Dave Berry has the following letter in today's Explorer. We think it is worthwhile reading.
Don't let few chart course for the many
The election season is upon us once again here in Oro Valley, and we must decide if we are better off now than we were four years ago.
If the answer is "no," which most of us think, then we must take this election very seriously as it could have terrible ramifications for all of us, but especially for those of us living through these hard times on a fixed income or unemployed with no ability to further enrich our limited resources.
Once again I would ask that the people of Oro Valley pay close attention to the candidates that the special interests in this area like Tucson Association of Realtors and the Chamber of Commerce have endorsed to do their bidding for them if they are elected, and which candidates are running a "grass roots" campaign financing themselves and will not be obligated to kowtow to the special interests, but rather to you, the people of Oro Valley.
I am all for attracting new viable businesses to this area, but I feel that too often what is good for business is damaging to the people in general, and it is the primary responsibility of those in government to look out for the best interests of the people first and business second.
I would also ask that all candidates running in this election be required to immediately turn over all information regarding their campaign finances and who is contributing to their campaigns, with dollar amounts listed and published in The Explorer for all to see. This is a matter of public record and should be transparent to the public at large, especially if the money is coming from special interest groups.
Finally, and most importantly, let your voice be heard and please vote. Don't let the few chart the course for the many.
David Berry, Oro Valley
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Explorer "Hedges Its Bet" On Oro Valley Election
We really don't blame Dave Perry, Explorer editor & publisher for not coming right out and endorsing any candidates in the upcoming Oro Valley election.
Mr. Perry knows who and what supports his newspaper. It's one word only: "Advertising."
It would be foolhardy of the Explorer to endorse our candidate of choice, Mike Zinkin for Mayor.
Why?
Because Mike has been "painted" by the opposition as being "business unfriendly." NOTHING could be further from the truth. Mike is NOT "business unfriendly." Mike is a friend of the people of Oro Valley, and unlike Loomis & Hiremath, Mike will not use our tax dollars supporting the likes of the Chamber of Commerces. As Perry points out,The Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce has come out strongly for Hiremath. Loomis got the endorsement of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.
Mike Zinkin gets our endorsement. Why? Because Mike will NOT be beholden to ANY Special Interest Group.
For Council, we reiterate ----our ONLY choice is Dr. Don Emmons---supported by NO Special Interest Group. Dr. Don,like Mike, will be beholden to ONLY the people of Oro Valley.
We agree with Dave Perry on one thing---We all should vote!
Here's The Explorer editorial.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/02/24/opinion/editorials/doc4b8467bd0cace042403629.txt
Mr. Perry knows who and what supports his newspaper. It's one word only: "Advertising."
It would be foolhardy of the Explorer to endorse our candidate of choice, Mike Zinkin for Mayor.
Why?
Because Mike has been "painted" by the opposition as being "business unfriendly." NOTHING could be further from the truth. Mike is NOT "business unfriendly." Mike is a friend of the people of Oro Valley, and unlike Loomis & Hiremath, Mike will not use our tax dollars supporting the likes of the Chamber of Commerces. As Perry points out,The Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce has come out strongly for Hiremath. Loomis got the endorsement of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.
Mike Zinkin gets our endorsement. Why? Because Mike will NOT be beholden to ANY Special Interest Group.
For Council, we reiterate ----our ONLY choice is Dr. Don Emmons---supported by NO Special Interest Group. Dr. Don,like Mike, will be beholden to ONLY the people of Oro Valley.
We agree with Dave Perry on one thing---We all should vote!
Here's The Explorer editorial.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/02/24/opinion/editorials/doc4b8467bd0cace042403629.txt
Oro Valley Council To Study Feasibility Of An Industrial Development Authority
As reported in The Explorer,(below) the OV Council will initiate a Study Session to determine the feasibility of initiating a Industrial Development Authority in order to access bond funding for private interests intent on developing.
Industrial authority moved to study item
A proposal to start an industrial development authority in Oro Valley has been put on hold to give the council time to learn more about how the body would function.
The Oro Valley Town Council last Wednesday voted unanimously to hold a study session on the issue before making a final decision on it.
Councilwoman Salette Latas had requested that the item appear on the Feb. 17 agenda. The Explorer was unable to reach her before publication deadline last week for comment on the matter.
Latas subsequently said she asked to have the proposed industrial development authority on the agenda to weigh whether it would make sense for the town to establish one.
The IDA, which would function similar to other town commissions with members appointed by the council, would act as an intermediary to the bond markets.
Communities across the state have IDAs, which access bond funding for private interests intent on developing. The IDAs come in because often times the private interests don't have access to traditional funding.
With a local government's backing, bond financing often comes tax-free as well. Taxpayers are not financially liable for any of the debt incurred by the private interest in an IDA agreement.
In Oro Valley's case, the IDA issue came up as result of an inquiry from the operators of a charter school.
BASIS Charter School, a well-regarded public charter, has expressed interest in opening a school in Oro Valley. The non-profit that operates BASIS has schools in Scottsdale and Tucson.
School founder Michael Block had asked town economic development staffers if Oro Valley operates an IDA. Numerous charters across Arizona have gotten funding through IDAs. Pima County's IDA has provided more than $500 million in bond funding to charters over the past 10 years.
Because Oro Valley does not have an IDA, BASIS has looked outside to get funding.
"They have gone to the City of Florence for bond financing," according to Amanda Jacobs, Oro Valley economic development coordinator.
Jacobs told the council the school would be able to pay off its debt sooner by going through the Pinal County city, and would save nearly $400,000 in the process.
Block previously told The Explorer that he still intends to open in Oro Valley, possibly by the start of the next school term. The school has looked at an industrial site just off Oracle Road once occupied by Sanofi-aventis as a location for the new charter.
