Bits and Pieces

GFRD and Oro Valley To Partner On On-Site, Full-Time Health Clinic For Employees

 "The Town of Oro Valley, Arizona is seeking competitive proposals from qualified and interested firms to design, furnish, staff and manage an on-site health and wellness clinic to provide quality medical services to Town employees and dependents....Golder Ranch Fire District is considering partnering with the Town of Oro Valley in the operation of this Health and Wellness Clinic. The Fire District has 147 employees and a total of 494 individuals covered by their health insurance." (Source: Oro Valley Bid Solicitation 14032)
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Zinkin Appointed To NLC Steering Committee

Council Member Mike Zinkin "...has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2014 Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness. The appointment was announced by NLC President Chris Coleman, mayor, St. Paul, Minn." (NLC Press Notice)
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Burns Gets New Job

Council Member Brendan Burns is now a member of prestigious law firm Fennemore Craig.  Brendan practices in the area of commercial litigation, plaintiff's personal injury, professional liability, medical negligence defense, and land use planning and zoning. (Source: Press Release)
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Oro Valley Schlock Sign

Here's our nomination for Oro Valley's Schlock Sign.  We didn't know that Oro Valley allowed this kind of sign.  It looks like a bed sheet with some writing on it. We hope the quality of the $7.99 haircut is better than the quality of the sign.  We also wonder if this type of sign is "In Our Nature."
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Aquatic Center Closed For Maintenance

The Oro Valley Aquatic Center will be closed for maintenance from January 27 to February 2.(Oro Valley Press Release)
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Oro Valley 2013SRO Annual Report Available

The Oro Valley Popular Annual Report can be viewed on line or downloaded.
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"OVPD teen driving program receives a boost from National Auto Collision Centers

The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) School Resources Unit has received a donation of $1,100 from National Auto Collision Centers for the Impact Teen Driving Program.

Program curriculum is being taught by OVPD School Resource Officers in Oro Valley high schools. With the donation from National Auto Collision Centers, an incentive will be added to the program. Students who complete the course will receive an I.C.K.Y. (Ignorance Can Kill You) to place in their vehicles as a reminder to not engage in distracting tasks while driving, such as texting." (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department press release)
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Drzazgowski Wins Shop OV Holiday Campaign 

"The Town of Oro Valley is proud to announce that Oro Valley resident Molly Drzazgowski is the winner of the final prize drawing for the Shop OV Holiday Campaign. Drzazgowski will receive a two-night stay at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, including a choice of one round of golf for two, or two 50-minute custom spa treatments and breakfast for two at the Sundance Café. " (Oro Valley Press release)
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OV announces art, photo and multimedia contest For K-12 students 

"In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Town of Oro Valley is proud to host the "Life in OV" art, photo and multimedia contest for students in grades K - 12.

The contest is an opportunity for Oro Valley's youth to showcase their unique perspective on life in OV. Whatever is important to them-family, friends, pets, school, clubs, sports, parks, nature-we hope they will share their vision through art, photos or multimedia. Get contest rules here. (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Thursday Special: Zinkin Did Nothing Wrong...The "Explorer" Did

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Generally, we don't post on a Thursday nor do we ever refer to "Explorer" articles. Today, however, we are going to make an exception. This is because yesterday, the "Explorer" got it wrong and we plan to set the record straight.

The Explorer headline screams: "Mayor Hiremath accuses Councilman Zinkin  of fiscal mismanagement in Oro Valley."  The headline is a mark of sloppy journalism.  The headline in no way reflects the Mayor's remarks.

Watch and listen the Mayor Hiremath's remarks.

The Mayor comments on a budget recommendation that Zinkin made regarding asking the employees to have some accountability for their own medical premiums; a practice that is common amongst most businesses today.

The Mayor then diverts the discussion to comment on Zinkin's use of town funds for two activities:  One is a trip to a major convention where Zinkin represented the Town; the other is trip to Gilbert to study how another town, similar to Oro Valley, operates.

Here are the facts that the Explorer failed to research and report:

Council Member Zinkin sought and received input from Kevin Burke, assistant to the Oro Valley town manager.  He asked if it was proper for him to use his Council Member travel funds for a trip to Washington DC to attend a meeting the National Leagues of Cities and Towns. On February 5, Zinkin received the following reply :

"Historically, NLC participation has been a positive way for the Town to contribute to the national dialogue regarding municipal governance. Participation in this organization is a legitimate use of Council travel and training funds and has not raised concerns from the community in the past."  

Town Manager Greg Caton and Town Finance Director Stacey Lemos were copied on this message.  They had ample opportunity to opine if they disagreed. They did not.

Zinkin had felt conflicted about spending funds on this meeting.  He had written to Burke: "I have been really torn and conflicted about my appointment to the League's Committee on Community and Economic Policy and Advocacy. On one hand I guess I should be honored to be selected, on the other hand, it is a lot of money."  He concluded, after receiving this communication from Burke and after discussing with the League, that attending the conference was a proper to use of his travel allowance.   Zinkin did nothing wrong.  In fact, he did everything right!

In deference to Mayor Hiremath, we will not surmise the intent of his comments. We have concluded that the Mayor did not do his homework.  Instead, Mayor Hiremath chose to "shoot from the hip."

Regarding the Gilbert trip, which most certainly cost next to nothing, Council Member Zinkin and Council Member Garner invested their time to travel to Gilbert.  Their goal was to identify areas of Gilbert town operation that could be useful to Oro Valley.  They were looking for best practices on the wise assumption that Oro Valley doesn't know everything.

The Explorer got it wrong. Mayor Hiremath did not accuse Council Member Zinkin of fiscal mismanagement.

Mayor Hiremath got it wrong.  Zinkin obtained counsel from Oro Valley town professionals before attending the National League meeting.  Both he and another council member visited Gilbert on Oro Valley-related learning.

Neither the Explorer nor Mayor Hiremath did their homework. They both "shot from the hip."

So, we did their homework for them.
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