Not News, But Oro Valley Home Prices Are Down By 10.5%

One of our bloggers sent us the following from Zillow.com. Surely, this is not a revelation to those of us living here.

However, it raises the issue as to why this Town Council thinks it's wise to consider burdening the citizens with a $48.6 million dollar park and a $30 million dollar Operations Center while home prices are so depressed.

Perhaps it shouldn't surprise any of us. After all, under the leadership of Paul Loomis this council has been spending our money so indiscriminately throughout the years.

We expect that to stop with this new council.

HOME VALUE TRENDS IN ORO VALLEY

According to Zillow's latest Home Value Report, home values in Oro Valley decreased 10.5% in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the first quarter of 2007. Nationally, single-family home values decreased 7.5% while condo values declined 9.0% during this same period.

Oro Valley Manager Recommends Reducing Pay Raises

David Andrews has our respect for the job he does as Oro Valley Town Manager. Hopefully, with a new council we'll see even more & better changes in the way Oro Valley operates.

While it appears the existing council has been "flying by the seats of their pants," we expect more decisions from the new council based on fiscal responsibility.

There is an article in the May 14 Explorer noting that David is at odds with the police union concerning proposed pay raises. We expect fiscal responsibility will prevail.

“The basis of my recommendation is affordability,” Andrews said.

Read the article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/05/14/news/doc482a249981c12079108110.txt

Oro Valley Marketplace: Still NOT "Upscale" & "Unique"

For those of our readers that may care which retailers (other than the 24/7 Super Center Wal-Mart) that will be "donating" almost 1/2 of OUR sales tax revenue to Vestar, below is the up-to-date list of Marketplace retailers.

Good grief! Twenty three million two hundred thousand dollars coming from OUR tax revenue.

All our readers should not forget. If you shop ----for example----at Target, Office Max, Petsmart, Home Depot, Sports Authority, Pier One, or Ross---Oro Valley keeps 100% of the sales tax revenue.

Why allow Vestar to pocket OUR MONEY from this Marketplace? Be smart. Shop there ONLY when absolutely necessary.

Does anybody believe the following PR BS from their web site?

"Oro Valley Marketplace has amassed a brilliant collection of boutiques, national retail anchors, unique eateries and traditional restaurants. For a quick bite, a special occasion, a gallon of milk, or an afternoon of retail therapy, the marketplace delivers."

Marketplace retailers.

http://www.orovalleymarketplace.com/storedirectory.shtml

Two Letters: The Truth Concerning Partisanship

Last week we posted Alan Dankwerth's letter to The Explorer suggesting the two new outstanding newly elected Council Members were elected as a result of "partisanship." We responded by saying his comments were nothing but "sour grapes," and his wife's last place finish in the recent election was her lack of concern for the people of Oro Valley.

Below are two opinions. Geri Ottoboni's letter to The Explorer and Shar Pelzl's letter to our blog.
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They weren’t first to inject OV with partisanship

I am writing in response to Mr. Dankwerth’s letter about partisan politics.

Apparently Mr. Dankwerth has a memory problem. He seems to have forgotten about the red cards the Republican Party sent out in 2006 endorsing several Republican candidates. When he mentions “significant monies,” he seems to have forgotten about the nearly $35,000.00 that Terry Parish received from the developers.

Terry Parish was the only candidate to publicly campaign with a recognizable partisan politician, Tim Bee. Like Parish, Mr. Bee is also a friend of developers, having recently sponsored legislation that would hinder Oro Valley’s ability to collect impact fees.

Before the primary, Paul Parisi, former town council member, and current employee of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, stood up at the LD26 Republican meeting and stated that the Chamber of Commerce was supporting these two fine Republicans, Helen Dankwerth and Terry Parish, and asked for their support.

Many Oro Valley residents, including this Republican, were disgusted with the present Town Council and their voting record, and they wanted a change. Democrats, Independents and Republicans walked precincts and made numerous calls for Salette Latas and Bill Gardner. This to me shows nonpartisan support, especially when members of several parties are working together for a common goal.

Mr. Dankwerth mentioned ability, knowledge, preparedness, decisiveness, and dedication. I can assure him that these are the very qualities that attracted people of all parties to Salette Latas and Bill Garner.

Mr. Dankwerth’s wife came in dead last in the primary and was eliminated from the Council. I’m sure that had nothing to do with partisan politics. Maybe it was her voting record.

In any case, Mr. Dankwerth’s letter reeks of sour grapes.

Geri Ottoboni

Oro Valley
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Re: Partisanship in Oro Valley; Alan Dankwerth is not as well-informed as he obviously claims to be.

As a member of the Sun City Democratic Club, allow me to set the record straight. The Latases are not even remotely responsible for OV’s partisanship.

Anyone who read Art Segal’s blog during this past week knows that Don Cox has freely admitted that in 2006 – two years ago -- he and Conny Culver sent out a postcards bearing the Republican Club’s logo to GOP households during the OV election campaign, announcing the Club’s endorsement of Don and Conny Culver. Oh, and also Al Kunisch – who the culprits, for reasons of their own, favored over long-time Republican and distinguished Council Member, K. C. Carter.

This story was well known two years ago because numerous recipients objected to this “outing.” Townspeople deplored the unfortunate break in tradition. Of the three recommended candidates, only Al Kunisch – who reportedly had nothing to do with the postcard – won that election.

It is unclear how Alan Dankwert used his filched copy of the Club’s newsletter to erroneously surmise that the Sun City Democratic Club invited Barry Gillaspie to speak based solely on his party affiliation rather than his accomplishments.

Has Dankwerth not seen Barry Gillaspie’s credentials? Gillaspie’s education (a degree in natural resources planning from the University of Arizona) and many years of experience as a Planner with Pima County and as a Planning Commissioner in Oro Valley blow away his opposition.

My husband and I, both members of The Sun City Democratic Club, would like Mr. Dankwerth to apologize for the slur. We would also like him to acknowledge that our club can engage any speakers we choose. America is still a free country.

We are both proud that the Club chose to support Barry Gillaspie, who will bring fairness, clarity, diligence, and firm, honest principles to his service as a council member. Barry Gillaspie will truly represent the people of Oro Valley.

Shar Pelzl

Sun City Resident