Guest View-Don Cox: Council Inaction on Growth-“Lean Years Are Coming”

A friend forwarded a copy of a recent post on this blog. After reading it, I felt compelled to submit some thoughts of my own about the post and the Town of Oro Valley in general.

That post was penned by Mike Zinkin. If you have been around the Oro Valley for 20+ years, you probably know that Mike and I have had a few differences over the years. What may surprise you is that in the past couple of years, we have discovered that we agree on many issues. In fact, he and I have been featured jointly on the Jim Horn’s Oro Valley Podcast” in recent weeks. So at this time, I want to ‘dovetail’ on some of his commentary.

In the past 5 years, the governance of Oro Valley has taken a well oiled financial machine, the envy of the vast majority of the municipalities in the United States and placed it on the road to financial failure. Unfortunately we have now moved into the fast lane of that road.

The current Town Manager’s proposed FY 2023/2024 budget is nothing more than documenting the stated desires of the Town Council in writing, and then assigning a cost to it. It does not address the needs of the town. Rather, it reflects the personal desires of the town council members. A “splash pad” did not come from the residents. it came from Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett. A “Pump Track” did not come from the Town residents. It came from, Councilman Josh Nicholson. 

About 3 or 4 months ago you were given a clear ‘red flag message’ when the Director of Public Works, Paul Kessler, announced at a Town Meeting that the estimated cost of the ‘projects’ on the Town Council wish list, which was to be paid for by that $50 million non-resident approved bond, was closer to $100 million. How does Winfield and crew, make a $50 million error on a $50 million bond? The answer to that question is simple. It’s fiscal irresponsibility!!

I have spent a great deal of time examining the Oro Valley proposed FY 2023/2024 revenue budget. It’s available on the Town website for all to see.

Here are some direct quotes from the Revenue Summary: 

“Local sales tax is expected to show gains over the FY 22/23budget, but a slight decline when compared to with the FY 22/23 actual revenue.”
Translation: Our sales tax revenue is going down

“This is largely attributable to construction sales tax, as permitting activity has slowed from the highs we saw during the COVID -19 pandemic.”
Translation: We are building fewer homes. Where have you heard that before? Yours truly!!! 

“The Town is projecting 119 single family residential (SFR) permits for FY 23/24 compared to the 171 SFR permits budgeted for FY 22/23. Commercial development revenues are expected to decrease based on projected building activity.”

Translation: “Commercial follows residential.” We have no residential growth therefore we have no commercial growth.  

Now my friends, is the 1600 hundred pound elephant in the room

The current Town Council majority has not approved a single residential development in Oro Valley (with the exception of a 64 +/- project that was already approved by Pima County before it was annexed)! No new commercial development has been approved in the same period. The exception to the latter statement is the Marketplace re-development which they gutted for no logical reason. The 2018 campaign promise of a “Moratorium on Growth”, which was later denied by Melanie Barrett, has become a reality.

From the time of Council approval, it takes an average of 3 years for projects to start generating construction sales tax. Construction sales tax is currently running about $6,000,000 a year. Translation: This Town Council majority has created an eight year void in the Construction Sales Tax pipeline. That’s $6 million a year that is going away for a minimum of 8 years. And that money is not replaceable.

Prepare yourselves for some very lean years in our immediate future if we don’t come up with a way to generate more income for the Town.

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Don Cox moved to Oro Valley in 1997.  He has served on various town committees including an extended stint as a chair and vice chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  He is a member of the Oro Valley Optimist Club and the Arizona Youth Partnership.

OVCN Revising Project...But Battle With Community Will Continue

Church to move facilities 150 feet from three opposing resident lot lines

The Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) is revising their rezoning proposal for their sports complex project. This will cause the project to be heard once again by the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Change would result in requiring one less council vote for approval

We do not know the details of the revision, but we do know that it includes moving the western edge of the rezone area 150 feet to the east, away from neighbor lot lines. If this is the case, then the requirement for Town Council approval would be a 4-vote majority rather than a 5-vote supermajority. The timetable of the approval process for this project is unclear.  Regardless, the community, especially those who are most closely affected by the facility if approved, are united against it. 

