Yesterday, we posted the fact that there was a Consent Agenda item on tonight's (July 2) agenda.
D. **Resolution No. (R)08- 53 Authorizing the execution of the Financial
Participation Agreement between the Town of Oro Valley and EC
Tenant Corp., lessee-operator of the El Conquistador Country Club
(the “Country Club”), authorizing the expenditure of funds, delegating
authority to the Town Engineer and declaring an emergency to exist to
reconstruct the Fourth Fairway of the El Conquistador Course.
Well----here's the deal. Evidently, last year the previous town council agreed that as a result of the widening of La Canada Dr, the 4th fairway was positioned that errant shots may hit vehicles driving by. That would potentially make the town liable.
All that is understandable. What's not understandable was the negotiations. It appears there were two options. An ugly high screen that would preclude golf balls landing on La Canada Dr, at a cost of $500,000, or the repositioning of the 4th fairway at a cost of $420,000.
The town chose the latter option.As for the negotiations, as Craig Civalier, the town engineer explained it----Oro Valley paid $17,100 for the design phase. The Country Club paid the rest---$1,900.
What about the $420,000 expenditure? Well----obviously, Oro Valley negotiated a great deal-----for the Hilton El Conquistador. Oro Valley pays the total amount. The Hilton pays "zilch."
To their credit, Bill Garner, Salette Latas & Paula Abbott voted "NO." The deal passed 4-3.
Disgraceful?
We sure think so. To let a private enterprise (The Hilton) off without contributing to this major expenditure is hard to understand. Let's remember, La Canada Dr was there PRIOR to the golf course being built.
By the way, to his credit, citizen Bill Adler let the council know, this deal "smells bad." (My words, not his.)
Anyone from the town wishing to explain why this deal was totally one sided, is certainly welcome to comment.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Director Of The Az State Land Dep't Says: "Time To Change Rules For Handling State Trust Land"
Mark Winkleman is the Director of The Arizona State Land Department.
Since he took the helm the trust has generated $1.8 billion in revenues compared to the $1.1 billion it generated in the 90 years before his tenure. This money primarily is used for public education.
Mr. Winkleman's had this to say on the state land voter initiative:
"I believe the best way to bring our laws up-to-date is through the new "Conserving Arizona's Water and Land" voter initiative."
Click here to read his column from the Arizona Republic.
Since he took the helm the trust has generated $1.8 billion in revenues compared to the $1.1 billion it generated in the 90 years before his tenure. This money primarily is used for public education.
Mr. Winkleman's had this to say on the state land voter initiative:
"I believe the best way to bring our laws up-to-date is through the new "Conserving Arizona's Water and Land" voter initiative."
Click here to read his column from the Arizona Republic.
Patty Estes Responds To Recent Explorer Editorial--Re: Kai Property
We previously took exception to this same editorial in a recent posting. Explorer Editorial: "Let's Deal Straight Up"
Below is Patty Estes. letter printed in the July 2 Explorer.
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In OV, there are no backroom developer deals
This letter is in response to “Let’s Deal Straight Up,” June 18.
It is interesting that the editor did not mention the Oro Valley General Plan even once in the editorial. The Kais, prosperous Marana businessmen, were seeking a major amendment to the general plan, ratified by the Oro Valley voters in 2005. All stakeholders, including the Kais, were part of that process. In addition, the general plan process clearly defines the numerous public meetings which are required to take place before a major amendment can even be heard before the town council. Only one such meeting had taken place before the Kais withdrew their proposal.
The editor stated that the neighbors don’t want more neighbors. The current General Plan designation allows 255 homes (roughly three times what current zoning allows for that property) plus a neighborhood commercial area. This hardly constitutes denying the Kais use of their property. The current general plan protects riparian areas, open space, and slopes, and encourages clustering. These were not added by the recent proposal.
Yes, many residents do worry about incompatible uses adjacent to their homes. In fact, industrial / commercial / professional parks often do not want to be adjacent to residential areas. Ventana Medical even sued the town of Oro Valley when they changed the zoning on an adjacent parcel to residential. The purpose of zoning regulations is to ensure that uses are compatible, benefit the community, and reduce conflict. The standards for infill are necessarily more stringent than when developing property with no existing neighbors.
I am very curious as to what the editor means by Oro Valley being surrounded by “relative mess.” Is he referring to Marana and unincorporated Pima County?
