Some of us probably are familiar with Emil Franzi from either his column in the Explorer, or his radio show on KVOI on Saturdays. Last week we printed his June 6th column, "Separating Wal-Mart Fact From Fiction", Franzi "pulls no punches" and tells it as it is. Click here to read the column.
Since the original posting, however, Franzi saw 'fit' to insert a leading sentence in the article that says that Hizzoner Loomis voted against the Vestar "giveaway". Seems that even Franzi can be fooled by Loomis. But we're not.
Loomis is not going to be the "Teflon Man" on this deal.
The fact is that Loomis made the motion for the $23.2 million Vestar giveaway. There were a number of subsequent amendments, and the mayor did vote against the final motion, indicating he was against the motion because he "opposed parag 5" which had to do with development standards. Check it out! Log on to the Oro Valley Town link and review the minutes from the April 7, 2004 meeting agenda item 6.
Even more important, where was Loomis when it came time for us to vote? Where was he when we got those glitzy four color circulars? Answer: Nowhere. The leader of our town was silent. He did not lead. If he thought that the Vestar Deal was going to be what it is turns out to be, he should have told us so. We would have achieved a majority and voted it down.
But he didn't. He was silent.
And there, folks, is the problem.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Update On Tangerine Road Overhead Power Lines
You may recall our recent posting concerning the issue of the new overhead power lines on the south side of Tangerine between La Canada & La Cholla----or, if they were to go underground as per the OV Ordinance.
Well , the issue was to be potentially decided by the OV Council at the June 20 meeting. However, the applicant has requested that this project be continued indefinitely.
We can only hope "indefinitely" means until an agreement is reached that the new lines go where they belong: underground.
We'll let you know.
Well , the issue was to be potentially decided by the OV Council at the June 20 meeting. However, the applicant has requested that this project be continued indefinitely.
We can only hope "indefinitely" means until an agreement is reached that the new lines go where they belong: underground.
We'll let you know.
Oh No! Another Neighborhood Loses Out To Commercial Development
We just received this email, with a "plea for help" from Sylvia Quick, a resident in Tangerine Hills. We're not sure how long Sylvia has lived there, but we wouldn't be surprised if the OV spokesperson tells her; "Don't blame us; blame your real estate agent that sold you your home "however many" years ago!"
Art
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We live in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Oro Valley,Tangerine Hills. We are located near 1st and Tangerine, where the Ace Hardware next to the Walgreen's is being built. As homeowners we knew that a small medical plaza was going in, so imagine our shock when they started building this eye sore! There was no disclosure by O.V. that they had sold the property to another contractor. We were awakened one morning by the noise of backhoes mowing down our desert, and were dismayed to hear from O.V. that it was going to be a big shopping center with an Ace hardware as its center! Our neighborhood was never notified that the plans had changed.That it was up to us to check in public records, as if every homeowner does this on a regular basis! They have destroyed our views, not to mention our property values!
O.V. has betrayed us, and we aren't going to sit still for this!
Please help!
Sylvia Quick
Art
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We live in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Oro Valley,Tangerine Hills. We are located near 1st and Tangerine, where the Ace Hardware next to the Walgreen's is being built. As homeowners we knew that a small medical plaza was going in, so imagine our shock when they started building this eye sore! There was no disclosure by O.V. that they had sold the property to another contractor. We were awakened one morning by the noise of backhoes mowing down our desert, and were dismayed to hear from O.V. that it was going to be a big shopping center with an Ace hardware as its center! Our neighborhood was never notified that the plans had changed.That it was up to us to check in public records, as if every homeowner does this on a regular basis! They have destroyed our views, not to mention our property values!
O.V. has betrayed us, and we aren't going to sit still for this!
Please help!
Sylvia Quick
WARNING! It Sounds Like Deja Vu (All over again!)
For those of us (there may be a couple), who are not familiar with Vestar, the WLB Group sounds much like the "pitch" from David Malin, Vestar Project Manager. It appears the main difference is proximity. This new requested zoning change is for the NW corner of Oracle & Tangerine roads. Vestar, as we know is developing the SW corner.
By the way, WLB is the group that was involved with the 12.9 million EDA to Town Centre (below La Reserve), that has yet to start development.
