Here’s What Happened While We Were Away…

Town Finance Director: Oro Valley successfully negotiated the financial challenge of Covid-19

…this according to town finance manager, Wendy Gomez speaking at the May 19 town council meeting was referring to the projections for the year based on actual results through March. Gomez attributed this to holding the line on spending; and that revenues “…have significantly out performed expectations.” 

Speaking of the general fund, Gomez noted said the fund revenues are estimated to be 20% over budget for the year, at $52,2 million. The primary sources of this are federal government “rescue” money; higher than expected local sales tax revenues (12% over budget); and increased commercial and residential construction activity that is driving license and permit revenue. Spending is estimated to be 2.7% under budget.

Council to consider completed Parks and Recreation Master Plan as a “reference” for future spending decisions

The Oro Valley Town Council discussed the parks and recreation master plan at it’s May 19 meeting. According to the town’s master plan project consultant, the master plan “…provides information over which to make decisions” on parks and recreation spending now and in the future. The council made it clear in the resolution it passed (Panel at right) that this plan is not going to be implemented as is and that the community will continue to provide input

“This work is an invaluable tool for us but we are not committing to any particular spending,” noted Council Member Bohan. “It’s a plan. It’s not something we are going to be locked into,” according the Council Member Joyce-Ivey.

Mayor Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett have proposed what they would like to see happen with Parks and Recreations spending next year.

La Posada Senior Living Facility Development Progressing

In March, LOVE reported that the Nakoma Sky senior living project was back in operation. Owners of the La Posada Senior Living Facility (formerly titled “Nakoma Sky”) develop ment have submitted a new conceptual architecture plan for the main part (Area C on map at left) of their development. This is the five-story apartment portion. This retirement community is located north of Home Depot and on the northern side of the CDO wash. The Hiremath council approved the entire project in 2016. “The maximum height (75', 5 stories)was previously approved as part of the PAD zoning in 2014 and is not under consideration. However, the revised design reduces the building mass by decreasing the height of the residential buildings from east to west.” The Planning and Zoning Commission will hear this item in tonight’s meeting.

GRDF says: “No Burning”

The Golder Ranch Fire District announced this past Thursday that it will not issue any burning permits. Also, any permits issued during the past 180 days are revoked.  “The conditions in our region are very dry and we are going to do everything we can to keep our community safe,” says Chief Randy Karrer. (Source: GRFD Press Release). Remember last summer. One dry lightening strike and the Catalina’s burned for two months.

Fireworks Test June 3

The town is conducting a fireworks test of nine shots this Thursday at 8:30pm.  It is a test of the July 4th fireworks show from Naranja  Park.  The test is a chance for residents to see if they can see the fireworks from their house as there will be no in person visits to the park allowed on July 4.

uPetsia makes pet breath smell better for longer.

No. this is not an advertisement. Its about our Oro Valley based startup.

 

The company, uPetsia, resides in the Center for Innovation in Oro Valley. It is the winner of an event sponsored by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. “uPetsia (rhymes with "“You betcha") is a startup focused on making dog breath smell better for longer by engineering bacteria for dog and cat microbiota. uPetsia's product is incorporated into pet treats and chews and provides hours of minty-fresh breath. The The winner for the UACI Sponsored Launch Fueled by Greater Oro Valley Chamber of underlying technology was developed at the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and BIO5 Institute by founders Eric Lyons, David Baltrus and Scott Zentack. Tech Launch Arizona (TLA), the technology commercialization arm of the UArizona refined and protected the invention and also helped them identify their best market.” (Source: May 2021 Center for Innovation Newsletter)

La Posada Plans To Restart "Nakoma Sky Project"... New Name

Nakoma Sky Renamed "La Posada at Pusch Ridge"

The Board of Trustees of La Posada have approved moving forward with the Nakoma Sky project. They have renamed it "La Posada at Pusch Ridge". The project is located north of the CDO wash, behind Home Depot. 

