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Volume 41, Issue 5
October 28, 2003
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October
28, 2003
Town Hall focuses on
Latino Issues
Valerie Nandin
Contributing Writer
"Latino community
forum topics included economic issues and youth involvement"
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| Dennis Mikulich
Mesa Legend
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| The Navajo Room was filled with
community members during the Latino Town Hall held Oct. 11 |
“Unity, pride and respect were some of the many emotions expressed
at this year’s second annual Latino Town Hall.
The event took place at MCC’s main campus in the Kirk Student Center
from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 11.
The event was held to help raise awareness in the community concerning
Latinos.
Upon entering the Kirk Student Center, there were booths set up from various
places and companies for Latinos.
The information booths featured La Voz (a Hispanic newspaper), employment
opportunities for Latinos, housing opportunities and different foundations,
such as the Mesa United Way.
The main events of the Town Hall took place in the Navajo Room. In addition
to information tables, many people took the stage to discuss topics that
affected the Latino community.
Among the speakers were Attorney General Terry Goddard; community activist
and former state legislator Alfredo Guteirrez the president of the Mesa
Association of Hispanic Citizens, Phil Austin and Yasmin Venegas, also
of MAHC.
MCC’s president, Larry Christiansen, made an appearance to express
his delight to have the school host the Town Hall.
“Last year’s turnout wasn’t so good. We had about 200
people attend, but it was the first year after all. This year we expect
300, maybe 350 people to attend,” Austin said.
During the Town Hall, speakers addressed many different topics.
Fernando Cordoba of the Spanish Media Services spoke about economic development
and a new idea they have for Latinos trying to start businesses in the
valley. The idea focuses on creating a center where Latinos can go to
find assistance from people on staff and information in order to start
a business
Those involved in its development are working on receiving grant money
from companies. They already have received funding from the City of Mesa,
MCC, and Netco.
“We will help them get their permits, figure out their budgets and
so on,” Cordoba said.
Another speaker, Ken Salas, headed up the brand new youth department of
the town hall.
Salas described the youth section, saying, “Students from local
high schools coming together and being with other Latinos in their same
age group.”
At the youth event, which was centered on awareness, students interacted
in a variety of ways, including playing games and brainstorming topics
for discussions.
The students focused on issues for Latino youths; such as scholarships,
jobs, higher education and following through with their ideas.
Many in attendance at the Latino Town Hall were there solely to show their
support for their community and other Latinos.
Bob Ayala, a Latino who is running for sheriff against Joe Arpaio, attended.
“Supporting Latinos is important. I personally am going to try and
reduce the Latino crime rate, do more rehab with juveniles, and try not
to waste so much money in the jails,” Ayala said.
The theme of the Latino Town Hall was “Construyendo un Legado de
Fuerza Latina,” which means, “Building a Legacy of Latino
Empowerment.”
“It’s about meeting people, coming together, and working as
one to solve the problem and to form one common purpose,” Austin
said.
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