Bits and Pieces

Barrett: Should the town rename the Community Center Fund?

At last week's council meeting, Vice Mayor Barrett reacted to a comment made by Council Member Solomon. Solomon has repeatedly complains that half of the half percent Hiremath Community Center sales tax no longer goes to support golf only.  

"I usually listen to this argument and let it pass, but I don't feel like I can tonight," Barrett noted. "The community center fund sales tax was passed unilaterally by council on a four-to-three vote. This council, on a six-to-zero vote, expanded the use of that sales tax with the exact same authority that passed it to begin with; through the same mechanisms, and ordinances. So continually saying that the community center fund sales tax is just for the community center and the golf courses is just not the case.” That expanded use of these sales tax monies also now goes to funding Naranja Park and other park-related amenities. "It probably shouldn't even be called the community center fund anymore, because now that can be allocated to parks and recreation."

Tiny Bits

• Naranja will likely have its grand reopening in May (Source: Town Manager Wilkins)
• Ashley Furniture is now "Lounge By Levitz"
• Council voted to reduce town's Historical Preservation Commission" from seven to five members. Lack of resident interest in being on the Commission was the primary reason 

Big 50th Anniversary Celebration Saturday

The Town of Oro Valley invites residents and visitors alike to join us for the 50th Anniversary Community Celebration at James D. Kriegh Park this Saturday, April 13, 2024, beginning at noon and concluding with a fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m. JDK Park is located at 23 W. Calle Concordia. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

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Proposed OVCN Sports Complex Not In Character With The Historical Character Of The Neighborhood

Historic neighborhood in jeopardy

Tonight, the town's Historic Preservation Commission will discuss how the Commission and the Planning Department can work more closely on applicant requests regarding properties that have historic significance to our community. 

The town and the Commission are aware of these properties. The town's Historic Preservation Plan, which the Commission approved in October, identifies the five most significant ones. As it happens, four of these neighborhoods are impacted by the request of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) to build a major sports facility. Indeed, that sports facility would be right in the middle of these areas.

Joanne Michaelsen lives in one of these areas. She addressed the Oro Valley Town Council last Wednesday. Joanne expressed her concern that the nature of the OVCN project simply does not fit within the historical significance of the area.

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"Not too long ago, a study was conducted to implement a Heritage Preservation Program. One of the components of this program is historic neighborhoods and recognizing them. As we all know, the town incorporated in 1974. The first subdivision was platted in the 1930’s with the neighborhood construction starting in the late 50’s.

During the Preservation Plan study, it was stated that in the category of Rock Art, Ranch and residence neighborhoods we have reached the 50 year threshold and can be considered for historic recognition. Currently the Town of Oro Valley has preserved the Honeybee Village and Steam Pump Ranch. 

During the study it was determined there is a large gap in preserving our potentially historic architecture in Town and that its land base has a significant amount of residential architecture that is at least 50 years old. In the survey it indicated there are four subdivisions eligible for National registry recognition: Oro Valley Estate; Suffolk Hill; Campo Bello and Shadow Mountain Estates. 

Three out of the four are directly impacted by OVCN proposed planned facility and rezoning. In the Report the recommendation to the Town of Oro Valley it was stated on Appendix B Page 16

I quote [from the study] “Reason for nomination is the recognition puts the neighborhood as a place of importance in local, state and national history thus strengthening the communities awareness of, and pride in, its unique heritage.”

• There are 92 homes in Oro Valley Estates predating 1974 32- pre date 1965 
• 138 homes in Shadow Mountain Estates predating 1974;   77 predate 1965 and that is 51% of the homes
• 12 in Campo Bello predate 1974 and 9 before 1965 that is 36%
• 8 in Linda Vista #2 predate 1974 and 5 predate 1965 that is 11%

By OVCN acquiring the Tellez Ranch in the Linda Vista #2,  we have already lost a valued Historical aspect of our neighborhood by the Church demolishing the structures. Why this was allowed to happen without a Cease and Desist order for the scrapping of residential property without a permit is baffling to me.

