A number of bloggers expressed an interest in knowing who the "citizen" was that initiated the action that resulted in the Town saying I form a political committee.
First, some background.
On December 10, the Oro Valley Town Clerk, Kathi Cuvelier wrote me a letter stating that in "response to an inquiry," I file a Statement of Organization as a Political Committee. On January 31, I wrote the following to Ms. Cuvelier:
"May I ask that you respond with two items that, to date I only have verbally:
1) The name of the citizen that initiated the action. As you know, you supplied the name to me verbally.
2) The fact that there is no action to obligate me to form a Political Committee. As you know, this information has already been supplied, but again, only verbally."
Ms. Cuvelier was good enough to mail me the original "inquiry." Inasmuch as I now have it in writing, I am prepared to share it with our readers.
It was an email addressed to Kathryn Cuvelier dated Sunday, Dec 9, 2007. It asked that she review the "LOVE" blog and asked if "this group" is registered with the town as a PAC. It went on to say: "Their activities over the past year appear to put them in a position to be a PAC."
The email came from Larry and Twink Monrad and was signed: "Regards, Larry Monrad"
Please note, as I did----the email states it "appears " that our activities put us in a position to be a PAC. That is a far cry from the letter from Ms. Cuvelier that stated, in essence I MUST form a Political Committee.
In my conversation with the Town Clerk on January 31, I specifically asked who directed her to send me the December 10 letter. Her response was: "The Town Attorney, Tobin Sidles."
Thus, there are still a couple of questions that one may ask:
Why would the Town Attorney direct the Clerk to send this letter, when during my conversation with him on December 17, I got the impression he didn't believe I needed to form a Political Committee and mentioned he would get an outside legal opinion when I told him I didn't believe I needed to do so?
Incidentally, The New Town Attorney, Tobin Rosen responded to my second request by writing Mr. Clint Bolick of The Goldwater Institute, in the capacity of my legal representative, stating he concurs with the opinion that I need not form a Political Committee, and "my office will take no further action upon it."
So---- if my assumption is correct that Mr. Sidles thought better of pursuing the issue----who then may have directed him to take the action?
Also, why would Mr. Monrad be the one who thought I might be required to form---as he put it, "a PAC?"
I don't know Mr. Monrad. Perhaps some of our readers may be familiar enough to suggest why----unless of course, Mr. Monrad would like to say so himself.
Was there anything sinister in all of this? I don't know. All I can do do is ask, and wonder.
There it is, unless of course we can find out if "someone" perhaps had Monrad do his bidding.
Hmmm....
Friday, February 1, 2008
Az Star Letter From A Retired Environmental Agency Attorney, Re: Arroyo Grande
Ms. Kamaras has an interesting phrase in her letter to the Az Star Feb 1.
She says: "---- without regard for the consequences ---" I can't tell you how many times we noted the Oro Valley Town Council makes decisions which result in "unintended consequences." Hopefully, we can avoid that with this Arroyo Grande potential annexation.
Art
_____________________________________________________________________
STATE LAND TRUST IS BROKEN
Two huge developments have been proposed for southeast Tucson and north Oro Valley, both with lands from the State Land Trust. Both will impose traffic, tax and water use burdens among others, on this area. Businesses, non-profits, churches and individuals in Tucson have come together to form Sustainable Tucson, working to manage growth for our future.
The State Land Trust's actions are directly at odds with these local goals. The term "land trust" generally implies a responsibility to preserve resources for current and future generations. However, the State Land Trust appears to be aimed at selling state lands to the highest bidder without regard for the consequences, especially for our limited water resources.
If the mission of this state agency is to develop, rather than preserve, state lands, perhaps we need to change its mission. Otherwise, our trust has been broken.
Gail Kamaras
Retired environmental agency attorney, Tucson
She says: "---- without regard for the consequences ---" I can't tell you how many times we noted the Oro Valley Town Council makes decisions which result in "unintended consequences." Hopefully, we can avoid that with this Arroyo Grande potential annexation.
Art
_____________________________________________________________________
STATE LAND TRUST IS BROKEN
Two huge developments have been proposed for southeast Tucson and north Oro Valley, both with lands from the State Land Trust. Both will impose traffic, tax and water use burdens among others, on this area. Businesses, non-profits, churches and individuals in Tucson have come together to form Sustainable Tucson, working to manage growth for our future.
The State Land Trust's actions are directly at odds with these local goals. The term "land trust" generally implies a responsibility to preserve resources for current and future generations. However, the State Land Trust appears to be aimed at selling state lands to the highest bidder without regard for the consequences, especially for our limited water resources.
If the mission of this state agency is to develop, rather than preserve, state lands, perhaps we need to change its mission. Otherwise, our trust has been broken.
Gail Kamaras
Retired environmental agency attorney, Tucson
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