La Posada is a Green Valley based non profit "...dedicated to providing a stimulating and enriching environment for seniors." 

The "five-story" building chicanery

Talk of the project started in 2014. It included a 5 story building. However, only a two story building was allowed on the property. The project required a general plan amendment in 2015 to approve the building height. A general plan amendment requires a five vote council approval.  There were only four members that would have voted "yes."

So, town staff ruled that this change in height was not a major general plan amendment. Rather, it was a minor one called a "text amendment". These require a four vote approval.  The council approved the amendment and voted to rezone to approve this project on November of 2015. 

Project as approved in 2015

Construction started in August 2017...Halted in June 2018

Desert blading on the site started in 2017. La Posada halted the project in June of 2018. They cited an inability to get workers and reasonably priced construction materials as the main cause. Since that time, despite town assertions to the contrary, the site was never remediated. It has been sitting bladed.

Updates and town approval needed before construction will resume

According to the  Green Valley Chamber of Commerce:  "Much of the initial site work has been completed on the 80-acre parcel. La Posada management and representatives are in contact with Town of Oro Valley officials to update the project design. In the two years since the original project was halted, La Posada’s management team has been updating concepts to enhance the design, construction quality, and livability of the project."

La Posada has provided no firm dates for town approvals and the resumption of construction.

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This article presents some interesting pictures of the proposed property.

Guest View-Jack Stinnett: Bill Rodman Is Proven Leader of "Over-development"

Rodman's voting record fostered Oro Valley Over-Development
During the early Hiremath years, Council Member Bill Rodman sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. These are years in which Oro Valley moved toward over-development. Rodman was at the epicenter of it all.

Rodman's record shows that he is a proven leader in over-development. From 2012-2016, while on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Rodman demonstrated his bias by approving wealthy land owner and developer requests.

Want proof? Just look at his voting record while on the Planning and Zoning Commission
During these years, Rodman rarely saw a General Plan amendment or rezoning he did not like. Rodman approved the following while he was on the Planning and Zoning Commission:

• Increased building heights for El Corredor apartments; 
• Approved a General Plan Amendment, ESL Amendment, and Rezoning for a 5-story retirement community (the abandoned Nakoma Sky project) on 79.5 acres;
• Voted to approve rezoning 45 acres from R1-144 to R1-7 (144,000 sqft to 7,000 sqft lots) on Naranja near La Cholla; 
• Approved rezoning 149 acres at Tangerine and First Ave ["Kai" property] from 3 acre lots to Medium Density Residential and commercial; 
• Supported a Major General Plan Amendment of the Olsen property from Low Density Residential and open space to Medium Density Residential.

This is  just a sample. 

Rodman has continued his over-development stance while on council
Rodman brought his over-development bias with him when he was elected to Town Council in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, while Hiremath was in control of council, Rodman approved thirteen General Plan amendments and/or rezoning requests. Indeed, he voted for one of these General Plan Amendments while he was a council member for less than three hours!

The only reason Rodman has not shown his over-development bias in the past two years is that you, the voters, replaced the Hiremath council with a council that was far more resident friendly, and far less developer friendly.

We need leaders who put the people first
Yes. Incumbent Bill Rodman has demonstrated “proven leadership” but unfortunately it’s been directed at steering developer projects through and around Oro Valley’s General Plan process, Environmentally Sensitive Lands rules, and town zoning codes.

This might be a good thing for developers.

But it is a bad thing for the residents of Oro Valley.

Let’s be sure to elect council members that place residents, not developers first.
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Jack Stinnett is an Oro Valley resident. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served on Minesweepers and Destroyers. After his military service, Jack was employed as an engineer and plant manager in the Nuclear Power industry, a factory manager in the automotive industry, and Vice-President of a worldwide engine components business. Jack finished his career as President and CEO of Morris Material Handling in Milwaukee. He and his wife, Connie, moved to Oro Valley in 2011. Jack was a member of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Commission from 2012-2014, serving as Chairman in 2013-2014. He enjoys woodworking, biking, and visiting his grandchildren.

