Oro Valley Resident Tim Tarris Leaves Monday on 48 State "Jenny Flight" For Air Corps Centennial

Retired pilot plans 48 state flight
Oro Valley resident Tim Tarris is a retired military and airline pilot. Monday, Tarris will fly a replica World War I era Jenny aircraft through 48 states, crossing the country at about 60 to 65 miles per hour in an open cockpit aircraft that flies low, only in daylight, and only in good weather. He plans to conclude the trip at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia on July 1, 2026.

The flight commemorates the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Built the Jenny over seven months
Tarris tells us that the aircraft took about seven months to build from a kit with help from eight to ten people. The replica uses a 100 horsepower Rotax engine, cruises at about 65 miles per hour, and has a maximum gross weight of 1,250 pounds.

A very different kind of flying
This is not a modern aircraft. Tarris describes it as extremely small, with an open cockpit and room for only the pilot. It is so small that he has to craw into the cockpit from the back. And, there i snot room for movement when he gets there.  He will fly under visual flight rules only as the plane has no lights and is intended for daytime flying. Tarris said weather will be one of the biggest challenges of the cross country trip.

Long aviation career
An Ohio native and graduate of Capital University, Tarris entered aviation through Air Force ROTC. During a 30 year military career, he flew the F-111, A-7, and F-16. He later worked as an airline pilot and is a commercial and instrument rated pilot, flight instructor, author, Experimental Aircraft Association member, and Daedalian.

Personal motivation behind the project
In discussing the project, Tarris said the flight is about more than aviation history. He spoke about losing friends and relatives over the years and wanting to pursue meaningful goals while he can: “I’m living for the right now,” he said during an interview about the effort.

Honoring aviation history
The commemorative flight is centered on the historic Curtiss JN “Jenny,” which served as a primary military trainer during World War I. Project materials state that the return of a Jenny style aircraft to Langley is intended to honor the men and women who have served the nation’s military aviation mission over the past century.

Follow Tim's flight on FlightAware. The plane tail number is 522VT.

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Vistoso Marketplace Concept Reopens Woodburne...Rancho Vistoso ... Tangerine Traffic Discussion

Study session links roadway safety and possible new marketplace
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council held a study session on one of the Town’s more difficult traffic areas: the area around Woodburne Avenue, Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, the Safeway northern access, and Tangerine Road. Public Works Director Paul Keesler told council that the Safeway northern access and the Woodburne Avenue/Rancho Vistoso Boulevard intersection have about five to six crashes a year. He said that number has long concerned the Town.

Roadway discussion reminds all of Avilla-era traffic concerns

The last major council discussion of this area occurred during the 2024 review of the Avilla Homes proposal. That proposal was not approved after residents and council members raised traffic and roadway concerns. Last week’s discussion brought back many of those same issues. They included traffic near the Safeway northern access, left turns onto and off Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, the possible use of the Safeway rear access area, the location of a new traffic signal, and traffic backing into travel lanes. 

A 2027 lane and roadway reconfiguration plan...

The Town’s current plan is in the 2027 budget. It is to reconfigure the lanes, increase left-turn storage, and to rebuild the median between Woodburne Avenue and the Safeway northern access. One day, the town would like to add a traffic signal there. Staff said the lane changes would address many existing crash factors. Staff also said a future signal would address the remaining safety issues by controlling left turns and reducing the need for U-turns at Woodburne Avenue. Staff identified about $747,000 in impact-fee funding for lane reconfiguration in the proposed capital improvement plan.

...Paused to consider impact of "Vistoso Marketplace"
Staff was planning this work when they learned of a possible commercial project on the southwest corner of Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and Woodburne Road. It is called Vistoso Marketplace. The concept for includes a Sprouts Farmers Market as the anchor tenant, a retail building, and possible pad uses on the south side of the property. 

The project will affect traffic in the area because it will add new commercial activity near an intersection already under review for safety concerns. The project has not yet been submitted as a formal development application. It remains in the early stages. It is being proposed by W.M. Grace Companies.

Residents echo concerns... "Though we're happy with Sprouts..."
Mayor Winfield took the unusual step of accepting audience comments when the study session discussion began. Several residents spoke. Their comments echoed many of the concerns raised years earlier in  the Avilla Homes review. They questioned why the item was being discussed before a formal application had been filed. They also urged the Town to consider the full traffic effect of the project and future development in the area before deciding on roadway changes. One resident captured the reaction, saying, “Sprouts, hey, we love Sprouts,” but adding that the full shopping center puts the matter “into a whole different ballgame.”