I am asking the Town Council to stop this destruction of our valued history and suggest a viable solution that the Town work with the OVCN to find an alternative location for their proposed structure and fields."

Joanne Michaelsen 

March 1, 2023

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You can view a 2010 report on "Rock Art, Ranch and Residence Neighborhoods" for a more detailed analysis of all historical sites in Oro Valley.

Oro Valley Seeks To Fill Four Board and Commission Vacancies

Town seeks to fill four vacancies

Want to make a real difference in our community? Then apply for one of the following openings on a Town of Oro Valley voluntary board or commission. 

There are four vacancies
Historic Preservation Commission has one open position
Council Member Steve Solomon is the council liaison to this commission. "The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) promotes the education, cultural and economic welfare of Oro Valley. The HPC works to preserve historic buildings, districts, landmarks, structures, documents and photographs. The commission has one open position that serves a three-year term. The HPC meets on the first Monday of every month at 5 p.m."

Planning and Zoning Commission has one open position

Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett is the council liaison to this commission.  "The Planning and Zoning Commission has one open position that serves a two-year term. The commission holds public meetings and makes recommendations to the Town Council on matters relating to the General Plan, zoning code amendments, rezoning’s and other land use requests. The Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m."

Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee Representative has one open position
"The Town of Oro Valley provides a representative to be part of a joint committee that acts as the official advisory body on bicycling matters in Pima County and the City of Tucson. The Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month."

Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Board has one open position
"The Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) board has one open citizen position that serves a four-year term. PSPRS is governed by State guidelines. The local PSPRS board was created to provide a uniform, Consistent and Equitable statewide retirement program for public safety personnel who are regularly assigned hazardous duty in the employ of the State of Arizona or a political subdivision of the state. The Public Safety Personnel Retirement System board meets at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday every other month."

How to apply

"To serve on any board, commission or committee, members must be residents of Oro Valley, be able to attend the designated meetings and complete the Town’s Community Academy within their term. Those interested in applying can visit the application process” by visiting the following this link.

(Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release 1-18-23)

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Guest View: Mike Zinkin ~ A Partnership Gone Awry

The Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Society are two separate organizations

The following Guest View discusses the relationship between the Town’s Historic Preservation Commission ("HPC") and the Oro Valley Historical Society ("OVHS"). These are two separate organizations.

HPC is a town-run commission that “was formed to promote the educational, cultural and economic welfare of the Town of Oro Valley by insuring the preservation of historic buildings, districts, landmarks, structures, documents, photographs and other artifacts that represent the historic background and development of the greater Oro Valley area.”

The OVHS is a non-profit corporation whose mission "...is to promote research, preservation, education and dissemination of history related to the Greater Oro Valley area."

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In 2015, there was an agreed upon plan for OVHS to use the garage at Steam Pump Ranch

"When I [Mike Zinkin] was on the Oro Valley Town Council, I was the liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission and I was part of a group that helped update the Steam Pump Ranch (SPR) Master Plan in 2015. The group was headed up by Kristy Diaz-Trahen, the Parks and Rec Director and Corkey Poster, an architect.

The results of this plan are in the panel at right; and, as you can see in the legend, Item A4 cites a partnership with the Oro Valley Historical Society (OVHS) to dedicate the garage to the OVHS for their offices, gallery, restrooms, and storage.

The OVHS goes back to 2005 when Jim Kriegh (Oro Valley’s founding father), Dr. Pat Spoerl, and  town resident Dick Eggerding, initiated the Society to preserve Oro Valley History and landmarks. In 2006 there was a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the OVHS establishing a framework for the partnership. In 2009 a License Agreement was formed to allow the OVHS to, among other things, schedule tours, events, and plant in the Heritage Garden.

The Town has not done much to update and restore Steam Pump Ranch
At one time there was $400,000 in the Capital Improvement Plan to fund Ranch updates. However, it was decided by then Town Manager Greg Caton that the one-time revenues were not going to be as projected, therefore the improvements at SPR were canceled.

