Bits and Pieces

Pusch Ridge Course has strong use... vastly exceeds expectations

According to Friends Of Pusch Ridge Golf, "Rounds at Pusch Ridge exceeded the last year it was open in the first two months. They met the town’s budget for the year by the end of January. Plus, they exceeded the Friends goal of 10,000 for the season as of this writing. This is also with several days of Disc Golf play instead of traditional golf.

 
We believe it is possible, with Friends help, to end the first season with more than double the town's budget. With luck we might exceed 14,000 rounds! So keep playing and enjoying this gem of the desert." (Source)

Kreigh Playground Reopened
Last week, the Town of Oro Valley announced the reopening of the Kreigh Park recreation area. It has new play structures. Yesterday was the ribbon cutting.

"The updated playground amenities include a jungle gym, slides, swings, climbing structures and interactive music structures. The playground is ADA accessible and has a seating area for adults to keep an eye on little ones.

 
The previous playground equipment was over 20 years old and was identified as needing to be replaced through the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process that was conducted in 2020/21. The playground temporarily closed in early February to replace the equipment." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release, 3-17-22)

Former Economic Development Director Amanda Jacobs now at Fountain Hills

Oro Valley's former Economic Development Director, Amanda Jacobs, is now the Economic Development Director in the Town of Fountain Hills.

"I was looking for a new opportunity where I could continue to serve and make a positive impact in local government,” Jacobs said. “Fountain Hills’ mission aligns with my values, is a well-managed community that is charming, safe and has several economic opportunities making it an ideal location to live and work." (Source)

Good luck Amanda. Thank you for you service to the residents of Oro Valley.

Spring Arts Festival this weekend

There is a Spring Arts Festival this weekend at the Oro Valley Marketplace.

"The 2-day outdoor artisan market in Oro Valley showcases some of the Southwest’s finest artisans in fashion, food, home goods, painting, and visual arts. In addition, pop up music performances and food trucks will be onsite for attendees to enjoy.

 
Our curated arts and crafts market celebrates the ingenuity of independently owned, small businesses and artists who channel their passions into creating one-of-a-kind handcrafted products.

 
Shop with the makers themselves – and learn how they make their unique works of art. Support small, local & sustainable!" (Source)

Riverfront Park light schedule changes start March 27

"Overhead pathway lights have been installed along the multi-use path around Riverfront Park, which will improve visibility for those using the path at night. Because of this, the field lights will now only be programmed while activities are scheduled on the fields. This means the field lights will no longer be programmed on Sunday nights." (Source)

Planned Pima County Bonds Are No Bargain For Oro Valley Property Owners

In June of 2013, LOVE reported that Oro Valley had provided county administrator Chuck Huckleberry with $38 million in bond funding requests. You can visit this link to see the list of items requested and our analysis.  The total requested by the county and its communities at that time totaled $1.3 billion. This was twice what had been expected.

Several weeks ago,  the Pima County Bond Committee, the group that prepares the request for county supervision inspection and approval, approved a bond ceiling of $640.1 million. $30 million of Oro Valley's requests are in this amount. This is 4.7% of the total.

Amount In Million

Here's a table of what remains for Oro Valley in this potential bond issue. (Source:Pima County Bond web site)

This amount together with all of the other items in the bond request will be repaid by a secondary property tax that you'll pay on your annual county tax bill.

Oro Valley and Foothills Will Pay Far More Than They Get

Given current population and assessed property values, Oro Valley residents will pay a disproportionate share of any bond repayment assessment.

Oro Valley's population is 4% of the county's population but its property values are almost 9% of the county's assessed property values.

Mathematically, this means that Oro Valley residents will receive 4.7% of the funds borrowed but will pay almost twice that amount in repayment.

There are limits to how large the total bond issued can be. The most significant limit is a decrease in the the tax base of Pima County. The base must be supported by sufficient property values to keep the per thousand rate within county mandated limits. The tax base dropped from a value of $9.86 billion in Fiscal Year 2009/10 to $7 .58 billion today, a 23.1 percent reduction.

The county has confidence that voters will approve a bond issue. History is on their side:

"Since May 1974, voters in Pima County have approved bond proposals at countywide elections 12 separate times. A total of 54 bond proposition questions have been approved by the voters and only four have been disapproved."

It is no wonder that Pima county's voters approve these bond issues. After all, Oro Valley and Foothills are basically funding a portion of their projects.

Bits and Pieces

A Case For Overseeding Our Parks In The Winter

What beautiful weather we're having. Our town is packed with residents. The number of are in the thousands.  And our parks look like awful. The look dead at a time of year when they should and could look beautiful.  Here's a before and after:

Alright, we did Photoshop the "after" picture.  We made brown, green.  Really, though, shouldn't we overseed Riverfront each fall-winer?  What do you think?
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Oro Valley Man Indicted On Child Abuse and Negligent Homicide Charges

On November 2, 2013, the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) responded to the 9000 block of north Oracle Road in reference to an unresponsive child. The investigation revealed that a one-year-old child, Michael Martinez, was placed in the bathtub along with his four-year-old sibling by their father, Jesse Martinez, a 30-year-old male. Approximately 45 minutes later, Mr. Martinez checked on the children and found his one-year-old son unresponsive. Mr. Martinez immediately called 911 and the dispatchers provided CPR instructions. OVPD arrived on scene within two minutes and began life-saving measures on the child. The child was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time after his arrival.

The investigation continued pending forensics results. The Criminal Investigations Unit has reviewed these results and consulted with the Pima County Attorney's Office. It was determined that child abuse charges and negligent homicide charges were appropriate. Members of a Pima County Grand Jury have indicted Mr. Martinez on one count of negligent homicide and one count of child abuse, both class four felonies.  (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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Voice Your Voice Tomorrow

This is your last chance for free pie! Join that town at Jerry Bob's Restaurant, 3 - 5 p.m., for free pie and coffee, and an open-house style event where you'll have the opportunity to meet your neighbors and engage in a great conversation about the future of your town.  (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Town seeks to fill Conceptual Design Review Board vacancies

The Town of Oro Valley is accepting applications from local citizens who are interested in serving on the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). There are currently two (2) vacancies. To serve on a board or commission, members must be residents of the Town, be available to attend the designated meetings and be committed to the completion of the Town's Community Academy within their term.

The Conceptual Design Review Board makes recommendations to the Town Council on conceptual designs for new development including conceptual site plans, conceptual architecture and conceptual public art proposals. The CDRB also makes decisions on certain applications and requests including permanent sign criteria (for new multi-building developments), and Tier II Wireless Communication Facilities. The Conceptual Design Review Board is a seven-member board that meets on the second, and when necessary, fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

Residents who are interested in applying for the positions may contact the Town Clerk's Office at 229-4700 or download the volunteer application. (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Click To Enlarge

One Ugly Slash In The Foothills Of The Catalinas

This photo of a truly ugly slash in the foothills to the Catalina is clearly visible from Rancho Vistoso Blvd, looking southeast to the Catalinas.  There are 3 homes built. More to come.  Our opinion: It looks awful.

What can we do as a community to avoid this from happening to the other foothills?
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February HiVE Deployment Dates

The dates for February's HiVE deployments on Oracle from Magee To Suffolk are:

February 5, 2014    4 - 7 p.m.
February 11, 2014  7 - 10 a.m.
February 13, 2014  4 - 7 p.m.
February 20, 2014  7 - 10 a.m.
February 25, 2014  4 - 7 p.m.

(Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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