Oro Valley Town Council Approves Plan To Eliminate Public Safety Pension Unfunded Liability

6-0 Approval Vote
The Oro Valley Town Council voted 6-0 ( Council Member Greene abstaining) on a plan to fully fund the towns public safety pensions by 2036. It is a plan that will need to be implemented by the council if it chooses to include it in the annual budget.

Plan combines general fund money and bond funds
The plan will have the town issue $17 million in pension obligation bonds and earmark $10 million in general fund monies towards the pension obligation. According to consulting firm CBIZ,  this option is the least costly to the town.

Pension obligation bonds do not require voter approval
It is the expectation that the interest rates that the town will pay on these bonds will be far less than the rate of return the funds will earn on that money. The consultant assumed that the town could borrow the funds at 2.75% and invest them at 5.25%. The difference, according to Council Member Nicolson, is, in and of itself, sufficiently significant to warrant borrowing as a solution because Interest rates are at historically low levels. Indeed, that seemed to be the motivation of others on council to support a July implementation of the measure.

Prior Added $1 million contributions to PSPRS had small impact on underfunding

The aggregate funding ratio for all 264 plans in PSPRS is 48%. Ore Valley police funding is better than the average, at 61.7%.

Both the Hiremath and Winfield councils recognized the need to increase funding of the plans. Both contributed $1M annually for the past three years in addition to the required annual contribution. The result was a small dent in the unfunded liability total of $24 million.

Plan implementation requires that it be included in 2021-22 budget 
According to Town Manager Jacobs, the motion that the council approved directed her to “...incorporate into the recommended budget the capacity to move forward with this type of an option in the budget.” It did not direct her to implement the plan. As a consequence, the efficacy of implementing the plan will undergo much vetting over the next two months as the council and the public opine on the budget. 

Plan implementation in July if it is included in budget

If it is included in the budget, the town will deposit $10 million from the general fund into the PSPRS in July. Bonding will require a council resolution in July. The town will then issue $17M in pension obligation bonds in July, the proceeds of which will be contributed to the PSPRS. 

 

According to Jacobs, there is some urgency to move forward with the plan in order to take advantage of low interest rates. “I think the Vice Mayor is correct. If we’re going to do this the sooner that we can take advantage of the interest rates and shoot for as early in July as possible or sometime in that timetable. I think would be the best.”

Council Member's Green and Solomon question wisdom of implementing the plan

Council Member Mo Greene abstained from voting on the plan. He had asserted that there is no urgency to fund the plan. Greene stated that he had met with police union officials. They told him they were not concerned about the underfunding and that none of their member payments have been impacted by it. 

Council Member Solomon said that the plan must be considered in light of other town needs; that it should not be considered in isolation. He referenced other needs such as upgrades and improvements to town facilities and funding that may be required for parks and recreation. He also felt that obligating future councils to pay interest on and to pay off pension bond debt principal was a statement that future councils were not capable of dealing with the underfunding problem.

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Censure Motion Withdrawn

It was "Much Ado About Nothing"

Council member Solomon, with the agreement of Council Member Greene, withdrew the motion that they had proffered to censure Council Member Bohen. They did this with the understanding that Bohen had apologized to Town Manager Jacobs for a remark Bohen had made at the prior town council meeting. 

As we reported this past Monday, the motion to censure was patently ridiculous.

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Mayor Winfield Proclaims Oro Valley "A Golf Community"...Enthusiastic About Reopening Pusch View Golf Course

Winfield: “We are a golf community.”

Mayor Winfield declared that Oro Valley is a golf community at last week’s council meeting (4h21m 2/17/21 Oro Valley Town Council Meeting) This, he says, is supported by last year’s statistically valid resident survey done as part of the now in-progress Parks and Recreation ten year master plan project. 

This survey was one of several reasons he gave for championing the reopening and three year commitment to operating the Pusch Ridge Course. Other reasons he gave are an uptick in golf usage because of the Pandemic; and his assertion that the town owned golf courses are meeting their subsidy metrics. According to Winfield, the only problem with Pusch View nine hole golf course is that it has been under-promoted.

