A study of two remaining departments, Parks and Recreation and the Police Department, were killed by the "Gang of Five" on the current council. The Gang of Five, sans Lou Waters, is pictured at left, celebrating with Police Chief Sharp. The Gang includes Steve Solomon, Mary Snider, Joe Hornat, Lou Waters and Satish Hiremath. They were and in Solomon's case are endorsed by the Police Associations.
We still believe that an independent study of the Police Department's spending is imperative because the police budget is 48% of the total Oro Valley budget and because it is impossible for the "Gang Of Five" to be independent and make an unbiased budget decision when it comes to this department.
There are three Council Member seats in this primary election. It is your opportunity to send a message to the "Gang of Five" by making it the "Gang of Four" and electing three members of Council (Burns, Garner and Zinkin) who will simply do the right thing when it comes to the Police Department's budget.
Here's where each candidate stands regarding having an independent study of the police department. Our analysis is based on what the said at the Sun City Candidate Forum ten days ago.
All six candidates are proud of and pleased with the accomplishments of the the fine men and women of the Oro Valley Police Department.
The three candidates who are endorsed by the two Oro Valley Police Associations are against any independent study of the police department.
- Fred Narcaroti: Fred is against an independent study. He's not sure why. Frankly, Fred doesn't know much about the issues facing Oro Valley.
- Steve Solomon: Solomon is against an independent study. Solomon alleges that Oro Valley has the finest police force in Arizona. Solomon feels that the town should only do a study when something is wrong. Solomon alleges that an outside consultant would not have the expertise to study our police department. Solomon alleges that spending $50,000 on a study would be of no value. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Solomon's mind is closed on this issue. Then again, Solomon's mind is closed on every issue!
- Mark Napier is against an independent study. He feels that he has the experience and the ability to be independent of his friend, Police Chief Sharp; that Mark can provide an unbiased view of police spending and operations. Our reaction: Good luck with that, Mark.
- Brendan Burns believes that a study would bring benefit because it could prepare the town for the future, a future that holds promise of growth through commerce, development and annexation.
- Bill Garner is already on record as having identified opportunities to reduce spending and improve police operations.
- Mike Zinkin believes that any department that is almost half of the Oro Valley town budget should be independently assessed.
The position of the Police Department is clear. They do not want an independent study of their spending and their operations. Why does Chief Sharp fear, rather than welcome, an independent look. Of what is he afraid? We don't know. There must be something. An independent study would identify what that is.
(Picture Source: http://www.solomonovcouncil.com/)
13 comments:
I'll try this one more time although I know that it probably will not change a single mind. That in itself is disappointing.
1."The previous Oro Valley Town Council had approved an independent review of all town departments."
So what? Why is that even discussed as it is not important. No council is bound by the decisions of a previous council. It's simply a smoke screen that you would like to throw up.
2. Many of the people who support this BLOB and ALL of the management of this BLOG are constantly harping on the Town to conserve funds. I want the Town to conserve funds also. I don't want them to spend a dime they don't need to. To date, there has not been a single reason forwarded to support a review other than it is "48% of the total Oro Valley budget". Where is there logic in that? Yes it is a large department. It has one hell of a responsibility. It takes a lot of effort (effort = $) to protect 41,000 residents and 20,000+ visitors on a daily basis. The vast majority of the residents of this community strongly support the efforts (efforts = $) of the Oro Valley Police Department.
Here is a great reason for a study. ".....a study would bring benefit because it could prepare the town for the future, a future that holds promise of growth through commerce, development and annexation." Every survey that has been conducted clearly states that one of the reasons people and businesses move to Oro Valley is because of the safety provided by the Oro Valley Police Department. Safety ain't free folks.
So PLEASE stop huffing and puffing smoke. If this is all you have to offer for the three candidates you are supporting then you are standing on a foundation of quicksand.
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Sorry, Mr. Cox. You obviously simply are too blinded by your allegiance to the Police to understand that there is no one on Town Council or anyone who works in the town who is sufficiently independent or knowledgeable to study what is a substantial portion of the town's budget.
