Over 15 months ago, Oro Valley’s Council Majority Hiremath, Hornat, Snider and Waters bought a failed business, the El Conquistador Country Club and Golf Courses. In the past two decades this property went through several bankruptcies and ownership changes, without ever turning a profit.
Under the Town’s ownership the property continues unsustainable losses. According to the Town’s quarterly reports, the Restaurant and Golf Course operations will have losses estimated in the $2,500,000 to $3,000,000 range for the Fiscal Year which ended June 30, 2016. The Town ironically will not reveal the final figures to the public until September 2016, conveniently AFTER the August 30th Town Council Primary Election.
How will these unsustainable losses resonate with the public? What will the Town DO, when it runs out of money? Will Oro Valley taxpayers be happy with a bond? Or, will additional taxes be acceptable to pay for the shortfall?
Indications are that the Council Challengers running, Pina, Rodman and Solomon will be in lock step with the present majority. In a recent Explorer article all three indicated similar sentiments to Hiremath, Hornat, Snider and Waters concerning the El Con issues. In addition, at least two of the three challengers have interests in the development community.
If they win, it will give the Council a Super Majority with unprecedented, one sided decision making.
On the other hand, incumbents Zinkin, Burns and Garner are the ones that have been looking out for the Oro Valley residents. They are often in opposition to the Majority 4 who have been champions of Over Development. Look around and notice all the Blading and Grading to make way for large residential and commercial developments. Many of the subdivisions are under construction.
Is Continuation of the Overdevelopment trend what the citizens of Oro Valley want? You Decide.
Rudy Roszak Oro Valley Resident