The WLB letter states they're having a meeting that will allow surrounding residents "an opportunity to provide input, ask questions, offer opinions, and obtain more information on this project."
As we said, ''it sure sounds llike deja vu ----- all over again!"
Stay tuned.
Art
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The WLB Group, an engineering, planning, surveying, urban design, landscape architecture firm in Tucson, Phoenix, Las Vegas is planning to change the Rancho Vistoso PAD. Their letter (to only a few homeowners in the neighborhood) reads as follows:
Dear Neighbor:
The owners of the property located on the northwest corner of Tangerine Road and Oracle Road are proposing an amendment to the Rancho Vistoso Planned Area Development. This amendment would only affect approximately 144 acres of the 810-acre Neighborhood 3. We would like to take this opportunity to discuss the project with adjacent landowners.
A neighborhood meeting will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 20007 at the Oro Valley Public Library at 11000 N La Canada. This meeting will allow surrounding residents an opportunity to provide input, ask questions, offer opinions and obtain more information on this project. Should you have an questions in the meantime, please email me at pgoland@wlbgroup.com or call me at (520) 881-7480.
Sincerely,
THE WLB GROUP, INC.
Gustav Paul Oland
Project Manager
Land Planning Department
By the way, WLB is the group that was involved with the 12.9 million EDA to Town Centre (below La Reserve), that has yet to start development.
The WLB letter states they're having a meeting that will allow surrounding residents "an opportunity to provide input, ask questions, offer opinions, and obtain more information on this project."
As we said, ''it sure sounds llike deja vu ----- all over again!"
Stay tuned.
Art
*****************************************************************************
The WLB Group, an engineering, planning, surveying, urban design, landscape architecture firm in Tucson, Phoenix, Las Vegas is planning to change the Rancho Vistoso PAD. Their letter (to only a few homeowners in the neighborhood) reads as follows:
Dear Neighbor:
The owners of the property located on the northwest corner of Tangerine Road and Oracle Road are proposing an amendment to the Rancho Vistoso Planned Area Development. This amendment would only affect approximately 144 acres of the 810-acre Neighborhood 3. We would like to take this opportunity to discuss the project with adjacent landowners.
A neighborhood meeting will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 20007 at the Oro Valley Public Library at 11000 N La Canada. This meeting will allow surrounding residents an opportunity to provide input, ask questions, offer opinions and obtain more information on this project. Should you have an questions in the meantime, please email me at pgoland@wlbgroup.com or call me at (520) 881-7480.
Sincerely,
THE WLB GROUP, INC.
Gustav Paul Oland
Project Manager
Land Planning Department
Yet Another Dissatsified "Customer" When It Comes To Wal-Mart And The Oro Valley Marketplace
Brett Sandovnick questions the "competence/integrity" of Oro Valley's elected officials when it comes to having Wal-Mart in the Oro Valley Marketplace. In a Letter to The Editor in today's Starnet online he writes: "Since our elected officials made ... promises [of a unique, upscale shopping experience] to us, we can either conclude that they are incompetent when it comes to negotiating contracts with retail developers or they were lying to us. I see no other possibilities." Click to read Brett's letter.
Kathy Pastryk Agrees With The Zee Man
Our friend Kathy Pastryk not only listens to the Zee Man's "Love Is On The Air," but endorses his comments. By the way, it would be a good idea to take Kathy's advice to attend this Wednesday's council meeting. The critical question concerning our water issues, including new escalated connection fees will be on the agenda. Here's Kathy's post:
"You're right on, Zee Man...Council has been way too complacent about Vestar's control of this town. Admittedly, it was the "old" council that passed the EDA... but the present council urged us all to "Vote YES" on The Marketplace. How can they ignore the imposition of a Wal-Mart in the face of so many outraged residents? This issue is NOT going to go away...soooooo let's all attend council meetings and tell them what we think. This Wednesday will be the next one. See ya!"
"You're right on, Zee Man...Council has been way too complacent about Vestar's control of this town. Admittedly, it was the "old" council that passed the EDA... but the present council urged us all to "Vote YES" on The Marketplace. How can they ignore the imposition of a Wal-Mart in the face of so many outraged residents? This issue is NOT going to go away...soooooo let's all attend council meetings and tell them what we think. This Wednesday will be the next one. See ya!"
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