This article reports on the settlement of the lawsuit between Colin Kaepernick and the NFL. The settlement terms are CONFIDENTIAL, so Kaepernick might have received no money. On the other hand, he may have received double his salary.
According to this article , Kaep had a salary of 14.5m in 2017. Doubled, that is $29m…
Pima County wants $2.85m (what it paid) to sell Golden Pin Lanes…. that’s 10% (potentially). We are not a religious organization… just a small business working to make things better in our community. Maybe Kaep will help us #SaveGoldenPinLanes! http://www.gofundme.com/savegoldenpinlanes
“We are each a piece of the puzzle of life. Without each of us, our picture is incomplete. “
Article IX Cost a Tucson Family $100,000 and 2.5 Years While They Worked To Keep Their Daughter Safe
Photo from AZCentral.com
A recent article by Mary Jo Pitzl tells the story of a Tucson family who has had to fight with the State over “a piece of durable medical equipment, designed to provide a safe environment for people with neurodevelopmental disorders and obtained through a medical prescription.”
Ms. Pitzl writes: “(This) battle with state authorities over the bed that Julianna’s doctors had prescribed dragged on for 2 1/2 years, burned through $100,000 in attorney fees and challenged the notion of how much – or how little – restraint is allowed when caring for individuals with developmental disabilities.
“(There were calls to) both police and DCS (who) dismissed the complaints. But the problems persisted. (There were) more calls to DCS, more visits by child-welfare investigators – 10 in all, each finding the complaint unsubstantiated.”
Sometimes restraints are needed. A parent who uses a restraint system for her son made the following statement:
“We want to be the least restrictive in what we do, but we also want to keep them alive.”
Ms. Pitzl’s article continues the discussion on the use of restraints for safety, the changes implemented due to new leadership, and the need to change legislation:
“The line between “restraint” and “safety” can be difficult to define. Families come up with solutions because they have to,” (Julianna’s mother) said. “It’s easy to be judgmental when you don’t have to be there 24/7.
“The oversized bed gives Julianna more freedom of movement than any of her chairs, the couple noted. But because she can stand up and walk around, keeping it unlocked risks falls.If the locked bed is a restraint, then so is a wheelchair or a specialty chair because Julianna is strapped in them to prevent her from falling out. Julianna spends the day in her wheelchair, with three points of restraint, when she goes to a local public school.”
Ms. Pitzl reports that Julianna fell several times, which is why the safety bed is needed:
“Those falls happened more than once. On July 4, 2017, a caregiver was mopping the floor, her back to Julianna, when the girl stood, pitched backward and hit her head on a dresser, according to a DCS report Garret shared.
“In another case, Julianna fell and suffered a seizure in a moment when a caregiver had turned away, her parents noted in a complaint filed with DDD.”
Ms. Pitzl reports on the effect of new leadership in DDD, and the needed changes in legislation:
“(The new director and his team) inspected (Julianna’s) bed, the trendy decor in Julianna’s room with its turquoise walls and mosaic sink, and visited with Julianna. And they agreed to change Julianna’s Individual Service Plan to include use of the bed for “safe sleeping and play.”
“The Wadsacks got the revised plan in early January. It ended more than 800 days of limited use of the safety bed and freed caregivers to properly clean the room, or step out of the room to take out the garbage or do the laundry.
“Their savings account is drained, their credit rating dismal. They want Article 9 changed, to allow more flexibility and to clarify it does not apply if a child does not have behavioral issues.
“The average family cannot do this,” Garret said of their long-running fight. Facing off against state agencies, dealing with repeated DCS visits would intimidate many people, he said.
“The legal disputes drag on. State attorneys argue their claims have no basis. Meanwhile, Article 9 is getting an update… A draft is expected to be ready for public comment by fall.”
Also from the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com:
“During 2016, more than 18,000 children were separated from their families in Arizona. The crisis of removing so many children – and whether keeping children safe requires so many to be taken away – has challenged state leaders for decades. Supported by the Arizona Community Foundation, The Arizona Republic and azcentral are getting to the heart of the story. If you have an experience with the Department of Child Safety in Arizona (or its predecessor, CPS), we want to hear from you – current or past experiences, good or bad.”