Winfield "Kicks the Can" down the road

When Winfield and fellow council members Steve Solomon and Mo Greene have their way, the course will operate starting November 1. It will close each year in May.  Three years will be the  horizon for determining what will happen next to the course. By that time, the Mayor will have completed his term. It will be someone else's challenge.

Open space option summarily rejected

The idea of allowing the property to revert to its natural state or turning it into a walking preserve was summarily rejected by Winfield and council at the February 17 council meeting.  They decided that that solution was too expensive. They based that on numbers provided by town staff. No council member challenged these numbers or the basis for them. As LOVE has previously noted, the natural space option is least costly over a five year planning horizon.

Council never considered the Pusch View Course's history of failure

The council did not discuss the operating history of this course during the meeting, a history that includes:

• The Town purchased three financially failed golf courses in 2014 from HSL Properties. HSL's purchase of the El Conquistador resort was financially feasible only if the Town took over these courses. That is what the Town did. The Town council raised the sales tax a half cent to subsidize the losses. The subside continues to this day.
• Once it owned the Pusch View Course, the Town observed that the course was underused and worked to market it. There was no success. 
• In 2016, the Town then tried to turn the course into a family entertainment center, adding things like larger holes on the green and Frisbee Golf. That didn't work to stimulate use either. You can read about the Town's enthusiasm for that here.
• In 2020, Town Council voted to discontinue the course so that the Town could lease the course back to HSL.

Winfield, Solomon and Greene must believe that the pandemic driven resurgence in course use in Oro Valley is going to continue after the Pandemic passes. They may be right. On the other hand, the fundamental reasons the sport of golf is in decline has not changed. Read about those things here.

Tim Bohen was the only council member to speak against reopening the course

Council Member Tim Bohen stated that the Town has excess golf inventory even in today's hot market.  “I just wanted to let the people know at Pusch Ridge Course: I’ve walked their course a couple of times. I’ve talked them. I have sympathy for their plight." He continued: "I really do believe as a responsible entity, we have inventory that we already have that we don’t consume and that is why I can’t support this.”

Winfield did not want a council resolution.  Jacobs insisted they that there be one.

Mayor Winfield stated at several different points during the February 17 council discussion that Town Manager Jacobs had enough information from listening to the discussion to formulate what town staff was to do next. He did not want a formal vote (“resolution”). Town Manager Jacobs insisted that there be one: "You tell me what. I will give you the how." 

RFP to lease Pusch View Golf included in resolution

Two of the three other council members, Vice Mayor Barrett and Council Member Josh Nicolson, successfully fought to insure that the resolution include directing the Town Manager to formulate  a request for proposal ("RFP") for someone to lease the facility.  That RFP will be issued and analyzed over the next seven months if approved by council.

The Resolution to reopen Pusch View Golf Course

Council passed the following resolution by a 6-1 vote: 

Resolved: “Town council directs staff to return with a plan for operation of the Pusch Ridge Golf course to be evaluated within three years as to its continued feasibility, capital improvement requirements while also looking at alternatives to look at water usage and potential new configurations and a third party lease.” 

Town Manager Jacobs will present the plan at the March 17 Town Council Meeting.

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Five Things To Keep In Mind When You Vote Tomorrow

Our fact check sets the record straight

Three things happened since we posted our "Election Primer" on July 14.  First, things got nasty in the form of expensive post cards containing outrageous accusations that were mailed by Greene, Rodman and Solomon. Second, because things got nasty, Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett and Council Member Jones-Ivey endorsed Bohen and Garner. Third, last week we finally got the truth on developer campaign financing of Greene, Rodman and Solomon.

So, as you vote, do think about these things and more...

All candidates support public safety

There are two issues that are always lightning rods in Oro Valley elections. One is support of public safety. 

In every election since 2010, one set of candidates accusing the other set of "not supporting public safety." This year  Candidates Greene, Rodman and Solomon did just that is an expensive (60 cents per) glossy 6x11 post card. 

