Scheming in plain sight. The Hiremath gang continues attempts to undermine the Winfield Council.

On May 8th, The Town Council held a Budget Study Session to discuss the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for FY 2019/20. A LOVE reader found the following synopsis, posted on the Next Door site by an Oro Valley resident, and sent it to us. We think it’s worth sharing. We’ve added the subheadings.
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Elevating the political discourse
In my opinion, Mayor Winfield and the three new council members are to be commended for embodying the spirit of "more elevated political discourse" in last night's budget meeting for Oro Valley.

Solomon makes a spectacle of himself…again
In terms of substance, the most controversial and contentious issue in my opinion was that the budget requested from the Town Manager included no additional FTE's [full-time equivalent positions] for any department, including the police. Councilman Solomon made a spectacle of this issue. He pressed the police chief [Danny Sharp] as to whether he had requested more police and not gotten them, and eventually he said yes. He also revealed, apparently for the first time in this budget cycle, that at certain peak times, 20% of requests for police officers had to go unanswered because no officer was available. There was no discussion of how long these peak periods were, how many "not available" situations were simply postponed without danger, like fraud reporting. All council members were shocked.

Chief Sharp admits that there is no crisis
This triggered an immediate, persistent, angry tirade from Solomon. He said that Oro Valley's sterling reputation for safety was being endangered, this was unacceptable, and that a firm and final decision should be immediately made to give the chief whatever he needed. Under questioning and clarification as to why the chief had not sooner made the danger clearer, the police chief confessed that it is normal to have peak periods with no officer immediately available for around 10% of requests; that the statistic had worsened slowly over the years; and that there was no immediate crisis. Eventually, he [Chief Sharp] apologized that the issue had arisen in this manner at this time.

Mayor Winfield remains composed
Winfield graciously said that of course it would be given another look and asked that the Town Manager give options for moving money around to make room for more police funding. Solomon was undeterred in his crusade for immediate action. He did not want options; he wanted a decision, now, with instructions to the Town Manager. This, despite that the meeting was a study session where no decisions were to be made, said Winfield, several times, very politely, until Solomon grudgingly capitulated.

It was an ugly, inappropriate, and unnecessary display in my opinion. People were relieved when the topic changed to parks and recreation, which began with the joke: "Next year, I refuse to be put on the agenda after the police." The tension finally broke.

Dave Perry’s lead balloon
Quite some time later, after much post-police discussion had occurred, Chamber of Commerce President Dave Perry asked to speak and gave an impassioned plea for more police funding, complete with extended anecdotes designed to project poignancy, like the Target employee who told him that in Tucson, police didn't even bother to come when called about shoplifting incidents. His performance had the buoyancy of a lead balloon.

Solomon’s palpable antagonism
After 4 hours of discussion and very few people were left, Solomon yet again found a back door into re-raising "prioritization of public safety." He pointed out that while no department, not even police, had gotten a single FTE, the Town Council had gotten a net increase of approximately ½ of an FTE in legal services. This triggered another hammering from Solomon. Why more legal service and not the police? Exactly why? What message does this send? Why did we never need this before? Was this a temporary increase just until the new and inexperienced council members are trained? No? What then?

It was tiresome and overdone; nothing more than political grandstanding in my opinion. Winfield and his allies met all this palpable antagonism with patience, forbearance, politeness, facts, perspective, and logic.

Hiremath’s cowardly absence
Conspicuous in his absence was Satish Hiremath who, [as published in his Explorer Op-Ed on May 1st] characterized them as liars who are threatening and intimidating the Town Manager into formulating an austerity budget guaranteed to result in an exodus of key personnel and a crime-ridden community without adequate police protection.

I have to say the Town Manager did not look in the slightest bit intimidated or threatened. She projected 100% calm professionalism. Moreover, her budget summary was exceptionally well-written so she is obviously competent and can find another job; she makes $180,000/year and probably has savings to carry her through a job loss, should that happen. I doubt that she perceives herself as "succumbing to threats of retaliation and intimidation by liars who are forcing her to compromise on principles."

Hiremath's method of elevating public discourse is apparently to let the remnants of his administration and former allies act as proxies for his bitter partisan rhetoric while he remains above the fray of face-to-face public meetings via cowardly absence. What a negative role model for the children and young adults who will lead us in the future.

A kinder, gentler mayor
What a refreshing and promising display of hope I saw last night for a kinder, gentler, unified community where elected officials are role models of public service for all citizens, regardless of age.
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LOVE’s Analysis
There is clearly a concerted effort going on by defeated former mayor Hiremath and his proxies to take down Winfield, Barrett, Jones-Ivey, and Nicolson. Solomon has spent the past 6 months using his position as a council member to launch into his bi-weekly lecture series attempting to discredit and minimize Winfield, et. al., while Hiremath and former councilmember Joe Hornat, along with the incorrigible Don Cox, take their phony rhetoric to the pages of the local newspaper.

Pavlov’s Dogs
It’s no coincidence that Hiremath’s May 1st Explorer op-ed, followed by defeated council member Joe Hornat's May 8th letter to the editor have both come exactly 6 months into the reign of the Winfield administration. What’s the significance of rearing their heads at the 6-month mark? You have to wait 6 months before initiating a recall against a newly elected mayor and council members.

It appears that the Hiremath posse is salivating in anticipation of a recall in hopes of retaking their majority voting block on council. And it appears that they are planning to use their repetitive and worn out scare tactic of being the only ones who will make public safety a priority.  And we all know that is not true. 

Be sure to read tomorrow's article on public safety funding during the Hiremath years.

Guest View: Jack Stinnett ~ How Special Interests have influenced our Town Council elections

Just since 2014, developers and special interests have contributed a quarter of a million dollars to influence the elections of Oro Valley’s mayor and council. So far it has worked to allow their candidates to control our town and approve every developer requested General Plan amendment and rezoning.

Town Council decisions allowing rampant over-development is viewed by many as being a direct result of developers and special interest money buying our small town elections. Below is the sequence of events that has caused our town to fall prey to outside big money influence.

2010 Election
This was Hiremath’s first run for mayor and he funded his campaign at a level 5 times greater than his opponent. Hiremath raised over $45,000, (some from personal loans) and $13,000 from special interests. Despite this advantage, Hiremath won the 2010 election by only 30 votes. His campaign later repaid his personal and family loans.

