Wednesday, October 26, 2011

WARD 5 WINS GRANT FOR CAR BOOSTER SEATS AND BIKE HELMETS

During the October 25, Mayor and Council meeting, an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Tucson and the Tohono O’odham Nation was approved, for a grant of more than $30,000 for a car booster seat and bike helmet initiative.

This grant proposal selected by the Nation and approved by the Mayor and Council, was researched and submitted by Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres office.

“I want to thank the Tohono O’odham Nation on this grant,” Councilmember Richard Fimbres said. “This will really assist the City of Tucson and its children during these hard, economic times.

Melinda Jacobs and John Ferra, aides to Councilmember Richard Fimbres, had put the grant proposal together.

“Thanks to the efforts of Melinda Jacobs and John Ferra,” Councilmember Richard Fimbres added, “Families in our community who are most in need, will be able to get 500 car booster seats and 500 bike helmets.”

Arizona law requires that all child passengers under age 5 must be secured in a car seat. The seat must meet appropriate height and weight specifications for the child. Arizona does not have a statewide bicycle helmet law, but in 1993, the City of Tucson passed an ordinance requiring anyone under the age of 18 to wear an approved bicycle helmet on city streets.

Councilmember Fimbres wants to distribute the bike helmets and car booster seats to those in need, city wide. Further information on this initiative will be coming in the near future.