Mike Zinkin was on Emil Franzi's radio show today. In case you missed it, click here to hear the interview.
If you're not convinced that Mike is the absolutely best Mayoral Candidate then you must have missed something. If so, please listen again.
20 comments:
I have listened to the interview and have a couple of observations.
First, it is difficult to understand if this is an interview of Mike Zinkin, or just another chance for the sore loser Emil Franzi,who was one of the strongest backers for the incorporation of Tortolita, to continue to bash Oro Valley. His arguments are old, his information is old and incorrect(some boards/commissions besides B of A are state mandated)and he just likes to hear himself talk.
He (Franzi) also injects partisan politics into the race which is completely unnecesary.
But having said that Mike should accurate state the Andrews issue. David resigned. He was not fired or "recalled". Now everyone knows that the resignation was under pressure but it still should be accurately stated. I also don't believe that Zinkin betters his position by stating that Dr. Hiremath does not have the time to do the job. It's not up to Mike to make that determination nor does he have anything to support it. Gee, I don't think he has time to do the job, doesn't make for a very strong foundation. But it's something that he has been 'blog taught' and he feels that he must say it.
Other than that Mike didn't say much but in fairness to him he didn't have much of a chance.
There certainly wasn't anything in this, or any other interview, that would make folks run out and vote for Mike.
In paragraph 4, I left off "ly" from the word accurately.
Zinkin did fine enough.
But, I, too, wish he'd lay off the whole "time to do the job" line. In saying Hiremath's too busy (that is what he's implying), does he not also consider that Bill Garner and Barry Gillaspie have full-time jobs. Or, do they not work as hard as Satish? (A fair implication given this logic.)
I think Mike is better served when he contrasts his views with those offered by Satish. The two men present voters with clear choices for the town's future. The strength of a candidate's ideas should carry him to victory.
Mike demeans his own cause by saying that one of the best reasons a person should vote for him is that he has more time to do the job than the other guy. Why not say: "Vote for me because I have better ideas." That's at least a reason to vote for someone. Right now, he's offering up a reason for people to not vote for somebody else.
John....You are exactly correct. But it's the blog line, much like to 'party' line.
When you have no better way to promote yourself, you find a way to be critical of your opponent. Mike has no better way, nor does this blog.
I mean let's fact reality, this blog STRONGLY ENDORSED Emmons and now refuses to come clean about the knowledge they posseseed about his background.
Mike does not do himself any good by his continues relationship with Segal and the LOVE Blog.
Cox---The more you comment, the more ignorant you look.
I defy you to find one time that I stated people should NOT vote for Hiremath because he doesn't have the time to serve.
They should NOT vote for him because his positions on critical issues lean towards the Special Interest groups and do NOT serve the best interests of the majority of the people.
Do you really think if you continue to lie and distort the truth, it will help YOUR cause?
Keep it up. As I noted on many occasions, our readers are overwhelmingly smarter than you.
Thinker,
I disagree with your comment that Mike didn't offer any evidence to support his belief that Hiremath won't have the time to devote to being Mayor.
Mike gave the example of the time that Loomis was asked (I think it was during a Chamber of Commerce interview) how many hours a day he puts into being Mayor, and Loomis responded that he spent 6 hours per day on that job.
Will Hiremath have 6 hours per day to spend on the job of being Mayor? It's a fair question. I realize it's not the ONLY factor to consider, but it is ONE factor to consider.
He also stated that whether you believe that Andrews should have been fired or not was not the issue. The issue was the PROCESS that was used in terminating him.
Contrary to your assertion that, "other than that, Mike didn't say much," Mike also discussed the differences between himself and Hiremath, including Mike having town experience (4 years on the Development Review Board with 2 years as Chairman--he has experience running a town meeting), and Mike has taken the Citizen's Planning Institute course and Hiremath has not.
Zinkin also pointed out that Hiremath stated that he never attends council meetings because "they're too frustrating."
Zinkin also mentioned Hiremath's naivete about town functions. He gave the example of when Hiremath stated that we could save a million dollars a year by eliminating the boards and commissions. Boards and commissions are staffed by volunteers. The "cost" is 4 hours of staff time and a pizza at the meetings. Doubt that comes to a million dollars a year.
Now, why is it that I heard all of that, and all you heard was Zinkin claiming that the only difference between himself and Hiremath is that Hiremath doesn't have the time to devote to being Mayor?
The fact that Hiremath never attends council meetings and never even took the time to attend the CPI course, tells me that he has a very limited interest in engaging himself in town affairs. His comment about the boards and commissions tells me that he is not well-versed on the mechanics of town administration.
I'M VOTING FOR MIKE ZINKIN!
Art....
"I defy you to find one time that I stated people should NOT vote for Hiremath because he doesn't have the time to serve."
