Heat. Heat. Hello there everybody and welcome to Access City Council. I'm Crystal Allen, a producer and host for the city of Las Vegas. We always appreciate you stopping by and spending some time with us. Well, each week we check in with a member of our Las Vegas city council to see what's happening in their part of town, their ward as we officially call it. And this week we welcome back the councilwoman for Ward 4. You know who she is. Councilwoman Francis Allen Palinski. So good to have you with us. >> Thank you, Miss Crystal. Always a pleasure. >> Yeah, we have a really great show on tap today. We have someone who's really given so much to the community um and has come by to talk about something that we definitely can never forget. An important day in American history, 911. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right, so we're going to get to it. >> Yes, let's do it. >> All right, sounds good. Well, 9/11 25 years later, a day we'll definitely never forget. We sit down with the hero from that day, former New York City firefighter in Las Vegas local Frank Pizaro. Plus, a look ahead to this year's special commemoration with the councilman for 911. And excellence in education. You don't want to miss this. We reveal this year's excellence in teaching awardees. Any opportunity to recognize our teachers, we will take it. All right. Well, it was a day of horror and heroism. A day we will never forget, the September 11th terror attacks. It's been 25 years, if you can believe it. But our next guest still remembers it like it was yesterday because he was there minutes after it all happened. We are so honored to welcome former New York City firefighter Frank Pizaro. Frank, so great to have you with us. >> It's great to be here. Thank you. Yeah, we were just saying that it's hard to wrap your head around that it's been 25 years, but for you, I'm sure every time this time of year rolls around, it just kind of replays in your head over and over again. >> Yeah, it's uh it's like never forget is not a problem for us, right? >> Those who were there. And so, uh, I always want to make sure that people never forget, >> you know, that people remember that the sacrifices that were made >> by not only the first responders, but by the the the general public who also suffered greatly. >> Absolutely. >> And to also remember that it's a national situation. It wasn't just a New York or Washington or Pennsylvania thing. >> Of course, everyone was touched on some level. Um here in our community, we lost um a teacher at Palivvery High School, Barbara Edwards, who lost her life on uh the flight that crashed into the Pentagon. And um and all we know with that tragedy, upwards of close to 3,000 people lost their lives. And when it comes to firefighters, uh more than 300 and well, close to 350 >> 343 that day. And it's been more than that since. >> Yes. >> Speaking of the sacrifice, right, that continues. almost 3,000 people in total on that day alone. >> Absolutely. And then you yourself as a result of being there for 5 months, right, on the ground um combing through the wreckage looking for, you know, survivors um that left long-term health implications for you as well. >> I have my I have my journey to walk. So, >> yeah. But you're still walking. >> That's it. >> Absolutely. And that's the beauty of it all. And Councilwoman, I'm so glad that you invited uh Mr. Pazaro here as our special guest because he's one of our own. So for sure >> he's one of our Las Vegas locals and he's done so much to continue the work >> and in our community really >> always giving back. >> Yeah. And you've really turned your pain into purpose. Um >> uh Mr. Pizarro because a first of all you're extremely talented for those who might not know. He has an incredible voice. And in fact I'm going to pause here so we can uh listen to his beautiful voice. Oh, say can you see by the dawn early light, what so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilless last fight or the ramp parts we watched were so gallently streaming. >> Wow. Amazing. We just right clap. >> Absolutely. You know, um and and you've sung for many memorials that we've had here in southern Nevada. You sang at the World Series. >> I did. I did. >> Yeah. My goodness. So, I mean, it's amazing that you've been able to take something that was so traumatic and then um you know, use your talent to continue to pay homage and tribute to those who sacrifice so much. >> I I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't know any other way. You know, I've been in service my whole life and I did two tours of duty in Iraq >> when we first went in Desert Storm and then I did 22 years with the New York City Fire Department and it's just been a life of service and a a a legacy of service. >> Absolutely. And we appreciate your legacy. That's for sure. And um speaking of which, you've also turned that purpose into something much larger, a foundation, right? So