Barry Gillaspie Responds To Emil Franzi

Below is the letter Council Member Barry Gillaspie wrote to The Explorer concerning Vestar's incentive.

Gillaspie still thinks Vestar deal was wrong

In his column in the July 25 edition of the EXPLORER, Emil Franzi asks, “Why did three town council members — Helen Dankwerth, Barry Gillaspie and Terry Parish — bail out on their original position opposing the Vestar development subsidy?”

It is important to respond to this question as it misrepresents my position with respect to economic incentives paid for retail development. For the record, my position remains that I oppose the Vestar agreement, I opposed it in the past, and I have argued to lead the council toward removing revenue sharing as an incentive for retail development in the future. Evidence of my position can be found in the council meeting records at which economic development agreements (EDAs) have been discussed since I took office. When I took office in June 2004, the EDA with Vestar (and all of its associated uses) had already become a signed contract enacted by the previous mayor and council. I cannot speak for the balance of the council, but I know that I could not have voted to rescind a signed contract of this magnitude because of the very certain prospect that Oro Valley would be subject to a breach of contract claim and its associated liability of $23 million, a situation that would have bankrupted the town.

I appreciate Mr. Franzi’s interest in ensuring the council continues to serve on behalf of the citizens. I will continue to work at moving the town’s thinking away from economic incentives for retail development. I hope that citizens with an interest in this and other matters will stay involved with council meetings and other opportunities by using the tools we have put in place to monitor the record of all governance matters on behalf of the town.

Barry L. Gillaspie,
Oro Valley Town Councilman

Cunnington's Diatribe Downright Mean!

We don't know Oro Valley resident Rick Cunnington but we are familiar with his propensity for writing letters to the editor with something to say about Oro Valley politics. His latest letter in the Aug 15th Explorer is a doozy! In it, Rick slams those who are opposing Wal-Mart as the anchor of the "upscale" Oro Valley Marketplace. You can read Cunnington's diatribe by clicking here.

His rant is, well, downright mean! Quoting one sentence:"Perhaps you'll get lucky and have a real tragedy in your life." We ask: Does he think before he writes?

Click here to read the letter to the Explorer by Rosalie Wright that precipitated this Cunnington diatribe.

Two Perspectives----Wal-Mart Coming To Vestar's Marketplace

Two letter writers to the AZ Star with two perspectives on Wal-Mart's scheduled arrival in Vestar's Marketplace. Notice that the letter in support of Wal-Mart was written by a Saddlebrook resident. Last time we checked, Saddlebrook is not part of Oro Valley. The writer has no "skin in the game." We do.
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Speaking Up For Wal-Mart
I think it is about time that we people who are happy to see a Super Wal-Mart being built at the Oro Valley Marketplace make our voices heard. Yes, it is fun to walk around a mall like La Encantada, but that isn’t where I spend my dollars. Those items are priced beyond my pocketbook! With a few exceptions, such as Crate and Barrel, the boutiques are just not my cup of tea.

I will probably continue to drive all the way down to Tucson Mall for most clothing purchases, but for everyday, run-of-the-mill purchases, I’m happy as a clam that I won’t have to drive to the Foothills Mall to shop at Wal-Mart.

We can’t wait for the movie theaters to open and to have a number of restaurants to chose from. I am sure the smaller stores will offer many interesting goods and services as well.

I cheer on the earth movers each time I drive down Oracle Road.

Roberta Wisniewski,
SaddleBrooke
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Oro Valley was lied to

Re: the Aug. 11 letter to the editor "Speaking up for Wal-Mart."

The letter writer has it all wrong. The current controversy regarding a Wal-Mart being built in Oro Valley isn't regarding whether or not we are happy to see it built rather than a La Encantada-type shopping center. The issue is a much larger and more complicated.

To simplify it for her, residents of Oro Valley are angry at our Town Council for placing a proposition on the voting ballot which was a misrepresentation, or, in plainer words, a lie. We were lied to.

Mary Reilly

Histologist, Oro Valley

Wal-Mart Cave Creek Super Center On Hold

The Arizona Republic has reported that Wal-Mart has shelved their plans to open a new Super Center in Cave Creek had it been approved by the town. "The Cave Creek store is one of many projects placed on hold following recent re-evaluations of the chain's national growth strategy", said Wal-Mart zoning attorney Sean Lake.

Click here to read the article.