2014 Election
In the 2014 election, Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters ran as a team who knew “what was best for Oro Valley.” Hiremath was opposed by Patrick Straney. Donald Bristow was the only opposing council candidate.

Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters had now learned the campaign finance model, as did the developer, builder, and real estate community. This time, special interests kicked in $59,000 (a four-fold increase from 2010) for a second term of their team who knew “what was best for Oro Valley."

The Top 5 Donors in the 2014 Election were: [click to enlarge]

The special interest funded candidates won re-election. Why was this unheard of level of Special Interest funding needed to fend off two first time candidates -- and two incumbent council candidates who were effectively running unopposed?

2015 Recall Election
In the 2015 Recall election of Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters, special interests once again contributed heavily to keep their council in office. Humberto Lopez (HSL Properties), the HSL Family trust, and HSL employee Omar Morales donated $24,000 to defend Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters against four recall opponents.

Through the October 15, 2015 campaign finance report, Mayor Hiremath alone had raised $104,000 and spent $101,323 to retain his office against challenger Patrick Straney. Despite Hiremath outspending Straney by 15 to 1, Hiremath won with only 51% of the vote.

2016 Council Election
In the 2016 election, candidates Rhonda Pina, Bill Rodman, and Steve Solomon defeated incumbents Zinkin, Garner, and Burns, effectively giving Mayor Hiremath a 7-0 council. Zinkin, Garner, and Burns had refused to accept donations from special interests and were heavily outspent as a result. Once again, the special interest funded challengers won the election.

The result of three special interest funded elections (2014-2015-2016)
During the period 2014 through 2016, special interests funded Mayor Hiremath and our six elected council members to create an unassailable 7-0 council majority. Since the new council took office in November 2016, over 90% of all decisions have been 7-0 votes, with many items agreed prior to council meetings by "consent agenda" and never discussed in public. Not one developer requested rezoning or General Plan amendment has been denied by the Oro Valley mayor and council.

The Top Donors to Mayor Hiremath and the current council from 2014 to 2016 were: [click to enlarge]

2018 Primary Election
Now running for a third term, Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters reported $61,580 in campaign contributions during the 2nd quarter reporting period [April 29 - June 30]. (Editor’s Note: Campaign Finance Reports through August 11th reveal that the incumbents raised an additional $35,581 since the June 30th reporting period.)

Further inspection reveals that over 90% of this amount came from developers, landowners, and other special interests expecting to do business with or in Oro Valley.

As of the June 30th reporting period, the incumbents raised less than $2,000 from Oro Valley residents. That’s not nearly enough to pay for the multiple glossy, multicolor mailers we have received, much less the multiple full page ads in the Explorer.

So when you receive all their promotional material, recognize that it is coming from special interest contributions to influence your vote to keep the status quo for them.

Let’s vote ‘em out.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the updated Campaign Finance Reports, please scroll down to read our Special Saturday Edition that you may have missed since we don’t normally publish on the weekends.

Town Council Election ~ Special Saturday Edition

Below are two charts showing the total amount of contributions from developers, landowners, and other special interests that were donated to the incumbents (Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters) in the 2018 Town Council election. 

If you want Town Council decisions to be based on your vision rather than the vision of wealthy developers, we urge you to vote for Joe Winfield for Mayor, and Melanie Barrett, Joyce Jones-Ivey, and Josh Nicolson for Town Council.  They have not accepted any special interest donations.

[Click to enlarge]

Source: Campaign Finance Reports -- Dr. Hiremath for Mayor, Vote Lou Waters for Oro Valley, Mary Snider for Oro Valley, Vote Joe Hornat

Challengers: "Special Interests Trying To Buy Oro Valley Election"

91% of incumbent contributions came from special interests
91% of campaign contributions to Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Water's Snider and Hornat have come from special interests, according to an August 23 press release of challengers Winfield, Barrett, Jones-Ivey and Nicholson.

Challengers contributions came from the public
"The incumbent’s campaigns have now accepted over $84,000 from groups, companies or individuals looking to influence the Oro Valley town elections," according to the release.

In contrast, challenger funding has come from more than 300 residents and their own pockets. They "...raised $29,311 from over 300 individual contributions from residents supporting their campaigns."

The special interests contributing to the incumbents' campaign include the "usual suspects": Developer HSL, the company that sold the failed El Conquistador Country Club to the town; and developer-landowner Kai family.  PAC's contributing include the Realtors of Arizona and the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

"Large campaign donations buy access, increase influence"
 ...the challengers note in their release. They assert that it is wrong to accept “Candidate contributions of this magnitude, from landowners, developers, and special interest groups over whom council can approve land re-zoning applications."

It may be wrong, but it is the way of Oro Valley elections when Hiremath, Snider, Waters and Hornat run.
In all of their four campaigns, they have always received the bulk of their campaign financing from special interests. Their actions on council, as documented over 8 years in LOVE, have demonstrated their preference in serving the needs of these donors.
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Yesterday, LOVE reported that the incumbents are using this special interest money to employ the services of a California political consulting firm. Read on for more.

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.

Guest View: Diane Peters ~ Councilmembers Snider and Hornat offer absurd reasons for approving a recent rezoning

Click HERE to read the absurd comments that Mayor Hiremath made during the same Council Meeting when discussing this rezoning in the LaCholla/Naranja area.

Today’s article focuses on the absurd justifications made by Councilmembers Snider and Hornat to explain their approval of that rezoning request…rezoning 85 acres of pristine desert on the west side of LaCholla from R1-20 (minimum 20,000 square foot lots with custom grading) to R1-7 (minimum 7,000 sf lots with mass grading).

Prior to their discussion, I spoke at the podium, pointing out the false information that had been supplied to them by the applicant and the Town Staff…false information that they would use in formulating their decision. Below is an excerpt from my speech:

"I’d like to begin by stating that The WLB proposal contains misinformation. Page 5 states that the existing land use east of the property at Ironwood Canyon has “a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet.” That is false. The smallest lot size is just under 15,000 sf and there are only 2 lots of that size. The majority of lots are between 18,000 and 23,000 sf.

In your Council Packet, Item C3 states that the largest lot in Ironwood Canyon is 28,884 sf. That is false. The largest lot is 33,020 sf.

Those two falsehoods should make you question how many other items in the report may also be false.