let's talk a little bit about that as So, that's uh firefighter memorial transport, >> and it that's what it started out as. >> Okay. >> As a 22-year vet, I I started honoring uh fallen firefighters. I have a a queson that we built with a lift and everything to carry the remains of those heroes. And then as it progressed, it got into police officers and and veterans. And >> it's exploded into a big thing. We do uh scholarships for the the families of the fallen and we uh offer counseling and and uh resources to to veterans and first responders and their families and the surrounding community as well. We do coat drives and food drives and uh while we're helping them, we're teaching them about, you know, the sacrifices that are made cuz first responders and vets are kind of the people who create the bubble around the the citizens so they don't have to see >> Oh, yeah. >> experience some of those things. >> 100%. >> But it's not until it affects them directly that they realize what that is, >> right? And so I always want to teach and include and invite, you know, to people to to meet the people that sacrifice their lives every day for them. >> That's incredible. And and I mean just the beauty of it all. It started obviously honoring firefighters, but it continues to evolve and expand and now you're um inclusive of so many other first responders, right? >> Never says no. >> I don't say no. I don't say no. >> I know. And >> I don't say no. And I And you never have to ask me twice. Yeah. And if it's anything I can do, you know, and everybody that works with us is on a volunteer basis, you know, every dime that we take in goes back out to service. >> And I think that's so important um that we drive that home because a lot of people when they're giving to these philanthropic causes, they're wondering, okay, where are these dollars going? But we can say definitively that it is staying here locally. It is >> and that it goes directly to the purpose in which you were trying to serve the community. you don't you don't have to spend for a lot of other costs because you're volunteers. >> And then just to piggyback on that is, you know, you have all these bigger organizations that are national >> television things uh and they're really great organizations, but we also got to remember that there's a service and an organization that's home. >> And we need to pour into home. >> Yeah. >> So that the the vets and first responders and families that live here can get some of those benefits. Absolutely. Um and um I was going to say, you know, you mentioned it, but not only are you providing the service where you're honoring them, you know, with the with um you know, the honorable transport, but also you're pouring into their families as well, right, by way of the scholarships and counseling and things of that nature >> and helping them in the event that they can't financially handle their their last services for their loved one. >> We help them out with that, too. >> Yeah. So what does that look like when you all come in and you provide that that final um honorable send off for >> So so we help them navigate the system. >> Okay. >> And then uh we provide that extra bit of transport. So you know a lot of times when you retire it's pretty much thank you for your service, >> goodbye, >> deal with it, you know. And so >> it's hard for people. >> So we provide something that's special. So, a fireman will be carried on a fire truck >> that's beautifully decorated. And same with the veterans. They have a battle used Humvey with a trailer that has been outfitted to carry a casket. And then we have a police vehicle as well that does that for them. >> And then we would we had a a mobile command center that was donated by one of the uh fire departments in Denver and they donated that. So now we have that to go to events and kind of spread the word. And >> my goodness, >> you know, we want to be able to provide also, you know, blood pressure things and stuff when we go to events, >> wellness, >> you know, wellness. Yeah. >> So important. >> So, uh, just so they can see that we're there. And it's a sometimes it's a hard nut to crack cuz people here really do stuff the way they do stuff >> and they're not always open to to new ways and different ways. So, my thing to them is always, I don't want to >> replace what you do. I want to supplement what you do >> and I want to give you an extra honor because at the end of the day it's not for the fallen, >> it's for the who stays behind. >> Yeah. The families left behind. >> That's an excellent point. >> And so, you know, they made a sacrifice, too. >> That's right. >> And so, for them to see that whatever that their loved one did did not go unseen. >> It mattered. >> And that uh they're going to get an extra something, an extra remembrance. So the people that come say, "Wow." >> Yeah. >> You know, >> we all know he was somebody or she was somebody, >> but now everybody