In the interest of fairness, I thought I'd share an email exchange I had earlier today with one of our readers. The only editing was not posting the writer's name.
As you can see, he takes exception to our views.
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Subject: Re: Let's Not Allow Any Special Interest Group To Control Our Election
As a native of Tucson Arizona...which I bet my life you are not..I think you are ridiculous. Your web site blog is totally censored to only say what you want. Is this because you are afraid of hearing both sides? In case you have forgotten Firefighters are citizens just like the rest of us. Does this mean that teachers, Target employees, or any working person should not have a say in who they want to be on the town council? My gut feeling is you are retired and want everything to stay just the way they are. Some retired people seem to be a special interest group all on their own. Oro Valley needs to move forward so we will be a sustainable and thriving community. One for families, not just retired people who, by all indications, just want what is good for them. I hope your candidates lose and lose big!
My response
Dear Mr. xxx-- It was very good of you to take the time to write us to express your views. I think you deserve a response--so, here it is,
You are correct, I am not a native of Tucson. My wife & I arrived in Oro Valley 17 years ago, long enough to see the desert ravaged, the developers taking over, the police thinking they run the town, the fire service bills doubling, etc etc.
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but the blog allows for dissenting opinions, and they are quite prevalent. What is not allowed, is personal attacks, and you may be aware, we implemented a new policy that eliminates those comments. On that subject, if you can follow this policy, you're more than welcome to be one of our bloggers. (If you need help, it is offered on the left column of the blog.)
Concerning your point about our issue with the fire fighters union getting involved in our election, you may be interested in our posting this morning. "Jason" Comments On Fire Fighter Candidate Endorsements
May I also suggest you look back on our archived posts. You may be surprised, but we take up the cause of ALL our resident's concerns, whether it be a crematorium in their neighborhood, a developer wanting to amend the Gen Plan for his own selfish reasons or any other numerous issues.
Oh yeah! Your gut feeling is correct. I am retired, and spend many hours trying to keep our fellow residents enlightened as to the goings on in OV. Unfortunately, there are those like you that don't appreciate our efforts----but, I realize, you can't be all things to all people.
By the way, we won't be bothering you with more emails. My friend and fellow blogmaster, Richard saw fit to remove you from our mailing list. Of course, you can still log on to our blog, if you want to get aggravated.
Art
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Mike Zinkin -- In His Own Words, Sets The Record Straight
There have been so many untrue statements made about Mike Zinkin by his detractors, that Mike tried to set the record straight in his letter to The Explorer.
Here's the truth about Mike in his own words.
We are proud to support Mike Zinkin for Mayor
Art
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Mayoral hopeful says he's pro-business for OV
One of the major issues raised during the primary campaign was Oro Valley's reputation for being unfriendly toward business. All the mayoral candidates agreed with this perception. Now that we are going forward to the general, my opponent is claiming I am business unfriendly, and that I do not deserve the vote of the business owners.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
As a member of the Development Review Board for four years, I worked with business owners and developers to meet their needs within the town's codes and guidelines.
I realize that over 20 percent of the town's income comes from sales and bed taxes. The needs of the citizens and the needs of the businesses are not in conflict. Business needs can be met within the Oro Valley codes and design guidelines.
The sign code is under review. I agree that it needs substantial modifications. There should be a single time when wall signs should be turned off. We should allow for "A" frame type signs to be placed in front of businesses while they are open. Real estate signs should keep the same license number after they are renewed.
I will initiate the establishment of a business development commission, consisting of residents who are business owners. This commission will have a direct responsibility to the council to voice the ongoing needs of the business community.
My opponent has offered nothing substantial, only that he is a small businessman and, therefore, knows all about your needs. I do not assume to know all your needs, but I do know your desires and the town's desires are not in conflict. We both want a successful, profitable business community. The business development commission will be an important tool for you, the business owner, to express your needs and desires.
I will speed up the development process, and standardize the inspection and licensing procedure. No rules or codes will be "reinterpreted" after you start the development process. You will know "up front" what the town's expectations are and will get all the assistance you need to meet them.
Mike Zinkin, Oro Valley
Here's the truth about Mike in his own words.
We are proud to support Mike Zinkin for Mayor
Art
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Mayoral hopeful says he's pro-business for OV
One of the major issues raised during the primary campaign was Oro Valley's reputation for being unfriendly toward business. All the mayoral candidates agreed with this perception. Now that we are going forward to the general, my opponent is claiming I am business unfriendly, and that I do not deserve the vote of the business owners.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
As a member of the Development Review Board for four years, I worked with business owners and developers to meet their needs within the town's codes and guidelines.