Page 48 of the WLB proposal states…“This residential development, with its relatively low proposed land use intensity…will be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.” That is false. 6500 square foot lots is less than half the size of even the smallest lots to the east at Ironwood Canyon and it’s 20 times smaller than the 3 acre lots directly to the north. How is that compatible?"

Councilmember Mary Snider’s absurd comment

Snider tried to blame approving small lot sizes and cluster homes on quote...

“...the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance [ESLO] which the citizens of our community drafted and this council approved in 2011 or 2012. We’re following the direction of what the community has said they want us to do in conserving more open space…Sometimes people might not understand why we’re getting slightly smaller lots, but we’re getting more open space.”

My rebuttal
Really, Mary? You think that residential lots that are half the size of the adjacent lots to the east and 20 times smaller than the adjacent lots to the north are slightly smaller??!! You need to be replaced with a council member who can do basic math and who cares about the property values of ALL Oro Valley residents, not just the ones who live along the golf courses.

Also, it was not the citizens who wanted cluster homes on tiny lots. You failed to mention that the ESLO Committee included members of the development community including Councilmember Steve Solomon (a developer) who acted as the Town Council representative for the ESLO Committee.  As usual, they got what they wanted and the citizens were ignored. The ESLO concept that citizens had in mind is vastly different from what was adopted. Why do you think the citizens continually complain about the constant rezonings for postage-stamp sized lots?

It’s disingenuous of you to say that you’re following the direction given to you by the community when you have never taken that approach when it comes to approving General Plan amendments and rezonings. The General Plan was written by the community, giving the Town Council direction on what the citizens want for our town, yet you have had no problem approving one General Plan amendment and rezoning after another. In fact, in 2016, you approved a General Plan Amendment just 8 days after the new General Plan was ratified. Citizens worked on that plan for two years and you began dismantling it in 8 days. So spare me your sanctimonious, “We’re following the direction” of the citizens.

Councilmember Joe Hornat’s absurd comments

Hornat Comment #1. “I’m a little defensive about when people tell me that we haven’t followed through with the process. The P&Z folks who rejected this, or denied it, never even brought up the number of houses or the size of the lots. They were concerned with traffic. I submit that they denied it, but not for the reasons that have been brought up here.”

My rebuttal
Joe, you were present when Town Planner, Milini Simms gave the Town’s Power Point presentation on this rezoning, shortly before you made your comments. She stated that this rezoning…

“…was considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission on March 6th. They did recommend denial. The main focus of that meeting was compatibility to the surrounding area and traffic along Naranja.”

The compatibility had to do with the tiny lot sizes not being compatible with the surrounding homes. You were present at that P&Z hearing, so you were well aware of what had transpired that evening.

Hornat Comment #2: “Is this really that much different than what is across the street on the East side? We can play with the numbers all day long. We can look at the pictures. It’s not that much different. It might even be better. I don’t want to get into a numbers game. That’s just ridiculous.”

My rebuttal
Yes, it’s much different than what’s across the street on the East side. As I outlined in my speech (were you listening?) 6500 square foot lots is less than half the size of even the smallest lots to the east.

Other differences include:
• mass grading vs. custom grading
• 2-story homes vs. 1-story homes
• 10 feet between homes vs. 50 feet between homes
• lot widths of 50 feet vs. lot widths of 100 feet
• connecting walls vs. no connecting walls

Why do you listen attentively to the applicant when they discuss their numbers? They present their numbers (lot sizes and number of homes) as they try to convince you that their numbers are compatible with the surrounding numbers. But for some reason, it’s not until the residents speak about the numbers not being equal that you decide that you don’t want to “get into a numbers game.” What's really ridiculous is how the Town Council repeatedly gives more weight to the presentations of the applicant/developer and the Town Staff than they do to the presentations of the citizens.

I’ve come to expect ridiculous comments from Mary Snider, but your comments at this meeting had me wondering if perhaps you had died recently and the council is now propping up your body at the dais in the manner of Weekend at Bernie’s.

Guest View: Mike Zinkin ~ The $6 Million Dollar Bond

The “turn-key” Community Center needs another $6 MM in taxpayer funds
In December 2014, Town Manager, Greg Caton, plus Mayor Hiremath, and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters insisted that the Community Center and Golf course purchase was a great deal because it was a “turn-key” operation costing only $1 million dollars and that no debt service would be required. Turns out that this has become just another one of their lies/broken promises.

Through a series of email exchanges with the Town, I recently learned that Town Manager, Mary Jacobs is recommending a $6 MM bond for Community Center expenses, with half to be spent in FY 2018/19 and half in FY 2019/20.

According to Finance Director, Stacey Lemos, the actual cost for this bond, assuming an interest rate of 5% over 20 years will total an estimated $8.7 million dollars.

A Budget Study session will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd at 3 PM in Town Council Chambers. Will the mayor and council consider approving a $6 million bond in order to save golf? We expect that they will since none of their previous efforts to finance the Community Center and Golf Courses have been successful.

The Repeated Lies and Broken Promises of the Town Council

• They promised that the half-cent sales tax increase would cover ALL Community Center costs. It hasn’t.

• They asserted that there would be no debt service. Yet, here we are, three years later, discussing a $6 MM bond for Community Center/Golf expenses.

• They lied when they said that only $1.2 MM would be taken from the General Fund Contingency to jump-start the Community Center Fund. As you will recall, they had to transfer another $350,000 from the General Fund last year to meet Community Center expenses.

• They lied when they promised they would pay back the $1.2 MM to the General Fund with $120,000 a year for the next 10 years.

• They spent $50,000 of taxpayer money on a Golf Study and then completely ignored the recommendations.

Mary Jacobs email stated the following:

“I point you to page iv of the Town Manager’s budget message that outlines how the recommended capital expenditure is being budgeted in FY 18/19.

In addition, the Recommended Budget includes half of the projected $6 million in total planned funding for capital improvements at the Community Center building as well as irrigation system replacement, turf reduction and other improvements on the Canada and Conquistador 18-hole golf courses. The expenditure will be financed via the issuance of a 20 year bond, and debt service will be repaid through the Capital Fund…..it’s a $6 million bond with HALF of it expected to be expended in 18/19, and HALF expended in 19/20.” (emphasis added)

Page 228 of the TMRB
Town Manager Jacobs has requested $3.6 MM for golf course repairs and $2.4 MM in Community Center improvements (TOTAL $6 MM) spread over two years and financed with a 20-year bond

The following information was obtained from Page 228 of the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB).

