Helen Dankwerth Finds Fault With Salette Latas's Oro Valley Survey

We found it very interesting that ex-council member Dankwerth found fault with the recent survey done by Salette Latas concerning OV finances. (See our post Thanks To Salette Latas For Her Oro Valley Poll)

One might question why Ms. Dankwerth felt it necessary to write this letter to The Explorer in the first place, especially since the survey was done by Salette as a community service at NO CHARGE TO ORO VALLEY.

If Dankwerth thinks the survey she alluded to in her letter that cost Oro Valley taxpayers $17,500 was more worthwhile, we would strongly disagree.

One thing that I don't believe anyone could question were the results of the March 2008 primary election for OV Council.

Finishing first with 5,704 votes was challenger Ms. Latas. Finishing last with 3,167 votes was incumbent Ms. Dankwerth. Was this the impetus for this letter---or might it be the 2010 election? Hmmm!
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Surveys by OV, Latas were not done the same

I appreciate Councilmember Salette Latas' initiative in seeking citizen reaction to Oro Valley's current fiscal woes and (potential) proposed solutions.

However, comparing her survey which, by her own admission, only contacted 2,000 individuals from her personal e-mail list, to the study conducted by the Town of Oro Valley in December, 2007 is akin to comparing apples and oranges.

Councilmember Latas chose to conduct a qualitative survey — that is, an informal opinion poll of a specific group. By contrast, the Town of Oro Valley quantitative survey was a scientific sampling of a body.

Oro Valley's statistically valid Citizen Satisfaction Survey was the result of countless hours of effort by town staff and council members K.C. Carter, Terry Parish and Helen Dankwerth under the tutelage of a research analyst / statistician employed by Marketing Intelligence, a highly respected leader in its field — not a consulting firm.

Town survey results were based on a sampling of 23,300 registered voters (residents of Oro Valley). A random sampling of 400 responses was then determined as a demographically diverse representative base. The demographic criteria were drawn from a fair and objective source: i.e. U.S. Census, and not from a special interest group.

All town survey respondents were contacted by telephone, came from all areas of the town, and were of six different age groups representative of equivalent (age-related) population distribution.

In order to reach the "clean" threshold of 400 respondents, over 5,000 phone calls were placed to ensure that survey criteria were met. The final 150 responses came from a general list of Oro Valley residents whose address and voice identification statements were pre-qualifiers prior to any other survey questions being asked.

The overwhelmingly positive response to this survey (88 percent) indicated that safety was the chief concern. Satisfaction with Town of Oro Valley police services ranked highest among all issues.

As the town survey was conducted during more stable economic times, the $17,500 cost was not considered an untenable factor. Complete copies of the survey are available on line, at the Town Hall, and at the Oro Valley Public Library.

Finally, as all public input is crucial, and government decisions must be reflective of that input, let us acknowledge the appropriateness of both surveys discussed herein.

Helen Dankwerth, Oro Valley

John Musolf Questions The Need For A Communications Division In Oro Valley

John, who was instrumental in helping the town with its police budget, has a letter in the April 29 Explorer questioning the need for a Communications Division.
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OV may have too many in communications

The Oro Valley fiscal year 2010 budget deficit is $4.2 million.

The town manager has budgeted $270,305 dollars in fiscal year 2010 for a communications division within his department. The communications division coordinates activities related to public and community relations, public information, and inter-governmental relations. Further, the division plans, develops, and produces publications and services designed to facilitate communication with residents, in order to inform of services, activities, and programs. There are 2.10 full-time equivalents (FTEs), one communications administrator, one communication specialist, and .10 communication intern.

The police department has budgeted a police information officer (1 FTE) position staffed by a person in the field of public relations, public education and law enforcement. An employee of this position will be responsible for the release of public information to the media as it pertains to the police department.

This public information officer is budgeted for fiscal year 2010 in the Office of Professional Standards Division of the Police Department. It is the policy of the OVPD O.P.S. Division to thoroughly investigate all complaints against its employees in order to preserve public confidence in our willingness to oversee and control the actions of our employees. It does not detail what functions the public information officer performs in this O.P.S. Police Division.

It sounds like the Town of Oro Valley has a surplus of communications resources. Perhaps, a realignment, consolidation or reduction in budget might be in order.

John Musolf, Oro Valley

Oro Valley Community Foundation Launched

In a special report in the April 29 Explorer, they note that the new Oro Valley Community Foundation has been launched and given out its first three grants.

The article notes that as "a nonprofit philanthropic organization, it aims to support charitable organizations that focus on the arts, education, social services and the environment."

That certainly is a good thing.

Coincidentally, an Oro Valley Council Sub Committee will convene this Thursday, April 30 @ 8:30 AM to discuss the following.


1. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY FUNDING APPLICATIONS BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES

. Greater Oro Valley Arts Council
. Arizona Distance Classic
. Perimeter Bicycling
. Oro Valley Parade
. TriSports Racing
. Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau
. Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities
. Critical Path Institute
. Amphi Foundation
. Arizona Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America
. Arthritis Foundation
. Catalina Community Services
. Community Food Bank
. Dance Magnificat
. Interfaith Community Services
. Pima Council on Aging
. Project Graduation
. Santa Cruz Heritage Alliance


One comment. The OV Council has already contributed funds to Community Foundation. Might it not be considered "double-dipping" if we contribute to some of the above organizations that request money or should the Foundation to give them financial support?

We think it should be no more than one or the other, but certainly not both.

Here's The Explorer article.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/29/news/doc49f77bd7394ba212082163.txt

Marana Town Manager Will Request Voluntary Furloughs To Balance Budget

Although we have enough to do will our own community, we thought the April 29 Explorer article on Marana's approach for a budget shortfall solution might be of interest to some of us.

Here then is the Explorer article.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/29/news/doc49f77a37df0d9547672016.txt

Five Explorer Letters Concerning Oro Valley Police

For the most part these letters rehash "old news," but if anyone is interested, you can read them here, in lieu of The Explorer.

http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/29/opinion/doc49f7836c7c813488723186.txt