Oro Valley Council Tells Business Owners To Start Complying With Lighting Code

At the Aug 19 Council meeting, many citizens, business owners, including NPCCC & Tucson C of C spokespersons, plus members of the scientific community, concerned about "Dark Sky" addressed the question of "when the lights go out in Oro Valley."

Probably the most foolish comment made all night was from Paul Parisi, representing the Tucson Chamber of Commerce. Mr.Parisi implored the council to allow the business owner to decide when they should shut their lights off,if at all.

A motion by Al Kunisch to allow lights on until 10:00PM or closing (whichever is later) with the support of Vice Mayor Carter & Mayor Loomis was defeated by a 3-3 vote, with Council Members Garner, Gillaspie & Latas opposed. Ms. Abbott was absent.

A new motion by Barry Gillaspie to turn the issue back to the Planning Department for further clarification was approved when the mayor came on board.

Probably the most interesting fact that was noted by Dee Widero, OV Zoning Code Administrator acknowledging that 80% of Oro Valley businesses are NOT in compliance when it comes to lighting.

Hopefully, the town will start fining those businesses before too much time goes by. That may get the attention of the violators.

(This news item was finally reported by the Arizona Daily Star on 9-1-09. Must have been a slow news day to report such an old item. Here is the link to the article.)

The Explorer Opines On Oro Valley "Lighting Issue"

Dave Perry, publisher, editor, and most recently, reporter of The Explorer has written an editorial on the somewhat contentious issue of "when the lights go out in Oro Valley."

Mr. Perry writes about the concerns of the business community----and they surely have, and will continue to enunciate those concerns.

What was conspicuously absent from Mr.Perry's editorial was any reference to the concerns of the 45,000 citizens of our community. Mr. Perry also failed to note the concerns of the scientific community as they pertain to Tucson being a major astronomical center.Dark Skies are IMPORTANT here!

Read the editorial here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/08/19/opinion/editorials/doc4a8b00eb675d0883243513.txt

Oro Valley Pushing To Get Out Of County Library District, Avoiding Double Taxation

As reported in The Explorer, Town Manager David Andrews is working with the Arizona League of Cities & Towns to allow us to opt out of the Pima County Library system, avoiding the double taxation.

It may not be easy, and it may not be a good idea. Nancy Ledeboer, Pima County Library Director noted a town running a single library would not have the same tax base to draw from as Pima County, which runs 27 libraries, and likely would realize greater costs.

Read the pros & cons in The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/08/19/news/doc4a8b34255025c914200534.txt