Update: The Abandonment of the Nakoma Sky Senior Living Facility

On June 4th, LOVE reported that Posada Life Services was abandoning the Nakoma Sky Senior Living Facility, a development project that was already underway on the east side of First Avenue near the Lambert Lane intersection. This was the development that included the contentious 5-story building.

LOVE reader and frequent contributor, Diane Peters, emailed the Town to obtain more information. She shared her email and the Town’s responses with LOVE.

Ms. Peters' Questions:

She asked for clarification and specifics on the following statement that appeared in the online version of the Explorer entitled, “Nakoma Sky cancels Oro Valley development.”

“The company said the site will be stabilized and completed to town requirements…”

In addition, she asked how many of the 80 acres had already been graded and how many of the rolling hills had already been leveled.

Finally, she asked if the Town required Posada Life Services to pay a bond in advance to cover the possibility of them abandoning the project after they had already destroyed the land, and if so, how much was the bond.

The Town of Oro Valley responded:

• The site has been graded and the Nakoma Sky’s team of engineers will be meeting with Town staff to address all safety, erosion, and dust control issues.

• Just under 30 acres have been disturbed.

• All the prominent hillside features were retained per the planning effort.

• Yes, a bond was required prior to starting construction. It is about $2M and will only be used if Nakoma Sky does not meet the requirement to stabilize the site, addressing all safety, erosion, and dust control issues.

The Town also stated, “We anticipate that a new development proposal will come forward given that this is an attractive site.”

Below are pictures taken at the two entrances to the now-abandoned Nakoma Sky project.

North Entrance to Nakoma Sky

South Entrance to Nakoma Sky

Echoing the Mayor and Council appears to reap financial rewards for Town Staff

A recent LOVE posting discussed how the Town Manager and Town Staff “control the message.” The staff works for the Town Manager. The Town Manager works for the council majority. (He/She works for the majority because these four members can vote to fire the Town Manager with or without cause).

Other than being rewarded for their compliance by keeping their jobs, is there also a financial reward for echoing the message of the Majority-4 Council members so that they always get their way? Let’s take a look.

Paul Keesler. Community Development and Public Works Manager.
Community Center Traffic Light. He is the individual who was responsible for justifying the traffic signal in front of the Community Center. When asked to present a "Signal Warrant Analysis" for the justification of the signal, his response was, "we didn't do one." Keep in mind that this analysis is a standard practice for the justification of traffic signals regardless of the cost. (Most traffic signals cost at least $500,000.)

Mr. Keesler advised that there were 500 cars a day utilizing the Community Center and that the hill to the south of the entrance was enough justification to warrant a signal. (There are over 23,000 cars using La Canada daily who now have to stop at this traffic signal). Forget the traffic problems at Moore and La Canada. This signal was more important.

Do you think that the mayor and council majority had a self-interest in establishing this signal?

The reward. As of 3/1/17, Mr. Keesler's annual salary was $127,760.80. As of 3/1/18, Mr. Keesler's annual salary is $132,871.23. This is a 4% raise totaling over $5,000.

Bayer Vella. Planning Department Administrator.
Recommending approval of development proposals. The Planning Department has been known to recommend approval of every development request that is heard before Council. Could this be because the developers and builders who are requesting these land use and rezoning changes have contributed heavily in the past to the campaigns of the mayor and the current six council members? After all, the mayor and council need to reward these major campaign contributors so that they will continue to contribute to their campaigns, including this year’s Town Council election.

The mayor and council want these developments to be approved and it appears that the Planning Department simply echoes their desires and recommends approval.

The 5-story building. As you read last week in LOVE, the 5-story Nakoma Sky Retirement Community was allowed at the intersection of First and Lambert after Mr. Vella arbitrarily removed a restriction from the General Plan that prohibited tall buildings in this area.

