Meet Candidate Shirl Lamonna

Oro Valley resident Shirl Lamonna will be a candidate for Oro Valley council in the November election.  Lamonna is a 10 year resident and a friend of LOVE.

Lamonna is very knowledgeable of what is happening in Oro Valley She has been following Oro Valley events and participating in the "call the audience" portion of the Oro Valley council meetings. In addition, she is a frequent commenter on LOVE.

Shirl is also very knowledgeable of what is happening in Pima County. She is currently working as research assistant to Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller. "I have the experience and knowledge of government dealings. This will allow for a fast learning curve as I have already researched every type of agenda item for the supervisors meetings am already familiar with many of issues that will impact the residents of Oro Valley."

Lamonna is not new to Oro Valley politics. Together with Oro Valley resident Debra Arrett, she led an effort to seek a public vote on the towns purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club. Were it not for a clerical error that vote would have occurred.

She led the successful effort in 2011-12 to block a rezoning of a parcel known as "7-I". That parcel, located on the northwest corner of Tangerine and Rancho Vistoso Blvd, was scheduled to have been rezoned for apartments. Lamonna mobilized the neighbors and kept our community informed. Read her incisive analysis of the 7-I situation to get an insight into the exceptional fact-based quality of her work.

We asked Lamonna why she has decided to run for council.

"I moved to Oro Valley, like so many, because it was a suburban, small town. It didn't just have the feel of one. It was one. Instead, Councilmembers Hornat, Snider and Waters with the Mayor have given us almost 800 apartments, a doubling of our utility tax, an increase in our sales tax, a $31 million dollar plan for Naranja Park (including an amphitheater and event center) and numerous higher density rezonings. They have changed the entire “dynamic” of life in Oro Valley."

Lamonna continued: "I’ve attempted to change the direction of this Council by using the tools available to citizens – heading opposition to the apartments as previously mentioned, attending Planning and Zoning sessions, speaking at Council meetings, and finally heading up the T.O.O.T.H. Referendum Committee. Nothing has worked. So now it’s time for me to step up to help shift us towards fiscal responsibility, transparency and sensible development."

We asked Shirl what she will bring to council that the current incumbents don't.

"I am an independent thinker who will research and analyze every issue before making a decision. I am running for YOU – to ensure your voice is heard."