We agree with Sean & The Coalition For Sonoran Desert Protection. Here's his email we received.
Art
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Last month we reported on the exciting opportunity to conserve State Trust Land with a new citizen’s
initiative for the November 2008 election. Through this initiative, we are seeking to amend the
Arizona Constitution to enable local communities to conserve State Trust Land without the threat of
being out-bid by developers in an open auction. In order to qualify for the ballot it was necessary
to collect approximately 230,000 signatures. I am happy to report that over 350,000 signatures were
collected and turned in earlier this month.
The initiative now has a proposition number and a new name. Initially it was called “Conserving
Arizona’s Land and Water.” The initiative is now known as Prop 103 – Our Land, Our Schools.
In the coming months, we would like to make presentations to various groups throughout the community
about this exciting initiative. If you belong to a group or have any suggestions as to who we might
present to, please contact me. Also, stay tuned about how you can help as the campaign gets underway.
Prop 103 – Our Land, Our Schools will:
• Allow State Trust Lands to be identified for conservation: Urban state trust lands can be
identified for conservation and acquired by Counties, Cities, Towns, and AZ State Parks for true
market value without having to go to open auction.
• Designate 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 local jurisdictions at conservation value if it is in the best
interest of the Trust to do so. Click here to view a PDF map of affected lands within Pima County:
http://www.sonorandesert.org/uploads/files/Pima_County_Full_Extent_208.pdf
Check out www.sonorandesert.org for more information on the initiative or contact me with any
questions you may have.
Remember to Vote Yes on Prop 103 this November!
--
Sean Sullivan
Associate Director
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
300 E. University Blvd., Suite 120
Tucson, AZ 85705
Ph: 520-388-9925
Fx: 520-791-7709
www.sonorandesert.org
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
What Doesn't The NPCCC President Understand?
We already responded to Mr. Gaanderse's letter to the July 30 Explorer, so we won't go through it again. Suffice to say, the council discussed the NPCCC funding and a motion was made. End of subject. This council owed this chamber nothing. Because they were getting a contribution with no strings for so long, does not mean that wiser heads shouldn't have considered if the money spent was worth the return. The majority, other than Loomis & Kunisch said "no." That shouldn't be too difficult to understand.
Oh---by the way, was there any dialog prior to the Chamber deciding to endorse their losing candidate?
Art
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Chamber boss wonders why no dialogue with Oro Valley
During my many years of working for and with governments, I had not until recently experienced any problem with setting policies, thanks to a myriad of inclusive and transparent methods employed.
I truly understand that the complex process of policy-making is the key role of towns and cities. Because the entire community is impacted by those decisions, they must be undertaken in a thoughtful, non-political manner with an eye towards unintended consequences.
The Northern Pima Chamber of Commerce has been over the past 16 years an enthusiastic and willing partner in supporting the Town of Oro Valley State of the Town address, Oracle Road construction, business recruitment, retention and outreach program and much more.
It is precisely because of the support by the NPCCC that our membership is at a loss to understand the manner in which our organization was left out of any discussion before our funding was cut. We believe strongly in the value of business and government working together to find solutions that help build a better community. Creating dialogue is important to any decision that is made.
It is only with a positive and cooperative relationship between our town and our businesses that our community can flourish.
Ramon Gaanderse
President and CEO
Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce
Oh---by the way, was there any dialog prior to the Chamber deciding to endorse their losing candidate?
Art
*************************************************************************************
Chamber boss wonders why no dialogue with Oro Valley
During my many years of working for and with governments, I had not until recently experienced any problem with setting policies, thanks to a myriad of inclusive and transparent methods employed.
I truly understand that the complex process of policy-making is the key role of towns and cities. Because the entire community is impacted by those decisions, they must be undertaken in a thoughtful, non-political manner with an eye towards unintended consequences.
The Northern Pima Chamber of Commerce has been over the past 16 years an enthusiastic and willing partner in supporting the Town of Oro Valley State of the Town address, Oracle Road construction, business recruitment, retention and outreach program and much more.
It is precisely because of the support by the NPCCC that our membership is at a loss to understand the manner in which our organization was left out of any discussion before our funding was cut. We believe strongly in the value of business and government working together to find solutions that help build a better community. Creating dialogue is important to any decision that is made.
It is only with a positive and cooperative relationship between our town and our businesses that our community can flourish.
Ramon Gaanderse
President and CEO
Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce
Hector Conde Makes Another Good Argument For Oro Valley Not To Annex Arroyo Grande
Here's Hector's letter from the July 30 Explorer. We agree with Hector's assessment.
