In a recent editorial in The Tucson Citizen it was noted that Arizona could, for the second consecutive year, be staring at a billion-dollar deficit. And there still is no agreement on what should be done or when the fixing should begin.
We thought our readers would be interested in today's press release from The Goldwater Institute as they note Governor Napolitano is asking for ideas to help alleviate this deficit.
The Goldwater Institute has provided, not 100, but 127 ideas to help achieve that goal.
Please click here for The Goldwater Institute link.
http://goldwaterinstitute.org/AboutUs/ArticleView.aspx?id=2422
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
New Pedestrian Bridge To Connect Steam Pump Village To Oro Valley Marketplace
As reported in the Nov. 19 Explorer, the new pedestrian bridge will cost $844,000 with ADOT paying $250,000 and OV picking up the balance of $594,000.
As reported,Oro Valley Marketplace developer Vestar was originally asked to build a sidewalk along Oracle Road."There was no good way for them to do it so the disconnected path option was pursued” said Town Engineer Craig Civilier.
How's this for an idea. Remember that $400,000+ water line damage caused by Vestar during their construction. As far as we know, Oro Valley taxpayers (as of now) are picking up the tab.
Well, why not have Vestar pay the $400K for the bridge and Diamond Ventures, developer of Steam Pump Village "kick in" the balance of $154K?
Wouldn't that be a lot better than the citizens paying for it?
By the way,we don't believe the Town Council voted on this expenditure. We'll wait & see how it goes, and let you know.
Read the article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/doc49236c6c35689871157317.txt
As reported,Oro Valley Marketplace developer Vestar was originally asked to build a sidewalk along Oracle Road."There was no good way for them to do it so the disconnected path option was pursued” said Town Engineer Craig Civilier.
How's this for an idea. Remember that $400,000+ water line damage caused by Vestar during their construction. As far as we know, Oro Valley taxpayers (as of now) are picking up the tab.
Well, why not have Vestar pay the $400K for the bridge and Diamond Ventures, developer of Steam Pump Village "kick in" the balance of $154K?
Wouldn't that be a lot better than the citizens paying for it?
By the way,we don't believe the Town Council voted on this expenditure. We'll wait & see how it goes, and let you know.
Read the article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/doc49236c6c35689871157317.txt
Reminder: Oro Valley Council Discusses Arroyo Grande Tonight (Nov 19)
Following is an article in the Nov 19 Explorer noting the Oro Valley will discuss the Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment this evening. This may be your last chance to opine on this critical issue, unless, as is possible, the issue is continued.
Additionally, there are other amendments on the agenda including a proposed hotel at the sw corner of Hardy & Oracle road.
Read the Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/doc49244b578ad97803241105.txt
Additionally, there are other amendments on the agenda including a proposed hotel at the sw corner of Hardy & Oracle road.
Read the Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/doc49244b578ad97803241105.txt
Is Arroyo Grande " Deja Vu All Over Again?"
Following is a letter to The Explorer by our neighbor Kathy Pastryk. As the letter appeared in the Nov. 19 issue, PRIOR to the council meeting this evening, (Nov. 19),
we will only say, "let's wait & see what,if any action the council takes."
From our standpoint, 68% of the Arroyo Grande will remain as "open space." The issue is what entity; Oro Valley, Pima County, State Lands, or whoever has control over the parcel,there will still be ONLY one access road heading south---Oracle road through OV. As our friend Zev noted in a previous comment,that may be an issue with no reasonable solution.
*****************************************************************************************
Arroyo Grande looks like ‘deja vu all over again’
Arroyo Grande needs to be looked at very closely by every citizen of Oro Valley before it becomes “deja vu all over again.”
This annexation proposal has been on our table since last March. Despite numerous questions, few straight answers have been provided.
And guess what? This projected development of 16,000 homes in northern Pima County is beginning to look suspiciously like a “done deal.” The Town of Oro Valley seems determined to annex the 9,106 acres north of Sun City, and most of our council seems to be going along with the demands of the landowner, the Arizona State Land Department.
It is shocking to hear our present Oro Valley Council sounding much like the previous council. Our new council is acting like our old council that stuck us with the Marketplace versus what we were promised: unique, upscale shops that turned out to be a gigantic Wal-Mart.
Once again, we are being taken for a ride, and the man at the wheel is none other than Mayor Loomis, who has lobbied to expand this town for years. Almost all of the council seems to be aboard, with the notable exception of Paula Abbott. Along with many citizens, Paula is asking who’s going to pay for infrastructure and how we will deal with the increased traffic that comes with a huge population explosion.
A wildlife linkage that many have wanted for more than 10 years has been designed. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection deserves great credit for hanging in there; but make no mistake, the 16,000 homes coveted by the State Land Department have been priority one since day one.
Residents of Oro Valley, you are not going to get a chance to vote this down like you did with the Naranja Town Site unless some brave citizen files a referendum or composes an initiative that truly reins in unrestrained growth. Unfortunately, five members of our present council, the one we worked hard to elect including Latas, Gillaspie and Garner, have done all they can to discourage the citizens’ use of initiative.
Do we see anything in this plan that will benefit the citizens of Oro Valley? Or do you see nothing but problems and expenses?
You decide, and let your views be known.
Kathy Pastryk
Oro Valley
we will only say, "let's wait & see what,if any action the council takes."
From our standpoint, 68% of the Arroyo Grande will remain as "open space." The issue is what entity; Oro Valley, Pima County, State Lands, or whoever has control over the parcel,there will still be ONLY one access road heading south---Oracle road through OV. As our friend Zev noted in a previous comment,that may be an issue with no reasonable solution.
*****************************************************************************************
Arroyo Grande looks like ‘deja vu all over again’
Arroyo Grande needs to be looked at very closely by every citizen of Oro Valley before it becomes “deja vu all over again.”
This annexation proposal has been on our table since last March. Despite numerous questions, few straight answers have been provided.
And guess what? This projected development of 16,000 homes in northern Pima County is beginning to look suspiciously like a “done deal.” The Town of Oro Valley seems determined to annex the 9,106 acres north of Sun City, and most of our council seems to be going along with the demands of the landowner, the Arizona State Land Department.
It is shocking to hear our present Oro Valley Council sounding much like the previous council. Our new council is acting like our old council that stuck us with the Marketplace versus what we were promised: unique, upscale shops that turned out to be a gigantic Wal-Mart.
Once again, we are being taken for a ride, and the man at the wheel is none other than Mayor Loomis, who has lobbied to expand this town for years. Almost all of the council seems to be aboard, with the notable exception of Paula Abbott. Along with many citizens, Paula is asking who’s going to pay for infrastructure and how we will deal with the increased traffic that comes with a huge population explosion.
A wildlife linkage that many have wanted for more than 10 years has been designed. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection deserves great credit for hanging in there; but make no mistake, the 16,000 homes coveted by the State Land Department have been priority one since day one.
Residents of Oro Valley, you are not going to get a chance to vote this down like you did with the Naranja Town Site unless some brave citizen files a referendum or composes an initiative that truly reins in unrestrained growth. Unfortunately, five members of our present council, the one we worked hard to elect including Latas, Gillaspie and Garner, have done all they can to discourage the citizens’ use of initiative.
Do we see anything in this plan that will benefit the citizens of Oro Valley? Or do you see nothing but problems and expenses?
You decide, and let your views be known.
Kathy Pastryk
Oro Valley
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