On Feb. 5, 2007, my friend Richard and I began our venture to try and inform our fellow citizens as to the goings on in Oro Valley, and more specifically, the political situation. That was the beginning of our local blog, I saw fit to name "LOVE"-----"Let Oro Valley Excel."After 4 1/2 years of being "the front man," doing the majority of postings, while Richard was the "man behind the scene," doing almost everything else, in Aug of 2011, I saw fit to turn the LOVE blog over totally to Richard.
During my tenure with the blog, I did my best to change what I perceived was a town more concerned with "Special Interests," than with its main attribute----its citizens. During the last two years, under the sole leadership of Richard, the blog has continued to be a force in enlightening the people of Oro Valley, and I must say, doing the job exceedingly well.
As a 20 year resident of our community, I have seen much in the way of changes. Perhaps the biggest change has been the large increase in population, from under 20,000 residents to well over 40,000 today. Sadly, one thing has not changed, and I fear will not change as long as too many of us are apathetic as to how our elected officials act. For most of the time I have have been familiar with the politics of the town----and that's been approximately 15 years, the people have NOT been well represented. This is certainly true of our present day council, as the minority of Bill Garner, Mike Zinkin and Brendan Burns seem to come up on the short side of too many 4-3 votes.
Whether it be allowing a developer to "side step" the General Plan, the police department having free reign to do as it wishes, or the council taxing us at their whim, it will only change when the voters step up, and say: "Enough!"
What was the impetus of me doing this posting after a 2 year hiatus? The truth is, I read through a number of Richard's most recent posts, and said to myself: "Nothing has changed since the election of 2010."
Do I expect one or two readers of this blog to suggest I'm "rehashing the past" and this blog is itself, a special interest? Sure! But I'll let the readers determine what they will.
In closing, if you think your vote doesn't count, especially in our local election---think again. If you feel as I do, and have a concern about the future of Oro Valley, and how our mayor and council impact our daily lives, you may want to have your voices heard. It won't be until 2014, but it's not to soon to say: "We can do better, and I will vote to make a change."
Looking forward to the future with hope and anticipation.
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4 comments:
Thanks for the Guest View. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Let it suffice to say that it was "the people" who elected this council and as a result “the people” ARE being represented by this council.
OUR council has, to its credit, been able to provide a solid governance policy for this town to avoid the financial pitfalls that seem to plague other communities, not only around us, but nationwide. Thirty six communities have filed for bankruptcy.
Through the leadership of the current mayor and council we have not even come close to that negative threshold. Our fiscal foundation is strong.
The city of Tucson is nearly in financial ruin as a result of their inability to grasp the idea that it takes a sound, consistent policy in which a business can establish itself, grow and prosper which in turn feeds revenue into the government coffers. Their recent handling of Grand Canyon University is another in a long string of economic failures. Unfortunately this one cost the region dearly.
Taxes, while distasteful, are a necessary evil. The level of taxation, however, is completely in control of “the people” and dictated by the level of service demanded by those people. When “the people” feel that their taxes are too high, or are being wasted, or those in office are not adequately representing them, they simply elect those who will effect change. We did exactly that nearly four years and we have experienced a great deal of positive change. Void of a business friendly posture, objective application of codes and a reasoned interpretation of the General Plan, Oro Valley would be forced to place property tax before the voters. The absence of that option is a result of sound management of fiscal resources and established policies.
When you truly feel that Oro Valley isn’t what it should be, drive to and around Tucson. Go slowly as the potholes may damage your vehicle. The blight is wide spread. The graffiti abounds. And whatever you do don’t do anything that may require the presence of a policeman. I am not sure the average response time there is measured in minutes. Then spend some time driving around unincorporated Pima County. Many of the same issues face that area with an emphasis on the conditions of the roads.
Then on your way home take a new route through Oro Valley. Drive to some places you don’t normally visit. The difference in the three areas will be dramatic. And what I suggest to you is, the latter will present a vivid picture of what happens when you do spend the taxpayer’s dollars wisely. It will be a clearly focused picture of how well thought out urban planning can integrate residential and commercial. And, God forbid, should you need the services of a policeman, one will be there in approximately 6 minutes, anxious to lend assistance. That’s the level of service we in Oro Valley demand, expect, and are willing to pay for. And we are blessed to live in a community whose leaders understand that. And, in my humble opinion, those leaders are the 4 in those “4-3 votes”.
Still we have those who continue to denigrate Oro Valley. And no matter how often they appear the rhetoric is the same. It is never to offer suggestions, ideas or assistance. It is always to tell you what they think is wrong.
Enjoy your summer.
OVOT
I must disagree with you. I helped elect EVERY member of our Council. I no longer feel they are representing me.
Your rhetoric is always the same. You only post when you can be critical. I do not recall a single suggestion, idea, or means of assistance being offered by you.
Don,
Vigilance does not equate to denigration. What you fail to include in your post is 'how' Tucson became what it is. That city has plenty of denigrators, as illustrated by the tone of many comments to articles published in the ADS. How did they become such venomous denigrators? By watching as years and years of ineffective, indeed corrupt, governance was practiced by many, many city councils. Do you believe that those denigrators were not initially simply vigilant? I think that those in Tucson who maintained vigilance for substantial amounts of time became disillusioned denigrators after their vigilance proved to be insufficient over time.
Art's post is simply a reminder that we do not want OV to turn into Tucson. In order to avoid that outcome, the citizenry of OV must be vigilant. I agree with Art that the majority of OV residents are not active enough in the process of contributing to the excellence of our community by maintaining vigilance.
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