PRESS RELEASE

A MESSAGE FROM ORO VALLEY MAYOR-ELECT JOE WINFIELD
ORO VALLEY, AZ—AUGUST 30, 2018:

First, I want to thank Mayor Satish Hiremath and council members Joe Hornat, Mary Snider and Lou Waters for their eight years of service to Oro Valley. Our town has taken many positive steps forward under their leadership.

Next, I want to thank our council candidates Melanie Barrett, Joyce Jones-Ivey, and Josh Nicolson for their valiant effort and the support of their families. This was not an easy decision for any of us. Running for elected office is not for the faint of heart or sunshine patriots. It involved many days of displacing family responsibilities and getting by with a lot less sleep.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank all the Oro Valley residents who supported our campaigns - our campaign teams - supporting volunteers - individual donors and all those who chose to vote for each of us. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of our supporters for your belief in our team. My commitment to town residents is that we will work hard to represent all residents and make Oro Valley the best town in Arizona.

More information can be found at JoeWinfieldmayor.com

Challengers: "Special Interests Trying To Buy Oro Valley Election"

91% of incumbent contributions came from special interests
91% of campaign contributions to Mayor Hiremath and Council Members Water's Snider and Hornat have come from special interests, according to an August 23 press release of challengers Winfield, Barrett, Jones-Ivey and Nicholson.

Challengers contributions came from the public
"The incumbent’s campaigns have now accepted over $84,000 from groups, companies or individuals looking to influence the Oro Valley town elections," according to the release.

In contrast, challenger funding has come from more than 300 residents and their own pockets. They "...raised $29,311 from over 300 individual contributions from residents supporting their campaigns."

The special interests contributing to the incumbents' campaign include the "usual suspects": Developer HSL, the company that sold the failed El Conquistador Country Club to the town; and developer-landowner Kai family.  PAC's contributing include the Realtors of Arizona and the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

"Large campaign donations buy access, increase influence"
 ...the challengers note in their release. They assert that it is wrong to accept “Candidate contributions of this magnitude, from landowners, developers, and special interest groups over whom council can approve land re-zoning applications."

It may be wrong, but it is the way of Oro Valley elections when Hiremath, Snider, Waters and Hornat run.
In all of their four campaigns, they have always received the bulk of their campaign financing from special interests. Their actions on council, as documented over 8 years in LOVE, have demonstrated their preference in serving the needs of these donors.
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Yesterday, LOVE reported that the incumbents are using this special interest money to employ the services of a California political consulting firm. Read on for more.

Press Release: Statement from Joseph Winfield, Candidate for Mayor of Oro Valley

"Oro Valley, May 2 – My family and I announce my candidacy for Mayor of Oro Valley. On Thursday, May 3, at 8:30 a.m. in the Town Clerk’s office, I will file the necessary forms including the maximum number of valid signatures (689) to become an official candidate for Mayor in the 2018 Primary Election.

I thank all of the Circulators who helped gather signatures and especially the Oro Valley registered voters who signed my nomination petitions helping me qualify as a mayoral candidate.

It has been extremely gratifying to talk one-on-one with hundreds of Oro Valley residents to learn about your concerns and hopes for the future. If I am fortunate enough to be elected as your mayor, I will work diligently to preserve and enhance our quality of life with integrity, inclusiveness, and hard work.

Our family returned to Tucson in 1996 and chose to live in Oro Valley because of the Amphitheater School District’s reputation for excellent schools and teachers, stunning views of the Catalina Mountains, and close proximity and access to outdoor recreation.

I have a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Arizona and have been employed by the National Park Service and Coronado National Forest for over 34 years. Early in my career I was fortunate enough to be introduced to community-based decision making. I highly value this collaborative approach and when employed properly, unleashes creative boldness and energy to achieve a community’s vision.

As wonderful as the Town of Oro Valley is, I believe “it’s time for a new direction.” What do I mean by a new direction? I believe we need to:

• Moderate growth and conform to land use and zoning designations that contribute to the feeling of a “small-town” and “neighborly feel."

• Break the pattern of “tax and spend” and reverse the explosive growth of town government.

• Employ sensible strategies to curb golf losses and move towards community amenities everyone can enjoy.

• Respect the “voice” of residents by being transparent, attentive, and inclusive.

• Preserve our natural, cultural and recreational inheritance for our enjoyment now and into the future.

• Respond to the recreation needs of children, adults and seniors of all abilities.

I welcome your thoughts about the new directions outlined above and other ideas you may have about how to help Oro Valley become the community we can all take pride in. Please go to joewinfieldmayor.com to volunteer, donate funds, and learn more about why you should vote for Joe Winfield on August 28."
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Axe the Tax Announces Naranja Park Bond - Prop 454 Informational Meetings

PRESS RELEASE: Oro Valley — October 9, 2017: Axe the Tax, a group of concerned Oro Valley residents opposing the Naranja Park Bond - Proposition 454, will hold meetings to provide Oro Valley residents additional information regarding the proposed property tax. The Town's open house on September 13, 2017, did not provide residents the opportunity to ask their questions in an open forum.

Each meeting will offer a short presentation followed by a question and answer session.

Oro Valley Library
1305 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley, AZ
October 12, 2017 -- 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
October 12, 2017 -- 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Golder Ranch Fire Station
355 E. Linda Vista Blvd, Oro Valley, AZ
October 14, 2017 -- 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
October 14, 2017 -- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Axe the Tax has highlighted that the $17 million Naranja Park Bond would ultimately cost taxpayers a total of $28 million, with interest, over the 20 year life of the bond. As it stands, only $5.6 million will be allocated toward seven sports fields. The majority of the funding will be utilized for infrastructure for a future event center and sports complex which will require an additional bond.

The Town’s recent announcement of a $2 million surplus confirms that Naranja Park sports fields can continue to be built with the “pay as you go” strategy instead of imposing an unnecessary property tax on homeowners and commercial properties. "Pay as you go" has been utilized successfully since 2008 when Oro Valley taxpayers voted against a $48.6 million bond for the Park.

Axe the Tax in Oro Valley stands by its position that the Naranja Park Bond-Proposition 454 is an unreasonable and irresponsible property tax for homeowners and commercial properties when the Town has resources to “pay as you go.”