The council majority at that time (Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters) were supporting the 5-story building and it appears that the Planning Administrator altered the General Plan to accommodate their wishes.

The reward. As of 3/1/17, Mr. Vella's annual salary was $99,188.34. As of 3/1/18, Mr. Vella's salary is $103,155,94. This was a 4% raise totaling over $3,900 and he has not yet received his 2018 performance evaluation and raise.

Stacey Lemos. Town Finance Director.
Community Center. Despite almost three years of continuing losses at the Golf courses and Overlook Restaurant, Ms. Lemos has done everything possible during her presentations at Town Council meetings to spin the purchase of the Community Center property and the ongoing poor financials in a positive light.

Naranja Park. She did all she could to support the need for a property tax to build ball fields at Naranja Park, but when it failed to win voter approval, she now brags about the Town's pay-as-you-go philosophy. In doing so, it appears that she is trying to save face for the mayor and council.

The reward. As of 3/1/17, Ms. Lemos' annual salary was $149,848.82. As of 3/1/18, Ms. Lemos' salary is $155,842.78. This is a 4% raise totaling almost $6,000.

Reliable Sources Tell Us…

One of our sources sent us the following information after reading last week’s postings about the Planning Department submitting false information in their staff reports and Power Point presentations related to rezoning requests. Apparently, this is not the only questionable thing that they have done. Read on…

The 2005 General Plan (Focus 2020) contained a "Special Area Policy" regarding the property that is now being graded for a 5-story retirement community called Nakoma Sky (assisted living, independent living, and hospice) located at Lambert Lane and First Avenue behind the Home Depot Plaza.

The 2005 General Plan had the property designated as Medium Density Residential with a Special Use Policy that no 2-story homes could be visible from First Avenue. The idea was to hide all the 2-story homes behind the hills so they could not be viewed from First Avenue.

The Planning and Zoning Administrator (Bayer Vella) removed the policy from the General Plan sometime around 2015. This was a voter-approved document. In other words, a staff member arbitrarily amended YOUR plan WITHOUT consulting even with the Council. Removing the Special Area Policy allowed for the approval of the 5-story Nakoma Sky along with additional 2-story buildings along First Avenue.

A policy change made by the Planning and Zoning Administrator can only be appealed to the Board of Adjustment (BOA) and the appeal must be filed within 30 days of the decision. However, because this change was never noticed to the public (transparency?) nobody knew when the 30-day period began.

It costs $250.00 to file an appeal with the BOA and the only argument the applicant can present is to try and prove that the decision was without merit. The BOA decision can only be appealed to the Superior Court.

Without removing that Special Area Policy, there could not be a 5-story building.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Editor's Note: This is another example of the Town playing fast and loose with rules…always to the benefit of developers and at the expense of the residents. It’s also another example of why Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters need to be voted out of office in this year’s Town Council election as they are the ones who approved the rezoning to accommodate the 5-story building.

When developers (rather than the citizens) are at the top of the Oro Valley Organizational Chart, this is what you get:

Editorial ~ Speak up and Stop the Development of Big Wash

Big Wash General Plan Amendment and Rezoning

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 6:00 PM

Town Council Chambers, 11,000 N LaCanada Drive

PUBLIC HEARING: Big Wash General Plan Amendment and Rezoning discussion and possible action regarding approximately 108 acres located north of Tangerine Road between the future Moore Road loop on the west and Rancho Vistoso Blvd. on the east. The applicant seeks to change the existing development rights on the property. (Details below under Two New General Plan Amendments.)

The Building Frenzy
The Oro Valley building frenzy that we are all witnessing will continue as long as there is money to be made and as long as Mayor Hiremath and his submissive council are in office. Builders and developers have been feeding at the trough for the past year taking advantage of the passive 7-member pro-development council.