can see that they were somebody because they say, "Oh, wow. I I haven't seen this before." >> Yes. >> You know, and and and >> the transport at first was the thing >> and now it's become a side thing to everything else that we do. >> Incredible. >> You know, so uh we still we want to honor the fallen, but we want to support the living >> 100%. you know, and in honor of >> Mhm. >> the person who made the sacrifice. >> Councilwoman, wow. I mean, I just >> beautiful, >> right? My goodness. I guess, you know, in terms of, you know, um your vantage point and and the support that, you know, you can offer in terms of what we do, you know, what what does that look like in terms of um how you're continuing to support the effort or maybe just the word to your constituents regarding how we can be a support? Well, I will say there are um other organizations and I I'm I feel compelled to mention Officer Abdul Nabi who we lost in the last few weeks. >> Absolutely. >> Uh in the line of duty and um >> uh I know through various donors people had come to me and said where could where can we give and very often they want to make sure they're giving to the right organization so that it gets the family. And uh that locally talked to the sheriff uh sheriff mentioned injured police officers fund. So uh at some point if anybody I know I put it on my social media handles if anybody wants to ensure that uh a small contribution gets to the family that's that's the appropriate vehicle there. So uh we do have loss we've lost um firefighters we've lost police officers. Uh it's >> it comes with the the risk of the job and >> um the families need to be provided for afterwards. I would like you to kind of touch on maybe um something you would like to share because think about it, a lot of our young people who are 25 years and younger, they weren't even there so they have no frame of reference about this significant moment in American history. Um just any words that you would like to share with them. >> I would like to share something with the parents because I I think what's happening is >> the kids don't know because the parents don't tell. Mhm. >> You know, when I was in in the fire department, I was the only guy on a shift that was alive during Martin Luther King. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And so there's a lot of people who don't really even know, you know, and and so >> there's a thing about if you don't learn from history, you're doomed to repeat it. M >> and there's a lot of examples going of that now you know but what what I would like to uh instill is that you know it's called the United States for a reason >> and that that's exactly what we should be and I've always been one of those guys that if somebody offers me something in order to go against somebody else I rather be without >> you know and and more people need to be that way. You don't, you know, if if I have to benefit by somebody else losing out, then I'd rather not. >> And so, we need to reiterate and teach that kind of mentality. >> Yeah. >> You know, teach everybody that, you know, you you need to sacrifice. We're not put on this earth for our own benefit. >> We're put here to benefit somebody else and make somebody else's life easier when we can. And so if anything, it's really that that lesson of selflessness. >> Selflessness. Yes. Well, I can honestly say you are probably one of the most incredible examples of that. So we thank you for modeling that because you taught us what you preach. That is for sure. And thank you. This is your first time being on Access City Council. >> It is >> your first but not your last. >> Well, we hope not. >> Absolutely. Thank you so much. You just have done so much to uplift so many in our community and beyond. So, we appreciate you and Councilman, thank you. Wonderful guest. We appreciate you for that. All right, stay with us. We'll be right back. >> Hey, school's back in session. We love honoring our teachers any chance we get. Right, Councilman? That's right. >> Boy, we did it, didn't we? Well, you did it with your excellence in teaching. >> You know what? When I initially ran for office, I told everybody I'm a police a police daughter, a fire wife, a fire w fire mom, too. In addition to that, I've got kids in Ward 4 schools and I really wanted to do something for education, but you get here into the city and the city does very little for education. Uh there's a school board of trustees. They have elected body that uh oversees the school district. And it's a little bit like what does a city council person matter in educational issues. So, uh, I wouldn't take my mom hat off and I said we have to do something. I'm going to go raise some money. We're going to go find the best teachers and we're going to highlight the positive. >> Well, you certainly have because you highlight a teacher at the um elementary, middle, and high school level. And it was so exciting because we're going