Community is resolute in opposition

Regardless, the community, especially those who are most closely affected by the facility if approved, are united against it. Today, we present two "Guest Views:" One is from Tim Tarris, head of the Concordia/Buena-Vista Group. The other is from Don Cox, former Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commissioner. Both Tim and Don oppose the project at that location because the sports facilities do not fit within that community. Both would like to see a compromise in which OVCN builds the facilities elsewhere. Simply redrawing the rezone request the facilities 150 feet to the east is not that compromise.

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Guest View: Tim Tarris

The simple redrawing of the rezone area, if that is what they plan to offer, is not a solution. It has the effect of negating four of the neighbors that signed the formal protest filed over a year ago. Fourteen of the adjoining neighbors (100%) signed that formal protest which requires the “super majority” of the Town Council to approve. (See Arizona Revised Statute 9-462.04H and Oro Valley Town Code ZC 23.3L.)

An action of this type is an attempt to “bend the rules” in the church’s favor. In all reality, nothing in a new submission of this nature has changed. All of the reasons (traffic, noise, lighting, etc.), that have caused the strong opposition by the neighbors, remain. It is effectively a “line in the sand” as the western section is a parking lot and will remain so. It is an intentional effort to dismiss and invalidate the wishes of the neighbors.

Many people have noticed the Concordia/Buena Vista Group (C/BV) informational (pink) signs. Sadly, some people have gone on private property and “free speech” zones (where signs are allowed) and vandalized or removed these signs. Additionally, one neighbor (displaying a sign) was verbally accosted in front of his own home by a passing motorist while tending to his sign. All of these events resulted in police reports being filed.

The C/BV group position has always remained the same. We support sports, youth and religion, but this sports complex would be devastating to this historic Oro Valley neighborhood. We actively hope that OVCN would find a much more appropriate location. The church, the neighbors and the community of Oro Valley will benefit from that solution.

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Guest View: Don Cox

First, I want everybody to understand that when I voice an opinion on this or any other matter, it is only my opinion. I am not speaking on behalf of any other party!! 

I believe OVCN requested the postponement to regroup after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial the application. What’s puzzling to me, as a former member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, is why there was a second vote on other matters included in the application. It seems those subsequent issues became moot once the recommendation to deny was made. I believe the P&Z [ Planning and Zoning Commission] erred in this regard.

I have been told by reliable sources that OVCN has an alternate plan. I have also suggested that since there are more multi-purpose fields coming on line in the relatively near future, OVCN and the Town may be able to work out some deal with the Town of Oro Valley that is compatible to all parties (Town/Neighbors/OVCN). If not then I see this issue heading to litigation. That’s not beneficial to any party. The Town needs to get more involved. Once again their secrecy isn’t doing them and favors.

OVCN bought the property in question. That property comes with established zoning rights. The neighborhood is only asking that those zoning rights be complied with….nothing more or less. In this instance I support the neighbors completely. That’s what’s best, in my opinion, for the Town.

(Don's view first appeared in Nextdoor.com. We are reprinting it with his permission)  
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Little Bits

Cox to take on the OVCN challenge

Oro Valley resident and former Planning and Zoning Commissioner Don Cox announced last week that he is going to try to broker a deal among the town, the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene ("OVCN"), and the Concordia/Buena Vista Group. His goal is for all to avoid litigation that he asserts will happen if the request by OVCN to build a sports facility on land next to the church is denied by the town. You can read about what OVCN wants to do and how the affected residents feel about that here. Cox made his announcement on the Oro Valley Podcast.