Where did I say you did? You are so intent on bashing me that you are now making up commentary.
"They should NOT vote for him because his positions on critical issues lean towards the Special Interest groups and do NOT serve the best interests of the majority of the people."
What positions on critical issues are you talking about? Or are you just talking?
"Do you really think if you continue to lie and distort the truth, it will help YOUR cause?"
What lies have I told and what "cause" am I trying to help.
Make a point Art, or take your own advice and don't post anything.
VC...I have to go no further in my reply to you than to say that you don't read well, listen well AND you were also going to vote for Emmons.
That just about sums it up.
Thinker,
The fact that I give details while you speak in generalities shows that I do in fact read well and listen well.
Cox---There is no way that people with intelligence can have anything close to a dialog with you. You say something and then try to squirm your way out of it but saying, "I didn't say that."
Our readers are overwhelmingly too intelligent to buy into what you are selling.
Every time you comment here, you generate more votes for MIKE ZINKIN & MATT RABB.
As I said, keep it up!
Art...
Where did I say that?
Art, all you want to do is damn the opposition. I believe, and the more you post the more you make my case, that you are not sufficiently intelligent to carry on a reasoned debate with anyone about the issues facing Oro Valley. You never clearly define what your position might be. You simply sit back and say something like, Zinkin is right and others are too stupid to understand why he said that.
Or your most recent line of ignorance claims that there are these "special interests" at work that Mike is not a part of. But you refuse to answer any direct questions about what it is that you are talking about
You have no positions. You have no integrity.You have no guts and I think all are rooted in the fact that you simply don't have the intelligence to carry on a logical conversation.
Now please prove me wrong.
VC... I think you made some comment in your post about "details". Let's take a close look at your comment.
"I think it was during a Chamber of Commerce interview"
You think it was??? Is that a detail or a senior moment surrounded by others.
"Will Hiremath have 6 hours per day to spend on the job of being Mayor?"
Details? That's called speculation.
"He also stated that whether you believe that Andrews should have been fired or not was not the issue."
Details?
That is not what he stated. He said that Andrews was "fired". He wasn't fired.
"The "cost" is 4 hours of staff time and a pizza at the meetings."
Details?
This comment is not only incorrect but it is degrading to the Town staff. I don't know if the amount would be a million dollars but it is far beyond what Mike stated. There are hundreds of hours spent preparing for the P&Z, DRB, Finance and Bond, Water Utility and Parks and Rec boards and commissions. There are other boards but these are the most well known.
For Mike to say that is sad and demonstrates that he sees things in single dimension.
You don't deal in details, VC. You deal only with what you want to hear and your jaded view of what's real in Oro Valley.
Thinker,
I took notes as I listened to the radio interview. I wrote down the part about Loomis being interviewed, what he was asked and what his response was. I didn't write down the part about WHO was interviewing him. My memory was that it was the CofC. That's why I said, "I think." Had I said that it WAS the CofC and it turned out that it was some other entity, you would then have accused me of spewing false information. If I'm honest enough to say, "I think" then you attack me for that, too.
I asked, "Will Hiremath have 6 hours per day to spend on the job of being Mayor?"
You stated that this was not "details" but it was "speculation." It was neither. It was a valid question.
Andrews did not WILLINGLY hand in his resignation. He was FORCED into it. It's called "creative firing." Loomis told him that he had the votes to fire him. Andrews handed in a resignation letter instead. It looks better on your next job interview if you can say, "I resigned" rather than "I was fired." Everyone in town (who follows town politics) knows that he was fired. Even you admit that his resignation was submitted "under pressure."
"The "cost" is 4 hours of staff time and a pizza at the meetings."
Details?
Those ARE details! Do you want to know the exact price of the pizza? If you want details, why don't you ask Hiremath to give you the details on how he came up with his 1 million dollar figure.
Next you claim that the town staff spends "hundreds of hours" preparing for the various boards and commissions. Where are YOUR details for this figure? Do provide us with an exact accounting of how many hours they spend in this regard.
And keep in mind that if Hiremath has his way and all those boards and commissions are eliminated, and if you're correct that the town staff spends hundreds of hours in this regard, then that would mean that all of those employees will have to be eliminated as well because there will be no work for them to do. Is that what you're promoting?
You've just given Zinkin the vote of every employee at town hall who works for P&Z, DRB, Finance & Bond, Water Utility, and Parks and Rec.
Thinker,
Here are the details broken down for you:
Loomis stated that he spent 6 hours per day fulfilling his duties as Mayor.
The PROCESS for removing Dave Andrews was wrong, whether you think he should have been removed or not.
Mike has town experience.
Four years on DRB.
Two years as Chairman.
He knows how to run a meeting.
Hiremath has NO town experience.
