SUMMARY OF VACCINATION STATUS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, February 15, 2021

At our Citizens Council virtual meeting on February 15, County Manager Jennifer St. John reported that the County has completed five weeks of vaccinations.  10,600 doses have been received and 10,300 have been put in arms.  The biggest problem is unpredictability in the number of doses they will receive.  On average, 2,800 doses per week have been delivered to the County but last week it was only 1,800.  And, due to severe storms in the southeast, where the vaccine comes from, there is doubt whether this week's allocation will be on time.  

Nevertheless, vaccinations for those over 75, part of the 1A group, have been proceeding.  The County is getting close to vaccinating those over 65 and those with pre-existing conditions.  4,500 have pre-registered.  A press release is expected to be issued soon announcing availability of vaccinations for these folks.  If you have already registered, you need do no more.  Wait to receive a call.  

The County is working hard to receive additional doses from the State.  It was asked to vaccinate Border Patrol staff but received no extra allocations to cover these people.  Senator Gabaldon offered her support for the County to receive more doses.  She also reported that the University of Arizona is opening a site.  Apparently, one can register at health.arizona.edu/covidvaccine.  

We think the County is doing an outstanding job under difficult circumstances.

Clem Shute

President

At our recent meetings we have mentioned that EPCOR has a pending rate case.  Depending on which of five options is chosen, EPCOR customers in Tubac could see their rates go up by 38%.  Please take the time to submit a comment to the Arizona Corporation Commission.  Letters can be mailed to:

Arizona Corporation Commission
Consumer Services Section
1200 West Washington 
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Emails can be sent to:  www.azcc.gov  using "Cases and Open Meetings" and "Make a Public Comment in a Docket"

You can make use of the following points but put in your own words:

-Tubac has historically paid more than other water districts 

-Rate consolidation is the best way to insure equitable costs for EPCOR water users given the differences in the sizes of water districts.  This would allow smaller water districts to benefit from the economies of scale larger districts already have.

-We support consolidation of all districts.  If that does not happen, we support the options that involve partial consolidation.  That would lower our bills.

-Rate consolidation would result in streamlining EPCOR's administrative costs resulting in savings for all customers.  It would also make future rate cases less complex and therefore less expensive.

Thanks for doing this.  Ask your friends and neighbors to comment as well.  

Clem Shute
President

REMINDER: Expect delays on Interstate 19 near the Border Patrol Station in Amado starting Thursday, Feb. 11th:

Motorists traveling Interstate 19 near the border patrol station in Amado should plan for intermittent northbound lane restrictions and delays between Chavez Siding and Agua Linda roads for the next month.

Starting at Chavez Siding Road, traffic will be narrowed to one lane up to the border patrol station. Two lanes will be open through the station, and then after the station, traffic will narrow down to one lane again to Agua Linda Road. 

Motorists should allow extra travel time and use caution around construction personnel and equipment. 

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/contact and select "Projects" from the drop-down menu. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

An additional source dated February 11, 2021:  Put on the brakes! ADOT’S year-long I-19 paving project to begin Thursday