Key decisions remain ahead
Council did not approve the Vistoso Marketplace project. It did not approve the planned road design. It did not approve a new traffic signal. This was an early discussion of how the Town might address an existing traffic safety problem while also planning for possible commercial development at the same intersection. The central question going forward is whether the Town can improve safety and traffic flow in an area that already has problems, while also accounting for a commercial project that has not yet been formally submitted for review.

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Council Scales Back Town's Tourism Master Plan

Council approves a modified plan
Last Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council approved a modified version of the Town’s Leisure Travel Destination Management Plan by a 6-1 vote. The approval excluded Section 5, “Big Ideas and Action Plans,” except for the Tohono Chul expansion concept. Council also added language stating that approving the plan does not authorize projects, capital spending, staffing increases, policy changes, or implementation actions without future council approval. In other words, any actions will have to come before council during a budget approval process.

What council "approved"
The plan is intended as a 10-year roadmap for leisure tourism in Oro Valley. It focuses on generating tourism tied to outdoor recreation, wellness, arts, culture, dining, sports, and community events , It does not focus on building business travel or convention activity. The plan recommends a regional events and festivals strategy to address summer seasonality, increasing sports tourism and evaluating additional sports facilities, activating Steam Pump Ranch as a cultural and culinary venue, creating themed visitor itineraries and trail guides, expanding boutique and wellness lodging options, and establishing resident tourism sentiment tracking and additional performance measures.

Staff presented economic scenarios

As part of its presentation, staff showed example first year scenarios for selected recommendations. A regional events and festivals strategy assumed 5,000 additional Tucson visitors spending $50 per day and 1,000 Phoenix visitors spending $100 per day, producing an estimated $325,000 in economic activity and about $4,000 in Town bed and sales taxes. A sports tourism example modeled a small regional market capture with visitors staying three days, producing an estimated $520,000 in economic activity and about $6,500 in Town taxes. Other examples included a Steam Pump Ranch strategy estimated at $150,000 in revenue activity and about $1,900 in Town taxes, and a culinary tourism scenario estimated at $400,000 in activity and about $10,000 in taxes.

Why this matters

The purpose of the Town’s tourism strategy is to attract additional visitors who spend money in Oro Valley, generating economic activity, supporting local businesses, and increasing Town tax revenues. As part of that effort, the Town recently reported estimated economic impacts of nine selected FY2025-26 tourism events. Staff discussed these at last week's Tourism Advisory Commission Meeting.  The events ranged from major events such as the Legendary Women’s Cup and Tucson Marathon to smaller festivals and community events. Together, staff estimated that these events generated $3 million to $4 million in economic activity. LOVE translated those figures into approximate Town revenue impacts using Oro Valley tax rates and also analyzed the reported hotel room activity tied to several events. See the above panel for those calculations, including estimated bed and sales tax impacts, and for an explanation of how the Town says tourism event impacts are calculated.

Process has been underway for months
The plan  cost the town $150,000.  It has gone through months of review involving staff, the Tourism Advisory Commission, and council discussions. Staff described the plan as a community-based framework shaped through research, stakeholder engagement, resident surveys, and tourism analysis intended to guide future tourism-related decisions.

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Bits and Pieces

No Turn On Red

There is one traffic light intersection in Oro Valley where drivers are not allowed to make a right turn on red. Can you guess which one it is?  It is the intersection of Tangerine Road and Oracle Road, specifically for traffic heading eastbound on Tangerine and turning southbound onto Oracle. Lieutenant Eric Larter of the Oro Valley Police Department told LOVE that the “No Turn on Red” restriction for eastbound Tangerine Road turning southbound onto Oracle Road exists because Oracle has a 55 mph speed limit at that location and southbound drivers come over a crest just north of the intersection before heading downhill toward Oro Valley Marketplace. According to Larter, the restriction is intended to reduce the risk of collisions between high speed southbound traffic and vehicles accelerating from a stop on Tangerine. He also noted that quite a few drivers attempt the turn and that officers often stop motorists there simply to educate them about the restriction and signage.

Memorial Day remembrance Monday

A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony is planned for Monday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park. The event will honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to the nation. The event is hosted by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 and Arizona Heroes Memorial.