You can share your story by following this link, and decide whether to share your contact information.
Read more about loopholes in our Legislation, and what we can do to make things better at www.feliciachew.com/loopholes
“We are each a piece of the puzzle of life. Without each of us, our picture is incomplete.”
When 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence, it is important to consider and enact policies that provide safety for each of us and all of us.
SB 1219 in the Arizona State Legislature is working to classify domestic violence offenders as prohibited possessors. Unfortunately, this bill has not made progress in the Senate.
Personally, I think 10 years is too long. However, due to the current ability for sentence reductions, etc, it is necessary to have a longer term, so there is something to give for “good behavior”. This is why it is necessary to have sentence reform, as well as updated policies.
Want to be outraged? Be outraged that those accused of crimes do not have fair representation.
Think it can’t happen to you or your loved ones? Think again. Think about how easy it is to have mistaken identities. Think about how the Chinese who were mistaken for Japanese during the sweep for internment camps, or during the automotive crisis. Remember Vincent Chin.
(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Vincent_Chin)
Think about sentencing reform:
“The reformers say decriminalizing more offenses related to homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness would also free up public defenders to spend more time on serious cases.”
December 2018 Meeting of Community Law Enforcement Partnership Commission (photo from ADI)
The Community Law Enforcement Partnership Commission (CLEPC) was reestablished per the Pima County Board of Supervisor’s action on September 4, 2018. The purpose of the commission is to review and make recommendations to the Pima County Board of Supervisors on all Grants and Grant Applications received through the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
There has been recent discussion regarding the re-establishment of the Commission. The re-establishment of the Commission was in response to the Stonegarden funding (which was perceived by some members of the community to increase the presence of “evil deputies”, which quite frankly is reminiscent of “Yellow Peril“).
Some thoughts regarding the Commission:
I. Commission Misses The Mark:
Having the ability to approve grants (as this Commission was apparently created to do) does not deal with the issues leading to the opposition to Stonegarden funds. Some of the issues include:
(1) Negative interactions with deputies (including complaints of rudeness and profiling);
(2) Lack of transparency regarding the use of funds allocated to the Sheriff’s Department (resulting in distrust by community members).
II. Gaps In The Commission:
(1) The Commission does not have the power to address these issues, which may be why some members are frustrated;
(2) The Commission might be a better use of time if the Commission could also discuss the issues above, and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors;
(3) The Board of Supervisors could look to Tucson’s Citizen Police Advisory Review Board (CPARB) as an example.
III. CPARB exists to:
(1) review the Office of Internal Affairs’ closed cases (specifically investigations that were opened as a result of complaints generated by the community regarding members of the Tucson Police Department) for fairness and thoroughness.
(2) allow for TPD to provide transparency through updates regarding TPD business and presentations at the request of CPARB.
IV. CPARB Structure:
CPARB members include an appointee by each Council Member and COT Mayor, an Independent Police Auditor, an attorney from the City Attorney’s Office, four non-voting advisory members (interviewed by CPARB), and a staff member from the City Clerk’s Office.
In addition:
1. The Commission does not have the purview to address issues that Commissioner Garcia and others may want to address, because that is not the purpose of the Commission.
2. This Commission does not address the concerns regarding fear and mistrust (the reason for opposition to Stonegarden funds). Those concerns should be addressed, so they do not fester. It is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to form meaningful Commissions, and to give Power and Authority that have an ROI. An existing model is the City of Tucson’s Citizen Police Advisory Review Board.
3. Regarding complaints: They are regarding rudeness and intimidation. Some community members fear retaliation.
4. Does a new Commission need to be formed? Not necessarily. However it is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to create policies and Commissions that serve the public good.
5. Does the current Commission need to remain intact? My concern is that the Commission is directed to meet 6 times a year. I know that Grants have deadlines, and some are on a rolling basis. It seems more appropriate that the Sheriff’s Department has a bulletin that announces the intent to apply for a grant (like the intent to apply for a liquor license), and community members have the opportunity to speak with the Sheriff’s Department with any concerns. Community members then follow the process, and speak with their Supervisor, or Ombudsman if needed.
