Is Terry Parish Worthy Of Your Vote? We say "NO WAY!"

Council Member Parish who is running for re-election has said any number of outrageous things during his first term in office.

We can't remember them all, but here a few of the comments he has made, that we believe, make him unworthy of serving Oro Valley beyond his present term.

Just this past Thursday at a Candidate Forum, Parish had the audacity to suggest that Salette Latas, a lady with class and integrity and worthy of being elected was promoting pornography in Oro Valley because she was against library computer filters. One of our bloggers indicated that her concern about the filters was that you could not get information like health issues such as breast cancer, because "breast" was a word stopped by the filter. Parish pushed for filters on the library computers, and we won't argue that point, but to suggest Salette didn't have a right to her point of view without having an audience hear she is promoting pornography was totally uncalled for.

But, we've learned that Parish has a propensity for denigrating people. He has done it to fellow Council Member Paula Abbott in print, and at least one citizen, John Musolf was chastised because Parish took exception to his comments in addressing the council.

Parish keeps endorsing Vestar with their 24/7 Wal-Mart, and, in fact was their "unofficial" spokesperson, advertising that the Vestar Market Place is "A Home Run," not withstanding the $23.2 million we'll give them for the likes of a Wal-Mart.

Just last week, Parish not only acknowledged he has accepted contributions from the developers, but was proud of doing so. Too bad, the citizens are paying for the developer's generosity to Parish.

At that same Sun City Candidate Forum, Parish saw fit to echo his friend Helen Dankwerth who also is seeking re-election, with the comment that we should give Sanofil-Aventis, the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company a $360,000 "kickback" on construction fees because it is such "a minuscule amount." Just another example of giving to the developers while taking from the citizens!!!

Finally, let's not forget his recent claim that the Naranja Park is "cursed" as the Council didn't take up his suggestion to "hit the citizens" for a $160 million bond issue---at least not yet.

Surely, Oro Valley can do better, and fortunately, we have Salette Latas and Bill Garner as viable candidates that certainly deserve your consideration.

Your top issues for 2008: Water, Spending, Taxes, Development, Council Election

Bloggers have a clear and consistent message to town council: Focus on the real issues that the town faces, water and spending in particular, and stop the frivolity of a grandiose town park that includes lots of of stuff most of us will have to pay for, but few of us will use.

Click here to read excerpts of responses received.