The Sept 12 Explorer reports that the Oro Valley Council granted a contract of almost $500,000 to build screening and retaining walls for the new Tohono O'odham archaeological site off of Rancho Vistoso Blvd and Moore road.
That wouldn't be news except for the fact that the estimate was for approximately only $315,000.
How did this disparity come about?
Well, the reason from the town's engineering department was the cost of building materials. That makes sense, but there's more to the story. You see, during the Council discussion on this expenditure, it seems either nobody knew, or nobody would acknowledge the escalated cost was no surprise to the contractor. If we are to be believe what we heard, the contractor advised the cognizant people that they were going to pay more as a result of their choice of building materials, and that the job would be less costly using basic stucco for the walls.
So, is anybody being less than totally forthright on this expenditure? We believe the answer is "yes."
Here's the article.
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/19776
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Phil Gibbs Asks About EDAs
In his letter of Sept 12 to The Explorer, Phil Gibbs asks, what will be if the Goldwater Institute lawsuit ultimately prevails in the courts. It's a legitimate question in light of the fact that Oro Valley handed out some $50 in incentives. Anyone care to respond?
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What will Oro Valley do?
The Goldwater Institute has initiated a lawsuit against the city of Phoenix and its mayor over the $100 million “Economic Development Agreements” Phoenix gave developers.
It is said that this lawsuit, if it prevails, may be retroactive and will make all of the EDA’s granted by Arizona towns be rescinded.
The Town of Oro Valley has granted EDA’s totaling over $50 million. I ask, what is the town’s liability and what does the Town Council intend to do if the EDA’s are rescinded?
Phil Gibbs,
Oro Valley
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What will Oro Valley do?
The Goldwater Institute has initiated a lawsuit against the city of Phoenix and its mayor over the $100 million “Economic Development Agreements” Phoenix gave developers.
It is said that this lawsuit, if it prevails, may be retroactive and will make all of the EDA’s granted by Arizona towns be rescinded.
The Town of Oro Valley has granted EDA’s totaling over $50 million. I ask, what is the town’s liability and what does the Town Council intend to do if the EDA’s are rescinded?
Phil Gibbs,
Oro Valley
Welcome: Dan Stebbins, New Explorer Editor
I had occasion to welcome Dan to to the Tucson area, and saw fit to send him the following letter. We appreciate Dan rescinding his predecessor's edict to not print letters of concern to the community. As I told Dan, we wish him well in his new position as Explorer editor.
Art
No shortage of opinions for opinion page
I would like to endorse Michael Falconer’s comment in last week’s EXPLORER (“One opinion of the opinion page”). Mr. Falconer is not alone in his rationale that the letters to the editor page should be just that — letters to the editor. Inasmuch as Dan Stebbins, as the new editor of the EXPLORER is not bound by previous restrictions, I would hope you will continue publishing letters that are newsworthy and relevant to the communities you serve.
As for Oro Valley news, may I suggest Mr. Falconer and all our citizens consider checking our local blog, www.letorovalleyexcel.com.
The blog allows our readers to comment on Oro Valley issues of interest and concern, including the tax giveaways and the forthcoming Oro Valley Marketplace, which includes a 24/7 Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Art Segal,
Oro Valley
Art
No shortage of opinions for opinion page
I would like to endorse Michael Falconer’s comment in last week’s EXPLORER (“One opinion of the opinion page”). Mr. Falconer is not alone in his rationale that the letters to the editor page should be just that — letters to the editor. Inasmuch as Dan Stebbins, as the new editor of the EXPLORER is not bound by previous restrictions, I would hope you will continue publishing letters that are newsworthy and relevant to the communities you serve.
As for Oro Valley news, may I suggest Mr. Falconer and all our citizens consider checking our local blog, www.letorovalleyexcel.com.
The blog allows our readers to comment on Oro Valley issues of interest and concern, including the tax giveaways and the forthcoming Oro Valley Marketplace, which includes a 24/7 Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Art Segal,
Oro Valley
Is Vestar In Violation Of Oro Valley's Sign Code?
So as to not deface the environment, Oro Valley has a code which prohibits billboards. We wonder if big, ugly trailers advertising a developer is considered a violation. Regardless, once you see it, we think you'll agree, it should be out of there, and the sooner the better.
Our own Zee Man alerted us to this situation on his podcast of Sept 8. Anyone driving into Oro Valley on Oracle road north of Tangerine road has two choices. Look to the left at the entrance to our beautiful Catalina State Park, or to the right, and see Vestar's new Marketplace, featuring the 24/7 Wal-Mart Super Center.
You won't be able to miss seeing a giant white trailer, advertising "Vestar," with their web site. Sure, it's their property, but talk about "ugly." What a site to behold! I guess that's just one more indication of Vestar's David Malin following up on his promise to be a "good neighbor."
We can only hope our Town Council looks into this situation, and determines that the "advertisement" must go.
Our own Zee Man alerted us to this situation on his podcast of Sept 8. Anyone driving into Oro Valley on Oracle road north of Tangerine road has two choices. Look to the left at the entrance to our beautiful Catalina State Park, or to the right, and see Vestar's new Marketplace, featuring the 24/7 Wal-Mart Super Center.
You won't be able to miss seeing a giant white trailer, advertising "Vestar," with their web site. Sure, it's their property, but talk about "ugly." What a site to behold! I guess that's just one more indication of Vestar's David Malin following up on his promise to be a "good neighbor."
We can only hope our Town Council looks into this situation, and determines that the "advertisement" must go.
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