Oro Valley's ''CUP Runneth Over"

So----What's your definition of a CUP?

Most people would reply, "Are you kidding? A CUP is something you drink from, like coffee or tea."

If you're an athlete, and more likely a male, you'd probably reply: "A CUP is something you'd wear as a piece of "protective gear" during various athletic endeavors."

Some may think of a CUP as a chalice or a goblet.

However, if you're an Oro Valley citizen who keeps on eye on the government's actions, a CUP can be a really scary thing. You see, in Oro Valley, a CUP is a Conditional Use Permit.

Some recent examples where you might be hearing more about a CUP are:

Possibly as a means of allowing a 75' hotel at Innovation Park where the code limit is 36'.
Possibly as a means of allowing the house next to yours to become a "Religious Institution."
Possibly as a way to disregard a town ordinance to place all new power lines underground.

So---- If you hear the word "CUP" bantered around during Town Hall meetings, you might want to run and hide, as it could very well mean BIG trouble for the citizens.

You can't say you weren't warned.

Are You Listening, Mayor Loomis?

Hopefully, although Oro Valley has already committed to "give away" approximately FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS of our future revenue to retail developers, including more than TWENTY THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO VESTAR, a lawsuit being filed today will help stop this nonsense.

"Some Arizona businesses are launching a legal attack on a $100 million tax break by the city of Phoenix to lure a new development — a lawsuit that eventually could ban similar incentives statewide.

The lawsuit, scheduled to be filed today in Maricopa County Superior Court, contends these programs amount to an unconstitutional gift of public funds to selected retailers and developers. Attorney Clint Bolick of the Goldwater Institute, who is representing the business owners, also said the incentives illegally favor some firms over others, giving recipients a financial advantage over competitors."

Read the full article, which addresses Oro Valley giveaways in today's AZ Star Business section.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/195352

Bloated Budgets Drive Oro Valley's Thirst For More Taxes From You

Neighbor John Musolf sent us a very persuasive email detailing the many flaws in the Oro Valley 2007-2008 budgeting process that cause the Oro Valley budget to be bloated and out-of-control. John’s point is that” Oro Valley must take a “down and dirty” look at priorities,o n what it spends money on, on how it spends money, and on how each town can become more efficient before ever seeking a property tax.

We couldn’t agree more, John.

In fact, we thought that your email so persuasive that we’ve posted it so that all our bloggers can read it; not only now, but in the future as the property tax issue heats up.

Click here to read summary of John’s email. Or click here to read it in its entirety.