We received an email, a second one, from this blogger with similar content. We thought we'd share it and our response with you. Tell us what you think:
Here’s the email we received:
“Your constant harping on the $23 million giveaway is alienating people. Did you read the letter in the Oro Valley Explorer??? It's over and was done by other people. Why not focus on current issues that have some meaning to the broad majority. Out of curiosity, I'm curious as to whether or not you think a 75 foot hotel in the Tangerine/Oracle area will block anyones views???”
Our Response---
“If you are referring to the letter from "Roberta in Saddlebrooke," yes I read it. Rather than responding, why don't you read the comment from "Vicorian Cowgirl," to the letter which was posted on the blog. Her response is as good as anything I might say.
As far as alienating people, I expect those are the same people who bought into the "story" that Vestar was bringing in a "unique, upscale" mall. Don't you realize that Vestar will pocket almost half of Oro Valley tax revenue that will be cannibalized from our existing retailers? I'm not even talking about the big retailers. What about the small independent shop owners like the bike store, the card shop, the small boutiques. These people, many of whom are Oro Valley residents may lose their businesses as a result of this Wal-Mart competition. And, don't tell me about free enterprise. If Vestar didn't get that giveaway, nobody could argue with their arrival here. But, that is not the case.
And, by the way, in case you missed it, The Goldwater Institute has filed a lawsuit, which, hopefully, if successful, will negate these giveaways. Are they also "harping?"
Enough on that. As to a 75' hotel at Innovation Park, there is only one issue. Not whether it will impede any views-----the developer acknowledged it would!--- but it violates the code. Do you understand that we have a code that limits the hotel to 36'? Why would the council violate a code at the whim of a developer?
Also, in case you don't know----the previous council violated the code by allowing a 75' hotel in front of Pusch Ridge, on the east side of Oracle road. The issue there was not about impeding people's views, but of impeding the beautiful views of the mountain.
You obviously have a different point of view on the direction Oro Valley should take.
As for your comment, "Why not focus on current issues that have some meaning to the broad majority,'' what issues are you alluding to? Could it be, the Utility Tax, The Golder Ranch Fire Dept annexation, the 4 story Splendido, the potential new row of 21 power lines on Tangerine, the $160 million Loomis wants to spend on his park, the water shortage issue, the crematorium, the town budget, etc.?
Are you reading our blog? I guess not. If you were, you wouldn't make the comment as to "focusing on current issues." That's all we've been doing since our inception! Why not tell me, what issues concern you and "the broad majority" we seem to be "alienating?"
Perhaps, we could address "those" issues."
