Inside Tucson Business reports in their Nov 7 issue what most of us already know: The Oro Valley "giveaways" have fallen well short of the projections.
Read it here.
http://www.azbiz.com/articles/2007/11/07/news/doc472b66a50f0a5929365351.txt
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Thank You Explorer For Publishing My Letter
The Explorer was good enough to publish my letter in their Nov 7 issue as I saw fit to refute letters from Mr. Cox & Mr. Cunnington in the Oct 31 issue. In the interest of fairness, I linked to their letters, if anyone is interested.
Art
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Rebates: dumb, dumber
In reference to the letters to the editor in the Oct. 31 EXPLORER, Cox and Cunnington still don’t get it, but that’s not surprising. Being familiar with their letter writing campaigns, it seems both these individuals have a major problem accepting facts.
Cox writes: “I guess we are supposed to feel bad about the additional $485,000 in tax revenue.” Right off the bat, he misleads the reader. Quite conveniently, Cox fails to note that almost half of this “windfall” goes right back into the pocket of Bourn Partners, or at least to whomever they sold the property.
Interesting to note, the contract Mayor Loomis signed says nothing about voiding the contract if the original developer sells.
As for Steam Pump Village, it was projected to generate in excess of $500,000 in revenue by now. That projection was off target by some 90 percent. Sadly, it’s only about $50,000 with almost $25,000 “kicked back” to the developer.
Giving the developers our revenue wasn’t smart then, and it’s looking even dumber now.
Those are the facts whether Cox can accept it or not.
If Oro Valley had any semblance of an economic development program, they would not have found it necessary to “throw money” at the developers who were ready, willing and able to accept these “handouts.”
As for Cunnington, he wrote: “It sounds like neither (reporter Patrick) McNamara nor the town finance staffers have a clue how to run a business,” speaks volumes. Patrick is a fine reporter, not a businessman. Sadly, Oro Valley government had neither a reporter nor anyone with any business sense when these giveaways were signed off.
Cunnington writes, “Marana is full throttle on commercial development.” Perhaps he didn’t notice that Marana seems to bring in upscale, unique shopping to their community, without resorting to these foolhardy giveaways.
We trust our friends at the EXPLORER and realize there are many Oro Valley citizens that appreciate their honest reporting and editorial despite Cox’s and Cunnington’s uniformed comments.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am responsible for putting out a local blog: www.letorovalleyexcel.com.
Art Segal,
Oro Valley
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/20569
Art
************************************************************************************
Rebates: dumb, dumber
In reference to the letters to the editor in the Oct. 31 EXPLORER, Cox and Cunnington still don’t get it, but that’s not surprising. Being familiar with their letter writing campaigns, it seems both these individuals have a major problem accepting facts.
Cox writes: “I guess we are supposed to feel bad about the additional $485,000 in tax revenue.” Right off the bat, he misleads the reader. Quite conveniently, Cox fails to note that almost half of this “windfall” goes right back into the pocket of Bourn Partners, or at least to whomever they sold the property.
Interesting to note, the contract Mayor Loomis signed says nothing about voiding the contract if the original developer sells.
As for Steam Pump Village, it was projected to generate in excess of $500,000 in revenue by now. That projection was off target by some 90 percent. Sadly, it’s only about $50,000 with almost $25,000 “kicked back” to the developer.
Giving the developers our revenue wasn’t smart then, and it’s looking even dumber now.
Those are the facts whether Cox can accept it or not.
If Oro Valley had any semblance of an economic development program, they would not have found it necessary to “throw money” at the developers who were ready, willing and able to accept these “handouts.”
As for Cunnington, he wrote: “It sounds like neither (reporter Patrick) McNamara nor the town finance staffers have a clue how to run a business,” speaks volumes. Patrick is a fine reporter, not a businessman. Sadly, Oro Valley government had neither a reporter nor anyone with any business sense when these giveaways were signed off.
Cunnington writes, “Marana is full throttle on commercial development.” Perhaps he didn’t notice that Marana seems to bring in upscale, unique shopping to their community, without resorting to these foolhardy giveaways.
We trust our friends at the EXPLORER and realize there are many Oro Valley citizens that appreciate their honest reporting and editorial despite Cox’s and Cunnington’s uniformed comments.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am responsible for putting out a local blog: www.letorovalleyexcel.com.
Art Segal,
Oro Valley
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/20569
Three Worthy Letters To The Explorer
Three of our neighbors, Kathy Pastryk, Zev Cyman & Ihor Kunasz have written well thought out, intelligent letters that are in the Nov 7 issue of The Explorer along with my letter.
Please take the time to read them.
If you're inclined, you may also want to read the letter from Warner Wolff. Mr. Wolff voted to give in excess of $40 million dollars of our tax money to three developers within two months of leaving office. That wasn't smart then, and, obviously it's looking even dumber today.
Please read the letters to The Explorer here.
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/20655
Please take the time to read them.
If you're inclined, you may also want to read the letter from Warner Wolff. Mr. Wolff voted to give in excess of $40 million dollars of our tax money to three developers within two months of leaving office. That wasn't smart then, and, obviously it's looking even dumber today.
Please read the letters to The Explorer here.
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/20655
Bill Garner Candidate For Oro Valley Council:"A Voice Of Reason"
I would encourage all our readers to read Bill's comment of our posting of Nov 5 on the Council Vote to go ahead with a $48 million Naranja Park expenditure.
Whether you agree with Bill or not is not the issue. What is important is that Bill takes the time to analyze the situation and come with a coherent conclusion.
How refreshing is that approach when it comes to the majority of this council?
This is a prime example of why we enthusiastically support Bill Garner for Oro Valley Council in the March 2008 election.
Whether you agree with Bill or not is not the issue. What is important is that Bill takes the time to analyze the situation and come with a coherent conclusion.
How refreshing is that approach when it comes to the majority of this council?
This is a prime example of why we enthusiastically support Bill Garner for Oro Valley Council in the March 2008 election.
Sewer Bills May Rise Almost $4 Per Month
Along with all the other expenditures facing the citizens of Oro Valley, the Az Star reports that the Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking a rate increase. If approved the rate increase will go into effect in July 2008 and increase the average sewer bill (billed on OV Water bill) by $3.83.
Read the article here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/210391
Read the article here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/210391
Amphi School Bond Issue Approved
The voters in the Amphi School District which includes Oro Valley overwhelmingly approved a $180 million bond that will exceed $260 million with interest.
Almost 68% of the voters approved the bond money.
Almost 68% of the voters approved the bond money.
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