Isn't it great that The Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association (SAHBA) gave Dankwerth their "elected official" award for 2007?
How did Dankwerth merit this "prestigious award?" After not having Impact Fees for new homes raised since 1996, the Council finally agreed for the need to raise these fees. Rather than raise the fees as initially proposed, Dankwerth joined others and gave in to the Homebuilders "whining" and phased in the increase over a five year period. We're not really sure, but that might be one reason SAHBA "loves" Dankwerth.
That got us thinking----doesn't Dankwerth deserve even more recognition? No doubt! Let's think about a few other "awards" she so richly deserves.
1) LOOKING OUT FOR THE CITIZENS AWARD--- After the Council twice voted down the 4% Utility Tax, Dankwerth spearheaded the drive to push something through. We ended up with a 2% tax on our gas, water & electric bills, thanks to Dankwerth who said: "A half a loaf is better than none at all." Thanks a lot Helen "Taxwerth!"
2) GOLDER RANCH FIRE DISTRICT AWARD--- We're sure Fire Chief John Fink and his GRFD are indebted to Dankwerth who was responsible for the initiative to get GRFD as the SOLE provider for fire service in Oro Valley. The "hell" with the citizens whose bills have gone through the roof since then.
3) THE VESTAR INCENTIVE AWARD--- Back in Nov 2004, Dankwerth emphasized that the final decision on Economic Development Agreements rests with the Town Council according to existing policies. Her vote defeated a motion that would have allowed any Economic Development Agreements to be referable to the voters. And she claims she's an advocate for the people! "Give us a break!"
4) SANOFI-AVENTIS AWARD--- Talk about giving OUR tax money away. At a recent Council meeting Dankwerth had this to say concerning a $360,000 Construction Tax "kickback" to the world's 3rd largest pharmaceutical company with revenues of $39 BILLION: "I'm comfortable in giving them the MINUSCULE" amount of $360,000."
5) "UP IN SMOKE AWARD"--- Dankwerth came through once again, in "burning" the people. Unbeknownst to the citizens, a Crematorium was approved under the guise of a "Memorial Chapel." The citizens whose residences are nearby received zero consideration, which seems to happen much of the time.
6) EMBASSY SUITE AWARD--- The Rancho Vistoso area where Embassy Suites wants to build a hotel has some town codes that should be adhered to. The PAD specifically states "NO Hotel, and NO Structure over 36 feet." Don't you think Dankwerth voted FOR a hotel, and against the recommendation of the P & Z Commission, she helped approve a SIXTY FOOT HOTEL!
Do the voters need any more reasons to "send Dankwerth packing?"
Please----Help in improving Oro Valley for the PEOPLE of Oro Valley.
VOTE FOR ONLY BILL GARNER & SALETTE LATAS.
Art
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Look Who's Trying To "Sell" The Naranja Park On Behalf Of GOVAC
Does the name Dick Johnson ring a bell? Yup! He's the same guy who led the charge as a Council Member in 2004 to "push through" some $50,000,000 in "giveaways" to the big retail developers.
Johnson was free and easy "throwing" our sales tax revenues right into the developer's pockets. To this day, he still insists that monstrous building going up on Tangerine Rd just west of Oracle Rd is good for Oro Valley. How anybody can believe a 24/7 Super Center Wal-Mart is good for Oro Valley is difficult to comprehend.
Now that Johnson came up way short on his re-election bid, as too many voters wised up to his "cunning" ways, he's at it again, only this time it's "citizen" Johnson. Now he has become a lobbyist for GOVAC, the cash-strapped Arts Council that came to Oro Valley asking for something like a $200,000 donation.
Following is GOVAC's e-mail newsletter. If you believe Johnson "snookered" you while on the Council, we hope it won't happen again. Using the old cliche': "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
Don't let his smooth talk confuse the issue. The last guy that tried "smooth talking" Oro Valley citizens, was David Malin of Vestar, who convinced too many that Vestar was bringing us a "unique, upscale" shopping experience. Yeah! Sure. What did we get? WAL-MART!!!
