The name Don Cox should be quite familiar to our readers. Cox, a prolific comment maker here, wrote the following letter, printed in the April 19 Explorer.
Whether our readers agree with Cox or not is the question. Will an endorsement from Don Cox be helpful or hurtful to Terry Parish in his run-off election with Barry Gillaspie is another question.
Without further comment, we'll leave these questions for our readers. We look forward to your comments.
Art
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Parish Has Given What Oro Valley People Have Wanted
Whether you like it or not, a very significant part of the political landscape in America is the activity of contributing money to a candidate for office. In fact, this practice has become so popular there are businesses that do nothing but raise funds for candidates. Even the state of Arizona is in the political contribution business with the Clean Elections folly.
Terry Parish has raised a significant amount of money in his bid for re-election. Much of it came as a result of his past support for “much-needed, citizen-requested” commercial development. I utilize the terms, pointing to an Oro Valley citizen survey conducted not long before Mr. Parish’s election in 2004. At that time the population was screaming for more retail and dining opportunities closer to where they lived. Now allow me to quote from the most recent (2007) Oro Valley satisfaction survey.
“Desired Improvements – Oro Valley residents indicate that the best way to improve overall satisfaction is via recreational opportunities, retail and dining opportunities, improved traffic and controlling new building.” These are listed in the order of their importance as expressed by the citizens.
In two separate surveys, years apart, the citizens of Oro Valley have clearly stated that they want more places to shop and dine in Oro Valley.
So in essence Mr. Parish has supported the will of the people. In return for his efforts we read: “He is in the pocket of developers”, “…accepting illegal contributions”, “Mr. Parish is nothing but a liar,” and “money funneled to him was obtained in … a murky manner”. None of these are accurate or deserved.
Where is the outcry from the do-gooders about the shady contributions to Oro Valley candidates made by the Pima County Democratic Party in a non-partisan election? Where is the outcry against the phone banks being conducted by the same folks on behalf of the same candidates? Those things are far more disturbing, in my opinion, than Mr. Parish supporting the will of the vast majority of the citizens and receiving honest, legal and above-board contributions. By the way, I am still waiting for some candidates to declare their in-kind contributions from the Pima County Democratic Party and their attorney.
If you wish to disagree with Mr. Parish on issues, that’s fine. It adds to a healthy debate. But to accuse him of selling his vote, breaking the law and lying is simply tactless and exhibits petty ignorance.
Mr. Parish puts his life on the line every day he goes to work protecting the citizens of Pima County. He comes home to take care of his family and then tackles the job of being an Oro Valley Town Councilman. We should be thankful for people like him.
Show some class, folks.
Don Cox
Oro Valley
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Tucson Citizen Has Concerns About Arroyo Grande
Although not a resident of Oro Valley, in his letter printed in the April 10 Explorer, Mr. James Wagner expresses his concerns about Arroyo Grande.
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Arroyo Grande Belongs To Us
I, as many of you, have been following the recent “debate” about OV’s acquisition of Arroyo Grande and plans to build 16,000 (!!!!) new homes, along with high density housing and commercial strip malls, with a great deal of interest and a feeling of “Oh No. They are going to ruin it!”
In fact, this special area will be changed forever to an area of urban sprawl. OV’s commitment to leave 68 percent of the land as “open space” is at best a fabrication and at worst a bald-faced lie. I have seen the proposed plan as published in the Explorer and there is no way that 68 percent of the plan provides for open space as I interpret “open space”. Asphalt is not “open space”.
As I understand it, little or no provisions are being made for increased water usage or the degradation of our lives that we will have to endure because of the increased traffic, air pollution, etc. It also seems to matter little to OV that their annexation will destroy a pristine and critical area of Sonoran Desert, a wildlife transit corridor that cannot be replaced. We are in danger of becoming another example of the sprawl that characterizes Los Angeles and Phoenix.
I suggest that if OV has overspent in its budgets, it cut its spending as we citizens must do.
However, the big unmentioned and therefore unanswered question is: “What about us?” What about those citizens, like you and I, living here who are not located in OV? Arroyo Grande is state land located in Pima County, and we have a right to be consulted, and our input must have at least as much weight in these matters as OV’s budget. We are being totally disregarded in the decision-making process by OV and AZ. Our only and most effective present recourse is to call our representatives at Pima County and the State of AZ to voice our support or, as I hope, our objections to this land grab by OV and try to put a stop to it. I have done so and my representatives were very receptive to my calls. Pima County is demanding a seat at this table and is being resisted by OV and AZ.