Let’s take a drive
A drive up First Avenue from Oracle Road to Rancho Vistoso Blvd. vividly shows Oro Valley’s new skyline -- Cat and Komatsu bulldozers and tractors framed against our once magnificent view of Pusch Ridge. This has become the new normal with our developer-run town. The picture below shows the grading that is already underway.

• Able to reap tall buildings in a single council meeting
At First and Lambert Lane we see the south entrance to Nakoma Sky, our new assisted living complex. This property will feature a 5-story building that was approved by Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters (who received $65,654 in campaign contributions from builders, developers, realtors, and brokers during the 2015 recall election). It was also approved by current councilmember Bill Rodman when he was on the Planning & Zoning Commission.

You can be sure that this 5-story building will set the stage for the introduction of more high-rise structures in Oro Valley to solve the developer “problem” of diminishing buildable land.

• South of Tangerine – Palisades
Further north on First at Naranja Drive we see the main entrance to Nakoma Sky where the natural ridge has been bulldozed for stop light access to the project whose boundary extends east to the CDO wash.

Continuing north towards Tangerine we pass construction and grading on both sides of E. Palisades road. The earth moving is so extensive that E. Palisades has been severed to allow graders free movement north and south across the road. We can only speculate the traffic and access problems these projects will add to our trips.

• North of Tangerine – Moore Road
Crossing Tangerine to Rancho Vistoso Blvd. we see that all the flat ridge lots to the east have been developed.

But at the juncture with Moore Road, a major change is occurring. A traffic light is being installed and Moore Road has been extended into a new development to the east. This is not an access road into another plateau development, but a serious traffic mover. The road curves around the model homes and dips down into big wash where the pavement stops. The roadway continues as a graded entrance for - you guessed it - Cat and Komatsu earth movers now tearing up Big Wash for more homes.

Two new General Plan Amendments
As if this isn’t enough wanton destruction of our once pristine desert surroundings, our “never met a developer they didn’t like” mayor and council will most likely amend our 2016 voter-approved General Plan to rezone Big Wash and Honeybee Wash parcels to change land use and zoning designations for undeveloped parcels loacted along Honeybee Wash and Big Wash. This will allow 408 homes in two additional subdivisions.

The western development will contain 166 homes with minimum 6,000 square foot lots and building heights of 30 feet (two stories). Moore Road will be extended and loop south through the wash back to a point of connection with Arrowsmith Drive.

The eastern development will contain 242 homes at the juncture of Big Wash and Honebee Wash. The development will require its own access road from Rancho Vistoso Blvd. – between Sun City Oro Valley and the Big Wash Bridge – that will loop around the Estates at High Mesa to access the new homes.

View the LOCATION MAP here.  View the TENTATIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN here.

Let’s Make a Deal
The applicant is Paul Oland of the WLB Group. William Walker (owner of WLB) donated $1,000 to the YES on 454 PAC in support of the $17 million dollar Naranja Park Bond that was supported by the mayor and council. As previously reported on LOVE, The WLB Group frequently appears before council to request land use changes, rezoning requests, and grading waivers to accommodate their Oro Valley developments. Since history has shown that the town council always acquiesce to these requests, LOVE has always viewed these developer donations as a Quid pro quo.

It’s time to show up and speak up
Over 100 pages of opposition letters were already submitted to Planning and Zoning for their October 3rd and November 8th meetings. Despite these letters of opposition, P&Z recommended forwarding the application to the council for a vote. Therefore, we urge you to add your voice to the opposition.

Let the council know that residents do not want these General Plan and PAD Amendments and that this rampant development and destruction of nature, wildlife habitat, and our peaceful surroundings has got to stop.

Keep the momentum going
Keep in mind that the recent 71% to 29% defeat of the Naranja Park Bond was a huge blow to the Town Council who had previously convinced themselves that the citizens of Oro Valley are in agreement with the direction in which this council has taken our town.

A large resident turn-out at the December 6th meeting in addition to the recent landslide defeat of the Naranja Park Bond will send them a message that citizens are informed and are tired of being dismissed.

