I'm Right Again Dot Com

AN OCTOBER 11, 2015 SPECIAL 


STRICTLY LOCAL POLITICS: The Oro Valley Recall Election


THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF OUR SCREED IS MEANT ESPECIALLY FOR VOTERS WHO LIVE IN ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA

If the mail-in ballot has not been delivered to your mailbox already, it will be soon. We are being inundated by advertising paid for by fat funds founded on earlier campaigns and personal contributions from the Majority of Four on the Oro Valley Town Council.  They brought about this recall election by their refusal to give citizens an opportunity to express their opinion on the wisdom of a major obligation that affects the taxes paid every citizen in the Town.  (Do not wonder why there are not more "big ticket" sellers in Oro Valley...appliances and automobiles.) 

The present Mayor said that we are going to praise him and his cohorts for this hasty decision within 10 years.  We ought to remind him that not the Mayor, Council Member, not the Town Manager, Attorney, Clerk and scores of other employees who held office in Oro Valley 10 years ago, are there today. Politics is a transitory occupation. 

Would the Mayor and the three who are facing recall be willing to risk their personal fortunes: savings, businesses and  real estate on a measure that deals with the taxes, fees, and fines collected from the citizenry—say a note of obligation due from The Gang of Four in 10 years, if they are wrong?

Here's my complaint:  In March of this year, Oro Valley dedicated a new 213-acre Town Park at 660 W. Naranja, a project that has been underway for decades.  Had the $1-million paid from the Town’s “rainy day” fund for the El Conquistador golf course, two swimming pools and club house, and the $1.2 million in improvements  scheduled  for this year alone, The Naranja Community Center would have provided the amenities Oro Valley citizens stated that they desired in a recent  survey. Instead, the Naranja Site is now essentially the "World’s Largest Doggie Play Park." 

STUPID QUESTION:  Why would imminently successful local estate entrepreneur and philanthropist Henry S. Lopez ever consent  to spin-off an Albatross?* It's a win-win for HSL, a major contributor to the Mayor's campaign fund. He got $1-million from the Oro Valley "rainy day fund, " and when finished, the rehabilitated golf course, clubhouse and food facilities will remain, available for use by the resort's guests.  How much better could this deal get?  How much worse will it get for we taxpayers? Read on, please.

Mr. Lopez attempted to make this same sort of deal with the City of Tucson, but their Council rejected his proposal.

I may be one of the few remaining persons who saw the result of a huge downpour of rain on the northwest slope of the Catalina range. The water came roaring down the CDO, carrying homes built on a 100-year flood plain and breached the Golder Lake dam.  The water carried away a berm and flooded the Oro Valley Golf links. That may never happen again, but if anything similar occurs, the Bridge Fairy is not going to replenish the Contingency Fund. We will.  

 Despite accounting smoke and mirrors, the El Conquistador Albatross* is a Tax Black Hole, with over a million dollars lost on operations of it in the first few months of Town ownership. I know that's peanuts to Politicians - because it's not their money being wasted.  The new Sales Tax increase imposed by the Council Majority meant to cover operations of the Albatross  has no “expiration date” on it.  There will be an even greater disparity between the operating  budget and the additional sales tax levied by the Council Majority meant  to fund it, as proposed structural renovations are made. If the present Majority of Four on the  Council is permitted  to proceed with their plans, the total investment will be over $12-million—and that's the lowest estimate yet to be made— but bound to be borne by Oro Valley Taxpayers.**   

Furthermore, Oro Valley has had an 18-hole golf course for a half century, now with fine dining and a fitness center - practically across the street from the El Conquistador resort. Also, it cannot be said that Tucson does not have a wealth of golf courses.  The Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain (Marana) sold theirs for one dollar!  The Stone Mountain course was sold for $25.00.

The three council members in the minority of our Town Council asked that a better assessment of the value of the El Con Albatross  that will hang around our necks forever be conducted, to no avail.  An attempt by citizens to bring the matter before the voters was rejected by the Mayor and majority of four of Town Council members.  That's what brought on this recall.

 What you and I ought to do is mark those ballots soon coming to our mailboxes with replacements  for them, before the Town of Oro Valley is bankrupt. 

 Please vote for PATRICK STRANEY FOR MAYOR… STEVE DIDIO,  RYAN  HARTUNG AND SHIRL LAMONNA FOR COUNCIL. 

 What do I suggest that be done with the Albatross?  Sell it.  North Oracle is still a huge magnet for commercial interests and home builders…next door to a beautiful resort.  Then, there will no need for the new sales tax increase. 

Feel free to pass this along...

-Phil Richardson. 535 E. Suffolk Drive, Oro Valley

For those who question whether the writer has had any experience in these matters:  I was chairperson of a bonding committee that provided the funds to double the size of Gene Reid Park and Zoo in central Tucson and member of the board of directors that built the present Community Center, Concert Hall and Leo Rich Theatre in downtown Tucson.                                                                      

*Albatross:  “ The Rhime of the Ancient Mariner”  - Coleridge

**    Let Oro Valley Excel :   http://www.letorovalleyexcel.com

 

-Phil Richardson, Observer of the human condition and storyteller. "He goes doddering on into his old age, making a public nuisance of himself" -  Joseph L. Menchen. 

  k7os@comcast.net

 


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