Town reneged on its promise to the Oro Valley Historical Society
In May 2020, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met to discuss updated plans for SPR. Included in this plan was a huge change to repurpose the SPR garage for Parks and Rec office spaces, thereby removing the OVHS from this space, relegating them instead to a one-room office in the Pusch House.

While this room is big enough for some storage, it is not big enough for the offices, meeting space, wet and dry labs, research room, and restroom that they were promised by the Town.

Not even a courtesy call to let OVHS know
This came without even a courtesy call to the OVHS advising them of the change. Imagine the shock to the OVHS who had donated $5,000 to help fund the updated assessment. (This money has since been returned to them and is partially being used to pay for rent on the storage room in the Pusch House, which had never been charged before).

Town Manager, Mary Jacobs cut out the citizen-driven OVHS from Steam Pump Ranch

Just how much office space does the Parks and Rec Department need? They already have space at Town Hall, Naranja Park, and the Aquatic Center. Nowadays, employees are working from home and that is becoming the new normal. But there is no space for the OVHS at Steam Pump Ranch? A facility that is on the National Register of Historic places? This is unconscionable.

What happened to the partnership between the Town of Oro Valley and the OVHS?
To quote from a May 2020 letter sent to the mayor and council by OVHS:

“We ask that the Town Council explain the decision for the Garage Building repurposing. We further ask that the Town and Parks and Recreation at least be honest about their intentions regarding our “partnership.” If this is something you would like to dissolve, at least be respectful and courteous enough to tell us so.”

To the best of my knowledge, the Town has never responded to that letter.

Who’s in charge?
The Historic Preservation Commission was involved in the plan to allow the OVHS to have space in the garage, yet it was the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) that reallocated them to a rent-paying room in the Pusch House. I wonder what Councilmember Steve Solomon thinks about all of this. He is the current Town Council liaison to the HPC.

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Bits and Pieces

"Lets run the Pusch Ridge Course Year Round." Are you nuts?

Three members of the Oro Valley Town Council suggested that the town keep the Pusch Ridge Course open year round. This is the course they closed last year and are planning to operate from next November through April, 2022. This is course is being reopened because a handful of residents who live around it can have a green grass view, instead of desert... like the rest of us. This is a course that is going to use drinking water at cheapest rates at a time when the Western US is in the twenty-first year of drought. This is a course that has always been a money loser.

The brilliant idea came from Council Member Solomon. Then it was echoed by Council Member Greene (Solomon's bagman).  But wait. Council Member Josh Nicolson also joined in. He also thinks it's a good idea. Give us a break, boys!

Lest we remind council: You represent all the people of Oro Valley. You are not members of the board of the local country club.

Historic Preservation Commission Seeking Applicants

The Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission, a town volunteer board, is seeking applicants. You can learn more and apply here. We've joined in on some of their meetings. They primarily focus on what is happening at Steam Pump Ranch. 

Oro Valley's single family home growth highest in 18 years

In 2020, Oro Valley experienced its most active year for new single family residences since 2003. The town issued 384 new single family residence permits in 2020. That is a 43% increase over 2019.

Town Manager Jacobs: Town still lacks tools to attract businesses

Town Manager Mary Jacobs continues to beat the drum of economic development. One of the documents she provided council at last weeks strategic plan council retreat said that Oro Valley needs more shovel-ready sites and competitively priced land in order for the town to get more primary employers. "There are approximately 188 acres of Campus Park-zoned land available in Oro Valley, and only half of the sites are over 10 acres." Seems to us that that's plenty of available sites that no one wants. Oro Valley is essentially a retirement community. See the panel at right for the 2019 stats. 

Sounds to us like the "shades of JJ Johnston." He was Oro Valley's last economic development director. He blew into Oro Valley three years ago. Worked here for two. Then he retired.  He left us with the potential of bladed desert and an eased building permit process.   But he did not leave us with more jobs gained.