Need I say more?
A park with ball fields for the kids is one thing. An amphitheater and aquatic center is something else. Building, maintaining and operating something like this will cost more than a few "lattes!"
Here's Johnson's "pitch."
Art
____________________________________________________________________
Greater Oro Valley Arts Council E-mail Newsletter onNaranja Town Site:
Please take the time to read this information because it contains CRITICAL information on the future of the Naranja Town Park. I am going to provide facts that give you insight into the past, the present, and the future.
The Past:
In November of 2000 the land for the Park was bought from the State Land Trust. This land was combined with adjacent Town land to form a 212 acre park site. In September of 2001 Stantec Consulting and The Architecture Co. began master planning the site. This process took 14 months. Included in this process was 17 public meetings; 6 meetings with 38 stakeholders representing the users of the Park; 3 community workshops and monthly meetings with a large Task Force appointed by the Council.
In 2004 an extensive evaluation of the cultural needs of the community was made by Webb Management. They interviewed a diverse group of users/potential users, patrons, etc. Their report clearly outlined the facilities the community would support.
In May 2006, the architecture firm of Burns, Wald-Hopkins began the programming of this site. In this phase, more detailed layout and planning was accomplished with relevant cost factors assigned to each component of the Park. This is where the $150 million figure came from
During the entire process there were an unbelievable number of Council meetings and study sessions. What was the result of all this input, money, and energy---not much.
The Present:
The Town Council has not yet decided how much of a bond authorization to establish for the November 2008 election. The debate is between a basic proposal of $49 million for the infra structure and the outdoor recreation facilities. No community center classrooms, offices, arts or indoor recreation areas are included. This proposal would cost an owner of a $300,000 home about $5.60 per month.
The other proposal would amount to $80,000,000. Beside the components of the above proposal this proposal would include a pool to be used for recreation as well as for swim meets held by high schools and swim clubs; and, a community center with a 500 seat multipurpose facility (performing arts, speakers, and HOA meetings are some examples for usage). The owner of the same $300,000 home would pay only $7.40 per month.
The cost difference is a whopping----------$1.80 per month. Not even enough to buy a latte.
The Future:
On February 6th the Council will meet to decide on the amount of the bond authorization. It is important to understand that a bond authorization is not an issuance and therefore does NOT incur any debt to the Town or to the taxpayer. Do not get wrapped up in a possible discussion of Operation and Maintenance expenses. This discussion will be held at the time the bond issue is discussed and decided upon. Currently, the Town's bed tax would be used to cover the O&M expenses.
Your involvement is absolutely needed to give the citizens the opportunity to vote on the bond issue they want. The $80 million bond authorization gives a greater number of citizens a stake in the Park thereby improving the probability of passage.
Please pass this email on to others and send an email to the Town Council expressing your views of this issue. Addresses are: kcarter@orovalley.net, bgillaspie@orovalley.net, akunisch@orovalley.net, tparish@orovalley.net, ploomis@orovalley.net, hdankwerth@orovalley.net, pabbott@orovalley.net,
We need you and others from your organization to attend the February 6th Council meeting. Have a representative from your organization speak (3 minutes). Also, more impact is gained by having a participant, especially a young person, also speak.
I strongly urge you to take action on this Park or another 8 years will pass and nothing will get done. If you have any questions please call me at 904-5554 or email me.
Thanks for your attention!!
Dick Johnson Oro Valley Citizen
Greater Oro Valley Arts Council
Johnson was free and easy "throwing" our sales tax revenues right into the developer's pockets. To this day, he still insists that monstrous building going up on Tangerine Rd just west of Oracle Rd is good for Oro Valley. How anybody can believe a 24/7 Super Center Wal-Mart is good for Oro Valley is difficult to comprehend.
Now that Johnson came up way short on his re-election bid, as too many voters wised up to his "cunning" ways, he's at it again, only this time it's "citizen" Johnson. Now he has become a lobbyist for GOVAC, the cash-strapped Arts Council that came to Oro Valley asking for something like a $200,000 donation.
