Attempted Armed Robbery in Fry's Parking Lot

Guest View: Kathryn Hull-Butkus ~ An open letter to the mayor and council

Shelve Main Streets La Canada location
I would like to continue my encouragement for the town to shelve Main Streets – La Canada. I will remind everyone that the constituency voted by a large margin for change; not more of the same. I can guarantee you that you will get push back, and if I were the new kids on the block I would not want to start out my tenure with a contentious project. I would not recommend forcing the project (as the former mayor did with the community center and golf courses) as that will not sit well with the constituents who voted for change.

The proposed site on La Canada has precious few businesses that fit the model of “walking, shopping, gathering.” There is no bakery, deli, women’s fashions, etc., the kinds of business conducive to that model. Canada Crossroads (SW corner of La Canada and Lambert) fits that model better. There’s a bakery, a jewelry store, a book store and two restaurants with patio dining. I’ve made a couple of suggestions to Mr. Johnston (Director of Community and Economic Development) to complete that site to the suggested model of the Main Streets walking and gathering place.

Filling the Fry’s void
Fry’s, the anchor of the proposed Main Streets site, is leaving. This begs the question -- will you continue to move forward with a project that portends contention or will you try to fill the void? May I suggest that you attempt to fill the void with a Trader Joe’s. It would be very successful. The residents of the area would get behind it, and the residents of that area have coin to spend. I am very sure that the town has a list of inducements to bring in that kind of business, up to and including a dedicated person to assist and speed the permit process.

This leaves the corner where the gas station is located (which I believe is part of the Kroger store.) As it has imbedded electrical, plumbing and water, you might be able to put in a “pocket park.” Like my suggestions to Mr. Johnston regarding Canada Crossroads; a couple of brightly colored sail shades, a bench or two, a small restroom, a water fountain with a spigot for the dog population. The town gets a specialty market, there’s a gathering spot, and every one saves face.

Consider a historical/western theme for Main Streets Oracle Road location
The second location for Main Streets, near Steam Pump Ranch, makes more sense as it’s the main drag for the town. There wouldn’t be much in the way of demo and you could do a western type theme, making it a niche/unique/historical Oro Valley destination in keeping with the western locale.

Involve the residents, put out a call to OV architects, or U of A architecture students who have parents/grandparents in OV, get the OV Historical Society involved, etc.

I respectfully make these suggestions and I hope that you will shelve the contentious La Canada location.

Editor’s note: The above letter has been edited slightly and subheadings were added.

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Ms. Hull-Butkus “escaped Los Angeles” four years ago, moving to Oro Valley which she refers to as “the uniquely beautiful green valley of gold.” She feels strongly about keeping it this way. She believes that if we continue to raise our voices, that we can “keep this valley green.” She is a member of the Newcomers Club of Tucson, and through that organization, supports “Single Mom Scholars,” a local charity serving young women who are raising children on their own and who desire to complete their education.

"Scan, Bag and Go" Comes To Oro Valley

If you don't like waiting in line at the grocery store to checkout, if you don't like to "slide and scan" your groceries at self-checkout, if you prefer to do your own bagging, then the Fry's grocery store in Rooney Ranch has something for you.

It's called: "Scan, Bag and Go." and, believe us, it's the fastest way to get in and out of the grocery store. And by the way, did we also tell you that it's fun? Did we you tell you that you can save money doing it?

The "Scan, Bag and Go" concept is so

simple that we wonder why it wasn't done long ago.

Here's how it works.

You scan each item you put in your grocery cart and you put that item in your tote. Then, when you've completed your trip, you go to the self checkout area. There, you point the little device you've been using to scan your items at a bar code just above the self-checkout screen. You press the "scan" button and your scans are downloaded to the self checkout machine. The payment process is the same as always. That's it! Essentially, you are  using your idle time while shopping to check yourself out.

You can use the self checkout unit regardless of the number of items you purchased since you've already scanned everything in and bagged everything before you got there.

The first three times you use "Scan, Bag and Go" you get five dollars off each order of $35 more.

Yes. They pay you to play with a scan device.

Now that's hard to beat.
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ed note: The Rancho Vistoso Safeway removed self-checkout several years ago.