We've fact checked the accusation. All candidates support public safety. In fact, Candidate Garner did the hard work in 2008 of saving police positions.

First responder and school support has nothing to do with the Oro Valley Town Council

That same flyer accused "the other guys" of not supporting first responders or education. Where did that come from? First responders are not part of Oro Valley operations. They are a separate taxing district. Schools are not part of Oro Valley operations. They are also a separate taxing district. These things have nothing to do with the Oro Valley Town Council.

No candidate is encouraging policies that will likely lead to a property tax

The other lightning rod is an Oro Valley property tax.  An Oro Valley property tax is antithetical to the founding of Oro Valley. Oro Valley was founded on the basis that it would not have a property tax. Not having an Oro Valley property tax is in our DNA.  It is simply in not an issue.  The council can not mandate a property tax. Only the voters can do so.

According to candidate Bill Garner, speaking on a Jim Horn Oro Valley Podcast: "We should never be at that point [of needing a property tax] providing that you elect candidates that are stewards of your money. I have always been a fiscal steward of taxpayer money."

The campaigns of Greene, Rodman and Solomon are financed by the special interest developer community

Last week, we confirmed our earlier observations based on the Rodman and Solomon campaign funding of their 2016 campaign. As they did then, developer money has flooded Oro Valley politics.  All the usual characters are back - HSL, Realtors of Southern Arizona, Town West Real Estate, The Kai Family, Beztak (Sam Beznos) and Heritage Homes- to the the tune of $35,000. Solomon and Rodman alone received 75% of their campaign funds from them.  See our posting last week to learn more.

Garner and Bohen are endorsed by Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett, and Council Member Jones-Ivey

Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett and Council Member Jones-Ivey were silent at first regarding which candidates they would prefer to be on council. That changed once the expensive post cards containing outrageous accusations were mailed to homes. They have endorsed Garner and Bohen for council. That is an endorsement of the people with whom they will work for at least the next two years. See our posting of July 15 on the endorsement of Winfield and Barrett.  See our posting of July 22 with quotes from Barrett and Jones-Ivey.

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HSL Dominates Contributions to Rodman, Solomon and Greene

HSL leads the pack
HSL properties, the owner of the El Conquistador Resort, partner in the future of the Oro Valley Marketplace, owner of a large apartment complex on Oracle Road, dominated the funding of pro developer Oro Valley candidates Rodman, Solomon and Greene. This continued what they had done in financing the 2016 campaign of Rodman and Solomon. (source)

Two sources contributed 71% of funds
The three amassed $34,450 in contributions from special interest developers and realtors as revealed in the 2020 Pre-Primary campaign finance report. HSL contributed $15,000 of that. The other big contributor in the amount of $9,000 were the Realtors of Southern Arizona PAC.

In addition, the Kai family, currently seeking a general plan amendment for a Silverhawke related property, donated $2,500. Missing from this list was Venture West. Generally, they contribute $1,000 to each pro developer candidate.

More and 80% of Rodman funding.... 72% of Solomon funding
Candidates Rodman and Solomon were particular dependent on special interest funding. 81% of Rodman and 72% of Solomon campaign funds have come from the special interest developer community.

The charts that follow tell the story


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Guest View-Jack Stinnett: Who Benefits from the "Golf Ticket"

The golfers and golf residents benefit...
Let’s ask who benefits from the golf ticket of incumbents Solomon, and Rodman plus golfer Mo Greene? The obvious answer is the EL Conquistador Men’s Golf Association, and the adjacent property owners whose views we are subsidizing by paying the golf sales tax of $2 ½ million each year.

...HSL Properties also benefits
If we look deeper and follow the money, another picture emerges When HSL Properties purchased the Hilton resort out of bankruptcy they dumped the El Conquistador Country Club and 45 holes of golf (losing ~ $1.5 million a year) on our former Hiremath led council. A brilliant move by HSL: Stick the naive town council with the losses and still promote the El Conquistador as a destination golf resort.