Town Manager Jacobs: Town will be 'hard hit' by baby boomer generation retirement

At the same retreat a Jacobs' document stated: "With the Town's average age of 53, Oro Valley will be particularly hard hit by the retiring of the baby boomer generation in the coming decade. And as a desirable place to retire, it is not unexpected that many of those will remain in their homes rather than relocate."  We have no idea what she is saying in this paragraph.

Here is our cut. Oro Valley is already seeing major growth as baby boomers are retiring. They will flock her for the next 15 years. That will have major implications for economic development. They will not want jobs.

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Oro Valley Historical Society: Steam Pump Ranch Use Has Strayed Far From Its Intended Use

Drive-in movies and town office space were not intended Steam Pump Ranch uses

There is a controversy regarding the use of Steam Pump Ranch ("SPR") that the Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission ("HPC) failed to discuss at monday night's commission meeting. The controversy relates the fact that town's use of SPR has strayed from its original intent as an historic facility; and the fact that the Oro Valley Historical Society ("OVHS") has been left out of the loop when it comes to making these decision.  

SPR was to be maintained as an historic site

SPR is an historic site and the OVHS wants to keep it that way. Pima County issued a bond in 2004 to purchase the property.  "Consensus developed to focus on Steam Pump Ranch as a heritage education center for residents and visitors to the Town of Oro Valley that would tell the stories of the two ranching families and the role of Steam Pump Ranch in the development of the region."  

Facility use has strayed far from that.  Most certainly a drive-in movie theatre and conversion of SPR structures for Parks and Recreation office space are of no historic consequence. (Unless, of course, stage coach passengers stopping for water at SPR were treated to a "movie" when they passed through in 1900.)

OVHS: Emphasis shifted from heritage and preservation to commerce

In a letter to Mayor and council of October 2, the OVHS notes: "it seems that the emphasis has shifted from heritage education and preservation of the buildings to a “commerce center”. We have recently seen a drive-in movie theater, El Toro, take root near the Pusch House Museum. In our opinion, it detracts from the historic nature of the site. There seems to be a greater emphasis on community activities and private money making functions (i.e. wine festivals, concerts, weddings) at SPR and less emphasis on local history and historical related events.

Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission ignores the problem

The commission spent approximately 5 minutes discussing the historical society letter last night. The focus was on making sure that no member of the commission directly criticized any member of town staff. Commissioner Steve Hannestad voiced his concern on the matters raised in the letter. No one from the OVHS spoke when he said they might want to elaborate on their concern as no hands were raised,  No other commissioner voiced a moment's thought. The meeting was then shortly adjourned.

Hello, HPC, is anyone home?

We listened to the meeting. HPC members did not engage in any meaningful conversation about any topic. They spent a whopping 58 minutes together. Most of this was consumed by a staff presentation on SPR budget priorities of 2022. Council stamped their approval of that with very little discussion. It does make one wonder: What is the purpose of the HPC?

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Note: The HPC and the OVHS are two separate organizations. HPC is a town run commission that provides guidance to the towns Parks and Recreation Department. The OVHS is a private organization whose mission "...is to promote research, preservation, education and dissemination of history related to the Greater Oro Valley area."

Jim Williams: Oro Valley "Claims The Desert"

From time to time, LOVE will be featuring Oro Valley author Jim Williams and his book Claiming the Desert: Settlers, Homesteaders and Ranchers in Oro Valley, Arizona, 1865-1965. This is an excerpt from his book.
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"What was it like to ride a stagecoach from Tucson to what became Oro Valley in 1900? Stagecoaches were used to transport goods and passengers in Great Britain from the 1700s onward, and they became common in the western United States in the late nineteenth century. A stagecoach carried people and freight from Tucson to Mammoth from the 1880s to at least 1908. After that, railroads, buses and automobiles replaced the stagecoach.

