Original URL: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1202phxsimplot02.html

Phoenix council attempts to reach Spanish speakers
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 2, 2003
Yvonne Wingett
 12:00 AM

PHOENIX - New Phoenix city Councilman Tom Simplot made a second bilingual appointment to
his four-member staff.

The central-city councilman on Monday announced that Frank Carrizoza, 22, has joined his crew as a council
aide.

Until this fall, three of seven council staffs spoke only English. Conspicuously missing were Spanish speakers on the staff of  Councilman Michael Johnson, whose southeast Phoenix district is 59 percent Hispanic.

Since then, Johnson and council members Greg Stanton and Peggy Bilsten have hired Spanish-speakers for their staffs. Latino advocates believe the bilingual additions will help reach that segment of the community, which in many cases is disengaged from city government.

Simplot, who does not speak Spanish, appointed Spanish-speaking Alma Hernandez as his council assistant when he took office in September.

Carrizoza, one of the youngest council aides at City Hall, will act as a constituent liaison between District 4 and neighborhood groups.

The Phoenix resident graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in justice studies. Carrizoza most recently worked with the Phoenix Union High School District and ASU Partnership Program, which helps prepare students for college.

Reach the reporter at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4712.