🎈🎈🎈Congratulations: CDO Softball wins State Championship

Canyon Del Oro High School softball captured the AIA 4A state championship Monday, earning the program’s 10th state title, its first since 2017. The championship run required winning five straight games in a 16 team tournament that began May 2, a feat only one team can achieve. CDO dominated early, shutting out opponents in its first three games, then won its final two contests by one run. The accomplishment is particularly notable because the team’s pitcher, Savanna Mares, is a freshman. Mares was a key force in the 2026 season, compiling a 21-6 record in a year that included a perfect game with 20 strikeouts. Congratulations as well to CDO Coach Kelly Fowler and the entire Dorados team on another state title. The 2026 championship run was powered by a freshman standout, a team that hit when it mattered, and a coach who knows how to win. (Assist from All Sports Tucson)

Explore Oro Valley tourism website launches today

Oro Valley’s new destination marketing website, ExploreOroValley.com will launch today after 11 a.m., according to Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Frank. It was presented to council Wednesday.  The site is the culmination of roughly a year of work. It is intended to support tourism, community awareness, and local business visibility. Frank described it as more than a website, calling it a new destination identity for Oro Valley. The site includes interactive features for events, dining, outdoor recreation, arts, lodging, trip planning, and mobile use, along with a new tourism focused brand and logo system separate from the Town’s official seal and logo. The branding and website effort cost about $175,000, according to Economic Development Director Paul Melcher.

Water customers will need to switch usage tracking apps on June 30

Oro Valley water customers who use the Town’s WaterSmart portal to monitor water use will need to move to a new platform called SpryPoint beginning June 30. According to Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, current WaterSmart users will need to register again and reenter their information in the new system. The change primarily affects customers who actively track their household water use.

Golder Ranch highlights fall prevention app NYMBL

Golder Ranch Fire District is encouraging residents to consider using the NYMBL balance training app, a mobile program designed to help reduce the risk of falls. According to Golder Ranch Fire District materials, the app combines balance exercises with cognitive training activities intended to improve stability, coordination, reaction time, and confidence during everyday movement. The district’s materials state that the program is aimed primarily at older adults and can be completed in about 10 minutes a day using a smartphone or tablet.

Council approves Sun City fountain

The Oro Valley Town Council voted 6–1 Wednesday to allow restoration of the Lion’s Head fountain at the Sun City Oro Valley Recreation Center in Rancho Vistoso. The action approved a site specific zoning amendment allowing the ornamental fountain to return. A council decision on this was needed because Town code prohibits new ornamental fountains. Supporters argued the redesigned fountain would use substantially less water and include conservation features such as rainwater harvesting. Opponents cited drought concerns, water conservation policy, and the precedent of granting an exception. Councilmember Joyce Jones Ivey cast the lone dissenting vote. Readers interested in the background and arguments on both sides can review LOVE’s earlier article on the proposal.  

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Rockin’ 4 Heroes Backs Law Enforcement Education With New Support Fund

Rockin’ 4 Heroes To Help Law Enforcement Officers Pursue Continuing Education
Law enforcement officers across Southern Arizona working to advance their careers through continuing education and training now have a new source of support. A newly established program from Rockin’ 4 Heroes is providing financial assistance to help officers pursue their educational goals.

The Law Enforcement Support Fund is open to active duty officers enrolled in educational programs that enhance their professional growth, whether working toward an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, leadership development, or specialized advanced certifications.

“This Law Enforcement Support Fund is just one way for us to show how much we appreciate and recognize the men and women in blue who selflessly serve and protect our community,” said Bonnie Quinn, who, along with her husband, Michael, founded Rockin’ 4 Heroes six years ago.

First awards presented to six Oro Valley police officers
In a pilot program last year, Rockin’ 4 Heroes awarded grants to six officers from the Oro Valley Police Department.

“Rockin’ 4 Heroes’ commitment to helping first responders pursue their goals is inspiring. This scholarship not only eases the financial burden, it also motivates me to continue working hard and giving back to the community,” said Zachary Young, Commander, Field Services Division, Oro Valley Police Department, and a 2025 grant recipient who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice this month.

Kara Riley, Chief of Police for the Oro Valley Police Department, added: “I am grateful to Rockin’ 4 Heroes for their generous grants that enable first responders to further their educational goals, allowing future opportunities and personal growth that will benefit them in their current roles and future endeavors.”

