Prior to passing the budget by a 7-0 vote, there were ----by my count, 14 speakers from the audience.
Nine speakers addressed the cut in the $27,500 from the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce. Among those advocating giving the NPCCC their money were the Chamber CEO, ex Council member Dankwerth, the ex owner of The Explorer newspaper, The CEO of SAHBA and the owner of AAA Nursery.
Only two speakers who spoke on this aspect of the budget noted that the Chamber seems to contradict themselves as being an advocate of small business while they totally endorsed the entry of Wal-Mart into Vestar's Marketplace.
As Barry DiSimone noted in addressing the council, Wal-Mart has put more small businesses out of business throughout the country than any other entity.
Oh yeah. One more thing. More than one Chamber advocate chastised the council for not notifying them beforehand they would cut their funding.
I found this very curious. Can you imagine the uproar if Council Member Carter, the maker of the motion that cut their funds, had called the Chamber CEO and said, "Listen, I'm making a motion to cut your funds, and I know I have four other council members that will go along with me." They would have screamed, "It's collusion!" There was no collusion!
This council is concerned about the small Oro Valley business owner, and the Oro Valley homeowner. There vote tonight was the correct thing to do.
5 comments:
I was surprised that there was such an uproar over $27,000.
These same people remained silent
about the Wal Mart which potentially could impact our existing and local business for a heck of a lot more then $27,000.
Really sort of pathetic.
Reads to me like the NPCCC felt entitled to this donation.
NOTICE TO ALL:
The days of entitlement are over
Does Dankwerth understand that she lost her bid for re-election by receiving the LOWEST vote count of all the candidates? Her presentation at 'the call to audience' was filled with self-serving arrogance and an attitude of extreme distdain for Council.
Dankwerth, you had your chance(s) when you were on Council; your past performances, attitudes, etc. were repudiated big time! Get out of the fog!
My wife and I just had a house guest (friend) visiting from out of state; she is the Budget Director for a major county in a major state. One of her comments was that, when times call for budget cuts, fat trimming, the
'non-profits' simply don't get it and always try to bull their way to either more or continued funding. Ask them about details,
and you generally get simply a 'we're the greatest' answer with no details given. If the NPCCC should request some type of 'funding' in the future, I would suggest that they apply and tell the community EXACTLY how they are going to benefit the community with those given dollars. Also, they need to STAY OUT OF POLITICS; Their entry into this fray was sheer stupidity. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE MUST BE ABSOLUTELY IMPARTIAL RELATIVE TO THIS ARENA!
I still don't think that the chamber was doing much at all for OV.
As far as economic development, job growth, etc, seems TREO does that already.
Also looked at the Chamber website again and under benefits for members, well looks like the members give each other discounted services, etc. Ok, but again nothing for OV or its citizens.
Another thing I see that Gregg Forszt(sp), of Ventana Medical is on the Bd of the Chamber and notice that Ventana Medical is asking for an exception to the height restrictions.
This is an item on the next Bd. of Adjustment agenda.
Interesting.
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