Guest View- Jack Stinnett: Mo Greene: The Developer’s Candidate

Developer money has been streaming into Oro Valley campaigns for at least the last 10 year

Over the past 10 years, builders, developers, and Realtor PACs have funneled donations to development-friendly council candidates. Council member Steve Solomon has been their spokesperson on the Council since 2016, advocating for higher-density developments and taller apartment structures.

That money has influenced votes

The best example of this partnership was when Town West [and silent partner HSL] proposed five and six story apartments at the Oro Valley Marketplace along the Tangerine scenic corridor. Council member Solomon made the motion that the council approve the Town West/HSL request as proposed. Newly elected Council member Greene seconded Solomon’s motion, and they both voted for the 5 and 6-story apartments.

Greene is the latest candidate to carry the developer banner forward

But alas, Solomon chose not to run for reelection in 2024. Who could the development community turn to now to advocate for their positions on rezoning requests? 

Let’s “follow the money”

Greene's 2020 Council Election: $8,000 in developer contributions 

Dr. Harry “Mo” Greene won a seat on the OV Town Council in 2020. His donations during the 2020 campaign included $4,500 from Humberto Lopez & HSL employees and $3,500 from the Realtors of Arizona and Southern Arizona Home Builders PAC 

Greene's 2024 Council Election: $25,800 in developer contributions [panel right] 
In December 2023, Councilmember Harry “Mo” Greene formed a committee for his 2024 re-election bid. Donations to Greene’s campaign as of June 30, 2024, were primarily from the development community and his golf course resident neighbors. Specific developer and PAC donations were as follows:

• $13,250 from Humberto Lopez & HSL employees and his preferred legal counsel
• $1,500 from the Realtors of AZ political action committee 
• $750 from the Southern AZ Home Builders political action committee 
• $500 from Samuel Beznos of Beztak (Apartment & Senior Living developers). 

Total developer donations through the second quarter = $16,000.  That's 62% of all the money Greene has raised.  Whose interest do you think he will represent if he is reelected. Certainly not your's. 

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