Is Don Cox His Own Worst Enemy? Part 2

How many of our readers remember our good friend Richy Feinberg? Richy was an integral member of the Development Review Board a few years ago, until he was unceremoniously "fired" because he suggested giving Vestar $23.2M of our future sales tax was totally inappropriate.

The sitting council, three of whom (Conny Culver, Helen Dankwerth & Terry Parish), were defeated in their reelection bid, along with Mayor Loomis voted to "fire" Richy as they believed he had "a conflict of interest."

Why bring this up now? Well, we probably all know at this point that Don Cox has lamented the fact that he was not immediately approved for a Board of Adjustment position, and was turned down for P & Z and DRB.

Was Richy's "sin" more egregious than what Cox has just done as it pertains to The Naranja Park Bond? Our readers can decide after reading the following unedited email Cox has sent out to Oro Valley residents.

Pay close attention to the reference to Tucson, Pima County & Saddlebrooke residents as Cox wants them to enjoy the park that will be (if passed) funded solely by Oro Valley taxpayers for the next 25 years or more.

Don Cox Email:
I would just like for you to tell every Oro Valley resident you know to vote for the bonds. I would like for you to talk to [name deleted], as will I, and ask him to push the idea in Sun City. I would also like for you to suggest to all softball players that they send a check to our organization. $10, $20, $50....it all helps. Our address is:

Citizens for the Naranja Park Bonds
PO Box 68644
Oro Valley, AZ 85737

For more more information information they can send an e-mail to:

yesontheparkbonds@aol.com

While this is a park in Oro Valley, and we will pay for it, it will serve all of us. So Tucson, Pima County, Saddlebrooke residents will benefit also.

Yes, send my e-mail out to everyone. This is an opportunity that we may never see again if it is defeated.

Don

Oro Valley Marketplace: Who's Out, Who's In

Vestar continues with their same old sales pitch. On their web site, it says:

"Known for its conscientious approach to developing environmentally sensitive and culturally significant properties, Vestar has established new benchmarks for working with neighborhood groups, communities and municipalities to address community needs and foster goodwill on all levels."

Yeah, sure! They really fostered a whole lot of goodwill by promising a "unique, upscale" shopping mall, and "stuck us" with that ugly Wal-Mart, including a roof that to date does not meet the criteria design it is obligated to meet.

Oh yeah. Vestar still indicates "these stores are expected to generate approximately $65 million in revenue over the first 20 years, and will play a pivotal role in properly funding police, parks, transportation and other community needs in Oro Valley."

Well, as of their latest web site, say goodbye to Michaels, Staples, Old Navy & BevMo. But, don't worry, they'll be replaced by a dental place, a haircut place and a game place.

These new entities should bring in tons of sales tax revenue to make up for those that opted out!

Voters Can Help Save Arroyo Grande From Development

Thanks to the super efforts of Carolyn Campbell, her team at The Coalition For Sonoran Desert Protection, and more than 200,000 people like us----thousands from Oro Valley, the State Lands Initiative received more than enough signatures and will be on the Nov. ballot.

This means we have the opportunity of saving The Arroyo Grande from development. This is the most critical issue confronting Oro Valley & our neighbors.

This is what the initiative will do----

Conserving Arizona's Land and Water

· Designates 570,000 acres as permanent conservation lands, with over 180,000 acres located within Pima County. Development of these lands will be prohibited and the lands will be managed to protect the conservation value of the land. The State Land Department has the discretion to sell these lands to other state agencies (parks) or jurisdictions at conservation value if it is in the best interest of the Trust to do so.

· Allows additional State Trust Lands to be identified for conservation: State Trust Lands, not included in the 570,000 acre permanent conservation lands, can be identified for conservation and sold to Counties, Cities, Towns, and AZ State Park Agency for true market value without having to go to open auction.

Require the State Land Department to work with local communities when planning for State Trust Lands: Currently law does not require the state agency to respect local conservation planning efforts.