No good from Arroyo Grande development
The annexation of state land known as “Arroyo Grande” (Big Wash) would bring water depletion, transportation and environmental problems.
A while ago, an Oro Valley citizen’s committee on renewable water came to the conclusion that CAP water had to be recharged before it is pumped for regular use, to protect the aquifer. Arizona is the leading state in subsidence in the U.S. But the town is not recharging the aquifer, even if the statutes require it (ARS 32-271). Further depletion of the aquifer is only going to exacerbate the problem.
When it comes to transportation, an analysis paid by the State Land Department shows that the increase in population would require a six-lane road to Tucson in addition to Oracle Road. If the 30 extra square miles of state land in Pinal County are annexed, it would generate the need of two eight-lane roads at a cost in excess of a billion dollars for a sale that benefits the state probably less than 500 million. That would not be a good financial transaction for taxpayers.
Pinal County has also given permits in excess of 54,760 houses not yet built that will use Oracle Road.
What bothers me the most is: what is going to happen to the wildlife and native plants in the region? Dr. Lisa Harris, a biologist with experience in conservation, told us of pygmy owls in the Tortolita Mountains. Now, there are no more of that endangered species anywhere in the Northwest.
The biological corridor in the area is designed to provide for safe passage of wildlife between the mountains. The animals will have to migrate through an underpass constructed beneath Oracle Road. Building a La Cholla extension would then need more underpasses for wildlife, making the success of the project unlikely.
On the 16th, the council voted 7-0 to reject the La Cholla extension. Good for them.
I have not been able to imagine any satisfactory solution to the many problems brought by the Arroyo Grande project and the existing projects in Pinal County that affect us. If the State Land Department would fade away from here, that may ease our problems.
Hector Conde
Oro Valley
• This letter was shortened. - Ed.
No good from Arroyo Grande development
The annexation of state land known as “Arroyo Grande” (Big Wash) would bring water depletion, transportation and environmental problems.
A while ago, an Oro Valley citizen’s committee on renewable water came to the conclusion that CAP water had to be recharged before it is pumped for regular use, to protect the aquifer. Arizona is the leading state in subsidence in the U.S. But the town is not recharging the aquifer, even if the statutes require it (ARS 32-271). Further depletion of the aquifer is only going to exacerbate the problem.
When it comes to transportation, an analysis paid by the State Land Department shows that the increase in population would require a six-lane road to Tucson in addition to Oracle Road. If the 30 extra square miles of state land in Pinal County are annexed, it would generate the need of two eight-lane roads at a cost in excess of a billion dollars for a sale that benefits the state probably less than 500 million. That would not be a good financial transaction for taxpayers.
Pinal County has also given permits in excess of 54,760 houses not yet built that will use Oracle Road.
What bothers me the most is: what is going to happen to the wildlife and native plants in the region? Dr. Lisa Harris, a biologist with experience in conservation, told us of pygmy owls in the Tortolita Mountains. Now, there are no more of that endangered species anywhere in the Northwest.
The biological corridor in the area is designed to provide for safe passage of wildlife between the mountains. The animals will have to migrate through an underpass constructed beneath Oracle Road. Building a La Cholla extension would then need more underpasses for wildlife, making the success of the project unlikely.
On the 16th, the council voted 7-0 to reject the La Cholla extension. Good for them.
I have not been able to imagine any satisfactory solution to the many problems brought by the Arroyo Grande project and the existing projects in Pinal County that affect us. If the State Land Department would fade away from here, that may ease our problems.
Hector Conde
Oro Valley
• This letter was shortened. - Ed.
What Does Butchart Gardens -Victoria BC Have In Common With Naranja Park Site-Oro Valley
We had the pleasure of visiting the 55 acre Butchart Gardens some years ago. It is one of the most magnificent gardens anywhere in the world.
Why would I do a posting about Butchart Gardens? Well, the title of the post should be a hint.
With the potential (hopefully) that the Tucson Museum Of Art may come to Oro Valley, I thought the Naranja Town site would be an excellent venue.
How about this for a thought?
Do you know what was on a good part of the 213 acres of the Naranja site years ago? None other than a giant gravel & sand pit.
Do you know what Butchart Gardens was until Mrs. Butchart had the foresight and tenacity to see what it could become? A giant limestone quarry.
Who knows? Maybe Oro Valley has some visionaries, and just maybe, we could turn a portion of this old gravel pit into a magnificent Oro Valley Desert Botanical Garden.
And, why not?
The Butchart's exhausted limestone quarry was a grim pit prior to its reincarnation as a garden. 