COMMUNITY CENTER (CC) BOND FUNDED IMPROVEMENTS

                                                                     FY18/19                FY19/20                  TOTAL
Community Center Improvements              $1,200,000            $1,200,000              $2,400,000
Golf Course Irrigation Replacement           $1,800,000            $1,800,000              $3,600,000
TOTAL CC BOND IMPROVEMENTS         $3,000,000            $3,000,000              $6,000,000

The Town Council’s Community Center financing plan did not work
The additional half cent sales tax was supposed to offset ALL expenses for the Community Center, including golf, tennis, and the Community Center building. Instead, all of the sales tax revenue is going down the drain for golf. As such, there have been limited funds for capital improvements which is why the Town now wants to bond $3M in the 2018/19 budget and another $3M in the 2019/2020 budget.

How many more millions of taxpayer dollars are they going to spend on this endeavor before they admit that they made a mistake in purchasing the El Con Community Center and Golf Courses?
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Mike Zinkin has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge. He was a commissioned ensign in the United States Navy Reserve. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. He and his wife moved to Oro Valley in 1998. Mike served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009 and the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012. He served on the Town Council from 2012-2016 during which time he was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities University, he was a member of the National League of Cities Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development, and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee.

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
………………

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.

Guest View-Frank Pitts: Observations Of A Commission Member,

On several occasions I observed Councilmembers Brendan Burns, Bill Garner, and Mike Zinkin (the three) go above and beyond to support our little Town. Some of their actions, almost exclusive to them, include questioning budget numbers, the golf courses purchase, and new developments. Councilmember Zinkin arranged additional meetings with neighbors and developers.  All three fully support and uphold the Town’s General Plan. During 2014 and 2015, I served on the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission ("P & Z").  I was the squeaky wheel on the Commission.  I would often vote against staff recommendations when they did not follow Oro Valley’s General Plan.

In March 2014, before my first P & Z meeting, I prepared diligently; walked the proposed rezoning property; read the entire General Plan; and contacted Town Staff with my questions and concerns with the proposed rezoning. I was informed by Town Staff that the Oro Valley General Plan is only a guideline and that Oro Valley ordinances and codes are the only rules to follow.  Yet, at my first P & Z meeting, staff only presented guidelines from the General Plan.  

After encountering several road blocks from Town Staff, P & Z Chairman Cox and Councilmember Hornat, I began to realize this was not an environment to question “authority”.  My 2 years as a Commissioner were filled with 6 – 1 votes with me being the sole “Nay” voter.  I wanted to voice my concerns about the “build til we bust” mentality.  I found only Councilmembers Burns, Garner, and Zinkin were willing to listen.  Through observation and discussion, I learned that these three were the only ones on council who always prepared for meetings by expending the time and effort to do their own research on the issues. They often question items brought before the Council, and vote according to what best suits Oro Valley.

During my time on P&Z, the Neighborhood Meeting Process needed revisions. Oro Valley Resident Bill Adler and I met and worked together to identify what would be a balanced process for the residents and developers. The Council changed part of the Neighborhood Meeting Process for the better, but not all. Councilmembers Burns, Garner, and Zinken fought for more transparency, but being in the minority their recommendations were nullified.

I did not achieve more compliance with the General Plan during my tenure on the P &Z Commission, but my voice was heard by the three councilmembers who care about using the General Plan in decision making. These three are the core reason Oro Valley hasn’t been pushed further with more rooftops and urbanization of our open spaces.  

Councilmembers Zinkin, Burns and Garner are fighting to keep the GOLD in Oro Valley.

Frank Pitts
Oro Valley

It's All Politics

LOVE is receiving input regarding Oro Valley recall election politics from many sources. Some are worthy of full postings. Others, like these, are bits and pieces of information. All of these relate to the politics of the election. Enjoy!

Running on anything but the issue
Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters are running away from the reason there is a recall election.

As one of our readers wrote us: "It is election about their judgment; judgment not only in purchasing the El Conquistador Country Club and paying for golf losses with a sales tax increase on you and me; judgment in cutting a deal for this from their major campaign contributor; but also the manner in which they have so cavalierly ignored the needs of thousands of Oro Valley residents and marginalized the input of the three council minority members. That is why there is a recall."

Rather than address that, it appears that Mayor Hiremath continue to try to make this election about anything but that. Watch the Mayor's latest video. Tell us what you think.

Politics played at the 9/11 flag raising commemoration
Two weeks ago, the town hosted a flag raising ceremony at the Oro Valley Community Center and Recreation Center. The raising was to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. Mayor Hiremath and council members Hornat, Snider and Waters used the event to play politics.

An event such as this is highly solemn in nature. It should never be a venue for politics or campaigning. However, the Majority-4 were there in force that day, and the following was observed and heard by one of our readers:

• Behind the podium, about 40 feet back, was a large campaign sign for the four of them. It was mounted on a parked vehicle.
• The audience was stacked to generate immediate applause once the Mayor approached the podium. They jumped the gun and started clapping before he even spoke and were quite obvious about it.
• The Mayor made sure to introduce attending council members, who also then received rounds of applause. 
• In the Mayor's remarks, he strongly emphasized how wonderful it is to finally have a Community Center as the "gathering place" residents have long wanted. He extolled the virtues of the Community Center both in his opening and closing remarks. The predicted applause ensued both times. 

Was there anything said about the 9/11 tragedy?
 
Phone polling asking loaded, biased questions
According to the PAC "Accountable Government Now" someone or group has retained the telephone survey services of publicpolicypolling.com. Questions being asked include:

• How likely was I to vote in the election? I was given a sliding scale from Definitely to not likely There were questions about the recall 
• Do you think there should have been a recall? Yes or No
• Did you support the recall? Yes or No
• Do you support the purchase of the community center for $1m? Yes or 
• Do you support the temporary ½ cent sales tax increase for the community center

The questions being asked are biased in that they don't tell the full story. For example, the community center also includes a money losing golf courses. The total investment will be well over $12 million.
The sales tax is not temporary. It has no sunset. It was instituted to pay for the losses from the golf courses.

As we said, the questions being asked are biased in that they don't tell the full story. But that's politics.

