Oro Valley Top Stories For 2009

There were dozens of issues (including our budget shortfall) that had an impact on those of us who reside in Oro Valley. From our perspective, here's what we believe were the ten top stories concerning the politics of Oro Valley during the 2009.

We'd like to hear what you think: Whether you agree----or not.

10) Oro Valley Council Votes To Stop All Retail Giveaways.

In an action, we believe was a long time in coming, the Council voted on January 21, 6-1 to stop all retail giveaways. Who was the only "No" vote? Mayor Paul Loomis.


9) Oro Valley Council Votes To Continue Utility Tax

The Utility Tax on our gas, water and electric bills that was passed by the previous council was due to expire on April 1. This tax on water is used to pay for Police. Go figure. Anyway, the tax got extended. Lead by Mayor Paul Loomis, the Council voted on March 4 to continue
this tax.

8) Another Water Rate Hike

Although the Oro Valley Water Director indicated the town didn't need yet another rate hike, he saw fit to ask the Council for an increase at the November 18 meeting. Sadly, only Bill Garner and Salette Latas voted "no," and as such, we will see higher water bills starting in 2010.

7) The Arizona Supreme Court Heard CityNorth Subsidy Case

On September 30, the Arizaon Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the suit brought by The Goldwater Institute contending that the city of Phoenix violated the Arizoan Constitution Gift Clause by offering an out-of-state developer in excess of $90 million in future sales tax revenue for a retail development. We all anxiously await the court's decision which should have an impact on prior Oro Valley "giveaways."

6) Oro Valley Sign Code

The Oro Valley sign code became a very contentious issue pitting, for the most part, the business community and real estate agents against the scientific community and a vast majority of homeowners. The two main points of contention are the lit storefront signs from "dusk to dawn," and the "open house" signs displayed by real estate agents. Hopefully, the council will come up with a compromise, (if that's possible) in 2010.

5) The "Police Issue"

Although you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is not happy about the safe community we all call home, there are many who don't like the tactics of the Oro Valley Police Unions. Many of us believe the police look out more for their own than they do for the people of the community. Why do we say that? You need look no further than the fact the Police refused to consider a layoff of even one of their own while every other department in town was concerned about our budget constraints.

Too bad Mayor Loomis got his way and "caved in" to the cop's demands.

4) The Library Issue--Double Taxation.

Certainly the "library" was another of those contentious issues. On one side, for the most part were the "friends of library" who had every right to have their voices heard, as they gave so much to the library even being here. On the other side, were many of the taxpayers of Oro Valley. Most of us appreciate the value of having our "own library" but don't like the fact that we incur double taxes in doing so. The issue is: Should the Oro Valley Library remain autonomous and should we be obligated pay double taxes; or should the Library cede control to Pima County, like the other 27 branches in Pima County and save us hundreds of thousands of dollars?

The Pima County Board of Supervisors, by a 3-2 vote, denied Oro Valley's request for more funding for the Oro Valley Library. In addition, the Board also voted to oppose any attempt by Oro Valley to change State Law so the we can have our own library.

3) Paula Abbott Resigns From Council

On November 9, Ms. Abbott abruptly resigned from the Oro Valley Council, "effective immediately." We believe Abbott's action came seven weeks too late, as she joined with Loomis, Carter and Kunisch on September 23 to force our Town Manager out after his eighteen years of dedicated service.

2) Mike Zinkin Runs For Mayor Of Oro Valley.

We couldn't have been more pleased to learn that Mike Zinkin decided to run for Mayor of Oro Valley. Mike brings so many things to the table. His work experience as an Air Traffic Controller certainly allows him to work under the most stressful conditions. His experience on the Development Review Board, including two years as chair gives him the experience to know how to run a meeting. Most important is Mike's demeanor. He knows how to treat people and will work closely with the council & staff. Additionally, Mike appreciates that the people of Oro Valley are its main asset, and he will treat us all with dignity and respect. We are proud to support Mike Zinkin for Mayor of Oro Valley.

1) David Andrews Terminated As Town Manager After 18 Years Of Dedicated Service.

We believe unequivocally, that the vote of Mayor Loomis, Vice Mayor Carter, Council Person Al Kunisch, and the recently resigned Council Person Paula Abbott was the most egregious action ever taken by any council in the history of Oro Valley. We contend that Loomis orchestrated the removal of Mr. Andrews and that he and the other three violated the Open Meeting Law of Arizona by conspiring PRIOR TO the September 23 Special Session in having David lose his job. The final chapter of this despicable action is yet to be written. For one thing, Loomis does NOT deserve the vote of any fair minded person. So let's remind Paul Loomis how egregious his actions have been by voting him out when the ballots hit the mailbox in February.