7. It is necessary to remain diligent in supporting laws and policies that are just and equitable. It is necessary to avoid the pitfalls of poorly formed policies, practices, and misallocated budgets and funding. It is necessary to have concern with the misrepresentation of law enforcement officers. It is necessary to have concern with the health and welfare of our entire community.
Therefore, it is necessary to have policies, processes, and budgets that address the issues of individuals and the community as a whole.
It only takes a drop of food coloring to color an entire bucket of untreated water.
P.S. Good news from 2017: Complaints Against PCSD Personnel Down. However, this does not address the complaints that are unspoken, due to fear, frustration, etc.
Learn more about Felicia’s campaign for a seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors (2020) at: www.feliciachew.com
“We are each a piece of the puzzle of life. Without each of us, our picture is incomplete.”
R. English teacher inferring here, based on his reference to her being “Pocahontas”… perhaps he is referring to the Trail of Tears.
Jr. posted:
“Savage! I love my president!” on Instagram.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree… “savage”, as a reference to the historical reference of Native Americans as “savages”.
Some folks might consider these tweets to be demonstration of a high level of intelligence (due to the use of puns). Too often, we hear the arguments, and teasing: “If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen”, “It was just a joke”, “Suck it up”, “Boo hoo hoo go cry to your mommy”.
Unfortunately, people who write tweets and make comments like the ones above have grown up in a culture of bullying and being bullied (e.g. the “small hands” jokes about Mr. Trump).
This cultural attitude is one of the reasons I don’t enjoy watching shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “roasts”. I remember the “Laverne and Shirley” episode where Shirley was really hurt by Laverne’s brief stint as a comedy performer….
So here is the question for today: Is it still time to “man up”, in the traditional sense?
Traditional “manning up” includes the expectation of being a man means being in control. This can lead to the use of violence, bullying, shaming, and blaming to control someone else, whether a partner, child, or pet.
Unfortunately, traditional “manning up” has limited success, which may result in the use of “excessive discipline” (abuse), resulting in domestic violence; child, pet, and partner abuse; suicides, and murder suicides.
Within the past several weeks, we have had at least five murders/murder suicides in the County.
We read news reports of suicides of children who were identified as being bullied.
Children develop anxiety and depression from being bullied.
Grown ups suffer from Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Studies show that 1 out of 4 women and 1 out of 7 men experience domestic violence. Recent news reports share stories of murders by individuals with a history of domestic violence.
Domestic violence is one of the most common calls for law enforcement. There are many calls for response to issues with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
If we keep doing what we’ve done, we’re gonna keep getting what we’ve got. It is time for a cultural shift, to destigmatize mental health, and humanize those who are bullied.
“We are each a piece of the puzzle of life. Without each of us, our picture is incomplete.”
A new page has been created to address Loopholes in Policies.
Please share with others, so we can make a difference!
Viva! (la revolucion)
❤ Felicia
“We are each a piece of the puzzle of life. Without each of us, our picture is incomplete.”
This page is designed to shed light on loopholes and problems in Arizona legislation. It will be updated, and dates of updates will be included in the text.
What can you do?
Stay informed, with evidence to support your claims.
Register with the Request to Speak (RTS) system. (Directions on how to use the system are on the RTS page).
Have conversation.
Support groups who do the work to make things better. Many are volunteer groups, who can use financial to continue the work, such as Felicia Chew Community Projects. Click here for an expanded list of advocacy groups.
The Loophole(s):
Perpetrators can cross-examine victims/survivors when they opt out of a lawyer, thereby re-traumatizing and re-intimidating their victim, causing them to not testify truthfully.
Coercive control is not a crime. Perpetrators can continue the cycle of domestic abuse by exercising a little but of self-control to continue to abuse their victim through gaslighting, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse… which all becomes “he said/she said” in a Court of law.
What’s being done: Felicia Chew Community Projects is working with legislators to present a bill that has been drafted which addresses these issues, includes coercive control as a crime, and changes sentencing of those convicted of domestic violence.
Conflicts/Delays:
The Arizona Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence believes there should be fewer rules about domestic violence, not more.
We need to pay bills, so our time is limited in this work.
The Problem: An unequal representation of idealogies taught in schools.