Incumbents Lead In Oro Valley Recall Election

Incumbent Mayor Hiremath and council members Hornat, Snider and Waters are the leading vote getters in the 2015 recall election. Hiremath and Snider have a substantial lead over their opponents as of the counting of early votes and walk-in votes. This as of 5:30am.

Provisional votes remain to be tallied. These are the votes of those who turned in their early ballots at the polls and those who appeared at a polling place whose voting "right" needs to be verified.

We do not know the number of provisional votes in Oro Valley, Nor do we know when these votes will be counted. However, two of the races are sufficiently close that the provisional vote count could make a difference. Joe Hornat has a 125 vote lead over Ryan Hurtung.Lou waters has a 311 vote lead over Steve Didio.

Visit the county election site to view vote totals.

In the meantime, life goes on on Oro Valley.

Tonight the Oro Valley Town Council will consider approving the 90% version of the 2015 general plan, the rezoning for a Fry's Fuel Center at Oracle and First Avenue, and the rezoning of the Nakoma Sky project.
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Oro Valley Considers Rezoning For 5-Story Apartment-type Buildings Near Oracle Road

UPDATE: The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission approved this zoning change by  6-1 vote.
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Slated to be a five-story assisted living facility, Nakoma Sky's future is a bit "up in the air." The facility is to be located where Lambert Lane ends at First Avenue. The zoning for the five-stories was approved in January by Mayor Hiremath and council members Hornat, Snider and Waters. Council Member's Burns, Garner and Zinkin did not approve the rezoning. They stated that a five-story building is not appropriate for Oro Valley.

Oro Valley "Arch" is not going to happen
Rocky Berg of Dallas-based three-living architecture was the original project architect. He said that he designed Nakoma Sky after the concepts of Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous Phoenix-based architect. Mayor Hiremath was so enthused over the prospect that he was heard to say: "St. Louis has the arch and we will have this building."

Mayor Hiremath is wrong.  We will not have this building. The only thing remarkable about this project will be the 5 story height of its buildings! The buildings will be visible from Oracle Road.

Nakoma Sky design dramatically changed

"The proposed design is more reflective of a traditional apartment design versus the original resort appearance of the original approval." (Daines staff report, p 2-3)[See panel right].

This new design is the creation of another architect, Talley Associates of Dallas. They replaced Berg as the architect.

In June, the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department filed an administrative decision that the plans submitted by the developer, La Posada, did not "conform to the conditions of the rezoning and associated Tentative Development Plan." The zoning and Tentative Development Plan for the project was for a 77-acre senior care facility.

The applicant had submitted plans that the department could not approve because the changes to the original plan were substantial. For example, the plans made the buildings even bigger than they were before, reduced the size of a small "park", which is actually in an non usable flood plain, and removed some of the more appealing architectural features.

"They moved the assisted living/ memory care building to the main building and replaced that area with a public park. Well, it turns out that the area where the building was originally going to be is within a federally designated drainage area. They could not build there anyway," according to Oro Valley town council candidate Shirl Lamonna.

Lamonna has been following the project closely. "The problem it seems was that the original architect had never designed a retirement facility. His design for multiple buildings would have been too costly. Each, for example, would have required separate kitchens."  The new architect does have  experience in designing healthcare and senior living experience.

In early August, the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department held a neighborhood meeting to present new plans for the property. Tomorrow, the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the new plans.

These plans include a mediation garden, a water splash park, a vegetable garden and greenhouse, and a dog park.

November 4 timing of council hearing, one day after the recall election, gives political cover to the Majority-4
In what some assert to be a political move, Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters will not have to vote on this rezoning before the election. They will not have to disclose, by council vote, whether they want Oro Valley to have these apartment-type 5-story buildings. This is because the matter will not come before council until November 4.

Generally, after the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the item appears on the next town subsequent council meeting. That would mean that it would be on the September 16 meeting.