Cox posted the following on Nextdoor: "I have been told by reliable sources that OVCN has an alternate plan. I have also suggested that since there are more multi-purpose fields coming on line in the relatively near future, OVCN and the Town may be able to work out some deal with the Town of Oro Valley that is compatible to all parties (Town/Neighbors/OVCN). If not, then I see this issue heading to litigation. That’s not beneficial to any party. The Town NEED’s to get more involved. Once again their secrecy isn’t doing them and favors." 

The situation is complicated.  The town can not get involved at this point because it has not completed the application review process. The Church must complete the process, which includes an appeal to and denial by the Board of Appeals, before it has a case to bring to court.  Still, anything Cox can do to help would be good.

Keep Oro Valley Strong PAC closes...Oro Valley First PAC opens

The PAC, Keep Oro Valley Strong, raised $52,000 in funds in the last election. The funds were used to support the candidacies of the challengers by disparaging the accomplishments of the incumbent candidates. The PAC has closed operations, disbursing its remaining funds: $4,100 to the Arizona Heroes Memorial LLC and $2,000 to the Oro Valley First PAC. That PAC was opened in late December. The chairperson is Carolyn Cox. The treasurer is Don Cox. This is the same Don Cox who is working on the OVCN deal noted above.

Preserve Vistoso devises a new mission... implies "partnership" with town.

The group, Preserve Vistoso, has a devised a new mission. Originally, the group was formed to save the former Vistoso Golf Course from development. They raised $1.8 million from residents to help fund the purchase, together with the town and with The Conservation Fund ("TCF"). The problem was fixed when TCF, brought in by several Rancho Vistoso residents, thanks to a recommendation of former Council Member and then council candidate Bill Garner, purchased the property. TCF then turned the property over to the town with a permanent conservation easement. The town is in the process of building a master plan for that property. Tomorrow night, the Town Council will study the latest plan. 

Preserve Vistoso claims to be working in partnership with the town. "We’ve had several conversations with Kristy Diaz-Trahan, Oro Valley Director of Parks and Recreation, about how we can work together to realize the vision of the preserve and we’re excited to further define our new role..."which is "...partnering with the Town of Oro Valley to support the implementation of the soon to be completed Vistoso Trails Master Plan." No formal relationship has been established.

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Former Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Chair Speaks in Opposition to the OVCN Rezoning

Below is an excerpt from a speech given by Don Cox during the February 7th Public Hearing on the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) rezoning. It’s not often that LOVE and Don Cox agree on town issues, but this time we are in complete agreement.


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“I spent a little over 9 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Oro Valley so I have a unique view of what is facing the commission tonight…

It is my opinion that the zoning change should be denied…There are multiple facts, I believe, supporting my opinion. I am not opposed to a sports ministry. I love to see kids participating in sports. I’m 78 year’s old and I still participate in senior softball…

I’m strongly opposed to the location and the inability to mitigate the negative impact on the neighborhood. The activities of the church currently invade the privacy of the surrounding residents. The current parking issues created by the overflow parking close to the church invades the privacy of those who are surrounding the church. When the church holds outdoor activities now, the decibel level leaving the church grounds invades the privacy of the surrounding neighborhood, and I suspect that if measured, it would violate the Town’s zoning codes.

The addition of competitive sports on a playing field that is mere yards from a neighbor’s backyard not only will invade their outdoor space but it will invade the interior of their home. There are current residents who can hear the aforementioned activities inside their homes now.

The church argues that they can’t utilize the current available town parks space for their activities. They state that the availability just isn’t there. I can’t argue with that…but the solution to that is not to punish the neighborhoods surrounding the church.

I thought a church would frown upon robbing St. Peter to pay St. Paul, but that’s exactly what this plan is all about. This project, while well-intended, is simply not compatible with the surrounding area. The traffic and parking issues have not been addressed, the current noise violations will be multiplied, as will lighting issues. I have yet to see a condition that stops light intrusion or sound penetration successfully.

So, when it comes time to vote, I ask that this commission vote denial. Thank you for your service to this community.”

