is located at 345
E. Tonic Ave., Suite 101. They
are open Monday through Friday
from 8a.m. toS p.m. For infor-mation
contact their office at 882-
62 16.
luego deque la policía intenló detenerlo por exceso
de velocidad.
L,as auloridadeu considerán el accidente como el peor
registrado en la eluded del Surde Tucuón.
Ochoa fué detenido acusado de homicidio en
uegundo grado y se le impusó una fianza de
$200,000 dólares.
La ciudad del Sur Thcsón, la cual se encuentra
rodeada por las limítrofes de Thcuón, incluye en ou
programa la visita a algunas escuelas para brindar los
programas de capacitación y prevención.
PhlPtroo,,tesy ut South aesuhPSiiSe
Dopa ,t,oe,t
Permanece independiente el Sur
Tucsón
La posibilidad de incorporar la Ciudad del Sur dcTucsón a
Tucson es practicarnente un juego de tenis, sobro todo cuando
las negociaciones se aproximan enel termino de las
decisiones.
Para algunos residentes del Sur'fucsón, anexar la ctudad
pamce
una buena alternativa rntentras que pans otros significa
mantener
la Iradición.
"Sería de beneficio para el Sur Tucson y eus residents el
hecho de que este fuera anexado aTucsón pero no parece que
vaya a ser asf', dijó Arlene Anutenta López, trabajadora del
Alcalde George Miller.
El supelvisor de la ciudad, Dan Eckstmm por su palle dijo
que silos residentes
del Sur Tucson no quieren seguir independizados de Tucsón,
entonces debería incorporame. -
Sin embargo, considení quelas posibilidades de que así
ocurra parecen minimns."Se intentó en 1982 bajo el auxilio
de un referendum pero el 70 por ciento
de lapoblacïón se rehusaron", dijó Eckshrom,
El Sur Tucsón es una pequeña comunidad que pertcnecío
en un principio aTucsónpor allá por 1936, despucs se
desincorporo en 1938 y se volvió a reincorporar en 1940.
La Luz Brinda Apoyo a Jovenes
Por Rosa M. Concepción
El lado obscuro de las pocas alternativas porn
algunos adolescentes parece haber llegado a su -
fin con el continuo trabajo de los Servicios Sociales do-ia
corporacion La Luz, -
La corporación foe formada en 1987 con el propósito
de ayudar ales adolescentes a
luchar contra el uso de drogas, el crimen, el embarazo a
edades prematuras, la violencia en
el hogar, la descercion escolar y la pobreza. - -
"Es una organizaciòn basada en el Sur Tucsòn
principalmente", dijó el alcalde
del Sur Tucson, Rene Gastelum.
La Luz, por ejemplo, proporciono un prestámo
destinado al abuso de estupefacientes
en 1991. Además de coordinar campañas de consejería
en las escuelas secundarias y tratar
de controlar el problema de la deserción escolar.