Watchdog Report: Am I The Only One Who Is Disappointed?

Disappointed?

Sometimes things just don't turn out the way we hoped...

Town Staff and Town Counsel act as if Oro Valley is desert water oasis

We’re told to “conserve water” but the town's water director tells us we have plenty of water to accomplish almost unlimited growth.

Really? Apparently Town Water Director Peter Abraham thinks we are an oasis. This is contrary to every publication in the last 12 months informing us of the extreme, prolonged drought conditions. The Council went to the Arizona League of Cities and Towns meeting last month and was briefed by the CAP on the drought issues, and the “Dead Pool” situations at Lake Mead and Lake Powell. With all this information available to the Council, they just approved a BOND to improve the irrigation system on the two golf courses. Is it more important to water golf courses or to water the farms that grow our food and grow feed for cattle.

We have a Town Council that has been factually informed that the potable water being wasted on the Pusch Ridge course this year has exceeded 18 million gallons, and has done nothing, not even a discussion to close the course. As of this writing, no council member has even acknowledged a communication that I sent to them about this subject.

The town's public works director thinks that traffic congestion is good

According to Town Public Works Director Paul Keesler, traffic congestion is good. It makes drivers slow down and, therefore, reduces any collision damage. The fact that it increases pollution and the town’s carbon footprint apparently is of no concern to him. This individual also sees no issues with the development of the Marketplace to include apartments and hotels despite how much traffic and congestion these will add to the community.

The town manager "manages" the town council

In violation of Town Policy, Town Manager Mary Jacobs would not allow two council members to amend an agenda. She has also ignored the Council policy of November 2019 that stated that we would pay for golf improvements on a “pay-as-you-go” basis and not via a bond. She completely ignored the policy and convinced the Council to bond to improve the irrigation on the two 18-hole courses and make improvements to the community center building.

The Community and Economic Development Department has done nothing of substance

Nothing. The department has not bought real wage jobs and real employers into Oro Valley. However, this department, under its prior “here today, gone tomorrow leader", convinced the Council that pre-grading lots would entice big-time employers to locate here, when in actuality, it only increased dust pollution. What a joke. Add to this the fact that the town contributes money to the Sun Corridor to help entice employers, which has shown to be another waste of money.

The barn at Steam Pump Ranch is becoming town offices

The Mayor boasts that his administration is the only Council to pay any attention to Steam Pump Ranch. His council is restoring the garage. However, the original use of the restored garage was intended for the offices of the Oro Valley Historical Society – but the Town Manager, with the concurrence of the Council, amended its usage to allow it to be used for Town Staff offices instead. Once again, the “needs” of the Town Staff come before the needs of Steam Pump Ranch.

Town Council members simply don't communicate with their constituents

We have four elected members of Council that promised to hold “Council on Your Corner” events to give you an opportunity to express your opinions one-on-one. Granted COVID put a dent into this promise, but they could have held zoom meetings. What about now? Massive changes are currently being proposed for the former Oro Valley Marketplace. This would be the perfect time for all seven council members to hold constituent meetings. Why haven’t they done it?

Aren't you disappointed too?