Carmen Suarez Is Concerned with the Future of Oro Valley

We are grateful to Carmen for taking the time to send us the following text message, and certainly agree with the comments concerning Oro Valley's future.

Art
*****************************************************************************
I have lived in Oro Valley for four years now, and I am amazed and saddened by how much it has grown. I think that growth is impossible to ignore, but proper planning isn't. Oro Valley needs to stay as a nice, clean community that attracts people to its beauty, but not at the cost of our environment and running it down to the ground with so many commercial properties and cookie-cutter houses. They stick-out like a sore thumb and don't blend into the environment. I hope that our leaders and residents think things thoroughly before expanding to the point that we become just another part of Tucson, and not the special and beautiful place that Oro Valley is and can offer to its residents.

Carmen Suarez

Oro Valley's Strategic Plan: OUCH!

Our friend & colleague, "the Zee Man" took Bill Adler up on his suggestion to read Oro Valley's Strategic Plan. Our title says it all.

Art
*****************************************************************************
Thanks to Bill Adler on his suggestion that we read the Town’s Strategic Plan. So I did. My take: Long on platitudes; town management focused; and it doesn’t adequately address the threats facing Oro Valley.

Some Examples

• The plan identifies lack of space of town offices and “poor public relations” as a strategic issue. Give me a break! Neither is strategic—they’re just window dressing.


• The plan notes the town vision: To be a self-sustaining community; not a bedroom community of Tucson. So, where is the strategy to attract and retain businesses that can give us high paying jobs. No, Mayor Loomis, Wal-Mart, Steinmart and a Movie Theater are not going to bring good jobs to Oro Valley.


• The Town vision is to be a great place to live. It won’t be a great place to live if Oro Valley doesn’t have a water supply that is sustainable at prices that reflect the true economic cost of water and rates that fair for all users. “Need to plan better for water protection”, says the plan. No, guys. We need to plan for better, more secure sources. After all, as the plan notes, our “Water aquifer is drying up”!!!! So, what’s the big water strategy? “Maintain an assured water supply designation by planning and developing a renewable water supply (e.g., CAP and reclaimed water), providing a high quality potable water supply, promoting water conservation, and fostering regional cooperation for water development.” Sounds to me like we better pray for rain!
  

ZeeMan Out