In 1900, the stagecoach followed Oracle Road, a rough, dirt highway. Passengers were in for a dusty and bumpy ride. The stagecoach left central Tucson and followed much of what is now Oracle Road to Mammoth. The roadway crossed the sandy bottom of the Rillito River about one-half mile west of the current bridge crossing.

A bridge was not built until the early twentieth century, and the current location for crossing the Rillito was not established until 1951.

The stage continued northward and often stopped at Steam Pump Ranch to water the horses, or at Francisco Marin’s ranch one mile further north (and 12 miles from the start in Tucson) to hitch up fresh teams. After 1899, the stagecoach primarily stopped at the Marin ranch. The significant elevation near Marin’s property, called Marin Hill, was the steepest climb for the horses and stagecoach (located on Oracle Road today, between the entrance to Catalina State Park and Tangerine Road). Some of the stagecoach operators and teamsters included local settlers like William Sutherland, Jesus Maria Elias and Teodoro Marin. Some of these men left jobs with the stagecoach and settled on ranches in the area."
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"Claiming the Desert" is available at the Western National Parks Association and through Amazon.com.

Jim will speak and sign books at Western National Parks on December 8, 2018. The location:12880 N Vistoso Village in Oro Valley.

Council Members Burns and Garner Give Oro Valley Mayor Hiremath An Oro Valley Lesson In Leadership

On June 4, The Oro Valley Town Council voted 7-0 to hold a study session before the end  of this year on what to do with Steam Pump Ranch.  Demonstrating leadership, Council Member Bill Garner made the motion to relieve what had become a needlessly contentious discussion about investing in rehabilitatating the Procter-Leiber House at the Ranch.

A Good Idea... Odd Responses

Council Member Mike Zinkin had put forth a motion to allocate $500,000 in reserves to restore the house.  This house is, as we reported last week, a centerpiece of the Ranch and could be the beginning of creating something unique for Oro Valley.  Zinkin noted:

"Lots of towns have ball fields. Lots of towns have aquatic centers. No place in Arizona, no place in the county has anything that is as unique and defining as Steam Pump Ranch."

The early remarks of Council Members Burns and Ganrer supported the motion.

Council Member Waters, on the other hand,  did not support the idea of refurbishing the home because he claims there is no plan for the entire property.  Council Member Snider agreed. Council Member Hornat did not like the idea because he saw no necessity: "The house is not falling down."

There is a plan for Steam Pump Ranch. It is called the Master Plan.  It was created in 2007-08 and revised in 2011. You can view it here. In addition  this council voted $2 Million for ball fields at Naranja Park before there is a plan on what to do with the park.  The plan is currently being created.  In addition, other structures and roads have been built at the Ranch and there has been no plan in place for that. Thus, the arguments of Snider and Waters that having no plan for Steam Pump Ranch means that nothing should be done until a plan is created and agreed upon simply smacks of political rhetoric and delay.  

Lessons In Leadership

The most telling discussion of the evening, however, was the exchange between Mayor Hiremath and Council Member Burns.  We have provided a video for you.  It is a "must see."

Mayor Hiremath had chosen to not address Zinkin's concept.  Rather, he used the moment as an opportunity to attack and rebuke the minority for not voting for the 2014-15 budget.  In doing so, he mischaracterized their positions, which, as we previously reported, was specific to each council member.

Council Member Burns responded to Hiremath's attack. Burns noted that he had not supported the budget because of its lack of spending for the most needy in our community.  At one point Burns noted: "I don't take kindly when you misrepresent what I said or you imply that there is some nefarious reason for not supporting the budget."

During the conversation, Mayor Hiremath had asserted that he supported the historic restoration of Steam Pump Ranch.  Burns noted that the council had been talking about this for 4 years. He ad advised Hiremath that, if, indeed this were true:  "Put some leadership on this. Say 'I believe in this. I'm not just going to say it. I'm going to deliver on it."

Council Member Zinkin tried move the conversation back to the subject: "This is not about the budget. It is an entirely different conversation."