I realize that over 20 percent of the town's income comes from sales and bed taxes. The needs of the citizens and the needs of the businesses are not in conflict. Business needs can be met within the Oro Valley codes and design guidelines.
The sign code is under review. I agree that it needs substantial modifications. There should be a single time when wall signs should be turned off. We should allow for "A" frame type signs to be placed in front of businesses while they are open. Real estate signs should keep the same license number after they are renewed.
I will initiate the establishment of a business development commission, consisting of residents who are business owners. This commission will have a direct responsibility to the council to voice the ongoing needs of the business community.
My opponent has offered nothing substantial, only that he is a small businessman and, therefore, knows all about your needs. I do not assume to know all your needs, but I do know your desires and the town's desires are not in conflict. We both want a successful, profitable business community. The business development commission will be an important tool for you, the business owner, to express your needs and desires.
I will speed up the development process, and standardize the inspection and licensing procedure. No rules or codes will be "reinterpreted" after you start the development process. You will know "up front" what the town's expectations are and will get all the assistance you need to meet them.
Mike Zinkin, Oro Valley
"Jason" Comments On Fire Fighter Candidate Endorsements
We received a comment from "jason" (who we don't know) on our posting of Apri 12, "Makes Me Sick: Firefighters Stick Their Noses Where It Doesn't Belong," that we didn't want you to miss. Therefore, we are putting it out as a new posting. PLEASE READ BELOW.
jason said...
I have been employed with the fire service for many years; still am. I can tell you that fire department unions have done more to corrupt our communities than any other special interest group. Do the firefighters have the right to back a dentist and post signs in their yards? You bet, and we would be treading a very slippery slope if we said otherwise.
However, the community is clearly watching. This is what I am most enjoying. For years firefighter unions have been under the radar and now their political activism in raising eyebrows. I love that you have posted this article.
Why would firefighters support Hiremath? Usually unions try to win a majority council or board with candidates that support them. In this way, when firefighters ask for more money, time off, etc., it gets the head nod of those who elected them.
Make no mistake about it, local firefighters unions and the International Association of Firefighters are very politically active. Please click this link to see that clearly 74% of firefighter unions dues support Democrat candidates:
Also, for a very interesting read to see how fire department unions are bankrupting our communities, read this.
What should someone do about this? Show up to your local Golder Ranch Board fire board meetings and clearly tell the elected board members that you do not condone the labor management process and that it is a waste of your tax money. It is. Managers are competent and co-management is not necessary.
Let's face it, there may have been a historical time when unions were necessary in sweat shops. Today's firefighter with a high school diploma makes $50,000 (Captains make +$80,000). Firefighters may retire at 20 years and draw 50% of their salary for the rest of their life. Most firefighters are hired are young, which means when I retire at 45 years of age, you the taxpayer get to work the rest of your life to pay my pension.
Did I mention that firefighters work 10 days per month, hold second jobs, and have some of the best benefits packages in the nations (health).
On balance, most firefighters are honorable and do a great job serving their communities. They initially join unions because they are young and impressionable. The union leaders and their ilk in are the monsters.
Pay very close attention to who firefighters support. I did not vote for Mary Snider for exactly this reason. I did not know a thing about her other than the fire department was supporting her. That was all I needed to hear. You can be for fire department community service and firefighters, but still not condone special interest unionism. You just have to be intelligent enough to separate the two.
Zinkin has my vote.
Tollforthee
April 14, 2010 8:03 AM
jason said...
I have been employed with the fire service for many years; still am. I can tell you that fire department unions have done more to corrupt our communities than any other special interest group. Do the firefighters have the right to back a dentist and post signs in their yards? You bet, and we would be treading a very slippery slope if we said otherwise.
However, the community is clearly watching. This is what I am most enjoying. For years firefighter unions have been under the radar and now their political activism in raising eyebrows. I love that you have posted this article.
Why would firefighters support Hiremath? Usually unions try to win a majority council or board with candidates that support them. In this way, when firefighters ask for more money, time off, etc., it gets the head nod of those who elected them.
Make no mistake about it, local firefighters unions and the International Association of Firefighters are very politically active. Please click this link to see that clearly 74% of firefighter unions dues support Democrat candidates:
Also, for a very interesting read to see how fire department unions are bankrupting our communities, read this.
