Bits and Pieces

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"The Oro Valley Police Department is proud to announce that Canyon Del Oro High School's two forensics teams took first and third place at the Crime Scene Investigators State Challenge, April 19-20, 2013.

Teams from across the state of Arizona converged in Phoenix to compete in a mock crime scene where students solved a crime by applying skills learned during classroom forensics studies. They gathered and processed evidence, conducted interviews and presented their case as if issuing the case to the county attorney for prosecution.

The Canyon Del Oro High School forensics program is sponsored by the Oro Valley Police Department School Resource Officer Program, and it receives funding from the Oro Valley Optimist Club and the Oro Valley Community Foundation."

(The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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Extra motorcycle enforcement will occur on the following days on the Oracle high accident corridor, from Magee to Suffolk:

May 1, 2013 7 - 10 a.m.
May 7, 2013 4 - 7 p.m.
May 20, 2013 4 - 7 p.m.
May 23, 2013 4 - 7 p.m.
May 29, 2013 7 - 10 a.m.
(Source:  Oro Valley Police Department press release)
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Oro Valley's outstanding revenue bonds have been affirmed as a "AA-" rating by bond rating agency Fitch.   The Fitch press release noted that:

• Income/wealth levels as well as educational attainment metrics are well above state and national averages.
• Year-over-year unemployment levels are down, remaining below those of the Tucson metropolitan statistical area (MSA), state & U.S., comparable to historical trends.
• Management maintains a solid financial cushion despite recent draws on fund balance. Fitch views sizeable reserves as a key offset to a portion of the risk associated with operating revenues derived largely from economically sensitive revenue streams.
• Overall tax-supported debt levels are low, assisted in part by the town's practice to repay much of its debt with self-supporting water system revenues.
• the Stable Outlook reflects Fitch's expectation the town will adequately manage its growth-related needs, maintaining reserves and coverage levels well above average, comparable to historical trends.

It is opinion that Fitch is the best of the three ratings agencies, having not fallen into the trap of over rating companies and municipalities during the "go-go" housing years. An AA- rating means that the investment is of good quality but has some risk due to the economy.

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Former teacher Melissa Ann Dalton plead guilty to one count of sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of attempted sexual conduct with a minor.  The Oro Valley Police Department arrested her a year ago. She will serve almost three years in prison. (Source)
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This, regarding town elections being moved to coincide the state and national elections:

"Oro Valley is one of the towns that had scheduled a home rule election for the spring of 2014. Mayor Satish Hiremath said that under the new law, and without any cover from Ugenti’s cleanup bill, their best option is to hold off on the election until the fall of 2014, which means the new budget limit can’t go into effect until until fiscal year 2015.

"Hiremath was originally not against consolidated elections, but after getting a glimpse of what the consolidated elections might look like, he changed his opinion."

"He said that by holding a separate election for city issues only, voters have a chance to read up on local issues and local candidates, and to get involved with the government that affects their lives most directly. When all the elections are lumped together, he worries that people lose interest in the local issues."(Source)

Actually, we think it will make the elections partisan elections.  That's even worse that having uninformed residents vote.
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