to take people there right now to check it out. >> We're proud of you. >> It's your day. We're proud of you. We are proud of you. Hey. Hey. We are proud of you. Say, "We are proud of you." >> Let's hear it. Congratulations. >> Okay. Let's turn you around. >> Let's turn you around. >> Okay. Okay. Everybody, I need you to get on your feet and give a huge cheer to our excellence in teaching teacher recipient of this amazing award, Tanya Lock. This year, Principal Schaefer told us about someone who is truly special. Mrs. Tanya Lockach meets every student where they are and helps see what they are capable of. In her classroom, students build confidence, character, and have fun learning. Her impact goes beyond the classroom. In just two years, she grew the cheer program from just 20 students to more than 100. >> That's cheer ladies in the back. It's my honor to present you with this year's Excellence in Teaching Award. Let's hear it from Ms. Lock. >> Okay, so you get a lot of cool prizes. She gets this beautiful trophy. How about this gorgeous? She gets a $1,000 check. Oh yes. Oh yes. That's yours. That's yours. You also get this amazing gift basket of all these goodies just for you. This is truly truly amazing. I am totally shocked. I wasn't expecting this at all. The school's amazing. The staff is awesome. And these kiddos, as you can see, I love them dearly. And as you can see, it definitely shows. I I wasn't expecting this. This was kind of a a complete shocker, but I do thank you. This is awesome. Thank you. >> Let's hear it for Mrs. Lock, everybody. Hello, Mr. Ramirez. How are you? >> I bet you're wondering why we're all here today, huh? Well, we have a very special presentation for you. You are such an amazing teacher that everybody, even your children and your husband, came out to celebrate you today because guess what, boys and girls? Your teacher has won the excellence in teaching award. >> I just want to thank all the amazing educators here at Ruthie Deskin because I know that I would not have been able to do this alone. It starts from admin with Dr. Jessica Robin supporting me since the very beginning giving me this job. Um, she loves to tell the story how she hired me through the fence. Like I was literally standing at the fence dropping off my students. Uh, so I just want to thank her for the opportunity for believing in me since the very beginning. >> I love you, Mom. >> She cool. >> She's cool. Mrs. Torres, >> come on over. Come on over. Yeah. See, your your students know something you don't know. >> Apparently, >> they know something you don't know. Yeah. >> Yes. Well, we are here because we want to honor you with something special. For all your years of dedication, for being such an amazing educator, for pouring your heart and soul into everything you do to help our children, right, guys? >> You are our excellence in teaching awardee. >> I love my job. But I don't know what else to say other than that we got the best school and the best students and best parents. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry for people who didn't know her mom, her lovely mom nominated her, her daughter. That's special. So mom and dad who are here, mom, do you have anything you want to say? >> Just thank you. And she does a great job. She works hard. >> One, two, three. Councilwoman, I'm ready to go every year now. >> Oh, you're in. You're in. Let's do it. >> So much fun. You know, what a wonderful cause. We're highlighting the positive. You know, these teachers are getting the recognition that a lot of times, you know, they just don't get I know they don't get in it for that reason, but it's nice to say thank you. You're appreciate. And it's nice to get a $1,000 check >> and the big oversized giant check. Always welcomed. >> And our sponsors, right? >> Yeah. They're great. They always love coming. >> I love it. And they came through, that's for sure. In a big way. Councilwoman, hey, great job. >> All right, everybody. Coming up next, we're going to ask the council woman, what's the ward 411 in word for? Stay with us. Hey, welcome back everyone. It's time for What's the Ward 411? So, how does this work? Councilwoman will have 30 seconds to cover events happening in her war. All right. When her time is up, she'll hear this. That's it. Councilwoman, are you ready? >> No. Let's go. >> You're always ready. Okay. So, let's start with this first. You know, we had our amazing guest, um, former firefighter Frank Bizaro in our first segment. So, what's the Ward 411 with the 911 event at Police Memorial Park? >> This is an annual event. We've done it uh for many years uh with the 1013 club which is a association of retired New York City uh police officers that were there at 911 and uh we have the stage out and generally uh we have uh the sheriff come on and we we honor we honor those that gave their u last full measure devotion to us in our country. Uh and of course this year is significant