UPDATE: Council Discussion Of El Conquistador Country Club and Tax Deferred Until March

This evening, the Oro Valley Town Council deferred discussion of the following two items until after some decision by the courts has been made regarding the opportunity to vote on the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club.
---
Council Member Zinkin and Garner added two items to tonight's Oro Valley Town Council meeting. They are items 9 at 10. Both are an opportunity for the Town Of Oro Valley to reconsider the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club. It is a purchase that has substantial public opposition.

Many believe that the Majority-4 should reconsider their vote to purchase the El Conquistador Country Club even if Gus Aragon rules that the towns summary rejection of the TOOTHINOV.ORG referendum submission is valid. Because, by and large, other than one clerical mistake, the signatures are valid. And, there are a lot of signatures.

Item 10  is entitled; "Discussion of possible direction regarding postponement of the final purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club and associated properties." There is no material attached to the motion so we asked council members Zinkin what the intent of this item was.

According to Zinkin, there is such substantial community angst over this purchase that the Minority-3 feel it would be wise to heal the community by simply rescinding the purchase.

"It is my belief that the community is fractured over this purchase," Zinkin stated it was.  "I just don't see how any elected official would possibly want to move forward when such a serious divide exists among our fellow citizens because of a discretionary, not essential purchase of a property."

Zinkin asserts that citizen concern over this purchase extends far beyond the "whiny majority" to whom Mayor Hiremath has identified in the past.  In addition, Zinkin believes that Bert Lopez wrongly stated that it simply a minority that is making a noise regarding this purchase. Lopez made this statement at a Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast in early January.

LOVE previously reported that Council Member Hornat wants "off the hook" regarding this purchase. He wished a vote would take place so that he could  quote get off the hook." If indeed, Council Member Hornat at once to "get off the hook," this would be a good time to do so.

Council Members Burns, Garner, and Zinkin remain steadfastly opposed to the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club. There is no doubt that they would vote to postpone further discussions with HSL Properties. the entire matter could be overturned with one more vote.

We have been told by many citizens that there is sufficient energy for a recall campaign against two of the four incumbents.  In addition, unlike the last election, a number of people have said that they would be interested in replacing these people and council.

The other item on the agenda is item 9.  It regards directions to the town staff regarding the implementation of the half-penny sales tax increase to support the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club.  The tax would not be needed if the community center was not purchased.
---