HSL needs the town to keep courses in top condition to support their "golf resort vacation" narrative
Big spender golfers from flyover country are rubes, but not stupid. One look at the dated 1980 clubhouse, the tired Overlook, and they start complaining about paying for a golf resort vacation and getting a bad deal. So for the past several years HSL has been bankrolling the Hiremath council while lobbying them to fix the courses and update the clubhouse. Since 2015 ,HSL has invested tens of thousands to support friendly council members. In the 2016 council election Pina, Rodman and Soloman each received over $12,000 from HSL .

Solomon and Rodman voted to do that
So how did they vote? Incumbents Solomon, and Rodman have voted the party line, twice voting for the town to borrow $6 million to immediately fix the courses and rebuild the clubhouse. They voted against mayor Winfield’s pay as you go approach to pay for course irrigation repairs, and again voted for a $3 million bond for clubhouse repairs.

So I am voting for self funded candidates Tim Bohen and Bill Garner who will not support HSL over resident families who want playgrounds and trails and not a new clubhouse.

Jack Stinnett
Oro Valley
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Jack Stinnett is an Oro Valley resident. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served on Minesweepers and Destroyers. After his military service, Jack was employed as an engineer and plant manager in the Nuclear Power industry, a factory manager in the automotive industry, and Vice-President of a worldwide engine components business. Jack finished his career as President and CEO of Morris Material Handling in Milwaukee. He and his wife, Connie, moved to Oro Valley in 2011. Jack was a member of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Commission from 2012-2014, serving as Chairman in 2013-2014. He enjoys woodworking, biking, and visiting his grandchildren.

The LOVE "Six Step" 2020 Election Primer

A "Six Step" Plan
You have your ballot. The future of Oro Valley is in your hands. How will you vote? If you are undecided, here's six steps to follow.

Step 1: Watch the two forum videos
There are two forum videos. Oro Valley resident Jim Horn hosted a candidate forum on June 29. Horn's forum is a "Meet and Greet" forum. Each candidate discussed their candidacy. There was no debate or cross discussion. You can watch that forum here.

The Sun City Oro Valley Government Affairs Committee hosted a forum on July 1. That forum included questions to which each candidate responded. The forum is worth watching.

Step 2: Read candidate question responses and check online sources
The Explorer sent questions to each candidate. The Explorer published their "Candidate Surveys" in their June 24th edition.

Visit online sources like Take Back Oro Valley and Oro Valley Thrives. Learn from social media. Search each candidate's name on Facebook and Nextdoor.

Step 3: Look at past behavior
"Past behavior predicts future behavior."

There is ample information in LOVE regarding the behavior and the actions of Council Members Rodman and Solomon. There is also information on the behavior and actions of former Council Member Bill Garner. Tim Bohen has posted on the pages of LOVE.

Harry Greene has never been active in Oro Valley. He is playing catchup. He play's mini-reporter in some videos on his facebook page, doing interviews to try to get up to speed on Oro Valley.  He's like a cub reporter. We published about him on LOVE so do read that.

Please do take a look at our article last Thursday regarding the "hit piece" put out by Greene, Rodman and Solomon. The mailer brings the bar of civility way down. We wonder what they would do if they were elected to council.

Step 4: Understand endorsements or "implied" endorsements
Greene, Solomon and Rodman have attached placards or stickers on their signs regarding endorsements. "Endorsed by police and fire" means that the police and fire unions have endorsed them; not the police department or the fire district. These two unions, together with the Realtors of Southern Arizona always support pro-growth candidates. They don't interview other candidates.

You will also want to be careful to not assume what appear to be endorsements on campaign signs. Solomon, for example, has a campaign sign on La Canada, north of Moore that has a “Preserve Vistoso” placard attached to it, inferring that he is supported by the organization "preservevistoso.org". Preservevistoso.org has not endorsed him. They are not allowed to endorse any candidate because of their 501c3 status.