Nominations deadline is June 30, 2026
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of individual officers by their supervisors in an email to Bonnie@Rockin4Heroes.org. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026.

Rockin’ 4 Heroes was established to honor first responders, active military, veterans, and Gold Star families. In addition to the Law Enforcement Support Fund, the organization supports initiatives that benefit these heroes and their families, including the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Jacob Dindinger EMT Scholarship at Pima Community College and the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Veteran Student Endowment at the University of Arizona.

The nonprofit celebrates and publicly honors these groups through its signature event, the annual Rockin’ 4 Heroes Concert, one of Southern Arizona’s largest free outdoor concerts. The 6th annual community event is Sunday, November 8, at James D. Kriegh Park in Oro Valley. For more information, visit www.Rockin4Heroes.org.

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2027 TMRB: Candidates Split On Whether Budget Is Prudent Planning Or Warning Sign

This is our fourth article regarding the 2027 TMRB. The first article covered revenues. The second covered spending. Yesterday, we covered personnel. Today we cover the thoughts of the candidates for Mayor and Council in this year’s election regarding this budget. We asked them: What is your reaction to the proposed budget?

Here are the responses of the two Mayoral Candidates.

Barrett is focused on making sure this budget builds toward long term fiscal sustainability
Vice Mayor Barrett is unable to reply to our question because the budget is currently under consideration by the Town Council. However, we can get some sense of her thinking on the budget from her remarks during the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget study session. Barrett focused on long term fiscal sustainability issues, including reserve levels, recurring operating costs, and capital funding as Oro Valley approaches buildout. One area she focused on in particular was maintaining the council’s long standing policy of dedicating 5% of General Fund revenues to capital needs. Barrett stated that “in a community where you don’t have lots of new things being built and as you approach build-out, that 5% becomes all the more critical.”

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Napier sees the TMRB as a warning sign
Mayoral candidate Mark Napier views the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget critically. Napier wrote: “The recommendations for 2027 include deferment or elimination of capital improvements totaling $11.6 million, $1.5 million reduction in PSPRS excess contributions, a freeze on new hiring and direction to reduce O&M costs by 0.5%. Even with these steps we still may need to tap the fund balance for an additional $1.3 million. All this will be required to simply balance the budget, as required by state law.”

Here are the responses of the five council candidates.

Dailey describes the TMRB as conservative and balanced
Council candidate Rosa Dailey described the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as a conservative response to current economic conditions. Dailey wrote: “The Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB) for fiscal year 26/27 reflects a balanced and conservative approach that proactively anticipates and manages softening town revenues in our current economic environment and adjusts discretionary spending accordingly. The plan prioritizes and maintains current service levels and aligns spending with revised revenue expectations.”

DeSimone sees the TMRB as evidence of growing fiscal pressure

Council candidate Chris DeSimone viewed the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget critically, describing it as evidence of growing long term fiscal pressure and the need for changes in council direction and oversight. DeSimone wrote:"Since my kickoff event in January, I have been pointing out that our wonderful town has financially painted itself in a corner.  Flattening revenues and increasing costs is a sad reality of our situation. A budget that features cuts in capital improvements, cuts to the public safety pension excess contribution and dipping into the Town's reserve funds to balance the budget shows the need for a new mix of mindsets on the council and willingness to manage staff more closely."   

Herrington emphasizes long term sustainability
Council candidate Jake Herrington emphasized long term fiscal sustainability and economic development. Herrington wrote: “I believe the 2027 budget discussion should focus heavily on sustainability. Oro Valley cannot rely forever on residential growth alone to support future service demands. We need to continue strengthening and diversifying the commercial tax base, supporting redevelopment and reinvestment along key corridors such as Oracle and Ina Roads, and identifying strategic economic opportunities that will generate long-term revenue without placing unnecessary burdens on residents.”

Pina observes revenue pressure in the budget
Council candidate Rhonda Pina described the proposed budget as challenging and focused on the need for careful expense management. Pina wrote: “The proposed budget is challenging as presented by the town manager. There is acknowledgement of decreasing revenue trends and a need to manage expenses effectively.”

Wood emphasizes the budget's balancing of revenues and expenses
Council candidate Matt Wood expressed support for the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget and the Town’s annexation efforts. Wood wrote: “The Town Manager prepared a balanced budget for 2026/27 and the Council is pursuing an annexation along Ina that would bring in significant sales tax revenue. I think this is an excellent start. We need to continue to work on a long term balancing of expenses and revenues, but small incremental increases in revenue and working on reducing the sales tax leakage losses will go a long way towards fiscal stability.”