While Mayor Hiremath seemed to be looking for an argument, Council Member Garner was looking to move the discussion forward.  Garner's motion for a study demonstrated leadership.  Mayor Hiremath seeking an argument with 3 sitting council members did not.

Can Mayor Hiremath Lead? What Do You Think?

About 4 months ago we spoke at a council meeting. The Zinkin recall attempt, which Mayor Hiremath had led and supported, had failed.  At that time, we asked Mayor Hiremath to bring our community together. We asked Mayor Hiremath to be the Mayor of all of us.  Rather, he has chosen to continue to divide our community.

We have concluded that  Mayor Hiremath is unable to provide leadership that unifies our community.  He simply can not put on his "big boy" pants and lead all of us.

What do you think?
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Your Help Needed Wednesday To Move Oro Valley Historic Preservation Forward

The Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission has prepared an update to the Oro Valley's Cultural Heritage Preservation Plan. It was discussed at the May 5, 2014 Commission Meeting.

"Among the most important aspects of historic preservation today is ensuring that it is relevant to a community and will attract visitors—to learn about special places of the past, and to contribute to the overall economic sustainability of a community." (Report, Page 1).

We think that historic Steam Pump Ranch is just such a "place of the past."  In fact, the preservation plan identifies 3 historic significant places in Oro Valley:  Steam Pump Ranch, historic neighborhoods and Honey Bee Village. (Report, Page 2)

Oro Valley has spent little money on historic preservation during the past 4 years.  Funds have been available. However, historic preservation has suffered in terms of priority. It has been last. For example, during the past 4 years, increased funding for the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce has taken priority over historic preservation.  Building ball fields at a cost of $2 million has taken precedence over historic preservation.  Building an aquatic center at a cost of $5 million has taken precedence over historic preservation.

Funds for the ball fields and the aquatic center have come from the bed tax fund.  The justification for doing this is that these facilities will attract visitors to Oro Valley.  They well may.  The same logic applies to historic facilities.  A refurbished Steam Pump Ranch would be a major attraction in Oro Valley.

Resident Bill Adler agrees that historic preservation has been ignored by the town. Addressing the Commission at the May 5 meeting Adler noted: "Last year, I reported that there was no money in the town budget for historic preservation... This year the town has budgeted $125,000 [our of almost $104 million] for a metal roof over the ruin of what use to be the pump house.  I don't think that that is historic preservation because the pump house is no longer even identifiable as a pump house."

Adler continued: "There's money in the budget to do more."

Apparently, Council Members Garner and Zinkin agree.

Wednesday, based on their urging, The Oro Valley Town Council will discuss refurbishing one piece of Steam Pump Ranch: The Procter-Leiber House.  As we reported last week, both Garner and Zinkin believe that Steam Pump Ranch can be a major Oro Valley asset.  Their idea is to use about $500,000 of contingency reserves to preserve the house before it, like the steam pump house, deteriorates beyond repair.

"If we could get the Lieber house back to where it can be used, then it would become an economic driver, because we can have, as the master plan calls for, classes and presentations"and much more. (Resident Bill Adler at the Commission Meeting 4:30).  It would be major draw and historic site for Oro Valley.

This Wednesday the council will have the opportunity to get it right; to make a significant investment in historic preservation.  But, this council, often divided and often opposed to ideas presented by Council Members Burns, Garner or Zinkin, may not move forward without encouragement from you, the citizens of Oro Valley.

As the preservation plan notes: "Successful development of the Ranch is dependent on the citizens of Oro Valley becoming aware of and supporting the vital role the site can play in the community with an emphasis on local involvement and public access."  (Report, Page 3).  So, if you believe that historic preservation matters, you should consider attending this meeting and voicing your opinion.
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Bits and Pieces

Hiremath Rethinking Anti-Gun MAIG Membership

Last Friday, we posted that Mayor Hiremath had endorsed as a member New York Mayor Blumberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns group.  We read now that Hiremath is realizing that he may have made a mistake. He's received emails regarding what is alleged to be MAIG's position against the 2nd amendment.  Apparently, he never investigated the group.

