Oro Valley: Cost To Annex Is Too High

In an article posted on the Inside Tucson Business web site on May 4, 2007, Philip S. Moore writes about Oro Valley's unsuccessful attempt to annex the Foothills Mall & and the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa.

Mr Moore points out that Oro Valley scrapped the plans to extend their communities boundaries southward citing what they said were unreasonable demands from these two entities.

Were the demands "unreasonable?"

Well, according to the article,"both requests were similar to what Oro Valley has already agreed to do with other shopping centers, including Oro Valley Marketplace and Steampump Village, and a deal with the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort."

So,taking the fact that this annexation won't happen because the "demands were unreasonable," but similar to what Oro Valley already gave to The OV Marketplace, Steampump Village & The El Conquistador Resort, we must ask this question:

Have the Mayor & Town Council finally come to the realization that we were "crazy" to give away millions of dollars of our desperately needed revenue to the large commercial developers?

Can it be what the folks at SOVOG (Stop Oro Valley Outrageous Giveaways),tried to tell this mayor & this council for two years, has finally sunk in?

We doubt it. We think the real reason, this deal was pulled, was the awareness of too many property owners that Oro Valley is well known to find new ways of taking money out of our pockets; whether it be the new Utility Tax, new & higher impact fees, and the threat of a property tax.

Too many people don't want to come into Oro Valley, and certainly don't want Oro Valley to come to them!

Oro Valley Spokesman "Moves On"

We're not sure how many of our readers are familiar with the name Bob Kovitz. Up until last week, Mr. Kovitz spent the last six years as Oro Valley's spokesman.

We don't know all of Kovitz's job responsibilities, other than saying nice things about Oro Valley, and writing our mayor's speeches, but, the thing we find, somewhat incredulous, is his replacement. You see, "his replacement," is not an individual, but a company. Not any company, but a company who calls some of the following, their clients.

Tucson-based The Caliber Group Inc. is now handling the town's public relations.

Some of Caliber's current clients:

Bourne Partners,
Clear Channel Outdoor Company,
Commerce Bank of Arizona
Diamond Ventures, Inc.
Tucson Association of REALTORS®
Splendido/Mather LifeWays

You might recognize a couple of names from this "elite" list.

Bourne Partners, for example-----the recipient of one of Oro Valley's "giveaways," who brought us the strip mall at Oracle & Magee.

Splendido----the wonderful assisted living facility on Rancho Vistoso Blvd----whose 4 story structure blocks the mountain views for any number of their neighbors.

Diamond Ventures---One of the early recipients of Oro Valley "generosity," as they are the Steampump Village people bringing us the long awaited Steinway Gallery.

Should be interesting when The Caliber Group does PR for the next recipient of Oro Valley giveaways, who happen to be their client.
You have to wonder what kind of spin we'll see then.

Gee, Bob, guess you never knew how valuable you were to Oro Valley the last six years. After all, it's taking a who public relations firm to replace you.

We're sure, however, it's well within our budget!

NO OUTDOOR PLANT WATERING 7AM-7PM

Effective immediately, Oro Valley will not permit plant watering outdoors from 7AM-7PM.
Read what some our neighbors say about this new conservation effort.