Zinkin has taken the Citizens Planning Institute. Therefore he is well-versed on the mechanics of running a town.
Hiremath has not taken the CPI course.
Hiremath never attends council meetings because "they're too frustrating."
Hiremath said that we could save a million dollars a year by eliminating the boards and commissions.
Boards and commissions are staffed by volunteers.
Hiremath was the director of GOVAC. You saw how well he balanced THAT budget.
Now I would like to see some details from you and the other bloggers on why you/they are voting for Hiremath. I have yet to hear anyone tout all his great qualifications or experience for this job.
VC....My answer on the hours comes from 5 years of experience on the Planning and Zoning Commission, interacting with the DRB, serving on the General Plan Revision Committee (I & II). I have also submitted plans to the Parks and recs board and worked with Town staff to prepare my suggestion for presentation.
Frankly, VC you simply don't have a clue and yet you want to argue.
I was not advocating for either position as you assumed. I was simply pointing out fact.95% of the Town employees don't live in Oro Valley so I doubt that that number will be helpful or harmful to any candidate.
All questions are fair. Some are just stupid.
My response is simple.
Dr. Hiremath will do a better job.
Dr. Hiremath has a demonstrated ability for managing a budget. He runs a SUCCESSFUL multi-million dollar business. The financial problems experienced by GOVAC were created when the Town refused to live up to it's previously stated commitments. Dr. Hiremath is a business man. Zinkin has little, if any, business experience. Dr. Hiremath will do a better job of leading the Town and the Council. Zinkin will be led around by latas, garner and gillaspie. Zinkin will run business away. Dr. Hiremath will do what is necessary to attract it. Dr. Hiremath will be a far more effective representative of Oro Valley needs at the County and State level. Zinkin will show up in a t-shirt and jeans at the AZ legislature....and blame Loomis.
And just on the humorous side, I have never heard of a five year old practicing dentistry. I have heard of 5 year olds doing the job of an Air Traffic Controller. Which is more difficult?????
"Dr. Hiremath has a demonstrated ability for managing a budget."
Then why was he always looking for more money for GOVAC?
"The financial problems experienced by GOVAC were created when the Town refused to live up to it's previously stated commitments."
But aren't you the one who always complains about people looking to the government to fund everything? Now in this case, you blame the government for not providing the money.
"Zinkin will be led around by latas, garner and gillaspie." (At least they work for the people.)
Hiremath will be led around by the Chamber of Commerce. (They work for business owners.)
"Zinkin will show up in a t-shirt and jeans at the AZ legislature."
Emmons, Rabb, and Finchem wore suits to the candidate forums. Guess you should have voted for them.
The 5-year old did not do the job of the ATC. The 5-year old repeated words into a microphone. A 5-year old could also repeat the words, "rinse and spit."
let me simpllfy all of the cox BS---- I mean, rhetoric.
For those that want a mayor that will raid our contingency fund to balance a budget, that will allow Oro Valley to be a philanthropic organization to the likes of MTCVB & TREO, that will allow the Chamber of Commerce to determine what is best for Oro Valley, that will allow the developers to amend the General Plan if it serves their best interest, then Hiremath is your man.
Please---Do not believe cox who states "Mike Zinkin will be led around by Salette Latas, Bill Garner and Barry Gilaspie" the three individuals that consistently stand up for their constituents.
Mike has the knowledge, the time, the demeanor and the experience to lead Oro Valley.
Hiremath is a nice man who only showed up at council meetings to solicit our money for GOVAC.
Salette, Bill & Barry need Mike Zinkin to serve with them. Oro Valley needs Mike Zinkin to lead us!
Please--do what is best for the vast majority. Vote for Mike.
Thinker,
Forgot to mention that if clothing choice while campaigning is the mark of a viable candidate vs. a non-viable one, you should know that on the day that Waters-Snider-Hornat were going door-to-door on my street campaigning, Snider was wearing a tee shirt, shorts and sneakers. Waters, on the other hand, was impeccably dressed.
When you start the Snider recall campaign, make sure to get my signature!
I know I said I was DTR - but inaccuracies drive me crazy so - back for a limited time only...
Full disclosure - I did not listen to the Zinkin interview so I don't if Mike said that B&C are staffed by volunteers or if that started here, but they are most certainly not. 2nd full disclosure I use to work for the Town. B&C are attended, typically, by no less than 2 town staff, ususally more like 4, and meetings can last as little as an hour and as long as 5-6. Staff in P&Z, in particular, spend considerable time during the week preparing and distributing reports for meetings and considerable time after the meeting preparing the minutes and addressing issues raised at meetings - then there is the actual meeting time as well. I want to categorically say I disagree with the notion that B&C should be done away with, however I do not believe it is fair to say staffing boards and commissions is not a significant time and resource expenditure.
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