LOVE has followed Oro Valley happenings since 2005. Our objective was to give voice to the people who don’t attend public hearings and council meetings.
We don't think that the people have been heard when it comes to the question of what to do about 36 holes of town run golf....
Unless, of course, one considers that the voters tossed those responsible for the purchase out of office in last year's election. What to do with these courses was a major election issue.
Some good. Some bad.
The $1 million purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club gave the town the rights to own and use pristine land in the heart of the town. The costs of this have been great. Financial losses on golf far exceeded both the original and subsequent town provided forecasts. The town raised the sales tax to pay for the operations, a tax that today puts Oro Valley retailers at a competitive disadvantage. There has also been a high human cost: A failed attempt to get the purchase on the ballot for all to vote upon; and a recall election of the prior council.
That leaves us where we are today: A town divided, with heavy spending and investment on a town amenity that is used by less than 2% of the town’s residents.
There is a winning hand if council so chooses
- First, close or lease the Overlook. The town should not be in the restaurant business. The town should not compete with private enterprise;
- Second, set an annual spending limit on the amount of subsidy that the town should spend on golf;
- Third, run one outstanding 18-hole golf course and not two mediocre courses that are underfunded;
- Fourth, make a majority 43,000 residents of Oro Valley happy by converting the other course to a linear park that everyone can use; and
- Fifth, if we can ever get to the point where golf pays for itself, rescind the sales tax increase.
The result: Something for all
Under our plan, the original intent of maintaining this pristine area remains; everyone gets something, and the town has a sensible plan. Sounds like a win!
As they deliberate, it is important that the council consider and represent the interests of all 43,000 residents of Oro Valley, not just the interests of the golf members and abutting landowners who have packed council chambers and dominated the proceedings with their one sided, "Me! Me! Me!" dialogue.
The rest of us, the ones who never come to these hearings, are a silent majority who would prefer the town move in a new, creative direction.
Our message to council: "Carpe Diem"
It's time for council to make a decision: Make the petulant children who threaten lawsuits and boo and hiss at any dissenting opinion happy; or make the 43,000 residents of Oro Valley happy. The choice is obvious.
