Our fact check sets the record straight
Three things happened since we posted our "Election Primer" on July 14. First, things got nasty in the form of expensive post cards containing outrageous accusations that were mailed by Greene, Rodman and Solomon. Second, because things got nasty, Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett and Council Member Jones-Ivey endorsed Bohen and Garner. Third, last week we finally got the truth on developer campaign financing of Greene, Rodman and Solomon.So, as you vote, do think about these things and more...
All candidates support public safety
There are two issues that are always lightning rods in Oro Valley elections. One is support of public safety.
In every election since 2010, one set of candidates accusing the other set of "not supporting public safety." This year Candidates Greene, Rodman and Solomon did just that is an expensive (60 cents per) glossy 6x11 post card.
We've fact checked the accusation. All candidates support public safety. In fact, Candidate Garner did the hard work in 2008 of saving police positions.
First responder and school support has nothing to do with the Oro Valley Town Council
That same flyer accused "the other guys" of not supporting first responders or education. Where did that come from? First responders are not part of Oro Valley operations. They are a separate taxing district. Schools are not part of Oro Valley operations. They are also a separate taxing district. These things have nothing to do with the Oro Valley Town Council.
No candidate is encouraging policies that will likely lead to a property tax
The other lightning rod is an Oro Valley property tax. An Oro Valley property tax is antithetical to the founding of Oro Valley. Oro Valley was founded on the basis that it would not have a property tax. Not having an Oro Valley property tax is in our DNA. It is simply in not an issue. The council can not mandate a property tax. Only the voters can do so.
According to candidate Bill Garner, speaking on a Jim Horn Oro Valley Podcast: "We should never be at that point [of needing a property tax] providing that you elect candidates that are stewards of your money. I have always been a fiscal steward of taxpayer money."
The campaigns of Greene, Rodman and Solomon are financed by the special interest developer community
Last week, we confirmed our earlier observations based on the Rodman and Solomon campaign funding of their 2016 campaign. As they did then, developer money has flooded Oro Valley politics. All the usual characters are back - HSL, Realtors of Southern Arizona, Town West Real Estate, The Kai Family, Beztak (Sam Beznos) and Heritage Homes- to the the tune of $35,000. Solomon and Rodman alone received 75% of their campaign funds from them. See our posting last week to learn more.
Garner and Bohen are endorsed by Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett, and Council Member Jones-Ivey
Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett and Council Member Jones-Ivey were silent at first regarding which candidates they would prefer to be on council. That changed once the expensive post cards containing outrageous accusations were mailed to homes. They have endorsed Garner and Bohen for council. That is an endorsement of the people with whom they will work for at least the next two years. See our posting of July 15 on the endorsement of Winfield and Barrett. See our posting of July 22 with quotes from Barrett and Jones-Ivey.
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