Say it's so, Joe
Then, we received intel that Council Member Joe Hornat didn't really want to run in this recall election. He is running, we heard, because the four (Hiremath, Hornat, Snider and Waters) had to run as a slate.

Frankly, these four should be embarrassed that they have been "recalled." Besides, why do they need the aggravation and the embarrassment? Why is retaining power to so important to them?

Rather than back down, they cling to keeping their job like its "life or death".

But that's what politicians do.

Oro Valley's competition with private business increases as town "puts lipstick on the pig"
It is business as usual at town hall. The Town Of Oro Valley continues to push to compete with private enterprise.

• The town is pushing head-long into building a first-class restaurant at the community center as we reported last week. The restaurant has added special events and special pricing to entice customers.
• Then the town is launching a golf membership referral program which includes direct marketing.
• The town continues to hold design meetings around changes to the community center.
• The town is creating a new theme for the Pusch Ridge course, as we reported Monday.

As one reader wrote us: "Many of the new members they gain, will be members lost by the Oro Valley Country Club, Vistoso and the Views. Those businesses will in turn lower their rates and offer promotions to be competitive. It is just wrong for the town to be competing with Oro Valley golf courses, restaurants and fitness centers and subsidized by the taxpayers."

Some assert that this push is all politics with the hope of making the Majority-4 decision to purchase the El Conquistador Country Club look good.

Well, you can put "lipstick on the pig' in an attempt to make you think its not a pig, but, in the case of the El Conquistador Country Club Golf, it really is a pig.

It's never good when the public sector competes with the private sector, unless, of course, you are a communist or a socialist.  Learn more here.

Incumbent sign blights Oracle and Lambert Lane
Then, there's the humongous sign the recalled officials posted on the Hiremath Dentistry parcel at Pusch View Lane and Oracle. Its an ugly red and blue sign adding even more blight to what use to be Oro Valley's scenic corridor. Oh yeah. That went away with the Majority-4 approval for rezoning for 800 apartments on Oracle Road.  If they are reelected, they will likely approve 5-story buildings behind home depot. They already did that once; but a design technicality will have them do it a second time.

Oracel Road scenic corridor? Not.

Their Majority-4 sign blight and now they gets even bigger
The Majority-4 signs are about the size of a small billboard! They are 4x8. They blight the beautiful community that they profess to love.

Now, we understand that some of their signs have an added  sign on top! The law requires that a sign may not be greater than 32 square feel so that needs to be removed if, of course, the town chooses to enforce code.

Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley's Golf Course losing even more than projected
Mayor Hiremath, Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters and the Town Of Oro Valley do not tout the financial results of Oro Valley's new golf course. Though they would like you to think otherewise, the golf course is the centerpiece of why they face recall in November.

The financial results of the golf course are awful!

The July results for golf at the El Conquistador Country Club golf course are in. Total revenue from Golf was $98,781 That is $65,826 less than the budget. That is a 40% shortfall from the Troon based budget of $164,608.

Remember, every dollar of lost revenue increases the loss by $1. This is a loss of  in addition to what the town projected the golf course would lose in July. That number was a loss of $259,252. Add this loss in, and we project that course lost well over $325,000 in just one month.

Why didn't the revenue even come close to plan? Actual rounds were only 71.82% of the projected rounds. Actual revenue per round were only 83.56% of projected revenue.

Troon, the contract manager of the golf course, projected in the budget for July 4,556 rounds of golf at $36.13 per round. The actual number of round played in July was 3,272 at $30.19 per round.

As of July, there are a total of 198 golf members.

Fortunately, Oro Valley's minority council members are keeping a close eye on the situation. This from council member Brendan Burns: "If we continue on the trajectory of achieving only 71.82% of the projected rounds and only 83.56% of projected revenue, the effect on our budget will be catastrophic"

Our feeling is that Oro Valley is in big trouble even if it reaches what now appear to be optimistic financial projections.

Others question Oro Valley's sustainability
This from council member Mike Zinkin: "At the League of Cities and Towns I reconnected with friends from throughout the State. The common question was: What is going on in Oro Valley? When I told them about the purchase of 45 holes of golf, a restaurant and a bunch of tennis course, they had one common question: 'How confident are you that Oro Valley can sustain themselves into the future?'"

Mike's conclusion: "With losses on the golf course alone, not including the the community enter and restaurant, along with the needed improvements, I am not very confident that Oro Valley can continue without robbing the Contingency Fund or asking for a bond."  

Are you kidding? Hornat claims to be a"Proven Fiscal Conservative"
Council Member Joe Hornat lists "proven fiscal conservative" as a reason that you should vote for him in November. He provides no facts to support his assertion. We see no basis for it.

The fact is that, while he has been on council, Oro Valley spending has nearly doubled. He voted to double the utility tax. He voted to increase the sales tax one half percent. His actual actions make him a big spender.

Cox creates website supporting Majority-4
Oro Valley resident Don Cox has created a web site to support the Majority-4. This one is funded by his Triple-E Pac. You can see it at http://www.keepovstrong.com. The site uses the same picture as the ""Stand For Civility" site that is funded by Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters.

According to Cox: "Triple E PAC was formed in January 2015, for the purpose of informing folks about what turned out to be a botched referendum effort. Since then the purpose has changed and it is now being used to show support for the Mayor, and the three council persons. We are receiving support from a broad base of constituents and keepovstrong.com is one of the products of that support. You'll see more."

Bristow creates "Accountable Government Now"-A PAC seeking change
Oro Valley resident Don Bristow created a PAC called "Accountable Government Now" ("AGN"). According to their press release: "Accountable Government Now has a two-fold purpose. First, to assure Steve Didio, Ryan Hartung, Shirl Lamonna and Patrick (Pat) Straney get elected to serve us, the residents, on the Oro Valley Town Council. Second, to help these new candidates overcome the misinformation and half-truths being put out there by the group of 4; Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters. Our messages will be truthful and informative"

Learn more here.

Has The Community Center rebuild gone awry?
The town is refurbishing the El Conquistador Country Club house and restaurant to try to make it into a community center. It held design meetings for the public in the past several weeks seeking resident input. We received several reports on the meeting.

