Why vote Chris DeSimone?
Why vote Chris DeSimone for Oro Valley Town Council in 2026? That is the question.
Over the last few months, I have had the incredible opportunity of meeting hundreds of voters at signature gatherings, forums, knocking on doors, Coffee with Chris events, and during my morning walks. The comments and the insights were fascinating and sometimes unexpected. It has truly informed my run for office. People love their Town but are worried about the specter of extra taxation and disengagement of some of the current elected officials. The people on the Council and the people that I am running against, I believe, are people with good hearts who want the best for this Town that we love. With that said, why Chris for Oro Valley Town Council?
Manage the manager properly
The Council needs a critical mass of members who are willing to work together to manage the Town Manager. That takes people like myself who can work with staff but not buy everything they throw at you at face value, hopefully, a rare occurrence. Asking questions and, more importantly, follow-up questions are the key to accountability for our tax dollars. Leaning on experts inside and outside Town Hall is valuable. Take all of the relevant input and then make a decision that is right for the citizen taxpayers of OV. My time on the Tourism Advisory Commission has raised quite a few alarms in my brain about this dynamic. The current staff/Council’s ham-handed treatment of the Police MOU is a perfect example of this flawed dynamic. Yes, we all want to stand up to outside interests that may harm the Town, but sometimes you have to stand up to staff when they may be taking us down the wrong path. This will also aid us in our battle to keep revenues ahead of expenses.
We have to make sure that the Town is moving in a way that maximizes revenue, without a harmful property tax or extra sales taxes, and keeps the budget working in the most efficient way possible, all while maintaining those basics that we love about our Town, roads, parks, the Community Center, and our beloved police department. We have to start annexing unincorporated land to the south of us that already has established tax-generating real estate assets. It is the best way through. Increase sales tax collection for OV without having to over-develop our existing Town footprint. In addition to smart, incremental annexation, our Town still suffers from an anti-small business attitude. I hosted a small business roundtable at Just Kabab recently, and I am still hearing horror stories of opening a small business in the Town. Empty storefronts, empty dirt in Innovation Park, and having the Spirit Halloween folks in the same spot for 10 years on 1st and Oracle is amazingly unacceptable. This is an attitude that flows from staff that is probably influenced by a few folks on the current Council. I will encourage my fellow Council folks to join me in future roundtables without staff present to encourage real feedback. When Mayor Winfield announced at the State of the Town that a featured economic development win was an indoor pickleball place, no insult to them, I hope they prosper, the attendees of the Oro Valley Chamber looked around and said, “What did he just say?” This anti-small business attitude is harmful, and the reputation strengthens each year it persists. It also affects our ability to put great companies into Innovation Park. Site selectors find out about us from commercial realtors and this thing called the Internet. This must start changing once the new Council is installed. I’ve been working with a variety of family-owned businesses for years. This is right up my alley. I am excited to involve the other Council members in this effort.
Why Chris DeSimone for Oro Valley Council?
Here’s the quick summary of why Chris DeSimone for Oro Valley Council:
- I’ve been a resident for 30 years. I love this Town!
- I will serve all the citizens of Oro Valley, not just the ones that I perceive supported me during the election.
- I have served on the Tucson Convention Center Commission, Leman Academy School Board, Visit Tucson Marketing Committee, Pima County Transportation Committee, and currently the Oro Valley Tourism Advisory Commission.
- I’m the most experienced local government candidate, it’s true.
- I will maintain the high quality of living in our beloved Town.
- Development in the small amount of developable land available must be appropriate and should align with OV Path Forward.
- I will ask tough questions and even tougher follow-up questions!
- I will stand up to outside interests that would harm Oro Valley’s way of life. This includes the harm from the City of Tucson crime bus that is pushing crime on our fair Town.
- I will fight against an impending and harmful property tax.
- I’ve been endorsed by both police and fire.
- I’m the only Council candidate to be endorsed by Council folks Mary Murphy and Dr. Mo Greene.
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Learn more about Chris here.
