Bits and Pieces

Five Hats In The Ring-- Oro Valley Incumbents Seek Reelection

As of yesterday, the 4 incumbents on the Oro Valley Town Council and 1 other Oro Valley resident have organized for this years mayoral and council elections:  "... the following individuals have returned their Statement of Organizations: Satish I. Hiremath Joe Hornat, Mary Snider Patrick J. Straney Lou Waters."  (Source: Oro Valley Town Clerk's Office)

You know the incumbents. Patrick Straney is known in the Rancho Vistoso community, having served in various capacities in the HOA. He has also been a member of the Mayor's Ambassador Group.

More on the elections Monday in "If Not You, Then Who?"
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Rancho Vistoso Race A Bit Contentious

This from one of our bloggers:

"This is the first time in years that I can remember a race for the Board of Director seats within the Rancho Vistoso community. Anyone notice the "Vote 4 Bill & Brad" signs or get a flyer on their door?

In an apparent effort to marginalize those efforts by Bill and Brad, the [local advertising circular] published a vague opinion piece written by two candidates (one incumbent, one former Board member) who served the Association for years and now insinuate the community will fall apart without them. The article, however, failed to mention any of their accomplishments or future goals.

On the other hand, challengers Bill Daniels and Brad Schauf have a website detailing their plans on how to improve Rancho Vistoso by making sure HOA dues are spent wisely, ensuring transparency and exploring fresh ideas that will benefit the community. Both were instrumental in securing bids for a landscaping contract that will ultimately save homeowners more than $800,000. And what a novel idea: they are seeking input from the community.

If you haven’t cast your ballot, you might want to visit ImproveRanchoVistoso.com and evaluate the new guys so you can make an informed decision. Or better yet, attend the annual meeting on March 27th.  Decide for yourself which candidates offer the most to the community.

Meeting location:1495 E Rancho Vistoso Boulevard at Sun City in their Social Hall in the Papago Room. Time: 6 p.m. "
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Senior Care Facility In Innovation Park?  Give Us A Break!

Are you sitting down?

There is a Senior care facility planned for Innovation Park.

"The proposed development consists of 177 beds (82 assisted living and 95 independent living), 11 buildings and 230,000 square feet of floor area. The project will be following the Economic Expansion Zone (EEZ) review process, which entails administrative review and approval of the architectural and site designs."  (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)  You can learn more about this project by attending next Wednesday's open house (see upcoming events) and clicking here.

As one of our bloggers wrote: "The retirement development planned in Innovation Park may be consistent with zoning - although we still don't have assisted living in our code. But, do we really want to take light industrial space ( incubator, perhaps ) - and house retired people?"

Maybe they'll get jobs a Securaplane.
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Miller Urges Caution:  Pima Animal Control Facility To Be Bonded At $506 Per Square Foot

Miller Addressing Attendees

If we're not careful, voters will approve a Pima County bond next year for the expansion of the Pima County Animal Control facility for millions over what a facility of this type should cost. This we learned last night at County Supervisor Allison Miller's Town Hall at the Oro Valley Library Branch.  Miller showed costs of other commercial-type new construction buildings that are in the low $100's per square foot.

We also learned that lavish spending is quite common in Pima County. Did you know, for example, that the county, with some federal funds, funded a lavish emergency response center?  There are chairs that can be adjusted at the push of a button.  There are built-in fans to make the occupant comfortable. There are stainless refrigerators for each community.  There are rooms full of computers.  And you approved it with a 2004 bond offering.

Did you know that county supervisors can, on a majority vote, use bond funds for uses other than the purpose for which you voted?  And, that they can do so legally.

Miller's point: Be careful before approving county bonds in a county that already has 2.5 times the debt of all other Arizona counties combined.
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Burns' Statement On "Domestic" Incident

Last night, TV 4 reported of a domestic incident involving Council Member Brendan Burns.  The incident occurred well over 2 weeks ago and involved violating a then standing protective order.  Here is Council Member Burns' statement as published by TV 4;

"I am saddened that my divorce and recent personal struggles have become public matters. As is often the case in these emotional situations, I have regrets, but much of the substance of the protective order is untrue, and my wife has already dismissed it voluntarily. My focus is now on my family and healing my relationship with my wife so we can be better parents to our three, young children. My family hopes for your prayers and understanding as we continue the healing process and we humbly ask for privacy out of respect for our children."


Council Member Brendan Burns (Source
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