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Since the election of last year, I have thought it appropriate for me to stay in the background and not vocalize my feelings about what is going on with the Town Government. I thought to express my thoughts would seem to some as “sour grapes”. After all, I did lose the election, although not by a mandate (30 votes).
Well the time has come for me to shout: WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?
I ask: What has happened to the will of the people? What has happened to the uniqueness of our Town?
We have a Mayor who uses Town money to pay for a $350 golf outing. We have a Councilwoman who uses Town money to pay for her Optimist club dues and luncheons. We have an appointed Councilman who uses Town money to pay for an $85 jazz concert. We have a Councilman who uses Town money to pay for lunches with his fellow Council people and Town Managers. We have two Councilmen who use Town money to pay for their transportation to meetings. Yet we have a Mayor and Council that saw fit to double the Utility Tax because the Town budget was, supposedly, bare-boned.
What we have is a Mayor and Council that let others do their thinking and studying.
The City of Phoenix recently had a Management Study done of their Police Department (something our Council decided to delete from the budget.) Among others areas to save, the Phoenix Study documents the inefficiency of the 10 hour shift. It notes that the 10 hour shift is the least efficient utilization of resources. Yet, our Council passes an agreement with the Oro Valley Police Department allowing for a 10 hour shift. So now, not only do our Police still have take home cars (52 at last count) but we have our employees being utilized in the most inefficient manner.
ARE WE REALLY DOWN TO THE BARE BONES?
Historically, businesses came to Oro Valley because they thought there was a market for their goods. The Town welcomed all business BUT they had to comply with the Town codes that made the Town unique. For many years businesses prospered in our Town. Now the economy has gone sour and business is trying to blame the Town Codes for their problems.
The Town Codes are no more responsible for the reduction of business profits than the Town is responsible for the fact that your home value is declining. YET OUR COUNCIL IS BUYING INTO THE BUSINESS PLIGHT. They are not enforcing existing codes; they are eliminating the requirement that made this Town unique. Now we will have to dodge BBQ’s and pots to shop at the grocery stores. Now there will be banners advertising new homes. Now there may be a variety of “A” frame signs.
WE ARE NO LONGER A UNIQUE COMMUNITY.
Well, enough for now. I am sure that I will be accused of misinformation and the realtors, police, and that the Chamber Of Commerce will put pins in their Voodoo Dolls. I will survive. The question is, will Oro Valley?
Mike Zinkin
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6 comments:
Well said!
mike-- i am glad to have you involved as i think you offer a lot to our community
Mike,
A few thoughts on your question, "What the heck is going on here?"
Management studies, retreats, and in service conferences give new perspectives on jobs. Every business, college course, conference distributes evaluation forms. Why? They want their product/service delivery/course to be on the cutting edge, alive, vital and meeting its users needs. They risk criticism and suggestion to become number one in meeting people's needs. They implement ideas from WHO MOVED THE CHEESE/
W Buffet's biography tells of his constant redefining and redesigning of his business strategies. Look at the money and success it brought him! Professors, often prompted by curious students with questions they can't answer, fourmulate new theories. The teacher/student connection foments new ideas. Phoenix' police department chooses a management study because it wants to lead, do the best job it possibly can do. Phoenix' PD risks transparency to improve, to grow professionally, and remain effective and relevant.
So Mike, when you see OVPD withdraw from an approved management study, one wonders why their Admin does not want the department to improve? When Officers do a topnotch job they feel competent and satisfied. Why would those in charge not give this opportunity to get positive feedback as well as ideas to finetune professionally?
My friend Mike Zinkin, as usual, has a firm understanding of our situation in Oro Valley and what is needed for our town to remain a unique desirable town. I'ts a shame that 30 people in this town have denied the rest of us the benefit of his service! This town would have been far better off!
Dave Berry
Oro Valley
Mr. Berry.....
The people have spoken...twice.
To whoever is hiding behind the "OV objective thinker" moniker: The people HAVE NOT spoken!
In case you are not informed let me remind you the "appointed one" Steve Solomon was NOT elected by the people.
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