A new endorsement this year is the golf community surrounding the Oro Valley municipal courses. This is the Canada Hills Community Association ("CHCA"). They also support the pro developer candidates. They believe that Greene "...will best represent the Canada Hills Community Association".  Which we believe is code for "protect golf at any cost." As a council member, however,  Greene is supposed to represent the best interests of the entire community and not just the place he lives.

Candidates Garner and Bohen have not sought the endorsement of any group. They have earned the endorsement of people who actually do the "heavy lifting" of Oro Valley Government. Read about that tomorrow.

Step 5: Look at their contributors
Contributors are the best indication of the leanings of a political candidate. Contributors make donations to candidates who support their views. As we wrote last week, "big" money buys access. This week, the candidates will file reports telling us who has contributed to their campaign as of June 30. There will be another report they will file before the primary that will add to that list.

• For Rodman and Solomon, LOVE looked at their 2016 campaign funding. Almost all of their money came from developers, HSL being the primary one. It's hard to imagine that they have no developer money in their 2020 campaign. We shall see.
• Greene is a first time candidate.  He stated at the Sun City forum that he has no control over who donates to his campaign. "Anyone can click the 'donate' button." What Greene did not say is that he is free to reject a donation from someone with whom he does not want has campaign associated.
• Bill Garner and Tim Bohen have told us that they have taken contributions only from local residents in small amounts.

Step 6: Vote only for candidate(s) you want to be on council
Yesterday, we wrote that you are not required to vote for anyone you don't want on council.  Casting a second or third vote for someone you really don't want on council reduces the chance that your chosen candidate(s) will win. These non votes are called undervotes. Undervotes have spelled the difference in past Oro Valley elections.

Do be judicious in your voting. No need to rush. The future of Oro Valley is in your hands.
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The county sent the ballots on July 8.  You can call (520) 724-4330) if you did not receive yours.

"Cease and Desist" Letter Sent To Greene, Rodman and Solomon

Cease and desist use of town seal
Last week we reported of a political mailer sent by the campaigns of Greene, Rodman and Solomon. The mailer included the photo in the panel below. It is a picture of now ex-police chief Dan Sharp in uniform with a badge that includes the town's logo.

Class One Misdemeanor
Town Legal Services Director, Tobin Sidles wrote the a "Cease and Desist-Use of Town Logo" letter to Harry Greene on July 9.

"On or around July 8, either you or one fo your agents acting on your behalf created and published a political mailer advertisement, which included a picture of the Town Seal/Logo located in it on the badge of retired Police Chief Danny Sharp...  You are hereby put on notice that the Town of Oro Valley Seal/Logo is copyrighted within the State of Arizona.

Logo included in last week's political mailer

Further, under Town Code Section 10-1-26, it is a crime... to use the Town Seal/Logo without the prior consent of the Oro Valley Town Council. This specifically includes use for election purposes. You are hereby on notice that any pictures within your control containing the Town seal/logo within them must be "fuzzed out." (Source: July 9 letter from Tobin Sidles to Harry Greene)

Not in compliance in other areas
Add this to the list of other violations regarding political signage from which Greene, Rodman and Solomon suffer. These include placards that make their signs bigger than allowed and identification labels on signs that are smaller than required.
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Greene, Rodman, Solomon Launch Disgusting Attack on Garner

Candidates Greene, Solomon, and Rodman introduce a new low to Oro Valley elections
Today's mail included an 8.5 x 11 inch glossy mailer that was paid for by the campaigns of council candidates Harry Greene, Steve Solomon, and Bill Rodman. It features Ret. Oro Valley Police Chief  Daniel Sharp.

Sharp says Garner is a threat to public safety
Sharp asserts that "Bill Garner's candidacy... is a threat to a very successful approach" to Oro Valley public safety...when on council he practiced 'wedge politics', creating conflict.."

Sharp states that Garner has "...continued to work behind the scenes to undermine the Department."  He concludes that "A vote for Bill Garner is a vote against public safety."

Saying something does not make it so
Sharp makes these outrageous assertions without providing one example.

