Below are two opinions. Geri Ottoboni's letter to The Explorer and Shar Pelzl's letter to our blog.
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They weren’t first to inject OV with partisanship
I am writing in response to Mr. Dankwerth’s letter about partisan politics.
Apparently Mr. Dankwerth has a memory problem. He seems to have forgotten about the red cards the Republican Party sent out in 2006 endorsing several Republican candidates. When he mentions “significant monies,” he seems to have forgotten about the nearly $35,000.00 that Terry Parish received from the developers.
Terry Parish was the only candidate to publicly campaign with a recognizable partisan politician, Tim Bee. Like Parish, Mr. Bee is also a friend of developers, having recently sponsored legislation that would hinder Oro Valley’s ability to collect impact fees.
Before the primary, Paul Parisi, former town council member, and current employee of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, stood up at the LD26 Republican meeting and stated that the Chamber of Commerce was supporting these two fine Republicans, Helen Dankwerth and Terry Parish, and asked for their support.
Many Oro Valley residents, including this Republican, were disgusted with the present Town Council and their voting record, and they wanted a change. Democrats, Independents and Republicans walked precincts and made numerous calls for Salette Latas and Bill Gardner. This to me shows nonpartisan support, especially when members of several parties are working together for a common goal.
Mr. Dankwerth mentioned ability, knowledge, preparedness, decisiveness, and dedication. I can assure him that these are the very qualities that attracted people of all parties to Salette Latas and Bill Garner.
Mr. Dankwerth’s wife came in dead last in the primary and was eliminated from the Council. I’m sure that had nothing to do with partisan politics. Maybe it was her voting record.
In any case, Mr. Dankwerth’s letter reeks of sour grapes.
Geri Ottoboni
Oro Valley
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Re: Partisanship in Oro Valley; Alan Dankwerth is not as well-informed as he obviously claims to be.
As a member of the Sun City Democratic Club, allow me to set the record straight. The Latases are not even remotely responsible for OV’s partisanship.
Anyone who read Art Segal’s blog during this past week knows that Don Cox has freely admitted that in 2006 – two years ago -- he and Conny Culver sent out a postcards bearing the Republican Club’s logo to GOP households during the OV election campaign, announcing the Club’s endorsement of Don and Conny Culver. Oh, and also Al Kunisch – who the culprits, for reasons of their own, favored over long-time Republican and distinguished Council Member, K. C. Carter.
This story was well known two years ago because numerous recipients objected to this “outing.” Townspeople deplored the unfortunate break in tradition. Of the three recommended candidates, only Al Kunisch – who reportedly had nothing to do with the postcard – won that election.
It is unclear how Alan Dankwert used his filched copy of the Club’s newsletter to erroneously surmise that the Sun City Democratic Club invited Barry Gillaspie to speak based solely on his party affiliation rather than his accomplishments.
Has Dankwerth not seen Barry Gillaspie’s credentials? Gillaspie’s education (a degree in natural resources planning from the University of Arizona) and many years of experience as a Planner with Pima County and as a Planning Commissioner in Oro Valley blow away his opposition.
My husband and I, both members of The Sun City Democratic Club, would like Mr. Dankwerth to apologize for the slur. We would also like him to acknowledge that our club can engage any speakers we choose. America is still a free country.
We are both proud that the Club chose to support Barry Gillaspie, who will bring fairness, clarity, diligence, and firm, honest principles to his service as a council member. Barry Gillaspie will truly represent the people of Oro Valley.
Shar Pelzl
Sun City Resident
2 comments:
Excellent letters!
Partisan politics really had nothing to do with what candidate won or lost.
Again I don't recall getting any mailings from the Democratic party, but I did get 3 mailings from the Parish camp, with an out of town postmark stamp.
So if there are more registered Republicans in Ov, then why would
a push by Democratic party clubs help?
Perhaps most of us were not voting for a party , we voted for a person. We voted because of issues.
In past posts (as well as in multi-person gatherings), I have maintained that, in my opinion, partisan politics should have no accomodation in the execution of an election or the running of a Town government. All things Town are not simply Republican or Democrat agendas; as a matter of course the true definitions of both 'parties' have been quite muddied over the past years and, quite frankly, I have difficulty in distinguishing between the two much of the time.
As a registered independant but
a constitutional conservative, I have looked at certain criteria in my sponsorship of the recent candidates which has little or no political bent - capacity for communal understanding, ability to learn and grasp individual issues in relationship to the whole, knowing oneself, ability to communicate, and the desirability to be transparent and adhere to the ideals and regulations as outlined in the Arizona Statutes, the General Plan, the Town 'rules and regs', etc. It is based on these traits that I did support Bill Garner, Salette Latas and am supporting Barry Gillaspie, all with whom I have had detailed discussions and have attended forums at which they spoke.
I respect that both Dankwerth and Parish have had the desire to work for this community as they have; I cannot attach myself to their visions and/or methods. Republicans, Democrats, Independants or whatever - I support the Oro Valley party!
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