because it's the 25th uh anniversary. So, we'll keep doing it as long as they're uh willing to willing to bring it together. Oh, >> that's wonderful. Well, that's with this the bell doesn't matter. >> You can't keep an elected official to 30 seconds. >> We're just going to let her roll. >> Well, that was wonderful. And I think it's so important. That's right. As long as you know we have breath in our bodies, we're going to make sure that we pay tribute. Never forget. Okay. Wonderful, Councilwoman. All right. So, what is the Ward 41 with the Wayne Bunker pickup courts? >> It's coming along. I think we have some uh footage to see how fast we're growing. Uh it's been a construction project in the area for about the last nine months and we hope as long as construction stays on path and and nothing derails us to have a ribbon cutting first quarter 2027. So, we're on schedule so far. >> So exciting. Can't wait for that. Was there for the groundbreaking and that was really, really fun. Much needed too. >> 24 competition grade courts. So bring it. >> Bring it. >> And she plays too. So just saying we're gonna see you out there. >> It is fun. It's a fun game. It's really the biggest growing sport in America. So it is fun. Very, very timely that the courts are coming online. Okay. Oh, and we got under 30 seconds. How about that? All right. What's the W411? Speaking of school being in session on crossing guards um at Centennial High School, >> we had a near accident at Centennial in the spring. a young lady on an ebike was hit by a car and uh thrown off her off her uh bike. So, I knew Centennial was an important uh a part of that. And when the city came out with their list of new high schools that we were going to try a pilot program and Centennial wasn't on it, I >> was a little vocal about it and I talked to Olympia who is uh developing the northn northwest of my ward and told them about this deficiency and they came through with uh $25,000 to make that crossing guard happen. So they're funding it for the first year. We're grateful to them and we're grateful to have a a safe school with crossing guard to ensure our kids can cross the street safely. >> Safety first. >> It's beautiful. >> That's for sure. Wonderful. Hope we can keep that going, too. Speaking of safety, what is the Ward 41 on speed limits on certain roads in the Northwest? >> Yeah, we've grown a little goofy and particularly on uh Centennial right near the high school, it goes from 45 to 35 to 45 to 35. It's inconsistent. Yes. >> And so the neighbors in the area when you tell them to call, they'll really call us. So we did a a street study. Public works came in and monitors and and sees makes a recommendation on which is uh the appropriate speed limit and they came in and said reducing the speed limit was appropriate. So we've done that and I'm confident that this school year will be safer than last. >> That's wonderful. And then also we have a couple other roads too. >> Yeah. In the area. The Northwest is growing and with that comes growing pains. So But we're taking the appropriate steps, which is so important. I love that. Okay. And finally, oh, what's the war 401 on Veterans Memorial? >> Oh, we are. We are crushing it out there. The statues are up. >> Yes. >> And I think we have some footage on that. We're we're so happy with this. Uh and really, when I talk to the neighbors, the neighborhoods adjacent are so excited to to be the the the new stewards of the memorial. Uh we are looking for a looking at a ribbon cutting in November hopefully on Veterans Day. All things I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed. Uh but so far so good and it it looks magical already from the road. So >> incredible. We had such a huge show of support too through the groundbreaking which was phenomenal. So, you know, kudos to you and all those who, you know, just kept their foot on the accelerator and said, "We're going to make this happen." And now it's going to be open for more people to actually see it for an extended period of time as opposed to, you know, where it once was where it closed at 5:00 p.m., you know. So, wonderful. Okay, Councilman. Wow. That's it. >> Yeah. Well, we're talking about a lot for happening. I'm happy to do >> report happening. Yes. Well, thank you so much for stopping by and we're going to do it again in six weeks. >> I'll see you here. >> Okay. Sounds wonderful. All right, Councilman Palinsky and her team would love to hear from you. You can call her 702229-2524 or send her an email at fp palinskylo vegasnavvada.gov. Be sure to visit the W4 website as well. A lot of good stuff there. You can also subscribe to the Councilwoman's newsletter by scanning that QR code at the end of the show. By the way, catch all of our City of Las Vegas TV shows on YouTube at city of Las Vegas TV or online at las vegasenvada.gov/connect. Appreciate everybody for watching. We'll see you again next time. Heat. Heat.