After lengthy discussion, the OV Council approved (6-1--KC Carter"no") to go ahead with a "modified" police substation at the OV Marketplace. To hold costs down, the Emergency Operations Center is not part of the initial expenditure.
As for the Municipal Operation Center, the Council voted unanimously to continue to operate in the modular units but hold off on any additional building for at least one year.
Perhaps the most sensible thing we heard was from citizen John Musolf. A couple weeks ago, six police jobs were scheduled for layoffs. With John's assistance, funds were cut or transferred and it appears the six positions were saved.
At the meeting, John addressed the council twice and indicated, he'd rather see buildings go rather than jobs. It now appears, although curtailed, the substation will go ahead and there will be no layoffs.
How could this be? I guess if we asked John, he'd say it comes down to "creative accounting."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wed May 6. Council Agenda Includes "MOC" & Police Substation
The Oro Valley Council will discuss, and possibly take action on two issues concerning police facilities at the May 6 meeting.
One is The Municipal Operations Center. The other is a police substation at the OV marketplace.
Our point of view is this:
One facility is too many. Two is outrageous, especially in such close proximity. Vestar was so magnanimous offering OV a substation for a buck a year. Only problem is the cost to the taxpayers to furnish it, man it, and operate it. Besides, Vestar should have their own security watch for stolen vehicles, shoplifting etc. It's not necessary for OV police to "live there."
As for the MOC---it started out being a facility for Public Works. Besides over paying for the parcel, it wasn't to be a new police facility.
Hopefully, the council will do the prudent thing with one or both of these two facilities.
Read the possible options in The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/news/doc4a00c023b9439903894150.txt
One is The Municipal Operations Center. The other is a police substation at the OV marketplace.
Our point of view is this:
One facility is too many. Two is outrageous, especially in such close proximity. Vestar was so magnanimous offering OV a substation for a buck a year. Only problem is the cost to the taxpayers to furnish it, man it, and operate it. Besides, Vestar should have their own security watch for stolen vehicles, shoplifting etc. It's not necessary for OV police to "live there."
As for the MOC---it started out being a facility for Public Works. Besides over paying for the parcel, it wasn't to be a new police facility.
Hopefully, the council will do the prudent thing with one or both of these two facilities.
Read the possible options in The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/news/doc4a00c023b9439903894150.txt
Council Subcommittee Recommends 50% Cut From 2008 Town Financial Support
A town council subcommittee consisting of Salette Latas & Bill Garner met with 18 organizations seeking Oro Valley money.
The result? The recommendation was to cut more than 50% from last year's budget, bringing the number of donated funds down to $237,716.
Of this amount, although decreased dramatically, is $72,000 to The Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau & $24,000 to TREO.
Good idea, but the question we ask is this: "What are we getting in return for almost $100,000, and might this money get a better return some where else?"
It will be interesting to see what the council decides when this issue is brought forward.
Read The Explorer article here, including the recommended list of donations.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/news/doc4a00c22da3870400440118.txt
The result? The recommendation was to cut more than 50% from last year's budget, bringing the number of donated funds down to $237,716.
Of this amount, although decreased dramatically, is $72,000 to The Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau & $24,000 to TREO.
Good idea, but the question we ask is this: "What are we getting in return for almost $100,000, and might this money get a better return some where else?"
It will be interesting to see what the council decides when this issue is brought forward.
Read The Explorer article here, including the recommended list of donations.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/news/doc4a00c22da3870400440118.txt
Salette Latas Responds To Dankwerth's Letter Re: Survey
Salette Latas graciously saw fit to respond to Ms. Dankwerth's letter in last week's Explorer ( Helen Dankwerth Finds Fault With Salette Latas's Oro Valley Survey)
As we previously noted, Salette performed a public service with her survey. Why Dankwerth thought it was necessary to find fault is questionable-----but then again, maybe not.
Here is Salette's letter from the May 6 Explorer.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/opinion/doc4a00c73c65b45782019981.txt
As we previously noted, Salette performed a public service with her survey. Why Dankwerth thought it was necessary to find fault is questionable-----but then again, maybe not.
Here is Salette's letter from the May 6 Explorer.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/opinion/doc4a00c73c65b45782019981.txt
Two Opinions On Oro Valley Police Issue
Below are two letters from the May 6 Explorer. Both address the OV police issue. Our readers are welcome to offer their take on the letters.
By the way, Mr. Spencer notes that he believes there are two officers assigned to the OV elementary schools. I believe there is one, plus two at each high school, plus one roving supervisor.
Both letters can be read here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/opinion/doc4a00c80b8b0b3489290292.txt
By the way, Mr. Spencer notes that he believes there are two officers assigned to the OV elementary schools. I believe there is one, plus two at each high school, plus one roving supervisor.
Both letters can be read here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/05/06/opinion/doc4a00c80b8b0b3489290292.txt
Pat Kinsman Supports Paula Abbott
In her letter to The Explorer, Pat Kinsman echos what we've said previously. Paula Abbott has been elected & reelected to the town council. Cox & Culver who echoed each ohert saw fit to chastise Paula.
Paula "climbed the hill" twice. Culver got there once, and "got knocked off." Cox tried twice, but couldn't even get "off the ground."
It's so easy to knock one's achievement, especially when you can't do the same.
Here's Pat's letter.
Personal attacks on OV's Abbott are unwarranted
In the last two editions of The Explorer there have been letters from two citizens criticizing Councilwoman Abbott.
The first writer, Ms. Culver was defeated in her bid for a second term. The following week, the second writer, Mr. Cox, failed in his bid to get elected to the council. On the other hand, the voters have repeatedly reelected Councilwoman Abbott.
One has to wonder why Ms. Culver and Mr. Cox suddenly, perhaps jointly, decided to attack an elected council member.
Councilwoman Abbott has links to families with children in Oro Valley. That represents a constituency that some other council members are not as connected to. We need to have that citizen group represented on the council.
In the interest of fairness, I would hope that personal attacks of this type would not be standard fare for this popular community news source.
Pat Kinsman, Oro Valley
Paula "climbed the hill" twice. Culver got there once, and "got knocked off." Cox tried twice, but couldn't even get "off the ground."
It's so easy to knock one's achievement, especially when you can't do the same.
Here's Pat's letter.
Personal attacks on OV's Abbott are unwarranted
In the last two editions of The Explorer there have been letters from two citizens criticizing Councilwoman Abbott.
The first writer, Ms. Culver was defeated in her bid for a second term. The following week, the second writer, Mr. Cox, failed in his bid to get elected to the council. On the other hand, the voters have repeatedly reelected Councilwoman Abbott.
One has to wonder why Ms. Culver and Mr. Cox suddenly, perhaps jointly, decided to attack an elected council member.
Councilwoman Abbott has links to families with children in Oro Valley. That represents a constituency that some other council members are not as connected to. We need to have that citizen group represented on the council.
In the interest of fairness, I would hope that personal attacks of this type would not be standard fare for this popular community news source.
Pat Kinsman, Oro Valley
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