The Butchart Gardens today.
Why would I do a posting about Butchart Gardens? Well, the title of the post should be a hint.
With the potential (hopefully) that the Tucson Museum Of Art may come to Oro Valley, I thought the Naranja Town site would be an excellent venue.
How about this for a thought?
Do you know what was on a good part of the 213 acres of the Naranja site years ago? None other than a giant gravel & sand pit.
Do you know what Butchart Gardens was until Mrs. Butchart had the foresight and tenacity to see what it could become? A giant limestone quarry.
Who knows? Maybe Oro Valley has some visionaries, and just maybe, we could turn a portion of this old gravel pit into a magnificent Oro Valley Desert Botanical Garden.
And, why not?
The Butchart's exhausted limestone quarry was a grim pit prior to its reincarnation as a garden.
Ballot Initiative Would Add 1% Sales Tax For Better Roads
Come Nov 8, we will be electing a new president. That certainly is important. There are other important issues that are closer to home for those of us in Oro Valley.
One issue we've discussed extensively is the Naranja Park Bond. Certainly, that's important to our Oro Valley residents. (As most of you know, we suggest a "No" vote.
There's another issue that, if passed, will affect our pocketbooks.
It is known as "TIME." The Transportation Infrastructure Moving Arizona’s Economy Initiative (TIME) proposes to raise the sales tax from 5.6 percent to 6.6 percent to fund transportation improvements over the next 30 years. It would amount to a 17.8 percent increase in the state sales tax.
For those of us in Oro Valley, it would raise our sales tax to 9.1%. Should we support this initiative?
We'll leave that up to each individual. What we'll get, if it's approved will be more funding for transportation needs, including more roads. That's good. What might not be too good is the fact that Maricopa County will benefit to the tune of almost 50% of the funds, while the "poor sisters" ---those of us in Pima County will receive only 12%, while we pay the same additional 1% increase.
Think about it, and decide if it's worth it, or not.
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488f9c56e42b5828814979.txt
One issue we've discussed extensively is the Naranja Park Bond. Certainly, that's important to our Oro Valley residents. (As most of you know, we suggest a "No" vote.
There's another issue that, if passed, will affect our pocketbooks.
It is known as "TIME." The Transportation Infrastructure Moving Arizona’s Economy Initiative (TIME) proposes to raise the sales tax from 5.6 percent to 6.6 percent to fund transportation improvements over the next 30 years. It would amount to a 17.8 percent increase in the state sales tax.
For those of us in Oro Valley, it would raise our sales tax to 9.1%. Should we support this initiative?
We'll leave that up to each individual. What we'll get, if it's approved will be more funding for transportation needs, including more roads. That's good. What might not be too good is the fact that Maricopa County will benefit to the tune of almost 50% of the funds, while the "poor sisters" ---those of us in Pima County will receive only 12%, while we pay the same additional 1% increase.
Think about it, and decide if it's worth it, or not.
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488f9c56e42b5828814979.txt
Could Tucson Art Museum Be Coming To Oro Valley?
As reported in the July 30 Explorer, Oro Valley Town Manager will meet with the Executive Director of the Tucson Art Museum on July 31. The discussion will include the potential of the museum relocating from downtown Tucson to Oro Valley.
How great would that be? Although the article notes there are six potential sites in Oro Valley, the Town Manager did not want to identify any of them.
How about the best available location? Does anyone else believe that we have a super site readily available that can definitely accommodate the museum.
Our choice would be the NARANJA PARK site. Sure, it would require some modifications, and some additional infrastructure work, but we're sure these issues could readily be overcome.
What a great addition the museum would be for our community.
We wish David success in his meeting, and hope he can "bring home the bacon."
Read the Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488f976b248f1754561585.txt
How great would that be? Although the article notes there are six potential sites in Oro Valley, the Town Manager did not want to identify any of them.
How about the best available location? Does anyone else believe that we have a super site readily available that can definitely accommodate the museum.
Our choice would be the NARANJA PARK site. Sure, it would require some modifications, and some additional infrastructure work, but we're sure these issues could readily be overcome.
What a great addition the museum would be for our community.
We wish David success in his meeting, and hope he can "bring home the bacon."
Read the Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488f976b248f1754561585.txt
Oro Valley May Adapt Pima County Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
In what may be a bold move, at the Aug 6 meeting, the Oro Valley Council will consider adopting The Pima County Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. (See "Upcoming Events" on Blog.)
Read the report from the July 30 Explorer here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488fa97eda88f473386160.txt
Read the report from the July 30 Explorer here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488fa97eda88f473386160.txt
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