Once Again, Phil Richardson Is Looking Out For His Neighbors--Re: MVFD

Cash makes you careless.

This week the Board of Directors of the fledgling Mountain Vista Fire District called for another stealth “public” meeting – this time to, among other things, agree to spend nearly $870,000 for two fire engines. They followed the procedure initiated by other fire districts by posting the notice for it just hours before the session in three obscure locations, one an empty lot - and made no mention of it on their web site.

One of the pumpers they hope to purchase will inhabit a yet to be built fire station at North Shannon and Overton, the cost for which has not been published. The other fire engine is to be housed in a commodious fire station and administration building for which the plans are yet to be drawn but will eventually arise on a newly purchased $500,000 lot just a few blocks west of the present, well-worn fire station on Magee near North Oracle that is currently leased by Rural Metro Corporation.

Firefighters tell me that the equipment there is obsolete. Although the station and equipment are certified by the agency upon which insurance companies rely, it may be time to consider an upgrade.

The people who head up fire districts who have earned the right to spend enormous amounts of our money and direct a vital service do not have sinister intentions. They are honest citizens who pledge allegiance to the Flag at every meeting but see nothing wrong in operating as low below the public radar screen as the law allows - for that’s what we taxpayers permit them to do. Fire Districts are governmental entities and the amount of money they collect and dispense is staggering, yet we pay them no attention.

In regard to the agenda item about new fire engines: I had early in 2009 been shown by a fire chief and longtime friend, an almost carbon copy of the fire trucks Mountain Vista Fire District may still be intent on buying. The fact is, the Class A pumpers in question have important features that are less powerful and less effective than the one my friend’s town council bought for he and his crew this year for a lot less money. For example, the new fire-engine I saw in Illinois came from the same top-rated manufacturer, has the same crew-carrying capacity, same engine and same top-of-the line transmission but a two stage, more efficient pump and a water tank with a 1500 gallon per minute capacity, twice that of the engines about to be bought. These things seem important to a non-expert.

The rush to purchase two engines was suddenly on because the salesman who rolled up the three Mountain Vista representatives at a recent fire equipment show in Taxes where they were sent just to compare equipment, convinced them that they would save a lot of money if they purchased the pumpers before January 1, 2010, because any diesel powered fire engine must, by Federal mandate, have some new emission controls designed to reduce pollution beginning Jan 1. They also are participating in a bulk buy along with the Northwest Fire District, who are tagging on to a Los Angeles purchase.

Let’s do the math. The almost identical engine purchased earlier this year in Illinois cost $375,246 - A difference of $60,000 each or $120,000 more because the Administrator, the Chairman, and the Treasurer of Mountain Vist want to buy two fire engines even though construction of the first fire house has not yet begun and the architectural plans for the second are not even begun to be drawn.

We can thank two Directors who voted to put this purchase on hold until more can be learned. They expressed the opinion that it might be better for our health to curb some of the black smoke and the Federal controls may not cost nearly as much as presented.


Phil Richardson

Phil Richardson's Letter To The Explorer---Re: MVFD

Fire district boards are out of sight

I submit that often fire district boards allow only the most determined to know what they're doing.

I have lived in Arizona since 1957, and I've never seen a published notice of a meeting, nor an election of any sort for director of a fire district board. Since I helped gather the signatures of property owners for the annexation of my neighborhood into the new Mountain Vista Fire District, I kept inquiring until I knew the time and date of its fire district board meeting this week.

In Mountain Vista Fire District, notice of the meetings is posted on four boards scattered about the district. Finding one is the first challenge.

The elected directors choose among themselves who is to be chairperson, treasurer, secretary, etc. I have discovered that some intrigue was involved in the latest arrangement of officers – but that's the nature of politics.

It was when the monthly Mountain Vista meeting began that I was stupefied. Out of 25,000 persons supposedly invited to attend a crucially important meeting, called to decide the fate of two or three fire stations and two $480,000 fire trucks and the expenditure of a million or two, and whether a present fire station near my home was to be allowed to remain, I was the total public presence; the only person not an officer, director, legal counsel or firefighter — a score of whom were present.

I went to the meeting because some 2,400 persons who are now in the Mountain Vista Fire District do not know that there is a not-so-discrete plan amongst some of the directors and the administrative chief to close a fire station located a stone's throw away from my neighbors and me – the one on Magee just west of North Oracle, after we were promised that it would it continue to be allowed to protect us if we voted for annexation. We also discovered this week that the number of fire stations promised the district has been recently proposed to be reduced from three to only two. It worries us that a district of 12 square miles, inhabited by 25,000 persons could be adequately served and protected by only two fire stations.

Phil Richardson, Oro Valley

This letter was shortened – Ed