Bits and Pieces

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Will the Amphi School District convert its schools to charter schools?  Vail is.  Here's why: More money in the short run from the State. (Source)  Generally, one is always best to "follow the money" when trying to figure out why something is being promoted.
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Congratulations to Greg Caton, Stacey Lemos and the entire Oro Valley team:  "The Town of Oro Valley is pleased to announce that it has received the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award is for the Town's first-ever Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for FY 2011-12." (Oro Valley press release)
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Pima County is updating its 2001 Comprehensive Plan.  The county has prepared a public participation plan.  The plan is going to be called: Pima Prospers.

"The Comprehensive Plan Initiative will include typical physical infrastructure elements like roads, water resources, wastewater and newly required elements like energy. In addition, it will integrate economic development elements like employer retention and attraction. The Plan will also address human infrastructure components like health care, parks and recreation, libraries, and public safety." (Source)
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Fry's (Oracle and First) is at it again.

Another Massive Fry's Display

More clutter in front of their store, creating a safety hazard. This is a picture from July 1, courtesy of Oro Valley resident Don Bristow.

Council Member Lou Waters, several months back, had visited this store. After his visit, things cleared up a bit.  Is it time for him to visit again?

Thing is:  Fry's is probably paid a placement fee to display this stuff by the vendor.  So, the more stuff they can cram in the ramada area, the more bucks they get.

What does Oro Valley get?
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The tennis courts in Rancho Vistoso have been redone and will open soon. They willl have a key card, thus eliminating kids skate boarding on the courts
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More on the graded lot on the northwest corner of Narana and LaCanada. This from Oro Valley Constituent Services Coordinator Chris Cornelison:

"Construction restoration and landscape assurances were required and provided for this project. As a result, a Grading Plan and Native Plant Preservation Plan were reviewed and approved by Town staff prior to construction activity occurring on the property. These plans require the property owner to stabilize the site in order to mitigate soil erosion, which entails hydro-seeding and the installation of vegetation. The Town will utilize Section 27.9 Grading of the Zoning Code, specifically subsection C. Protective Cover and Dust Control."

In other words, the lot will not be left "open."
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Guest View-Don Bristow: "Public Safety Matters When It Comes To Outdoor Displays"

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The following remarks were presented by resident Don Bristow to the Oro Valley Town Council at last Wednesday's discussion about enforcing the temporary sign and outdoor display rules. We reported the results of the discussion. We mentioned in our report that Don had spoken to the Council.  Don's  remarks emphasize the public safety aspects of outdoor displays.
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On August 22, 2011 an Open House and Public Meeting regarding Outdoor Displays for Business was held. At that time, Mr.[David} Williams,Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Department, confirmed that the rules for outdoor displays were to provide for public safety purposes and to comply with ADA requirements.

Fry's LaCanada Outdoor Display

When this Council approved Zoning Code Chapter 25.1.A.5 Use Regulation for Outdoor Displays, it was indicated that staff would not inspect or enforce this zoning code regulation unless a complaint was received. Further, at a later date, the Council rejected establishing any enforcement process for failure to comply with the provisions of this code. This allowed businesses to bypass any potential legal action by making a small change to any cited violation resulting from a complaint.

Most of the businesses using outdoor displays are good citizens and have abided by the regulation requirements. However, like in so many situations, there are some that are conducting themselves as though the regulation guidelines don’t apply to them. Apparently, the guidelines for safety are not important to these merchants. Thus, the Council’s experiment of “self-enforcement” has been a failure. It is time for Council to meet its ethical and legal safety responsibilities to the public of Oro Valley.

Fry's LaCanada Outdoor Display

Chapter 20 of the Oro Valley Zoning Code presents the general provisions that apply to all Zoning Codes. Two of the sections of Chapter 20 state:

Chapter 20A Purpose

“For the purpose (meaning Zoning Codes) of promoting and protecting the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience and general welfare of the citizens of Oro Valley and to provide for the social, physical and economic advantages resulting from a comprehensive and orderly planned use of land resources, a Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map are hereby established and adopted by the Town Council.”
Section 20.2.A Interpretations

“When the provisions of this Code are interpreted or applied, they shall be held to the minimum requirements for the promotion of public safety, health and general welfare.”

To ignore public safety, for the yet-to-be-proven, incremental sales tax revenues, is an unacceptable choice. You must direct Mr. Caton and staff to develop viable enforcement and non-compliance penalties. This will meet your obligation to provide a safe environment for the public.

Don Bristow
Oro Valley Resident
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Don's well-considered remarks were ignored by Council.
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