This is not the first time Mayor Hiremath has entered into something without doing his homework. We've heard, for example, that his entire preparation for a council meeting comes from a briefing with  town staff. He never reads what he is given.
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KC Carter Wash Dedicated

This morning, the town dedicated the KC Carter wash. Carter was an Oro Valley council member. The wash is located at the Lambert Lane Bridge, west of Congressional. The dedication plaque is on the south side of Lambert on the wall along the multi-use path.

"KC Carter served on the Oro Valley Town Council from June 2004 to June 2010. He was a champion of the Stormwater Utility, garnering public support and laying the groundwork for the storm-ready community we enjoy today."

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Holiday Event Schedule

The holidays are coming up fast. Here are some dyes for your calendar:

12/6:     Tree Lighting Oro Valley Marketplace
12/7-8: Arts Fest at Oro Valley Marketplace (SAACA) 1
12/14:   Oro Valley Holiday Parade
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November HiVE Dates Announced

Six motorcycle officers will be deployed at Oracle & Magee and at Oracle & Suffolk on the following dates:

November 7, 2013   4 – 7 p.m.
November 14, 2013 7 – 10 a.m.
November 21, 2013 4 – 7 p.m.
November 25, 2013 4 – 7 p.m.
November 27, 2013 7 – 10 a.m.

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Shop Oro Valley Holiday Campaign launches Nov. 1 

"The Town of Oro Valley will once again launch a "shop local" holiday campaign, complete with prize drawings for participants. The Shop Oro Valley Holiday Campaign is held November 1, 2013 - January 3, 2014. During this time, anyone who shops at an Oro Valley business and spends at least $25 is eligible to participate in a weekly prize drawing sponsored by Oro Valley businesses."

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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OVPD Kicked Off Project Graduation With Breakfast Event and Guest Speaker Greg Byrne

On Thursday, October 31, 8 – 9 a.m., Oro Valley Police Chief Daniel Sharp will host the 11th annual Project Graduation Business Breakfast at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort in Oro Valley. This event, which was by invitation only, recognizes local businesses that support Project Graduation, such as the Hilton, which has been a corporate sponsor since the program’s inception. Greg Byrne, vice president and director of athletics for the University of Arizona, was this year’s guest speaker.

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Nominations for OV Volunteers of the Year due Today

Nominations for the Town of Oro Valley's 2013 Volunteers of the Year are due today.   Nominees should embody the spirit of volunteerism by going above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to better our community. One man and one woman will be selected based on the outstanding nature of their volunteer efforts and will be recognized at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception on December 12, 2013, 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort.

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Oro Valley Seeks To Fill Vacancy On Historic Preservation Commission

"The Town of Oro Valley is accepting applications from local citizens who are interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Commission. To serve on a board or commission, members must be residents of the Town, be available to attend the designated meetings and be committed to the completion of the Town’s Community Academy within their term.

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has one open position that serves up to a three-year term. The HPC was formed to promote the educational, cultural and economic welfare of Oro Valley by ensuring the preservation of historic buildings, districts, landmarks, structures, documents, photographs and other artifacts that represent the historic background and development of the greater Oro Valley area. The HPC meets on the first Monday of every month at 5 p.m. at Town Hall, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive.

Residents who are interested in applying for the position may contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 229-4700 or download the Volunteer Application by clicking here..."

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Just For Kids Concert Tomorrow In Oro Valley Council Chambers

"Just for Kids, presented by Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, takes place at the Oro Valley Town Hall Council Chambers, 11000 N. La Canada [ at 10 Am tomorrow] and is free to the public. Each month, a new theme explores interactive performances. The program teaches children about music through engagement and hands-on experiences with instruments.


The series is made possible through underwriting support from Oro Valley resident Bill Adler, the Oro Valley Community Foundation, and Keve and Irma Sankman. In-kind support is provided by the Town of Oro Valley."

(Source)