Following is GOVAC's e-mail newsletter. If you believe Johnson "snookered" you while on the Council, we hope it won't happen again. Using the old cliche': "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
Don't let his smooth talk confuse the issue. The last guy that tried "smooth talking" Oro Valley citizens, was David Malin of Vestar, who convinced too many that Vestar was bringing us a "unique, upscale" shopping experience. Yeah! Sure. What did we get? WAL-MART!!!
Need I say more?
A park with ball fields for the kids is one thing. An amphitheater and aquatic center is something else. Building, maintaining and operating something like this will cost more than a few "lattes!"
Here's Johnson's "pitch."
Art
____________________________________________________________________
Greater Oro Valley Arts Council E-mail Newsletter onNaranja Town Site:
Please take the time to read this information because it contains CRITICAL information on the future of the Naranja Town Park. I am going to provide facts that give you insight into the past, the present, and the future.
The Past:
In November of 2000 the land for the Park was bought from the State Land Trust. This land was combined with adjacent Town land to form a 212 acre park site. In September of 2001 Stantec Consulting and The Architecture Co. began master planning the site. This process took 14 months. Included in this process was 17 public meetings; 6 meetings with 38 stakeholders representing the users of the Park; 3 community workshops and monthly meetings with a large Task Force appointed by the Council.
In 2004 an extensive evaluation of the cultural needs of the community was made by Webb Management. They interviewed a diverse group of users/potential users, patrons, etc. Their report clearly outlined the facilities the community would support.
In May 2006, the architecture firm of Burns, Wald-Hopkins began the programming of this site. In this phase, more detailed layout and planning was accomplished with relevant cost factors assigned to each component of the Park. This is where the $150 million figure came from
During the entire process there were an unbelievable number of Council meetings and study sessions. What was the result of all this input, money, and energy---not much.
The Present:
The Town Council has not yet decided how much of a bond authorization to establish for the November 2008 election. The debate is between a basic proposal of $49 million for the infra structure and the outdoor recreation facilities. No community center classrooms, offices, arts or indoor recreation areas are included. This proposal would cost an owner of a $300,000 home about $5.60 per month.
The other proposal would amount to $80,000,000. Beside the components of the above proposal this proposal would include a pool to be used for recreation as well as for swim meets held by high schools and swim clubs; and, a community center with a 500 seat multipurpose facility (performing arts, speakers, and HOA meetings are some examples for usage). The owner of the same $300,000 home would pay only $7.40 per month.
The cost difference is a whopping----------$1.80 per month. Not even enough to buy a latte.
The Future:
On February 6th the Council will meet to decide on the amount of the bond authorization. It is important to understand that a bond authorization is not an issuance and therefore does NOT incur any debt to the Town or to the taxpayer. Do not get wrapped up in a possible discussion of Operation and Maintenance expenses. This discussion will be held at the time the bond issue is discussed and decided upon. Currently, the Town's bed tax would be used to cover the O&M expenses.
Your involvement is absolutely needed to give the citizens the opportunity to vote on the bond issue they want. The $80 million bond authorization gives a greater number of citizens a stake in the Park thereby improving the probability of passage.
Please pass this email on to others and send an email to the Town Council expressing your views of this issue. Addresses are: kcarter@orovalley.net, bgillaspie@orovalley.net, akunisch@orovalley.net, tparish@orovalley.net, ploomis@orovalley.net, hdankwerth@orovalley.net, pabbott@orovalley.net,
We need you and others from your organization to attend the February 6th Council meeting. Have a representative from your organization speak (3 minutes). Also, more impact is gained by having a participant, especially a young person, also speak.
I strongly urge you to take action on this Park or another 8 years will pass and nothing will get done. If you have any questions please call me at 904-5554 or email me.
Thanks for your attention!!
Dick Johnson Oro Valley Citizen
Greater Oro Valley Arts Council
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