When the town of Oro Valley follows the rules outlined in the general plan, it inspires confidence in the residents. Contrary to the feelings of the editor, this experience goes a long way to restoring the faith of the citizens in the processes of government. It allows all sides to be heard in public meetings and dispels the notion that backroom deals with developers are business as usual in Oro Valley.
Patty Estes
Oro Valley
Below is Patty Estes. letter printed in the July 2 Explorer.
************************************************************************************
In OV, there are no backroom developer deals
This letter is in response to “Let’s Deal Straight Up,” June 18.
It is interesting that the editor did not mention the Oro Valley General Plan even once in the editorial. The Kais, prosperous Marana businessmen, were seeking a major amendment to the general plan, ratified by the Oro Valley voters in 2005. All stakeholders, including the Kais, were part of that process. In addition, the general plan process clearly defines the numerous public meetings which are required to take place before a major amendment can even be heard before the town council. Only one such meeting had taken place before the Kais withdrew their proposal.
The editor stated that the neighbors don’t want more neighbors. The current General Plan designation allows 255 homes (roughly three times what current zoning allows for that property) plus a neighborhood commercial area. This hardly constitutes denying the Kais use of their property. The current general plan protects riparian areas, open space, and slopes, and encourages clustering. These were not added by the recent proposal.
Yes, many residents do worry about incompatible uses adjacent to their homes. In fact, industrial / commercial / professional parks often do not want to be adjacent to residential areas. Ventana Medical even sued the town of Oro Valley when they changed the zoning on an adjacent parcel to residential. The purpose of zoning regulations is to ensure that uses are compatible, benefit the community, and reduce conflict. The standards for infill are necessarily more stringent than when developing property with no existing neighbors.
I am very curious as to what the editor means by Oro Valley being surrounded by “relative mess.” Is he referring to Marana and unincorporated Pima County?
When the town of Oro Valley follows the rules outlined in the general plan, it inspires confidence in the residents. Contrary to the feelings of the editor, this experience goes a long way to restoring the faith of the citizens in the processes of government. It allows all sides to be heard in public meetings and dispels the notion that backroom deals with developers are business as usual in Oro Valley.
Patty Estes
Oro Valley
Explorer Reporter (Rightfully) Taken To Task
The following two letters printed in the July 2 Explorer express our views exactly. A reporter's job is to report. An editor's job, among other things is to voice the opinion of the newspaper. Explorer reporter Patrick McNamra crossed this line in his recent report on the Oro Valley Board of Adjustment. As noted by the two letter writers, inferring that the council members who voted with intelligence & wisdom might have been compromised over a small campaign contribution is shear lunacy. It certainly is not good reporting and why Mr. McNamara felt compelled to mention it, leaves one to question his motives.
Art
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‘Unfair, unbalanced’ reporting shameful
Mr. Patrick McNamara wrote “Town to re-advertise 3 slots on board of adjustment” published June 27.
Quoting Mr. McNamara: “Two other citizens joined Pelzl to blast the appointees, prompting the council to vote 4-2 to delay its decision and to re-advertise the positions on the board. Pelzl also donated to the campaigns of Garner and Latas.”
Later, Mr. McNamara stated: “Ottoboni also gave council members a collection of letters to the editor Cox wrote to The Explorer dating back to 2003. The letters provide ‘an insight into his personality,’ said Ottoboni, who has donated money to the election campaigns of council members Barry Gillaspie, Bill Garner and Salette Latas.”
Does Mr. McNamara mean to imply that Gillaspie, Garner and Latas voted for the delay because Pelzl and Ottoboni contributed to their campaigns?
This is terrible innuendo heaped on the residents Pelzl, Ottoboni, and the council members integrity.
Shame!
Thank you,
John Musolf
Oro Valley
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In the interest of complete disclosure
When I read the article that Mr. McNamara wrote about the Board of Adjustments, I thought it was interesting that he brought a “Political Slant” to the article.
Since he mentioned that I contributed to Mrs. Latas, Mr. Garner and Mr. Gillaspie’s campaign, I would expect that he would have also mentioned that I donated to Al Melvin, Marilyn Zerull and Joe Higgins campaigns as well as volunteer for them. I was also a delegate to the Republican meeting in Phoenix. Previously I volunteered and donated to Randy Graff, David Jorgensen and Al Melvin’s campaign.
