Council Member Jones-Ivey Focusses on Recreation For All

Leading the way in supporting youth activities
In January, council member Joyce Jones-Ivey will be the council liaison to the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Jones-Ivey is recovering from knee surgery. As usual, however, we found her in her office in town hall, busy doing the work of the people. 

As liaison to this commission, Jones-Ivey will have the opportunity to view the creation of a master Parks and Recreation Plan, a plan that town council has directed be prepared. She is ideally suited for the job.

Passion to get recreational facilities for all
Jones-Ivey is passionate about providing the right recreational facilities for all Oro Valley residents. “Part of my fiscal responsibility is to make sure that we have funds going to recreational activities that more of our citizens use. I don’t want the people who live around the golf course to be hurt but we also have to look at the rest of our citizens to provide for their needs.”

Jones-Ivey has a feel for what the parents want... reaches out to learn more
Regarding the youth needs for example: “Those voices are still out there. I see a lot of those parents. I go

to activities where they are at. If it’s going to be activities at Kreigh Park, ‘I’m there’. ... I’m there because I want to hear from them. I want to know what they want.”

Jones-Ivey understands why most of the community is silent regarding their needs. “They are not the ones who are in the council meetings. Not the ones I’m getting emails from. I’ve asked them, several times, reach out to me. But they don’t. I can empathize with them.”

Jones-Ivey pointed out that it wasn’t that long ago when she was in their shoes.

 “They’re busy. They have families. They’re working jobs. By the time you’ve gone through that day... activities... kids with homework, you never feel you can do a ‘flashvote‘ [the town’s information online polling tool]. I can remember those days in my life. You don’t have the time.. So, I’ll just keep reaching out to them and getting them to reach out to me. Simple email will do!”

Working to get town use of Amphi School District recreational facilities
Before taking on her new assignment, Jones-Ivey continues her role as liaison to the Amphi School Disctrict. Her primary goal is on getting town access for use of Amphi school fields.

“I would like to get an intergovernmental agreement for youth sports activities. I want our youth sports activities to be able to use their fields. That’s one of my biggest goals. To date, I know that we have girls gym class going right now.”

Your help is needed
One challenge in moving this forward is getting superintendent Todd Yaegar’s attention.

 “We spoke to him about IGA’s (Intergovernmental Agreement) and he brushed it off.” She would like our help. She asks that we all turn up the heat on that. Email the Amphi Superintendant (tjaeger@amphi.com)TODD Jaeger. Tell him: We want our youth activities to use your fields after hours. A groundswell of support will most certainly help in Joyce Jones-Ivey’s quest.
- - -

Guest View: Mike Zinkin ~ Who tops the Oro Valley Organizational Chart?

When one looks at the attached organizational chart for the Town of Oro Valley, the answer is obvious....the RESIDENTS are at the top of the chart. But is this really the case?

The evidence states otherwise

• Town Council ignores results of Parks and Recreation Survey

The residents replied to the Town's statistically valid survey regarding park amenities and advised that golf was the second to last of their desires, but the Council majority voted to purchase 45 holes of golf just 6 months after the survey was released.

• Town Council ignores citizen emails and pleas during council meetings

During the public meetings about the golf course purchase, over 65% of those that attended and voiced their opinion advised AGAINST the purchase. Additionally, over 75% of those that emailed their concerns advised AGAINST the purchase, yet the Council majority disregarded their input and purchased the property.

• Town Council ignores voter-approved General Plan

The Town spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to insure that the new General Plan (Your Voice, Our Future-YVOF) would be comprised entirely of the desires of the residents. Less than two weeks after the residents ratified the new plan, the Council amended it. In fact, less than 13 months after the YVOF was ratified, the Council amended it three more times.

• Town staff ignores a 7-0 council vote and an agreement made between a developer and a citizens group

In May 2015, the Council passed the La Cholla Major General Plan amendment, 7-0, with the stipulation that there be NO direct access to Canada Hills Drive from the new development (as was agreed upon during meetings between the developer and a La Cholla area citizens group), BUT the staff later rewrote the policy giving the authority to decide the final design to the Town Engineer. When this was brought to the Town Manager's attention, no corrective action was taken.

• Town Staff violates Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance

The Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance was written to give consideration to residents living adjacent to a proposed development, to give them a say in protecting their views, their privacy, minimizing traffic, etc.

The Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance states that “a minimum of two (2) neighborhood meetings are REQUIRED” with the following exception: “One (1) meeting may be sufficient if the project is of very limited scope and NO RELEVANT PUBLIC CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED, as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.”

At the first Miller Ranch neighborhood meeting, The Lehman Academy and residents living on Sunkist Road both expressed concerns about traffic and access to the residential areas. These concerns have not been addressed, yet the staff has decided that there will not be a second neighborhood meeting. They are now violating the terms of the Neighborhood Meeting Ordinance.

• Town prioritizes Community Center over other needed items

Residents are concerned about the traffic situation at the intersection of Moore Road and La Canada. However, the Town decided instead to prioritize a traffic signal in front of the Community Center without performing a signal warrant analysis. Where is the regard for the concerns of the residents?

Who’s at the top?

Does the top of the chart state "Staff?” Does the top of the chart state "HSL Properties?” Does the top of the chart state "Developer" or "Builder?” Does the top of the chart state "Campaign Contributor?"

NO, the top of the chart states RESIDENTS. Do you feel like you are at the top of the chart?