Why Don't They Want A Study of the Oro Valley Police Budget?

The previous Oro Valley Town Council had approved an independent review of all town departments. Some of these reviews were completed. One resulted in combining several town departments into the Development and Infrastructure Department.

A study of two remaining departments, Parks and Recreation and the Police Department, were killed by the "Gang of Five" on the current council.  The Gang of Five, sans Lou Waters, is pictured at left, celebrating with Police Chief Sharp.  The Gang includes Steve Solomon, Mary Snider, Joe Hornat, Lou Waters and Satish Hiremath.  They were and in Solomon's case are endorsed by the Police Associations.

We still believe that an independent study of the Police Department's spending is imperative because the police budget is 48% of the total Oro Valley budget and because it is impossible for the "Gang Of Five" to be independent and make an unbiased budget decision when it comes to this department.

There are three Council Member seats in this primary election.  It is your opportunity to send a message to the "Gang of Five" by making it the "Gang of Four" and electing three members of Council (Burns, Garner and Zinkin) who will simply do the right thing when it comes to the Police Department's budget.

Here's where each candidate stands regarding having an independent study of the police department.  Our analysis is based on what the said at the Sun City Candidate Forum ten days ago.

All six candidates are proud of and pleased with the accomplishments of the the fine men and women of the Oro Valley Police Department.

The three candidates who are endorsed by the two Oro Valley Police Associations are against any independent study of the police department.

• Fred Narcaroti:  Fred is against an independent study.  He's not sure why. Frankly, Fred doesn't know much about the issues facing Oro Valley.
• Steve Solomon: Solomon is against an independent study.  Solomon alleges that Oro Valley has the finest police force in Arizona.  Solomon feels that the town should only do a study when something is wrong.  Solomon alleges that an outside consultant would not have the expertise to study our police department.  Solomon alleges that spending $50,000 on a study would be of no value.  "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Solomon's mind is closed on this issue.  Then again, Solomon's mind is closed on every issue!
• Mark Napier is against an independent study.  He feels that he has the experience and the ability to be independent of his friend, Police Chief Sharp; that Mark can provide an unbiased view of police spending and operations.  Our reaction: Good luck with that, Mark.  

The three candidates who are not endorsed by the two Oro Valley Police Associations believe that an independent study of the police department would bring benefits and could even strengthen the department:

• Brendan Burns believes that a study would bring benefit because it could prepare the town for the future, a future that holds promise of growth through commerce, development and annexation.
• Bill Garner is already on record as having identified opportunities to reduce spending and improve police operations.
• Mike Zinkin believes that any department that is almost half of the Oro Valley town budget should be independently assessed.

The lines of differentiation among the candidates are clear.

The position of the Police Department is clear.  They do not want an independent study of their spending and their operations.  Why does Chief Sharp fear, rather than welcome, an independent look.   Of what is he afraid?  We don't know.  There must be something.  An independent study would identify what that is.

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(Picture Source: http://www.solomonovcouncil.com/)

What We Heard At The NPCC Candidate Forum

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This report is from our "cub reporter",  John Musolf. Thanks, John.
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Last night, Dave Perry, President of the Northern Pima Chamber Commerce (NPCC) moderated an Oro Valley Council Candidates Forum. The event was held at the Hilton El Conquistador Hotel

The six candidates: Brendan Burns, Bill Garner, Mark Napier, Fred Narcaroti, Steve Solomon, and Mike Zinkin provided  two-minute introductory statements. There was also a brochure handed out before the forum that gave a picture and brief bio on each candidate.

Dave Perry then offered the same six questions to all the candidates. Each candidate was allowed two minutes to give a response each.  The following are some questions and responses.

• The police department currently uses 45-50% of the Town of Oro Valley Budget. What is your position on the Oro Valley police department?

About half the candidates responded that a police department study might not be needed since the Town is so “safe”. The other half responded that the study might not only confirm the police department's excellence, but might also provide some opportunities for further improvement. Most municipalities average about 25% of a town budget on their police budget.

• What is your position on the Oro Valley Public Library? Should it remain an affiliate or become a branch of the Pima County Library District?

Most of the candidates responded that a proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town and Pima County Library District had just been posted on the Town web site and needed to be vetted and discussed in extreme detail. Most agreed that there should be sufficient time to discuss and not rush into anything quickly.

• What is your position on the use of Tucson Regional Economic Organization (TREO)? Should the Town continue to fund them or find other alternatives?

Most candidates stressed that TREO furnished generic information in their quarterly reports and that a TREO should provide substantive reports (“hold their feet to the fire”).

• What is your position on the use of Metropolitan Tucson Convention Visitors Bureau (MTCVB)? Should the Town continue to fund them or find other alternatives?

Most candidates stressed that the MTCVB 's reports provided only generic information and that a real performance report must be made (“hold their feet to the fire”).

Dave Perry then gave each candidate one minute for a summary closing statement. All of the candidates asked for voter support. One candidate also stated that he felt that the town was in excellent condition now and would continue to do so in the future.

Dave Perry then closed the forum and told the citizens that six round tables had been set up for each candidate and that the public could go to each table and ask the candidate one on one questions.
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