On November 4, the day after the election, the Majority-4 can move to approve or deny the rezoning regardless of the election result because the election result will not be certified at that time. In other words, regardless of the election result the Majority-4 can opine and vote on this rezoning. They just don't have to do so before the election.

The political advantage of this timing for Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters is that they will not have to make their position public before this election. They can justify not doing so on the basis that they do not feel it proper to opine on a future major council agenda item. 

If this vote does take place on that date, it will be before the candidates file their final campaign report so there will  be no way for the public to discern, at that time, if any of those affiliated to the project have made political contributions to Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Hornat, Snider and Waters.

We urge all Oro Valley residents to attend tomorrow night's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Voice your opinion. Is this project what you want for Oro Valley?

Bits and Pieces

Will Oro Valley Have A New 5-Story Building?

La Posada, a retirement community in Green Valley, is looking to open a facility on 1st Ave, behind the Home Depot shopping center. The architect was mentored by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Town is had a site tour last Saturday morning. Details are at the following link. The property owner wants to build a 5 story building there! Ouch!
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We Don't Understand Why...

Council Member Snyder and some of the members of the Oro Valley Town Council insist that Oro Valley is getting demographically younger when the town is seeing construction of so many retirement homes and extended care facilities,   Can young families afford to live in the new luxury apartments?  Logic tells us no.

None of this makes sense to us.
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El Tour de Tucson Route To Disrupt Traffic Tommorow

Tomorrow is the annual El Tour de Tucson bike run.  It runs through Oro Valley.   Riders  turn north on Ina Road,  then travel left on Pusch View Lane,  right on La Canada,  and left on Moore Road.   it would be good to avoid these roadways from 9 AM through midday.  Problem is:   It is virtually impossible to avoid these roadways if you live in Oro Valley.
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Catalina Springs Memory Care Is Ready To Open

Located at 9685 N. Oracle Rd., Catalina Springs Memory Care had it's Grand Opening event Wednesday, November 19th.

"Catalina Springs Memory Care offers comprehensive and caring Alzheimer's and dementia care in Oro Valley based on Montessori principles.

The mission of their supportive community is 'to serve the special needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss. The residence is a comforting environment, incorporating safety and supportive cues throughout...even in the secured courtyard and inside walking path.'"

Call 520-297-2500 for more information.
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Reminder: November is American Diabetes Month

In October, Mayor Hiremath proclaimed November as American Diabetes Month. At the last Council Meeting, the Mayor read the proclamation. Oro Valley is a healthy community. With its miles of multiuse paths and its Aquatics Center, Oro Valley is a great place to walk, bike and swim. Exercise helps with the control and prevention of diabetes. It is important for all of us in Oro Valley to be aware of diabetes and do our part to Stop Diabetes.

American Diabetes Month is a time to come together as a community to Stop Diabetes. It is a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control. For years, the American Diabetes Association has used this month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and its serious complications and its impact on people living Diabetes.

Arizonans are increasingly feeling the effects of diabetes as nearly 500,000 of our local family and friends suffer from the disease. This means that one out of every nine Arizonans is affected by diabetes. Thousands more may have diabetes and not yet know it! It is estimated that one out of every three children born after 2000 will be directly affected by diabetes in their lifetime.
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High Visibility Enforcement (HiVE) Activity Report from Lambert and La Canada

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (November 19, 2014) - The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) conducted High Visibility Traffic (HiVE") detail at Lambert and La Canada on November 18, 2014 from 7:00 am - 10:00 a.m. Five OVPD motorcycle officers conducted traffic enforcement around the intersection, emphasizing traffic safety. The following traffic activity was reported:

• 35 Traffic stops 
• 33 Stops were the result of a moving violation i.e., speeding, running a red light, improper turn
• 3 Drivers received citations for the moving violation 
• 30 Drivers received warning for the moving violation 
• 2 Drivers were arrested for driving on a suspended license

(Source: Oro Valley Police Press Release)

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