The town council still intends to discuss the possibility of initiating an IDA.
Oro Valley had an IDA from 1985 to 2006 when it was disbanded. In 21 years, the authority had not engaged in any bonding activity.
Industrial authority moved to study item
A proposal to start an industrial development authority in Oro Valley has been put on hold to give the council time to learn more about how the body would function.
The Oro Valley Town Council last Wednesday voted unanimously to hold a study session on the issue before making a final decision on it.
Councilwoman Salette Latas had requested that the item appear on the Feb. 17 agenda. The Explorer was unable to reach her before publication deadline last week for comment on the matter.
Latas subsequently said she asked to have the proposed industrial development authority on the agenda to weigh whether it would make sense for the town to establish one.
The IDA, which would function similar to other town commissions with members appointed by the council, would act as an intermediary to the bond markets.
Communities across the state have IDAs, which access bond funding for private interests intent on developing. The IDAs come in because often times the private interests don't have access to traditional funding.
With a local government's backing, bond financing often comes tax-free as well. Taxpayers are not financially liable for any of the debt incurred by the private interest in an IDA agreement.
In Oro Valley's case, the IDA issue came up as result of an inquiry from the operators of a charter school.
BASIS Charter School, a well-regarded public charter, has expressed interest in opening a school in Oro Valley. The non-profit that operates BASIS has schools in Scottsdale and Tucson.
School founder Michael Block had asked town economic development staffers if Oro Valley operates an IDA. Numerous charters across Arizona have gotten funding through IDAs. Pima County's IDA has provided more than $500 million in bond funding to charters over the past 10 years.
Because Oro Valley does not have an IDA, BASIS has looked outside to get funding.
"They have gone to the City of Florence for bond financing," according to Amanda Jacobs, Oro Valley economic development coordinator.
Jacobs told the council the school would be able to pay off its debt sooner by going through the Pinal County city, and would save nearly $400,000 in the process.
Block previously told The Explorer that he still intends to open in Oro Valley, possibly by the start of the next school term. The school has looked at an industrial site just off Oracle Road once occupied by Sanofi-aventis as a location for the new charter.
The town council still intends to discuss the possibility of initiating an IDA.
Oro Valley had an IDA from 1985 to 2006 when it was disbanded. In 21 years, the authority had not engaged in any bonding activity.
Oro Valley Council Approves New Code As It Pertains to Employees & Elections
As reporter in The Explorer.(below) the OV Council approved a new code to clarify how employees may be or may not be involved in supporting candidates for election.
Political activities defined
The issue of what, if any, political activities town employees can engage in has been debated for the past few months.
The council asked Town Attorney Tobin Rosen at the Jan. 20 meeting to advise on any restrictions against employees engaging in political activity, such as volunteering on campaigns, collecting signatures or donating money.
The council voted to have the issue delayed until last Wednesday. Council members asked for examples of how other Arizona municipalities handle employee politicking.
"Reading the policies, I think it's fair to say it's all over the map," Rosen told the council.
He told the council that Oro Valley's policy appeared to have been taken verbatim from the city of Scottsdale.
Councilman Al Kunisch suggested the town adopt a policy similar to that enforced by state government. That policy forbids state employees from acting as officers in political campaigns or managing elections of recall efforts.
State employees can sign petitions and make and solicit campaign contributions.
"I would have a severe issue with people being solicited at town hall," Councilman Bill Garner said, who also said he would have issues with town employees circulating petitions.
The revised town code mirrors state law, with the exception of forbidding Oro Valley employees from circulating political petitions at work. All the prohibitions apply to Oro Valley municipal elections, including running for local elected office.
The following change to town code was accepted unanimously: "Employees may not be members of political committees, officers of partisan political committees or nominees for paid elective office. Employees may not take part in the management or affairs of political parties, campaigns or recall efforts. Employees may express opinions, attend meetings, vote, sign nomination or recall petitions and advocate for election or defeat of candidates."
Political activities defined
The issue of what, if any, political activities town employees can engage in has been debated for the past few months.
The council asked Town Attorney Tobin Rosen at the Jan. 20 meeting to advise on any restrictions against employees engaging in political activity, such as volunteering on campaigns, collecting signatures or donating money.
The council voted to have the issue delayed until last Wednesday. Council members asked for examples of how other Arizona municipalities handle employee politicking.
"Reading the policies, I think it's fair to say it's all over the map," Rosen told the council.
He told the council that Oro Valley's policy appeared to have been taken verbatim from the city of Scottsdale.
Councilman Al Kunisch suggested the town adopt a policy similar to that enforced by state government. That policy forbids state employees from acting as officers in political campaigns or managing elections of recall efforts.
State employees can sign petitions and make and solicit campaign contributions.
"I would have a severe issue with people being solicited at town hall," Councilman Bill Garner said, who also said he would have issues with town employees circulating petitions.
The revised town code mirrors state law, with the exception of forbidding Oro Valley employees from circulating political petitions at work. All the prohibitions apply to Oro Valley municipal elections, including running for local elected office.
The following change to town code was accepted unanimously: "Employees may not be members of political committees, officers of partisan political committees or nominees for paid elective office. Employees may not take part in the management or affairs of political parties, campaigns or recall efforts. Employees may express opinions, attend meetings, vote, sign nomination or recall petitions and advocate for election or defeat of candidates."
Oro Valley Lays Off Two Building Safety Employees
It's not good when workers find themselves out of a job, but Oro Valley found it necessary to lay off two building safety employees due to a dramatic curtailment in new building permits.
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/02/24/news/doc4b84644251715473651243.txt
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/02/24/news/doc4b84644251715473651243.txt
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