At the very least, OV must be required to sign on to the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, truly commit to the 68 percent open space requirement, and provide for citizens not living in OV but directly affected by the planned acquisition. A referendum would be the appropriate venue. We, the citizens of Pima County, own Arroyo Grande and we must have the final say. Dear reader, please become active in this very important matter before its too late.
James R. Wagner
Tucson
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Arroyo Grande Belongs To Us
I, as many of you, have been following the recent “debate” about OV’s acquisition of Arroyo Grande and plans to build 16,000 (!!!!) new homes, along with high density housing and commercial strip malls, with a great deal of interest and a feeling of “Oh No. They are going to ruin it!”
In fact, this special area will be changed forever to an area of urban sprawl. OV’s commitment to leave 68 percent of the land as “open space” is at best a fabrication and at worst a bald-faced lie. I have seen the proposed plan as published in the Explorer and there is no way that 68 percent of the plan provides for open space as I interpret “open space”. Asphalt is not “open space”.
As I understand it, little or no provisions are being made for increased water usage or the degradation of our lives that we will have to endure because of the increased traffic, air pollution, etc. It also seems to matter little to OV that their annexation will destroy a pristine and critical area of Sonoran Desert, a wildlife transit corridor that cannot be replaced. We are in danger of becoming another example of the sprawl that characterizes Los Angeles and Phoenix.
I suggest that if OV has overspent in its budgets, it cut its spending as we citizens must do.
However, the big unmentioned and therefore unanswered question is: “What about us?” What about those citizens, like you and I, living here who are not located in OV? Arroyo Grande is state land located in Pima County, and we have a right to be consulted, and our input must have at least as much weight in these matters as OV’s budget. We are being totally disregarded in the decision-making process by OV and AZ. Our only and most effective present recourse is to call our representatives at Pima County and the State of AZ to voice our support or, as I hope, our objections to this land grab by OV and try to put a stop to it. I have done so and my representatives were very receptive to my calls. Pima County is demanding a seat at this table and is being resisted by OV and AZ.
At the very least, OV must be required to sign on to the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, truly commit to the 68 percent open space requirement, and provide for citizens not living in OV but directly affected by the planned acquisition. A referendum would be the appropriate venue. We, the citizens of Pima County, own Arroyo Grande and we must have the final say. Dear reader, please become active in this very important matter before its too late.
James R. Wagner
Tucson
Again---"It's Like Being Nibbled To Death By Ducks"
We thought we'd once again use our good friend Phil Richardson's most appropriate line, as it concerns a consent agenda item on the April 16 Council meeting agenda.
Consent Agenda Item E.
Resolution No. (R)08 - 27 Providing Notice of Intent to Increase Water Rates, Fees and Charges for the Oro Valley Water Utility.
So------ fair warning----be ready for more "duck nibbling."
By the way, in case you missed it, Phil's original "duck nibbling" can be found on our April 2 posting.
Consent Agenda Item E.
Resolution No. (R)08 - 27 Providing Notice of Intent to Increase Water Rates, Fees and Charges for the Oro Valley Water Utility.
So------ fair warning----be ready for more "duck nibbling."
By the way, in case you missed it, Phil's original "duck nibbling" can be found on our April 2 posting.
"More" On Arroyo Grande! Read The Comment Below
Two articles in the April 10 Az Star address the decision by the Oro Valley Town Council to initiate Pre-Annexation talks with the State Land Department.
The initial cost to Oro Valley? Well, it's more than $500,000, including legal fees. A worthy endeavor? You tell me.
One comment from an Az Star reader may hit the "nail right on the head" even though this potential growth will not be fast.
The write says:
Read the Az Star articles here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/233610
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/233612
The initial cost to Oro Valley? Well, it's more than $500,000, including legal fees. A worthy endeavor? You tell me.
One comment from an Az Star reader may hit the "nail right on the head" even though this potential growth will not be fast.
The write says:
Quoting OV Planning & Zoning Director Sarah More--- "Oro Valley is looking out for the best interest of its citizens."
"Well, give her credit for chutzpah. Oro Valley is looking for more revenue to prop up its failed business model. The only way they can survive is to grow, and grow fast.
Town leaders are in bed with developers and will lie, as they have lied in the past, to residents while giving out cozy deals to their developer pals."
Read the Az Star articles here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/233610
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/233612
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