What should someone do about this? Show up to your local Golder Ranch Board fire board meetings and clearly tell the elected board members that you do not condone the labor management process and that it is a waste of your tax money. It is. Managers are competent and co-management is not necessary.
Let's face it, there may have been a historical time when unions were necessary in sweat shops. Today's firefighter with a high school diploma makes $50,000 (Captains make +$80,000). Firefighters may retire at 20 years and draw 50% of their salary for the rest of their life. Most firefighters are hired are young, which means when I retire at 45 years of age, you the taxpayer get to work the rest of your life to pay my pension.
Did I mention that firefighters work 10 days per month, hold second jobs, and have some of the best benefits packages in the nations (health).
On balance, most firefighters are honorable and do a great job serving their communities. They initially join unions because they are young and impressionable. The union leaders and their ilk in are the monsters.
Pay very close attention to who firefighters support. I did not vote for Mary Snider for exactly this reason. I did not know a thing about her other than the fire department was supporting her. That was all I needed to hear. You can be for fire department community service and firefighters, but still not condone special interest unionism. You just have to be intelligent enough to separate the two.
Zinkin has my vote.
Tollforthee
April 14, 2010 8:03 AM
Geri Ottoboni's Letter On Mayoral Candidates
Geri Ottoboni has written a letter to The Explorer on the mayoral candidates.
Please take a moment to read it.
Art
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Serving as OV mayor requires commitment
I would like to respond to Melanie Larson, who is on the board of the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce.
She stated the chamber receives no funds from the Town of Oro Valley, (which is true), but in the past I have sat through many council meetings where they have come and asked and received financial backing as well as TREO. The practice was discontinued when the town started having financial difficulty.
I would like to know what businesses these two organizations have brought to Oro Valley. I know it cannot be Sanofi-Aventis, as they have been here a very long time and it was a project started years ago at the U of A.
Apparently Ms. Larson was not paying attention or did not acknowledge that Mike Zinkin told her that he would resign his 40-year career as a sports official and also his part-time job with Jim Click. That shows me true dedication.
Also responding to Ms. Devery, I have met Dr. Hiremath and find him to be moderately personable, and I applaud his working on the once a year Oro Valley Holiday Parade for the past four years.
But when you are on a commission or board it is at least a monthly commitment. I do know that Dr. Hiremath was on the board of GOVAC, because when they couldn't make their budget, that was the only time he seemed to appear at the town council meetings. Again he has stated that he did not like attending the meetings, then why become Mayor, many times these meetings go until 11 p.m.
Being the father of four, but not married to the mother of three, as he stated in his biography in this paper, makes one question his commitment.
Geri Ottoboni, Oro Valley
Please take a moment to read it.
Art
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Serving as OV mayor requires commitment
I would like to respond to Melanie Larson, who is on the board of the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce.
She stated the chamber receives no funds from the Town of Oro Valley, (which is true), but in the past I have sat through many council meetings where they have come and asked and received financial backing as well as TREO. The practice was discontinued when the town started having financial difficulty.
I would like to know what businesses these two organizations have brought to Oro Valley. I know it cannot be Sanofi-Aventis, as they have been here a very long time and it was a project started years ago at the U of A.
Apparently Ms. Larson was not paying attention or did not acknowledge that Mike Zinkin told her that he would resign his 40-year career as a sports official and also his part-time job with Jim Click. That shows me true dedication.
Also responding to Ms. Devery, I have met Dr. Hiremath and find him to be moderately personable, and I applaud his working on the once a year Oro Valley Holiday Parade for the past four years.
But when you are on a commission or board it is at least a monthly commitment. I do know that Dr. Hiremath was on the board of GOVAC, because when they couldn't make their budget, that was the only time he seemed to appear at the town council meetings. Again he has stated that he did not like attending the meetings, then why become Mayor, many times these meetings go until 11 p.m.
Being the father of four, but not married to the mother of three, as he stated in his biography in this paper, makes one question his commitment.
Geri Ottoboni, Oro Valley
Matt Moutofis: His Vision For Oro Valley
Matthew Moutofis, whose artistic work can be found throughout Oro Valley has written a "Special" letter to The Explorer, on what he sees as his "vision and future (of Oro Valley) being denigrated by the interests of the few."
Although not naming names, it is obvious Matt knows that Oro Valley needs Mike Zinkin as Mayor.
Please click here to read Matt's letter.
Although not naming names, it is obvious Matt knows that Oro Valley needs Mike Zinkin as Mayor.
Please click here to read Matt's letter.
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