In addition, Sharp fails to mention that in 2009 while on council, Garner and Oro Valley resident John Musolf worked with Sharp to save 8 police officer positions in the budget. Garner worked for public safety. Not against it! Their work resulted in a 7-0 police budget approval by council. (source)

Sharp's image on mailer fraudulent
The picture of Sharp in the mailer conveys the impression that Sharp is still in charge of the department and that, therefore, he represents the views of the department. It's a picture that was posted on a website in October, while he was Chief of Police. He is wearing his Chief's uniform. The badge on the uniform includes the town logo.  Sharp's signature on the mailer puts the word "Ret" after OVPD Chief of Police. Most people won't even see that.

The Oro Valley Police Department does not support this attack
We asked Oro Valley Police Chief Kara Riley if the  Department was associated in any way with this document. Riley's reply is quoted in the panel at left. Clearly, any inference that the views of Sharp reflect the views of the Department are false.

Council candidate Bill Garner rebuts Sharp's accusation
"Frankly, I was stunned by the political mailer. My campaign has had nothing but positive messaging and support towards public safety. I did not oppose the community policing model nor was it cut or modified while I served on council. I actually advocated for retaining police officers when the former chief removed them from a recommended budget in 2009.

Oro Valley has turned a new chapter in our police department leadership. I’ve met with Chief Riley and have nothing but respect for the manner in which she is running the department. I look forward to working with her."

The repulsive three
We always thought Council Member Solomon capable of low behavior. After all, he led an attempt to recall Mayor Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett. He's ranted and raved at council meetings. He told one person at a council meeting that they should leave Oro Valley if they don't like it here.

But we never thought that Rodman or Greene would allow their campaigns to participate in something so repulsive. Nor did we ever imagine that a former police chief would allow himself to be used.

Why would anyone want Harry Greene, Steve Solomon, or Bill Rodman on council? 
They have introduced Oro Valley to the depths of depravity with this behavior.

Imagine what they will do to council.
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Greene Throws In With Rodman and Solomon

Greene has no town governance experience... no involvement history
Harry "Mo" Greene is a candidate for Oro Valley Town Council. He brings extensive and commendable credentials in the medical community. He brings  credentials in the art community through the Southern Arizona Arts Council and through his own artwork.

Greene has very limited involvement in the governance of Oro Valley. He claims he was on a Naranja Park focus group at an unidentified time. He spoke at the town council special session of July 24, 2019 at the Church of the Nazarene (time stamp is at 2:09) in favor of keeping 36-holes of golf. To our knowledge he has not participated in the town's community academy.

Greene has based his candidacy on three unsupported assertions; and on one questionable decision.

Unsupported assertion 1: "Most recent council declared war on golf"
According to Greene's Explorer candidate profile, he is running because "...the most recent council decided to declare war on golf at the community golf courses." (Explorer) He asserts that the council leaders elected in 2018 declared a war on golf.  The history of the past two years refute his assertion.

There is no "war on golf"

Sponsored by "Greene for Oro Valley"

The municipal golf issue is settled. The town will operate 36-holes of golf. The town will restore the courses from revenues earned. There is a new course manager, Billy Casper Golf, who promises increased operating efficiency and improved revenues. The courses now have operating targets and financial goals. Two HOA's are going to contribute $125,000 to course operations. The is no war on golf.

Unsupported assertion 2: The Town Manager Knows Best
Greene does not plan to dig into matters. He is going to leave it to the town manager, who, according to Greene, is "far more knowledgeable" than anyone on council.

"We have a council and town manager form of government but the elected officials want to do their job and the job of the town manager, who is far more knowledgeable than they." (source)

Greene's approach contrasts sharply to the approach taken by most council members and by two candidates for council, Bill Garner and Tim Bohen. These people are prepared for meetings. They do their homework.

Greene's approach is the same as that of prior council member Lou Waters. Waters, with some other council members of the Hiremath majority council, assumed that any questioning of town staff was "meddling." That council let municipal golf limp along, lose money. It took a new council and a community involvement approach to set a winning course. To do that, the new council had to "get into the weeds."