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The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend denial of the rezoning.  It was then forwarded to the Town Council to be heard on March 1st, but that hearing has since been postponed.  A new date for the hearing has not been set.

Mighty Strong Headwinds

Below is what former Councilmember Mary Snider asserted at the April 6, 2016 town council meeting as being the reason for the lacking interest in golf memberships at the Town-owned El Conquistador Golf Courses.

“One of the reasons I believe we are lacking in revenues, frankly, is Mr. Zinkin’s constant attack on the viability -- his opinion of the viability of this property. It’s creating a headwind in town. You constantly question the staff. You make the staff look like they don’t know what they’re doing. You go on radio shows, hold meetings, give information out. You’re creating negativity in the community about this project… Your negativity is impacting the memberships in golf…”

We’re bringing this up because LOVE recently learned that the Oro Valley Optimist Club held an annual “Scramble for Youth Fundraiser” on May 11th. The fundraiser was a golf tournament that was held at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana.

Mary Snider and former Planning and Zoning Commissioner Don Cox, have been long-time members of the Oro Valley Optimist Club. On the members roster, Cox is listed as “District Representative.” Cox and Snider have also been big proponents of the town-owned El Conquistador golf courses.

So why didn’t these two “El Con Golf Cheerleaders” advocate to hold this golf tournament at the El Con? We doubt that it was fully booked that day because Troon admitted at the recent budget study session that the golf courses were only at 60% capacity.

If the El Con was booked that day, they still could have supported the town of Oro Valley by holding their golf tournament at The Views Golf Course or the Oro Valley Country Club. Why did the Oro Valley Optimist Club decide to support a Marana golf course?

If it was due to the strong headwinds at the El Con, we have to ask…Were there strong headwinds at The Views and at OV Country Club as well?

Below is the Optimist Club membership roster and the fundraiser information from their website.

Guest View: Frank Pitts ~ How I fought the Good Ole Boys Club of Oro Valley

Former Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Frank Pitts, discusses what transpired during his time on the P&Z Commission and why he does not trust the Town Council to do what’s best for Oro Valley residents.

I joined the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2014 after the Town Council began discussing the rezoning of Desert Springs, an approximately 100-acre parcel located on the east side of Oracle Road at Tangerine. Catalina State Park is without a doubt the jewel and essence of what makes Oro Valley special. I was raised at Pusch Ridge Stables, adjoining the State park. Riding a horse and buggy with my father was our special time together both as a child and even today as two “old men.”

During the rezoning discussions in 2013, we were driving horse and buggy around the State park and I looked up at the land that the Town Council was considering rezoning from R-144, 3.3 acre lots to medium density residential. I thought to myself…houses overlooking the State park will rob the park of its essence and its serenity. The escape from civilization for a brief moment to get in touch with Mother Nature and rekindle our basic human needs with the outdoors is vital to our health and happiness. The park’s serenity helps keep us grounded.

They wanted a Yes-man. They got an independent thinker.
As a near life-long Oro Valley Resident, I knew it was time to do more than talk. I reached out to all the Town Councilmembers and explained to them that Catalina State Park is the Jewel of Oro Valley. Councilmember Mike Zinkin was the only councilmember who replied to my email and lent an ear. Mike said he would vote against rezoning it if it ever came back up but he also explained that “The Majority 4” (currently seeking reelection) would most likely approve the rezoning. I knew I needed to do more to help save Oro Valley from becoming just another “any town USA” so I applied to be a Planning and Zoning Commissioner.

I met Councilmember Joe Hornat and Planning and Zoning Chair Don Cox for the first time during the P&Z interview process. Cox asked what I thought of the direction of Oro Valley. I knew this was a do-or-die moment into the Good Ole Boys Club. So I ate my pride for the moment and said that I thought it looked great and I wanted to help keep improving it.

