Two Issues Concerning Arroyo Grande

Carolyn Campbell heads the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection.

In an Explorer article of March 26, on Arroyo Grande, Ms. Campbell, who recently addressed the Oro Valley Town Council, stated: “The largest cause of habitat fragmentation in the Southwest is urban growth."

Her most profound comment was this.

“I’m excited to be working with you,” Campbell told the council recently, but added, “I’m not excited about developing the land.”
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In his letter to The Explorer, Oro Valley neighbor Hector Conde addresses another issue on Arroyo Grande.

Septic tanks on Arroyo Grande? Not so likely

One of the often-heard assertions on the subject of Arroyo Grande is that if Pima County has jurisdiction over the area, there will be mobile homes with septic tanks built upon it. That, coming from Oro Valley officials, sounds hollow.

One has to consider that Oro Valley has the Highlands, a mobile home park, located on Lambert Lane, the same street where the mayor of Oro Valley lives.

Also, there are plenty of septic tanks in Oro Valley. My house, located in the middle of town, two miles from city hall, has a septic tank. The whole subdivision of Tangerine Hills has septic tanks. Moreover, I remember recently when a developer wanted to use septic tanks, the town refused, they went to court, and, as usual, the town lost.

The county wanted to buy the land from the state for preservation purposes, the only sure fire way I know that it will remain so in perpetuity. Agreements and promises may not work. So, how could Pima County could allow septic tanks or mobile homes in a land that can be used for preservation only? The county deal fell through because the appointed state land commissioner — a real estate salesman for 20 years — decided, all by himself, to declare the law unconstitutional. He ignored Marbury v. Madison, on 1803, where the Supreme Court was recognized as having the power to review the acts of Congress as to how they abide with the Constitution. There was no mention of the commissioner having any say on unconstitutionally.

Hector Conde
Oro Valley

Read the Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/21691