According to these reports:

• "The people attending the first meeting were former Country Club members who wanted the restaurant redone. It's as though they want to have a country club at our expense."
• At the second one, there a large numbers of the Oro Valley Youth Advisory Board requesting all sorts of fun stuff. Most of them will ever use it given that they are graduating and leaving town. 

"Attendees at the second meeting was almost exclusively from three groups: The old youth advisory council, current members of the community center, Majority-4 sycophants.This is not  a cross section of Oro Valley residents," writes one resident.

The resident warns: "If the residents don't like the final outcome/impact of the comm center they have no one to blame but themselves." 

"Full steam ahead" on community center restaurant
Paul Kessler of Oro Valley's Development and Infrastructure Department, stated at the community center remolding meeting of August 17, that support for a restaurant was overwhelming.  Therefore, planning for a full scale restaurant and bar is proceeding.

One resident wrote us: "I would like to know when and how it was determined support was overwhelming. I do know at the first remolding meeting there was overwhelming support. Overwhelming meaning approximately 30 current members, including Hornat and Waters and their wives."

The resident continued: "There has been no effective public outreach since the first meeting. It is full speed ahead with what the Council and staff want with little input for all Oro Valley citizens. The citizens are paying 1/2% sales tax to remodel and operate this facility. It isn't owned by the small percentage of residents/non-residents who are members."

We wonder: Why does Oro Valley want to compete with private enterprise?

Better option: Close the restaurant down; Use the space for community center.

Rape Aggression Defense class begins this weekend
Oro Valley, Arizona (August 19, 2015) - The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is hosting a free self-defense class called Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D). The training is for females ages 15 and older.

R.A.D. System is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. It begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training.

The dates for the next course are August 22 and 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene East Campus, 440 W. Calle Concordia.

Attendees should wear comfortable workout attire, as this is a physical class. Please bring a lunch. To register, contact Sgt. Amy Graham at (520) 229-5081. (Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

Despicable Him: Hornat Plays Politics With Steam Pump Ranch Funds

The gloves are off in the Oro Valley town council. The embarrassment continues (see our Monday post). This time it was about the 2016 budget and funding for Steam Pump Ranch.

Council Member Joe Hornat played politics with 2016 proposed spending on Steam Pump Ranch at the June 3 council meeting. He did it in an attempt to get at least one member of minority to vote for the Oro Valley record budget.

Hornat said this at the conclusion of a 3 minute speech on why he ignores things he'd like to see changed in the budget.

Hornat: We'll spend on Steam Pump if you'll vote for the budget

Council Member Hornat recommended approval of the budget if there were removal of the $425,000 planned expenditure for Steam Pump Ranch.

"In the interest of cooperation, if I can secure a better than 4-3 vote on the budget, I'll gladly entertain a friendly amendment to ... put it back in there."

In his remarks, delivered in shaky voice, Hornat said that he feels that the budget is a reasonable compromise even though there are some items on the budget to which he  does not agree.

According to Hornat "A no vote is a vote against the quality of life in Oro Valley... You need to look at the greater picture."

Council Member Snider (watch) voiced her support of the budget because town council sets policy; not budgets and whaterver town staff says is good enough for her.

Mayor Hiremath (watch) said that he felt that those who vote for the budget should get all the credit for its success.

Vice Mayor Waters, as usual, said nothing. He did vote 'yes.'

Council Member Burns told Hornat that Burns would vote for the budget if Hornat would agree to defund the golf course!

Garner: Hornat's attempt to defund Steam Pump Ranch is unconscionable

Council Member Garner did not let Hornat's threat pass.

Addressing the audience Garner observed: "You folks are witnessing politics at their finest, " Garner started.

"Steam Pump is going to fall in disrepair. To sit there and let a project lose $425,000 worth of funding over politics is completely ridiculous for a vote."

Garner then went on to explain why he was going to vote 'no' on the budget. "Yes. I am going to vote 'no' on the budget. I am consistent in voting 'no'. I will continue to vote 'no' on this budget ... There are efficiencies that we find in this budget and we refuse to do it. Now that we have this community/golf course we need to find even more efficiencies because we are going to be in really bad shape."

"I am not supporting the budget, Joe, and I think that it is absolutely unconscionable to think you would take $425,000 out of the town manager's recommended budget over Steam Pump for a vote."

Was Council Member Hornat thinking of the greater good when he recommended defunding Steam Pump Ranch?

Guest View-Diane Peters: Hornat and Waters Charge You For Every Mile

Generally, we reserve Friday for "Bits and Pieces" of stuff about Oro Valley. This week, it being election time, we're going to also post a guest view regarding the practice of Council Member’s Hornat and Waters charging the taxpayers for every mile they drive. This includes miles they drive from their home to the Town offices.
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There is something for you to consider as you cast your vote in the Oro Valley Town Council election, Do you think that the council incumbents have been good stewards of your taxpayer money? One indicator of this would be their requests for mileage reimbursements.

As a point of reference, I’m providing the statistics for all the councilmembers even though only three of them are up for re-election.

To their credit, Councilmembers Garner, Burns, and Snider charged ZERO for 2012-2013. They do not charge the taxpayers to attend meetings or events. Councilmember Zinkin charged only for trips outside of town limits, most trips averaging 30-50 miles.

Contrast this with the mileage reimbursements submitted by Councilmembers Hornat and Waters during the same period. They submitted a total of $2,637.56 despite rarely leaving town limits. They even charged the taxpayers when there was a free meal involved.

Hornat charged for every 8-mile round-trip from his home to Town Hall. He charged to attend fun events including a “Baseball Fiesta,” the Halloween Safe Treats Program, and the Annual Holiday Parade. He charged to attend events that included free meals such as the OV/Marana Legislative Breakfast, the Marana State of the Town Luncheon and the Annual TREO luncheon.

Waters charged for 4-mile round-trips from his home to Town Hall. He charged to attend enjoyable events such as ribbon cuttings, grand openings, the El Tour de Tucson, the Project Graduation Car Show, the Steam Pump Ranch Fall Festival, and the Holiday Tree Lighting. He also charged for attending events where he was treated to a free meal including farewell and retirement parties, the State of the Town Luncheon, and an Appreciation BBQ.

Waters even charged mileage to attend a Veterans Memorial Program and to deliver groceries for the disadvantaged at the Annual Ed Jones Thanksgiving Bag-a-Thon where he was treated to a free breakfast.