The rezoning of the property overlooking Catalina State Park also came up and Hornat explained how he would like to see the ridge over the park lined with quality homes. I gritted my teeth and smiled. Cox and Hornat both gleamed with pride over their Oro Valley open space reduction plan and the fact that they thought I was a Yes-man. They selected me for a position on the commission. After my first P&Z meeting, they realized that I was not a Yes-man.

Planning and Zoning should be called, “No planning. Just rezoning.”
As I sat through multiple P&Z meetings where they discussed nothing about planning but only rezoning, I realized there was a mission to get as many roof tops built in Oro Valley as possible to reach the magic 50,000 residents that the Town needed in order to receive additional federal funding. More retail business would also come to OV if we had a stronger consumer base. More federal money and more business tax dollars allow for a bigger OV bureaucracy. More houses lower Oro Valley's standard of living, reduce current home values, schools suffer, parks suffer, roads become congested, taxes increase, crime increases and the overall standard of living is reduced. As population increases, simple peacefulness is gone.

I voted NO for almost every single rezoning request because I knew that increasing bureaucracy was bad, and increasing bureaucracy at the demise of Oro Valley's Jewel (it's natural beauty) was illogical. Rezonings were approved time and time again when it was obvious in these meetings that most residents (and even our neighbors bordering Oro Valley) were opposed. The P&Z Commission didn't take the residents concerns seriously and the Town Council didn't take the residents concerns seriously.

As the outcry got worse, the council and staff figured out a way to divide and conquer the residents by changing the format of the public rezoning information meetings. These meetings were now broken-up into multiple discussion groups, thereby weakening the unified voice of the citizens.

What is the driving force behind all these rezonings?
After witnessing rezoning after rezoning without any long-term planning, I began to wonder why the council was on such a mission to change the delicate face of our little town in the desert. Money? Seeking higher public office? Fame? None of these reasons are serving their constituents.

Why I do not trust the current Oro Valley Town Council to look out for our best interest.
• Don Cox has been reappointed to the P&Z Commission for almost 15 years. Cox’s repeated reappointments are not a sign of a healthy democracy. Cox currently runs a PAC supporting the incumbents (and has done so in the past).

• 95% of the incumbents campaign funds are from Developers, Land Owners and Special Interest groups like HSL Properties from whom the Town purchased the country club and golf courses.

• Rezoning land should only be done if it benefits the common good of the community, NOT for the benefit of the individual landowner who knew the zoning restrictions when he/she purchased the land.

• Several volunteer committees were recently eliminated such as the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). This Board assured that new developments were up to Oro Valley’s stringent codes. This is one less set of eyes looking out for the best interest of Oro Valley and merely allows for more steamrolled developments pushed through without opposition.

• I attempted to improve the public meeting process. I asked the council to create a web-site for residents to become informed about rezonings with a message board for questions. I asked them to advertise in the Explorer to inform more residents. I asked them to post more signs around the property of the proposed rezoning. I asked that they allow more time for residents to educate themselves prior to the council vote. I asked for a survey to be handed out at the end of each meeting giving the residents one last say. A watered down survey was initially adopted but I’m not sure if it’s still being used today. However, none of my other suggestions were considered.

This council is not transparent nor do they intend to be. Save what’s left of Oro Valley and remove the incumbents from office.

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Frank Pitts grew up in Tucson, moving to Oro Valley in 1977. He graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1991 and has been employed as an airline pilot for 18 years. He was an Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commissioner from 2014-2016.

Editorial ~ The Voting Record of the Oro Valley Town Council “Majority-7” (Part 3.)

This is the third of a 3-part series presenting the voting record for the new Oro Valley Town Council. Part 2 was published last week, covering their voting record from February-April.  This week we present the record from May-June. Four meetings were held.  All votes except one were unanimous.

If you missed Part 2, you can read it HERE
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May 3, 2017

Calling for a Special Bond Election regarding the Naranja Bond and the issuance of a Secondary Property Tax. PUBLIC COMMENT.

Three residents spoke in support including Brian Mitchell who organized the petition and Fred Narcaroti who is President of OV Sports Alliance. Two residents spoke in opposition.