Our conclusion: Candidates differ more on urgency than the challenge of fiscal sustainability itself

Our conclusion: Candidates differ more on urgency than the challenge of fiscal sustainability itself

What appears to distinguish the candidates is less whether they believe long term fiscal sustainability is a challenge for Oro Valley and more how urgently they view that challenge and whether they see the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as an appropriate response.

• Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, Rosa Dailey, and Matt Wood generally view the TMRB as a prudent step toward managing long term financial sustainability as Oro Valley approaches buildout.
• Jake Herrington focuses more heavily on broader long term planning, redevelopment, and diversifying the Town’s commercial tax base to prepare for slower future revenue growth.
• Rhonda Pina feels that the budget shows immediate revenue pressures. She stops short of describing the situation as structurally unsustainable.
• Mark Napier and Chris DeSimone view the current budget much more critically, describing it as a warning sign requiring stronger corrective action and signaling changes needed in long term fiscal priorities and council direction.

Taken together, the responses suggest broad agreement that Oro Valley faces important long term financial decisions ahead, even though candidates differ on how immediate the challenge is and how the Town should respond.

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2027 TMRB: Personnel Spending Mirrors Overall Town Spending, Essential Services Take Priority

This is the third LOVE’s article on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget. First,  we focused on six key revenue and forecasting variables that could determine whether the budget succeeds financially during the coming year. Last week, we focus on spending, identify spending by service provided by the town. Our coverage today is about personnel.

Personnel costs account for one third of the budget
Personnel costs are planned to be approximately $44.7 million in FY 2026/27. That represents about 34% of the Town’s total $130 million budget. It also represents roughly one half of Town operating spending after removing capital improvement spending, contingency, and debt service from the total budget.

No new full time positions are proposed
This year, the Town plans to maintain personnel levels at essentially prior year levels, with no new full time positions proposed. In addition, total personnel spending is expected to remain essentially flat despite police pay increases required under the MOU approved in February, a 3% increase for eligible non-sworn employees, higher healthcare costs resulting from increased claims experience, and the Town maintaining current PSPRS employer contribution rates even though actuaries recommended lower contribution levels. Staff stated that maintaining contribution rates at current levels will allow the Town to continue its policy of fully funding its police pension liability.

Lower police pension payments help offset pay and benefit increases
A logical question is how the Town can absorb pay raises and higher healthcare costs while keeping overall personnel spending flat. One factor is an approximately $1.5 million reduction in excess PSPRS pension contributions compared with the current year budget. In addition, several vacant or temporary positions are being eliminated or left unfunded, turnover in some departments is lowering salary costs, and no new full time staffing is being added.

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Staff noted that actuarial recommendations would have allowed the Town to lower its PSPRS contribution rates next year, but the Town instead chose to hold contribution rates steady to continue fully funding its police pension obligations.

Essential services account for most staffing and personnel spending
In LOVE’s operating cost budget analysis last week, we noted that 57% of operations spending is concentrated in essential services: Public Safety, Public Works, and Water. One would expect personnel staffing and personnel costs to follow the same pattern. They do. Essential services account for approximately 65% of all Town staffing and about 71% of projected personnel spending in the proposed FY 2026/27 budget. All other departments combined account for the remaining 35% of staffing and 29% of personnel costs.

Parks and Recreation staffing has nearly tripled in ten years
As we noted last week, Parks and Recreation spending has grown substantially over the past ten years. Staffing growth has been equally significant, and that does not include golf course personnel employed by the Town’s golf operator. In FY 2016/17, Parks and Recreation had about 24 employees, representing roughly 6% of all Town staffing. The proposed FY 2026/27 budget includes 69 employees in Parks and Recreation, about 16% of all Town staffing. That is an increase of nearly 190% over ten years, while overall Town staffing grew only modestly during the same period.

Personnel spending reflects current service priorities
Overall, the proposed FY 2026/27 personnel budget reflects a continuation of the Town’s recent approach of limiting staffing growth while maintaining existing service levels. The budget concentrates most staffing and personnel spending in core operational services such as public safety, public works, and water operations, while also reflecting the Town’s expanded role over the past decade in parks, recreation, golf, and community facility operations.

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Next Up: Tomorrow.. Read what council candidates think of the budget!

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