Perhaps the reason that Councilmembers Hornat and Waters attend so many events or visit Town Hall so frequently is because they get money-to-go in the form of mileage reimbursements. Apparently, they see this as an easy way of getting a few more bucks from the taxpayers. While I have no issue with anyone charging mileage for travel of 30-50 miles or more, I think it’s presumptuous for council members to think that taxpayers should foot the bill for travel within town limits or for attending enjoyable events and parties.

I have no doubt that Don Bristow will not follow this standard. He believes the citizens are stakeholders, not cash cows.
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Diane Peters has lived in Oro Valley since 2003, moving here to escape the humidity of the East Coast.  Combining her love of animals and writing, she wrote her first protest letter at the age of 12 to the Canadian Prime Minister in support of ending the annual baby harp seal hunt. Years later, she flew by helicopter to the ice floes off the coast of Newfoundland where she was able to pet baby harp seals recently born on the frozen tundra.  Her other interests include reading, nature photography, traveling to National Parks, Native American history, art galleries, museums, and following politics. In her past life, she worked in medical research at various University Hospitals in New England, including coordinating Oncology Clinical Trials and preparing manuscripts for publication in medical journals. Her husband is an Army veteran who served in Germany and South Korea. A former hippie, he attended the 1969 Woodstock Festival in Upstate New York.
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Northwest Conservatives Forum Incumbents Misstate The Facts On Oro Valley's Employee Wage Increases They Granted

Last week the Northwest Conservatives hosted a candidate forum at the Oro Valley library.  LOVE's John Musolf video recorded the event.  We posted in on YouTube for you to view.  You can access it at the top right panel of this blog.  This posting is first of several that we will post regarding the forum.
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Incumbents Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters either misstated the facts of simply obliquely responded when asked the following question at last week's Northwest Conservatives candidate forum.

"Lacking any evidence that the Town has difficulty retaining employees, the recently adopted salary increases were based on a study that compared Oro Valley to cities and counties with much larger populations. The increases are ongoing and also trigger increased retirement obligations for the Town. Given that residents’ incomes are flat or declining, and County property taxes are increasing significantly, please explain your views on fiscal responsibility relative to salaries.” 

Fact Check: When All Is Considered, The Average Wage Increase Is 6.5%, Mr. Mayor, not 2%

Mayor Hiremath stated:  "The reality is, the average raise the employees got was 2%."

Mayor Hiremath is wrong.

The fact is that the minimum one time salary adjustment was 2.7% for Oro Valley's top 24 employees. Some one-time adjustments are as high as 6%.  On top of this, each employee will receive an merit increase on their employment anniversary date of from 3.5 - 4.0% on their new base wage.  Taken together, the one-time adjustment plus the merit increases will average about 6.5%,  Some employees will see a double digit increase over their 2013-2014 compensatoin

Fact Check: There Is No Town Of Oro Valley Employee Retention Problem

No one discussed the retention rate of Oro Valley employees.    Our guess is the incumbents either never checked on what the retention rate is or that the retention rate is high, therefore not supporting their position.  We have seen no mass exodus of Oro Valley employees despite not receiving salary increase for 3 years. This is because there are few comparable job opportunities. 

Incumbent Lou Waters provided two examples of the town is losing employees. In neither case, compensation was not the reason.

Waters pointed to former town planner David Williams. Williams, be believe, left to go into private practice for, what we understand, were personal reasons over which the town would have no control; and the town's Human Resource Director, Ron Corbin, left to return to Yuma to be with his wife.  His position, based on this study, received a 8.3% earnings increase based on the study.

Fact Check: 8 of 11 Municipalities To Which Oro Valley Was Compared In The Salary Study Are In The Phoenix Area

Council Member Joe Hornat disputed that the study included towns bigger the Oro Valley. He observed that Sahuarita and Marana were included in the study. He is correct. However, these are only 2 of the 11 communities considered.   The fact is, as noted in our posting last week, 8 of the 11 cities in the study were in Maricopa County. All of these have substantially larger populations than Oro Valley.

Fact Check: Current Compensation Is Just One Possible Factor That Attracts Or Retains Quality Personal

Council Member Snider stated the following in response to the question:

"Any organization that thinks they can satisfy the needs of their constituents on mediocrity [of employees] is set up for failure."  

We think that Snider equates high pay to retaining quality employees.  Pay is merely one possible reason people want to work for the Town Of Oro Valley.

Some like public service. Some serve because a public sector job presents a more suitable life style than the pressure-filled competitive nature of the private sector. Others like working in the public sector because public sector jobs are more secure than private sector jobs. Some like it because the benefits they receive, like the ones offered in Oro Valley are far richer than those offered in other communities or the private sector.  Even others like it because of the rich defined benefits retirement program, a program that is no longer offered in the private sector. Regardless of the reason compensation is only one reason that motivates people to work for the Town of Oro Valley.

Fact Check: Challengers Agreed That Some Increase Was Warranted, However...

Mayoral Candidate Patrick Straney and Council Candidate Don Bristow observed that raises were in order for town staff.  Employees had, after all, not received increases in 3 years.

Bristow pointed out that it is the basis for determining the size of the raises that is of concern: "The problem is that the study [upon which the decision was made to significantly increase staff salaries] is flawed."

Pat Straney cautioned that Oro Valley should be thinking "long term" when it comes to granting salary increases.  Given the transient nature of most of Oro Valley's revenues: "We need to know the impact and where the money [in the future] is coming from" to pay for increases.
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Please watch the video. Then, tell us: What is your analysis of the responses?

Council Triples Fees For Steam Pump Ranch Use

The Oro Valley Town Council voted to increase fees for use of Steam pump Ranch at last week's council meeting.   Town staff had recommended a fee schedule that was "in-line' with Pima County allowed fees.  All council members felt that these fees were too low.

Oro Valley is required by the county to charge county rates because the ranch was acquired using $4.5 million of Pima County bond funds. Town staff needs to negotiate the council fee schedule with the county.  The county is under no obligation to do so. 

Council Member Joe Hornat motioned for tripling the fees:  'I looked at the schedule and it concerned me that it is so cheap. I don't think that the community... is ready to turn Steam Pump Ranch over to somebody who can afford a birthday [party] for 50 children for $100." He continued:  "I would move... to triple these and hopefully stymie some of these folks from doing what I consider to be inconsequential items in a facility... that has a lot to offer but I don't think it was ever meant to offer at this level."