Motion made by Mayor Hiremath and Seconded by Vice-Mayor Waters to approve the Special Bond Election authorizing $17 million dollars for Naranja Park ball fields.

Motion passed 7-0.

All motions this evening passed 7-0.

May 17, 2017

Adoption of the tentative budget for FY 2017/18

Motion carried 7-0. All motions this evening carried 7-0.

June 7, 2017

CONSENT AGENDA

Three items were pulled for discussion. Two are presented below.

Approval of the final design for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial.

Councilmember Hornat voiced his concerns with this item. Mayor Hiremath motioned and Rodman seconded to approve the revised concept drawing as presented. A final design will be submitted to the Council at a later date.

Councilmember Pina requested an amendment to the motion that the Town of Oro Valley would not be responsible for any maintenance of the memorial and if a cost-sharing is requested, a formal request must be submitted in writing to the Economic Development Manager for Council consideration. Hiremath and Rodman agreed to the amendment.

Motion carried 7-0.

Approval of Conceptual Public Art for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial

Councilmember Hornat voiced his concerns regarding the cost and the use of the proposed medal for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial Conceptual Public Art.

Rodman motioned and Hiremath seconded to approve the conceptual public art as presented. The final public art submittal will be presented to the Council at a later date.

Motion carried 6-1 with Councilmember Hornat opposed.

Editor’s Note: We emphasized Hornat’s “cost” concerns because back in 2014 when former Councilmember Mike Zinkin questioned the cost of sending OVPD officers to attend the Memorial Service for the Yarnell Firefighters, local resident (and Majority-7 cheerleader) Don Cox, plastered spiteful recall signs all over town claiming that Zinkin “Dishonors Fallen Firefighters.”

Councilmember Zinkin questioned a cost pertaining to the Yarnell Firefighters Memorial Service. Councilmember Hornat questioned the cost pertaining to a Veterans and First Responders Memorial.   Firefighters…First Responders… What’s the difference? One has to wonder…Where are Don Cox’s recall signs stating that Councilmember Joe Hornat Disrespects Veterans and First Responders?

REGULAR AGENDA

Consolidating the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). PUBLIC HEARING.

The “usual suspects” spoke in support:
Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association
Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce

Motion carried 7-0.

Disbanding the CDRB only serves to eliminate another citizen opportunity to participate in Town government. Notice that home builders and the Chamber of Commerce supported less citizen participation.

Approving the adoption of the final budget for fiscal year 2017/18, including approval of the 15-year Capital Improvement program through 2031/32.

Motion carried 7-0

June 21, 2017

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Hornat requested an amendment to the Town Code to remove term limits for Boards and Commissions.

Hornat’s reasoning was that it was difficult to get community members to serve on Boards and Commissions and also that existing members were good people who would like to continue serving. Rodman supported Hornat’s request and added that it took time for members to learn the process and also that it was difficult to find people willing to give their time and expertise.

Motion carried 7-0.

We asked former Councilmember Mike Zinkin to weigh in on this topic since he was the Council Liaison for two citizen volunteer boards. Mike offered the following:

“As the Council Liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment, I can tell you that we never had a shortage of candidates. And with the CDRB and P&Z having a higher profile in Town, I suspect that they had no problem getting candidates to apply for those volunteer openings.

Although Rodman is correct that it takes time to learn how to be an effective commissioner, it also takes time to learn how to be an effective council member. That is why the Town staggers the terms of the boards, commissions, and council."

To give a Supreme Court-like appointment to board and commission members appears to be nothing more than an engineered strategy to keep their friends and supporters in permanent Town positions.

The only thing the Council needs to change is to remove the Council Liaison position from the interview/selection process. This removes politics from the selections.

Staff will need to come back with an amendment change to the Town Code and a Public Hearing must be held prior to Council voting on this item.