Questionable decision
The "Greene-Rodman-Solomon" slate is a reality. Does Greene know with whom he has cast his lot?
Harry Greene is an Oro Valley political novice.  Perhaps he feels that he can not win on his own. Right from the start, Greene cast his lot with Solomon and Rodman. Greene cast his lot with Solomon and Rodman from the beginning, soliciting signatures for them at the same time he was soliciting signatures for his own candidacy

Courtesy of a LOVE reader

Greene says in his profile that he loves the beauty of Oro Valley. He says he likes "The beauty of the mountains." Does Greene know that he has cast his lot with guys who vote to blade the desert?  Guys who lived off developer money in their 2016 campaign?

Unsupported assertion 3:  Residents are trying to "destroy each other"
"So, why not retire?" Greene, 78, asks during Horn's Town Hall (time stamp 17:57). "I thought that my experience would balance out my age and perhaps I could work to try to bring the community together and have us stop trying to destroy each other and put something together that would be great for the town."

This is the third unsupported assertion Greene has made. Oro Valley residents are not trying to destroy each other. Many Oro Valley residents are active in the community. They often express disagreements on matters. Our tradition of open hearings and board involvement helps the community reach agreement.  Yes. It is a messy process. Yes. It is uncomfortable. Yes. It takes time. But it does work. Look at  the agreement reached on municipal golf.

Oro Valley residents are not trying to destroy each other. We're are just trying to make it a better place.
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On several occasions we requested to interview Greene. He told us that he was "not ready."  So, we left it up to him to contact us. We've heard nothing from him. We relied on the following sources to prepare this article: 

• “Heathers Corner" Greene Interview published on March 25, 2014
• Candidate profile of June 24 the Explorer published on June 24, 2020
• Jim Horn's Town Hall of June 25, time stamp (13:45 to 18:24)
• Mo4OroValley

The Race Is On: Council Candidates File Petitions

The race is on
At least four Oro Valley candidates for council have filed petitions to run for one of the three open town council seats. Each has established a PAC to fund their activities. We understand that the candidates filed petitions that contained signatures well in excess of the required 468.

The next step for them is to organize their campaign and win the hearts of voters before the August 4 primary election. You will be hearing much more from them in the months ahead.

Today, we want to share with your their reaction to the process of getting on the ballot.

Candidate Tim Bohen
"As a first time candidate, the process of getting on the August primary ballot has been a great learning experience. We have met many Oro Valley residents and they have shared their concerns with us.

The Town Staff we have interfaced with were knowledgeable and capable of clearly explaining what is required.

I want to share with LOVE readers that the process of running for Town Council is daunting but also viable with the support of a motivated campaign team."

Candidate Bill Garner
"For myself the process was fairly easy and very smooth. I was instructed to go into the council chambers room where table and chairs were set-up for me to sit at while reviewing my paperwork. There were two clerks present with Mike Standish handling the documents and Michele Stine taking care of counting and copying.

They counted the ballots on the council dais with table tents indicated with numbers one to ten simulating totals on each petition sheet. Mike placed the sheets in each pile according to numbers on each petition then added them up by starting at table tent number ten and working down to number one.

I knew my count going into the room and told Mike in advance and the count was correct after verification or a total of 676.

I had a couple of questions and they were answered and I was given my copies with time stamps and I was on my way."

Candidate Harry "Mo" Greene
"The Town Clerk Michael Standish and his assistant Michelle Stine made the signature procurement very clear and totally understandable. Michael had prepared briefing books for anyone contemplating running for Town Council. The manuals were clear and concise.

As someone new to the political scene Mr. Standish was a tremendous help.

Using his guidance and the manual we had no missteps. My campaign volunteers fanned out and obtained the near maximum signatures in an amazingly short period of time.

The bonus of the process is being able to talk with the voters and learn about their concerns. It was truly energizing.

I am looking forward to the campaign and the election."

Other candidates: Incumbents Bill Rodman and Steve Solomon
At least one of these incumbents filed their nomination petitions as of this past Friday. We are assuming that the other will file shortly.

The race is on!