Rest assured, Council Member Hornat, that only someone wishing to punish their child would hold a birthday party at Steam Pump Ranch.   Today, Steam Pump Ranch is barely a suitable site for the weekly farmers' market.

Steam Pump Ranch has not been completed. The Town Of Oro Valley has spent some funds on it.  For example, a few years ago, the town did spend about $440,000 doing emergency work to keep the property from crumbling.  This year it spent $150,000.

The staff report on the fees summarized the vision of Steam Pump Ranch, a vision that was presented in the 2008 Steam Pump Ranch Master Plan, one the would cost upwards of $10 million:

It is a vision to "...renovate existing buildings, construct new buildings, install interpretive elements and exhibits, and install required infrastructure and landscaping." (Source: Town Of Oro Valley Staff Report).

Steam Pump Ranch was to have been completed by 2012 using county bond funds.

Today, however, Oro Valley does not have that.  Instead, Oro Valley has a dusty, dilapidated Steam Pump Ranch with one restored building, a parking area, electrical, a shade structure and a bathroom.  The site is hardly suitable for even the birthday party that Council Member Hornat dreads.  The boarding stable has a growing hole in the roof.  There's a back structure that is collapsing.  The pump house has crumbled.  There is very little landscaping. There is no museum.  There is no pump.  There is no cultural center. There is no recreation center.

Add to this the impact of state archeological regulations that limit what can not be done on the site.  For example, the town will not be allowed to rebuild the pump house.

It is unfortunate that Steam Pump Ranch is not an attraction worthy of a birthday party.  

What should Oro Valley do with Steam Pump Ranch?  Should Oro Valley continue to implement the 2008 master plan in the hope of getting county bond funds in, maybe, 2016?  Should Oro Valley craft a different vision of Steam Pump Ranch?   Should Oro Valley attempt to finance Steam Pump Ranch as it has the $5.3 million aquatic center and the new Naranja ball fields?
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End of Zinkin Recall: Now It's Time To "Let Oro Valley Excel"

Last night, we reported that the effort to recall Council Member Zinkin failed to gather sufficient signatures to force a recall election. There is more to the story, of course: A story in which Mayor Hiremath and two sitting council members, plus the spouse of a third council member, lead an effort that, despite their 9th inning heroics, failed.

Hornat With Recall Petition

Yesterday morning, Council Member Joe Hornat was at Fry's soliciting recall signatures.  When asked by a passerby what the recall would cost the citizens of Oro Valley Hornat replied: "I don't know but whatever it costs its worth it."  What a flip, disrespectful answer to an Oro Valley citizen.

Where was Hornat supposed to be a at 9AM?  At a meeting at Securaplane with one of their largest customers.  Hornat was supposed to be there to represent the town.  Rather than that, Hornat chose to stand at Fry's trying get signatures.

Frys, by the way, has a policy that prohibits such activities on its store properties.  At some point. late in the day, they told the recall people to leave.

This is a victory for the citizens of Oro Valley. The citizens will see their duly elected representative fulfill the term to which they elected him. It is a victory for Mike's spouse and his family, who have endured months of witnessing Zinkin vilified.

It is a victory for the citizens of Oro Valley that was earned against the odds:

• Mayor Hiremath put the weight of his position in front of this effort in a late December hit piece on Zinkin that he had published in the local advertising circular;
• Shortly thereafter, Hiremath appeared in front of town hall in a TV4 press interview, extolling the need for the recall. It was a press interview that was, at best, biased against Zinkin.
• Hiremath's political machine, led by the spouse of his campaign treasurer, was behind the group that sponsored the recall.
• Council Member Hornat extolled his support of the recall on a number of occasions.  
• Council Member Snider stated that she supported the recall. She went even further stating that she was personally offended by a word Zinkin used.  We observed that she should not be on council if she is that offended by so little that happened so long ago.
• Then, there's the strage last minute filing of a complaint on Zinkin by Town Economic Development Director Amanda Jacobs.  Jacobs dredged up a complaint regarding a now 20-month old incident; an incident in which we observed that if anyone was abused, it was Zinkin.
• The group took out large advertisements supporting the recall in the local advertising circular. One ad was given special placement by the circular. It appeared next to Zinkin's "rebuttal" of Hiremath's hit piece.  As of January 31, the group had not yet paid for these ads.  Generally, in the advertising business, you pay for an ad in advance!
• The group used a web site that had been created in reaction to the results of the 2012 election, when Council Member's Garner, Burns and Zinkin were elected in the primary.  This site rants about Zinkin.  We have been told that their rhetoric is relentless.
• The group had a number to call that had a recorded message comparing Zinkin's alleged "sins" to those of the "crack-smoking Mayor of Toronto."  
• The recall group gained the complicity of the leaseholders of the Saturday Farmers Market to provide them space for getting signatures; and this leaseholder called the police to have Oro Valley resident John Musolf removed for trespassing because John was carrying a "We Need Zinkin" sign.
• Even though we argued that the recall group was not a civic group as allowed in the Farmer's Market lease clause 21 (c), Town Attorney Sidles wrote to us that such a group was a "quintessential" example of a civic group.  There is no reference in any literature that a recall group going after one individual is a civic group, Tobin. The Girl Scouts are a civic group!
• Council Member Waters spouse paid particular attention to us at a friendly gathering to break ground at Naranja Park.  She referred to the fact that we took pictures of the recall tables and of those who participated in the recall effort.  Yes we did. Those responsible for this effort should not be anonymous.  They should be held accountable.
• The Oro Valley Police Officers Association wrote a complaint of great length to Oro Valley's human resources director because Zinkin dared to even question police overtime.
• Retired police officers solicited signatures at friendly poker games!
• And let's not forget the "Dirty Trickster," always lurking in the shadows.

We reported on all of this . We reported the facts to you. 

All that weight against one person. All that weight against a retired guy who gets maybe $10,000 a year to do a thankless job; a job that he does to the best of his ability.  All that weight against Mike's wife Ramona and the Zinkin family.  

All that weight focused on one individual.  And you made them fail.  You, the registered voter of Oro Valley, doomed them to fail by not signing the petition.

Yesterday was, indeed, a great day for Oro Valley.

Now, its time to bring Oro Valley together, Mr. Mayor:  "Let Oro Valley Excel!"
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