Just in case some of our readers haven't been around long enough, allow me to give you a recent Oro Valley history lesson.
Do you know why Paul Loomis initially ran for OV Council?
Answer--- As a resident of Lambert Lane very close to Riverfront Park, Loomis heard a apartment complex was being considered prior to it becoming a park. Loomis was worried about how his property values would be negatively impacted and fought the issue. What better way to fight, than run and get elected to the Council.
(Note: Considering the opposition at the time, getting elected wasn't too difficult)
Correction: Mayor Loomis pointed out that this was his issue, but the park had already been built by the time he ran for office. I apologize for misstating the time-line. Art
How about Terry Parish? What was his "issue?"
Answer--- At the corner of Lambert Lane & La Canada is a Beztak development. It's mixed use. Apartments plus some small retail. Well, as a citizen, Parish didn't like that as his home was in close proximity at the time. No sooner did Mr. Parish get elected, and against the advise of the then Town Attorney, he voted with Dankwerth, Gillaspie, and the recently defeated Conny Culver to not allow Beztak their permit. Beztak sued and Oro Valley spent an unknown amount of money settling.
What was"Lame Duck" Helen Dankwerth's issue?
Answer--- When the previous council approved a 75 foot hotel below Pusch Ridge, (which was an idiotic thing to do), Mrs. Dankwerth become so upset that this potential structure may impede her views that she made it a point to walk the site to determine if it would impact her. Her self serving comment: "No, it won't affect us in our custom home development."
Did Barry Gillaspie have an issue?
Answer--- You bet he did. As citizen Gillaspie, he was concerned that a new drug store was coming at the northeast corner of Oracle road & Hardy, right in front of Mr. Gillaspie's home. When the council did nothing to help citizen Gillaspie, he spent his own money to pursue the issue at The Board of Adjustment. Sadly, he lost there too.
What's the point you ask?
Answer--- You'd think these four, plus Al Kunisch, who walked the site of the forthcoming Anthem Equity commercial development by Rancho Vistso Blvd & Vistoso Village Dr. with some of the residents would be a little sympathetic to their constituents. Why Kunisch thought it would be good to visit the site, but refused to allow those citizens present to even speak is lunacy. What could Kunisch be thinking?
Well----we'll find out soon enough. This Wed night the Council will take up this issue. We can only hope this mayor & council will know what it's like walking in the shoes of the people who will lose their views and see their property values decline.
Unfortunately, their propensity to serve the developer at the expense of the people, does not give us much hope.
9 comments:
Art....
I may be wrong, but I think you strongly supported Helen, Connie, Terry, Barry in their opposition to the Beztak issue and their first election.
I also believe history will reflect you supported, including a relatively long passionate speech before the Town Council, Blake Hastings and his commercial development at Oracle and First Avenue, INCLUDING the 75'hotel.
It's kind of amazing how some leopards do change their spots!!
"LOVE"!!
Good Try Don Cox, but as usual, you take some facts and add your own take. YOU ARE WRONG!
Allow me to set the record straight.
In the 2004, in order to remove Dick Johnson & Bart Rochman,who sought re-election,along with Warner Wolff who thankfully did not seek re-election, I supported Dankwerth, Culver, Gillaspie, KC & Richy Feinberg.
You may recall, you finished last in that election.
Shortly after supporting the two ladies & Gillaspie, I realized the "error of my ways" although I did help defeat Johnson & Rochman and was a factor in your last place finish. I and enough other voters felt we did good with those results.
It took 2 years, but I am pleased to say I helped defeat Culver in 2006 and am proud of my role in having Dankwerth finish in a place you are quite familiar with---last place.
If you care to check you'll note I did speak on behalf of Blake Hastings and his proposed development below Pusch Ridge.
What I said was this: We should not have given Bourn 6.9 million & Vestar $23.2 million, but having done so, Mr. Hastings was more deserving as a long time Oro Valley resident than those other two in receiving his incentive. The fact that those three fools "caved in" and allowed for a 75 foot hotel,was too idiotic for words. For you to say I supported that is nothing but a lie!
For those who don't know you, they may be surprised the way you skew the facts. The many of us who do know you, are not at all surprised. It's your way of doing things.
Let's hope we are all around to see
Loomis get voted out!!
something to look forward to.
Art...
There are times when I read some of your jaded responses and just chuckle...especially when I point out some of your transgressions. I made no mention of your motives. Why you do what you do is far too complicated for me to figure out. And I didn't add "my take" to anything.
I said you supported Helen, Barry, Terry and Connie. You agreed that you did.
I said you supported the Blake Hastings development including the 75' hotel. You agreed that you did.
And yet you say,"YOU ARE WRONG" and "For you to say I supported that is nothing but a lie."
It's not surprising but you appear to be contradicting yourself.
Ms. Coyote...
I wouldn't be surprised if he is serving his last term. I think he may sell his home here and move to Phoenix and join his SO.
This has been an "enlightening" group of comments!
Is it really possible that we will get rid of Loomis?
Does SO mean what we think it mean?
Thinker, if he is planning on selling his house & moving to Phoenix to be with his SO that explains a lot.
That could be the reason he does not seem to be concerned about the future of OV as he does not look at OV as a home, just a place to live until he moves to Phoenix. Sounds like Phoenix would be more to his liking, as he seems to want OV to be like Phoenix, while we don't.
Ferlin...Mayor Loomis is in a long term relationship with a lady from Phoenix. I think now that he has retired from his government job, he may very well pick up and move. I have no definitive evidence of this, it is just "my take".
For many reasons, not the least of which is his long-term relationship with his friend in Phoenix, it seems unlikely to me that the Mayor would stand for re-election again. However, he sees himself as a champion on regional cooperation, and if we continue to talk about transportation, water and land protection issues on a regional basis, he may decide that he can do more in office than out.
To Garner and Latas--the world looks a whole lot different from the other side of the dais. Congratulations to both of you. Now comes the real work, and you might want to start by taking a look at the top of the administrative organization to check out the source of any malodorous activities wafting your way.
Bobbie-Baby,
Do you mean the Town Manager?
Do you mean the P & Z Director?
"Malodorous"--meaning what?
Just trying to learn from your experience here!
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