What’s being done: HB 2001 to require “both Sides” of topics are represented.
Felicia Chew Is Seeking a Seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors (2020)
February 4, 2019
Hello!
An introduction will accompany each story I share… it may change over the years, as I continue to learn and grow daily. That may be unsettling to some individuals. However, it is important for us to have the right and the ability to make changes as we journey through our lives.
My role as Supervisor, if elected, will be to ensure that each of us, and all of us have the right and ability to learn, make choices, take risks, and speak up.
My name is Felicia Chew. I am seeking the seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors for District 3 for 2020. Over the course of the next year, I will be sharing stories that give insight to why I am seeking the seat on the Board of Supervisors for Pima County. Some of these stories may be surprising, some may be shocking. Some will be uplifting, some will be encouraging. Some will be entertaining…
I share these stories, to help build relationship, and trust. I believe in the importance of helping one another to be accountable to our responsibilities as individuals in a community of others. (Notice I used the term “helping one another to be accountable”, not “holding one another accountable”.)
I understand the need for creativity, humanity, empathy, and wisdom.
I encourage you to learn more about me, the truth about me… not the hearsay that are tainted with implicit bias (how we feel about someone or something because of personal experiences).
Some of us shy away from sharing stories with others, believing that it is “none of our business.” As Supervisor of District 3, I will work to ensure policies, processes, and budgets that allow us to say:
“No, thanks, I am not interested.”
“Yes, I would like to participate.”
I will do the work to ensure that an infrastructure exists that allows each of us and all of us the freedom for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As an English teacher, with a background in Interventions, and a conscious commitment to being a lifelong learner, I have come to the following conclusions. I understand that others may have different conclusions, and that is okay, because sometimes we need a different perspective to identify a different way to reach a goal:
Words have different impacts on us, even simple words like “journey,” “dog,” “illegal”… because of our past experiences;
Words have different meanings, such as: diversity, masculinity, racist, apologist, acceptability;
Conversations and clarifications bridge the gaps to understanding;
We learn in different ways;
There are seven intelligences;
We have different frustration points;
Most of us want to be heard;
Some of us shut down when it feels like it is too much;
Some of us blame others when it feels like it is too much;
Most of us want to know that someone believes us;
Most of us want someone to believe in us;
Most of us want someone to believe in;
Many of us want the freedom to make choices;
Some of us want to please others;
Many of us want to be loved;
Some of us want to be left alone;
All of us are here;
Some of us want to be here;
Some of us want to be somewhere else;
All of us have the right to be where we are, and the right to go somewhere else;
All of us has the right to choose;
All of us don’t realize we have the right to make a choice;
Our stories and experiences shape our perspectives;
We have tools available to us. Some of us know how to access those tools. Some of us do not. Some of us need different tools;
We have the responsibility to do no harm to others and to leave no trace;
We have egos that want to leave our mark;
All of us are capable of creativity, humanity, empathy, and wisdom — albeit to varying degrees, which can be nurtured into endless possibilities.
I choose the following practices, understanding that its “opposite” is needed for balance…
Acculturation, in addition to assimilation;
Positivity, in addition to criticism;
Peace, in addition to discomfort;
Speaking up, in addition to listening;
Creativity, in addition to humanity;
Humanity, in addition to creativity;
Empathy, in addition to wisdom;
Wisdom, in addition to empathy;
Love, in addition to control.
If you have questions, stories, or just want to have a beer or a glass of wine or a cup of coffee or tea, please contact me at 520.909.3888. Texting works best for me to connect.
You can also comment below, or contact me through this site’s contact page, or use one of the following:
By Mail: Felicia Chew, 917 E Pastime Road, Tucson, AZ 85719
If you believe it is time for each of us and all of us, please follow this blog (scroll to the bottom of the page for directions), follow me on Twitter, and Like and Share my Facebook page.
If you are able to afford a contribution to the campaign for useful literature (my cards will have Fridge Numbers, or Words of Encouragement, or Common Sense Thoughts, etc), and expenses (gas and travel), you can learn more about how to contribute at www.feliciachew.com/support2.
I hope you have a great day, and I look forward to seeing you!
We are each a piece of the puzzle of life 