REGULAR AGENDA

Grading exception for the Villages at Silverhawke subdivision (SE Corner of Tangerine and First)

Approving the Conceptual Site Plan, Landscape Plan, and Recreation Plan for the Villages at Silverhawke subdivision.

Approving the Conceptual Site Plan and Landscape Plan for the Viewpoint II at Vistoso Trails subdivision (Moore Road and Rancho Vistoso Blvd.)

Approving the transfer of $350,000 from the General Fund Surplus into the Community Center Fund and $300,000 to the Self-Insurance Benefit Fund.

Discussions ensued on all above items. All motions carried 7-0.

Anonymous Writes: "The Truth About Don Cox"

A month or so ago, we published a posting that was authored by Oro Valley resident Don Cox. He was celebrating the election results. Cox is chairman of the Triple E Pac and, we believe, publisher of his own blog that he calls "The Truth." We published his work because our pages are open to all and he asked us to do so.

The following was submitted to us by one of our regular readers. This individual wants you do know who Don Cox is. The person asked that we post it without attribution to them.
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"If you have followed Oro Valley politics for any amount of time, you have most likely heard the name, Don Cox. He appears during every election cycle and for years afterwards, in his ongoing attempts to sway OV voters to vote for his chosen candidates and to remove anyone from office with whom he disagrees. Below is a primer on Mr. Cox.

Don Cox twice ran for Town Council, losing both times. A few years later, during Mayor Hiremath’s first year in office, Cox was named Oro Valley Volunteer of the Year. He served on the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission, also serving as Chairman during a portion of his term. Sounds good initially, until you dig a little deeper into Mr. Cox’s behavior.

Cox Violates Town’s Code of Conduct
In 2012 and 2014, two different Town Attorneys wrote the Council advising them of Mr. Cox's inappropriate behavior while serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Both Attorneys stated that, in each instance, Mr. Cox had violated the Town's Code of Conduct for appointed officials.

Cronyism Anyone?
What happened as a result of those letters? Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Snider, Hornat, and Waters ignored these communications and re-appointed Cox to P&Z for his final two years despite being well-aware that Cox had twice violated the Code of Conduct. When the Majority-4 were reminded of the attorneys letters, they claimed to know nothing about these communications, even though they were among the addressees.

Triple E PAC Violates State Law
Currently, Don Cox is the Chairman of the Triple E PAC. This PAC was responsible for the billboard signs promoting the recent Town Council challengers…..signs that were posted in violation of State Law as they were installed 48 hours earlier than the law allows.

Tabloid Politics – Lies and Defamation
Cox was the author of the outrageous 2016 election mailer that was full of bold-faced lies, including the false claim that Councilmember Burns was on parole. Burns has never been in prison and has therefore never appeared before a parole board! This fish-wrap mailer also claimed that Councilmember Zinkin was accused of 11 different violations of conduct. Zinkin was accused only once, and the investigation showed that there was NO basis for the accusation and that it was likely politically motivated. But Mr. Cox has repeatedly shown that he is not interested in conveying the truth.

Another example of Cox publicly spreading lies was when he stated in a letter to the editor that Councilmembers Burns, Garner, and Zinkin voted in favor of all three apartment complexes on Oracle Road. The facts are that Burns and Zinkin were not even on the Town Council when those votes were taken, and Councilmember Garner approved only one of the apartment complexes.

Cox was also the subject of a defamation lawsuit brought by Councilmember Zinkin after Cox made repeated false claims about Zinkin in order to drum up support for what would become the failed 2014 Zinkin recall. Cox settled the suit out of court, most likely to avoid a deposition where he would be required to answer questions under oath. Mr. Cox’s insurance company paid the settlement.

Summary
Don Cox has violated Oro Valley's Code of Conduct for Appointed Officials, has perpetrated outrageous lies about opponents, settled a defamation lawsuit against him, and over a protracted time, has been dragging Oro Valley politics into the gutter.
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This posting was written by "anonymous"