Why don't you do some research into something called "Internal Controls." It is a significant accounting topic.
At this point, dialogue with you on this topic is futile.
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In this thread, I see a photo of elected representatives who participate in community events. Funny how often I've been out and around in the community, seen this "Gang of Five," (as you call them) talking to anyone interested, helping and participating in an event, being a part of this town. At none of those events have I seen the three people endorsed by this blog. I was at the recent library meeting, a big issue for this town, and didn't see your three candidates, but did see the "Gang of Five." As a voter, I want representatives who care enough about this community to be visible, accessible, and take part in everyday town activities...not just show up for town council meetings!
I have a great idea. Cut the number of take home vehicles by 50%. Use the savings to fund the study.
Everyone happy?
I personally think it's ridiculous to at least not question the budget with regard to the police department, in light of our recent utility tax increase. On top of the fact that the council exercises direct oversight of the department, the prudent thing to do is objectively and independly perform an analysis. Is someone afraid of a potential outcome? Sure looks that way.
I've never worked anywhere that didn't have opportunities to improve & cut some costs when an outside group looked at the operation. Not sure why some of the candidates are opposed to the study but I hardly think there are enough policemen living in OV to carry the election for them.
Another thought: Once the economy tanked, many families across the US had to sit down & take stock of how & where they were spending their income. They weren't necessarily handling their money poorly, but once conditions changed, it became important to re-evaluate.
I totally support the OVPD - in particular the guys on the street -but why should the dep't be exempt from a review? Perhaps there are some cost saving methods that could be done administratively? And if an independent study finds none, then so be it.
Thinker claims that ONLY ONE REASON has been given for a police dept. review...that it consumes 48% of our budget...and states that this reason is not logical.
Two arguments:
(1) One could argue that it might be illogical to spend thousands of dollars to study a dept. that consumes only 5% of a budget, but it's hardly illogical to study a dept. that consumes 48% of a budget!
(2) This was not the only reason given for obtaining the study. Another reason given was the doubling of our utility tax without even looking to see if there might be some areas in the OVPD budget that could be cut instead.
Mike Zinkin will not consider raising taxes UNTIL all possible spending cuts have been considered first. The "gang of five" CLAIM that they reduced spending wherever possible, but this is a LIE since they never even looked at reducing the OVPD budget.
Many of us are senior citizens here in my "neighborhood" and do prefer much police presence.
I wonder how much good the "citizens patrol" does?
I see wasting of gas and cars on a bunch of old boys to ride around and actually have the power to do nothing....like detaining, arrests, or even confronting and asking questions....like "why are you here and what are you doing here".
Seems to me that it is a backslap type scaring tactic.....any police cuts will make you less safe.
How about a study? Well, might find that the "senior posse" is useless and costs a lot.
Take home vehicles is a biggy...that should be analyzied.
Our Town Government is preying on our fears, I think.
Do a study!
How refreshing to see such an astute comment from Dan, who I believe is a new blogger.
Not biased, but stating things as he sees them.
What a difference from the first comment on this issue.
A scare tactic is exactly what one candidate is using. Have you seen the new, tall, yellow signs? SOLOMON -- SAVE YOUR POLICE AND SRO
I've also seen the new Solomon signs and thought the exact same thing...scare tactics.
Remember a few years ago when they tried to scare us with how we needed more police because the Mexican drug traffickers were moving north and would be in Oro Valley very soon and that some of them were already here?
Well, it's a few years since they said that...has anyone heard of any gunfights taking place in the streets between the OVPD and the drug lords?
No need to have gunfights in Oro Valley to know there are drug problems here. It just takes some education and reading beyond the blog to know that the Oro Valley Police Department has been involved in plenty of drug busts that affect our town.. Just Google "Oro Valley heroin bust" and you will find quite a bit of information that obviously some bloggers here are unaware of! If you spent any time talking to local school administrators or the SROs the blog seems to criticize, you would realize that our little Oro Valley has drug issues, just like many other towns in the country.
My first question when I saw the Solomon sign professing to "save the Police" was save from what? Are they in trouble? Do we need to conduct a study to find out how to save the department?
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