Heathers' Corner: Oro Valley-The Town That Almost Never Was

Imagine that your town is about to become part of an incorporated area; that you will now reside in a town that didn't exist just the day before. There are some orchards, ranches amongst scattered houses, a golf course, a high school. A divide exists between those who prefer unincorporated ("unattached resident") living and those who want to become incorporated. There are those that belong to a prestigious country club and at the other end of the spectrum, those struggling to buy potatoes for dinner. It doesn't look like a town. It doesn't feel like a town. There are two and a half square miles of area. There are individuals who somehow foresee the need for a more defined territory-A town. This was Oro Valley just 40 years ago.

I was scrolling through old newspaper clippings when I came across an article from the Tucson Daily Citizen dated Saturday, May 18, 1974. It described those first fragile days of Oro Valley's knighthood into a town of its own. Before there was a hospital, gated communities and expansion like what we know of today, the "town" was in its infancy and it's first steps were not easy.

The first Council meeting for Oro Valley took place in winter of 1974, with Mayor Kenneth Holford elected just two hours prior. Holford opened the meeting of a packed audience for questions. What probably followed was a lot of confusion, fear, and wonderment at how life would change for the residents, especially those opposing incorporation. In fact, petitions began the same day to disincorporate the newest Arizona town.

The Council was divided.  Two council members opposed incorporation. Two supported it.  Mayor Holford wisely chose to remain neutral on the subject; not having an opinion either way as to whether he was a "resident of a small town or just plain Pima County."  At one point Mayor Holford was unsure that a "Town of Oro Valley" would even be around by the following year. There were 500 registered voters.  A 2/3 majority was all that was required to undo what was just done.

The future was uncertain.  Imagine how difficult and laborious it was for that first council and mayor of a town where a perceived "majority" of its residents opposed its existence in the first place. The council prevailed, even in times of uncertainty.  Meeting agendas were created.  Order became apparent.  Growth evolved as the council chipped away at those first roadblocks to success.

Luckily, for you and I, the people hung in there and over time the "Montagues and Capulets" of Oro Valley became more cohesive in accepting the birth of their new town.  The learned to work together.

Here we are celebrating Oro Valley's 40th anniversary. He we are celebrating a progressive, respectful, and thriving community.

I can appreciate the sense of upheaval some may have experienced 40 years ago; the uncertainty of the future after becoming so accustomed to a certain way of living.  So it is with a deep sense of gratitude, as I write this watching my children play in the trees of our Oro Valley back yard, that I applaud the first voices of our town.   I wonder: How would that first council feel about Oro Valley, our "little town" now?  I certainly hope they would be proud of what they accomplished.

Heather
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Heather Nenadovich has lived in Oro Valley a total of five years. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Her husband is Canadian so she is a hockey fan by default and so are her two very clever children. When not being a mommy, she enjoys hiking in Catalina State Park, hand building pottery, and gardening. Her favorite things about living in Oro Valley are the towns recognition of art and culture, their commitment to preserving nature and the Christmas parade. (Also anything from GMG Chinese Bistro.)