Monday, March 27, 2023
Friday, March 24, 2023
Bits and Pieces
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Courageous, Resilient, Determined Women of Oro Valley and Beyond

Betty attended the University of Arizona and was a Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was quite a beauty and was crowned the Queen of the Harvest Festival Dance in 1938. While attending the university, Betty often modeled for the elegant Cele Peterson clothing shop in Tucson. Betty lit up the Tucson social scene on many occasions including the Baile de los Flores Charity Ball (the event’s proceeds were dedicated to St. Luke’s in the Desert).
Due to her father’s position at the Pioneer Hotel, Betty worked in the gift shop. Her expertise was Native American pottery and jewelry. She also featured art work from the DeGrazia Gallery. She worked at the Pioneer while in college through marriage and motherhood.
Betty and Henry E. “Hank” Leiber met in Arizona during the frequent visits Hank made to the area. Hank was a notable University of Arizona athlete and a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants between 1933 and 1942. Betty was a competitive golfer and held several amateur titles.The couple was engaged on November 18, 1940 during Hank’s career with the Chicago Cubs. On their way back from the Rose Bowl in 1940, Hank and Betty stopped in Yuma and got married. They followed up their elopement with a reception at the Steam Pump Ranch property.
Hank’s career in baseball ended in 1942 after a head injury. The couple then made their full time residence in Tucson. They moved into the Pusch House at Steam Pump Ranch for a time. (Note: The Pusch Family, original owners of the Pusch House used the house only on an occasional basis . Their primary home was in Tucson.) With baseball behind him, Hank became a successful real estate developer in the Tucson area. In 1963 Betty and Hank moved into the 49er Golf Club development.
On February 17, 1978 Betty passed away in Tucson at the age of 59 from an aneurism. She is buried at East Lawn Palms Cemetery and Mortuary.
*Cheryl Leiber, Betty’s daughter-in-law (wife of John Leiber), has graciously provided us with an oral history of the Leiber family’s time at Steam Pump Ranch. She is a volunteer docent of the Oro Valley Historical Society.
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The Oro Valley Historical Society is celebrating Women’s History Month with an exhibit featuring “Courageous, Resilient, Determined Women of Oro Valley and Beyond. You can discover the lives of other prominent women of our area including, Ina Gittings and The Countess of Suffolk. The Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch is open on Saturdays from 9 to Noon, March 11, 18, and 25. (10901 N. Oracle Rd, Oro Valley)
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
One Word Sums Up Last Week's Town Council Capital Budget Study Session: "Laughable"
Study session occurred too late at night
There’s really no way to have a productive study session late into the evening, especially after the Council has already discussed pressing matters. In addition, just before this study session, the Council had already sat through a study session on the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan.
A $3.2 million magistrate court project...
Next year, the Town will start remodeling the Magistrate Court. The estimated cost for that is $1.5 million each of the next two years. We have no idea why staff proposes this project or why it is proposed for next year because...
Town staff is budgeting replacing "circuit three" street lights in Sun City. Barrett wants that circuit replaced sooner rather than later. Winfield asked why the town should continue to provide street lights in Sun City. After all, Sun City is the only place in town that has street lights. He was informed by staff that the street lights are there for historical reasons. Owning and maintaining those lights was part of the agreement when the town annexed Sun City 45+ years ago. Winfield suggested that is is time to re-examine that situation.
It is necessary for the Council to "get down in the weeds." Some members of this Council, Tim Bohen in particular, are good at doing that. His tracking of fund transfers, for example, reveals confusing accounting between the Community Center Fund (CCF) and the CIP.
The staff did not provide nor does the Council have a method for prioritizing projects. Having such is best practice of a capital budgeting process. Council Member Solomon noted that the Town Council needs to separate projects as to whether they are essential, “a must or need”, or something it would be nice to have, “A want”. Then, the Council should agree upon and then apply a "screen" for prioritizing projects within those categories.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Guest View-Tim Tarris: Facts are Hard To Ignore
I would like to present some facts and end with a quote.
- The property the applicant wishes to expand into is currently residential and would require a zoning change for them to proceed.
- 100% of the adjoining neighbors are opposed to the rezone and have protested in writing. Almost 150 residents of the neighborhood are also opposed.
- Those predominately in favor attend the church but do not live nearby.
- The Planning & Zoning Commission has ruled against the rezone.
- The church has threatened legal action against the town if not approved.
- The Concordia/Buena Vista Group resolve remains constant
- A rezone from residential to commercial would set precedent and open a Pandora's box of disturbing possibilities in our town
"If I'd had more time, the Gettysburg Address would have been shorter."
Monday, March 20, 2023
Council Guides Staff on Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan: "Keep It Simple... Revegetation Is The Priority"
- Preserving land for outdoor recreation by or for the the education of the general public
- Protecting a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife plants, and ecosystem, and
- Preserving open space for the scenic enjoyment of the general public
- Low impact recreation activities that include but are not limited to:
Walking, hiking, jogging, cycling, birdwatching, stargazing, archaeological efforts, education programs, nature photography, picnicking, and on-leash dog walking - Construction of:
Ramada’s, benches, picnic tables, water stations, bird blinds, exercise stations, ADA and non ADA trails and paths, and additional restrooms and parking areas that provide access to the area
Friday, March 17, 2023
Bits and Pieces
- Town Council has access to the resumes today. The resumes are classified in three tiers: Top Tier; Alternates and All Others.
- Council meets in executive session next Wednesday to discuss candidates
- Council will interview candidates the following week.
- The town will release the names of an submitted materials regarding 2-3 finalists the week of April 3.
- Council will make a selection mid April