"Dump TREO Now."
We have written often about TREO during the past five years. We have consistently called on every town council to stop funding this organization. For example. in January we wrote "TREO Fleeces But It Pays Well". Then, on May 11, in a "Bits and Pieces" posting, we linked to a Josh Brodesky article (Daily Star) that discusses the insane salaries earned by those in TREO, its poor results and the dwindling financial support of the City of Tucson and the fact that the Town of Marana is no longer a TREO member.
Everybody is questioning the value of TREO:
- Pima County Supervisor Candidate Ally Miller notes that TREO is not a worthwhile investment for Pima County.
- This is from an Editorial in the Tucson Citizen:
"So, what has TREO done for the region, other than organize hootenannies in far-away cities? If you’re looking for the jewel-in-the-crown relocated manufacturer that has provided thousands of jobs, stop looking. Hasn’t happened."
- KVOA asks why expensive trips out of state needed in the first place and who's paying for it all?
- This from a Brodesky editorial this past Sunday:
"...maybe TREO can rebrand. My suggestion? SCORN: Screwing Communities Over through Regional Networking."
The "hootenannies" referred to by the Citizen are trips; trips like the "junket" that TREO sponsored to San Diego. This "junket" took place from May 16-18, 2012. The
This San Diego "junket" is what you are reading about in the news; the one where Tucson Council Member Paul Cunningham allegedly made "sexual remarks" on the "booze cruise".
This "junket" to San Diego was partially attended by Council Members Waters and Hornat. Their attendance was supposedly funded by "private scholarship." In other words, a TREO investor paid for them to go. We have no idea who this is.
It is a bad idea for public officials like Waters and Hornat to go on trips that are paid by private investor funds or by funds from organizations like TREO with which the Town of Oro Valley has a funding agreement.
We have no idea why both Joe and Lou had to attend. We have no idea why either attended. We don't know for sure, but, if they followed the agenda for the "boondoggle", the should have been on the good ship "Hornblower" the night of Cunningham's alleged bad behavior.
We have advocated that the Town of Oro Valley not fund TREO because the organization is ineffective and of no use to Oro Valley. $41,011 of your money, or about $1 per capita, went to this organization in 2011. We don't know the numbers for sure, but Oro Valley has probably spent more than $160,000 on these clowns during the past four years. These make for 160,000 to dump TREO now!
What have we received from our investment?
Nothing.
We've reviewed every TREO report to Council. John Musolf has poured through them. He has concluded as have we that this organization provides no value to Oro Valley.
The latest TREO report (January 1-March 31) is just another example. Here's what's in there regarding Oro Valley:
"TREO representatives met with Amanda Jacobs, Economic Development Manager and David Williams, Planning Manager to discuss potential Oro Valley sites and zoning requirements with the client." (source: unnumbered page 2)That's it! $10,000 a quarter for what? Nothing. No new jobs brought to Oro Valley.
Quarter after quarter, year after year, we get the same feedback: Failure. Quarter after quarter, Mayor Hiremath buries the report in the consent agenda, hidden from the "prying eyes" of the public.
Taken as whole, the TREO quarterly reports are a body of work that show failure.
Let's grade TREO: "F"
This week's alleged "sexual incident" related to the TREO sponsored San Diego "junket" is just one more reason for Oro Valley not to fund TREO. The town has an Economic Development staff. Our staff should be more than capable of bringing opportunities to the town. It is, after all, their sole focus.
The current TREO Agreement is a valid until June 30, at which time it may be extended by Council.
It is time, Council, to "tank these clowns".
TREO is an embarrassment to Oro Valley. It is an embarrassment to Southern Arizona.
"Dump TREO Now!"
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4 comments:
It's too bad that the blogmaster is so critical of an organization of which he knows so little.
Consider the following successes:
Facilitated the attraction / expansion of 59companies to date.
New Total Jobs Supported: 16,650 (direct and indirect)
Capital Investment: $732,985,337
Total Value of Economic Impact: $2,226,132,421
80% of the projected capital investment is in targeted, higher-wage industries of Aerospace & Defense, Solar, Transportation/Logistics and Biosciences
80% of the projects are in the City of Tucson.
When the cost to Oro Valley taxpayer is $1 per person per year, I think that's a pretty good return on your investment.
Thinker:
Saw your TREO comments on the humor challenged Oro Valley "PRAVDA" blog.
Who is the Blog Master over there? He is not so committed to free exchange of opinion, but I guess it IS his blog.
At least you and Art were entertaining. "PRAVDA". not so much.
Nombe....Glad to see you are seeking TRUTH. I would hope others would.Spread the word. We have never had that glass of wine we promised each other. The time is right!!
TREO provides a great service to this region. The cost is very reasonable.
On June 20, it will be interesting to the Councilmen's presentation of their TREO trip to LaJolla, CA.
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