When it comes to reporting, I believe it should be complete and accurate. Thank you.
Geri Ottoboni
Oro Valley
Art
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‘Unfair, unbalanced’ reporting shameful
Mr. Patrick McNamara wrote “Town to re-advertise 3 slots on board of adjustment” published June 27.
Quoting Mr. McNamara: “Two other citizens joined Pelzl to blast the appointees, prompting the council to vote 4-2 to delay its decision and to re-advertise the positions on the board. Pelzl also donated to the campaigns of Garner and Latas.”
Later, Mr. McNamara stated: “Ottoboni also gave council members a collection of letters to the editor Cox wrote to The Explorer dating back to 2003. The letters provide ‘an insight into his personality,’ said Ottoboni, who has donated money to the election campaigns of council members Barry Gillaspie, Bill Garner and Salette Latas.”
Does Mr. McNamara mean to imply that Gillaspie, Garner and Latas voted for the delay because Pelzl and Ottoboni contributed to their campaigns?
This is terrible innuendo heaped on the residents Pelzl, Ottoboni, and the council members integrity.
Shame!
Thank you,
John Musolf
Oro Valley
*************************************************************************************
In the interest of complete disclosure
When I read the article that Mr. McNamara wrote about the Board of Adjustments, I thought it was interesting that he brought a “Political Slant” to the article.
Since he mentioned that I contributed to Mrs. Latas, Mr. Garner and Mr. Gillaspie’s campaign, I would expect that he would have also mentioned that I donated to Al Melvin, Marilyn Zerull and Joe Higgins campaigns as well as volunteer for them. I was also a delegate to the Republican meeting in Phoenix. Previously I volunteered and donated to Randy Graff, David Jorgensen and Al Melvin’s campaign.
When it comes to reporting, I believe it should be complete and accurate. Thank you.
Geri Ottoboni
Oro Valley
Is Don Cox His Own Worst Enemy?
Is anyone surprised by the Cox letter printed in the July 2 Explorer?
Certainly those of us that know first hand about his words & deeds expected nothing less.
For perhaps the first time in history, Oro Valley is blessed to have a majority of thoughtful, intelligent citizens on the Town Council serving the citizens.
Opening the Board of Adjustments to other qualified citizens was a very wise decision by this council---against the wishes of Mayor Loomis & Vice Mayor Kunisch.
Cox couldn't or wouldn't accept this decision graciously. Instead, he---as usual saw fit to denigrate some unnamed council members by writing:
"But more importantly and, in my opinion, much more to the point, you cannot have elected officials running to one another lobbying to get their cronies appointed to the boards and commissions for the sole purpose of tilting a board or commission toward their own political and / or personal philosophy. Unfortunately, this happened repeatedly during this most recent cycle of interviews."
This is just another example of why Cox should not be worthy of being on this too important board. The fact that there were only 3 applicants for 3 positions does not mean you have to accept them. The majority of this council shows wisdom that has always been lacking here!
Read the Cox opinion here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/02/opinion/editorials/doc486aa86ad27a8599143302.txt
Certainly those of us that know first hand about his words & deeds expected nothing less.
For perhaps the first time in history, Oro Valley is blessed to have a majority of thoughtful, intelligent citizens on the Town Council serving the citizens.
Opening the Board of Adjustments to other qualified citizens was a very wise decision by this council---against the wishes of Mayor Loomis & Vice Mayor Kunisch.
Cox couldn't or wouldn't accept this decision graciously. Instead, he---as usual saw fit to denigrate some unnamed council members by writing:
"But more importantly and, in my opinion, much more to the point, you cannot have elected officials running to one another lobbying to get their cronies appointed to the boards and commissions for the sole purpose of tilting a board or commission toward their own political and / or personal philosophy. Unfortunately, this happened repeatedly during this most recent cycle of interviews."
This is just another example of why Cox should not be worthy of being on this too important board. The fact that there were only 3 applicants for 3 positions does not mean you have to accept them. The majority of this council shows wisdom that has always been lacking here!
Read the Cox opinion here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/02/opinion/editorials/doc486aa86ad27a8599143302.txt
A True American Hero This 4th of July
This posting is not about Oro Valley. It's about something my son-in-law's brother Rick did for the troops in Iraq. Its a great "feel good" story. Happy July 4th to you all! Thanks to TV4 for letting us post this on YouTube.
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