Mary Murphy’s Vision for Oro Valley: Ensuring Fiscal Sustainability

Insightful perspectives directly from the candidates 

This is the last part of our series on the Sun City Candidate Forum held on June 12. Last week, we wrote about Mo Greene's council goals. Tuesday and Wednesday we featured the thoughts of Elizabeth Robb and Tim Bohen.  Today we feature the thoughts of Mary Murphy. For personal reasons, Murphy was not at the forum. So we asked her the questions asked the candidates. These are her responses.
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Mary Murphy’s vision for Oro Valley is one of fiscal sustainability, transparency, and community engagement, ensuring that the town’s unique character and quality of life are preserved while fostering sustainable growth and development. These are her thoughts and her words:

No property tax: Build revenues by working with local businesses

Murphy emphasizes the crucial role of the sales tax in providing Oro Valley’s revenue. She believes that fostering strong relationships with local businesses is essential to upholding the town’s high standard of service. “Sales tax plays a very important role in our Town’s revenue,” she states. “It is imperative that we have Council members who foster strong relationships with our local businesses in order to maintain our standard of living without reliance on a property tax, which I will never support!”

Tighten spending by prioritizing “Needs” and “Wants”
Murphy advocates for a balanced budget and a focus on prioritizing needs over wants to control spending. “By focusing on a balanced budget and prioritizing ‘needs’ over ‘wants’, we can control our spending,” she explains..

Maintain Oro Valley’s unique character-use land to the highest standards
Murphy stresses the importance of maintaining Oro Valley’s unique character by supporting only the highest standards for the limited remaining undeveloped land. Murphy has also made it clear that she has not accepted any developer or outside money, ensuring her decisions are made in the best interest of the community.

Look for annexations that “pay their own way”
Murphy emphasizes the importance of a rigorous cost-benefit analysis for annexations. “Any annexation must be considered on a rigorous cost-benefit basis. Only then can we make certain that any annexations enhance the quality, character, and financial health of the town.”

Engage the community in the journey
Transparency and collaboration are central to Mary Murphy’s vision for government. She plans to prioritize these values to ensure that residents can directly contact her. “Residents deserve representatives who will be easily approachable and available, and that is exactly what I plan to do,” she asserts. To achieve this, she plans to reintroduce “Council on Your Corner,” with monthly meetings around town, including in Sun City. Her initiative aims to give residents a direct voice in governance.

Conserve drinking water and use it wisely
Water conservation and wise water use are critical issues for Murphy. She advocates for continued education on water conservation and participation in regional recharge projects, as well as emphasizing xeriscape landscaping with native plantings. “Reducing our municipal turf areas, especially those watered with potable water, is key, and I am committed to working closely with my fellow council members to ensure that this happens,” she states.

Limit adding or increasing user fees to “controllable amenities”
While generally opposed to new user taxes, Murphy acknowledges that higher fees for non-residents using controllable amenities, such as the Community Center and The Aquatic Center, could be considered under certain circumstances.

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Bits and Pieces

Hardy Road to close for Carmack Wash improvement project March 27-31 

"ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (March 22, 2023) – The Town of Oro Valley is announcing road construction on Hardy Road between the Northern Avenue roundabout to Calle Loma Linda from March 27 – 31 to address erosion within the shoulder areas at the low flow water crossing of Carmack Wash. The section of road will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during construction." Hardy Road between the Northern Avenue roundabout to Calle Loma Linda will be closed. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Winfield asks: "Does Sun City really need street lights?"

Town staff is budgeting to replace circuit three street lights in Sun City. Mayor Winfield, however, wonders why the town should continue to provide a street light service to Sun City. It is, after all, the only place in town that has street lights. Winfield asked this question at the CIP study session last week. The answer: Maintaining those lights was part of the agreement when the town annexed Sun City 45+ years ago. Perhaps, though, time to re-examine that.

Asphalt costs skyrocket...increasing road costs... and we will pay more for roads

The cost of asphalt, like the cost of everything else has skyrocketed, according to Oro Valley Director of Public Works, Paul Keesler. More costly asphalt comes at a bad time, as several Oro Valley major roads will need replacing over the next few year.

One of these Rancho Vistoso Blvd.  (Source: Keesler remarks to council at CIP study session of May 15, 2023).

Roads are paid from the Highway Fund. The gas tax which town gets from the State funds that fund.  When the highway fund is short of money, funds are transferred from the Capital Fund. That fund get its money from the General Fund. Thus, we may all be paying for at least some portion of road costs in the future.

Crooks can be very creative

"On Feb. 20, OVPD Detectives arrested a suspect involved in organized retail theft. The case originated from the Oro Valley Neighborhood Walmart in January 2023 when the suspect would scan items, use a credit card that gets declined and then leave with the merchandise. There were 10 cases with five different agencies and about $2,445 in total losses. The suspect is facing charges of organized retail theft/burglary/aggravated shoplifting/ fraud/trafficking in stolen property, and computer tampering."

(Source: Town of Oro Valley Town Manger Report, March 2023, p2)

Pusch Ridge Golf rounds ahead of plan

Pusch Ridge Golf rounds are pacing ahead of last year, according to Tony D'Angelo, President of Pusch Ridge Golf speaking to the Council in the Call To Audience section f last week's Council meeting.

 "We are confident that rounds will exceed the Town budget for total rounds for the season before the end of this month." This, as Tony noted, despite the area's uncharacteristic cold and rainy winter. 

Tony attempted to remind the Council that the town is committed to maintaining the land in a manner commensurate with a resort regardless of whether it is a golf course.. As a result,  the town needs to include some investment in the land even if the Council chooses to close the court in two years. No such costs are included in the Town Managers tentative 2023-2033 Capital Improvement Program.(Source: D'Angelo remarks to Council on May 15, 2023 and email to LOVE).

Tony's group created an advertisement that runs on the Golf Channel.  You can watch it at left.

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Councilmember Steve Solomon is disruptive during the Sun City Town Hall

During the June 30, 2020 Sun City Town Hall with all 5 town council candidates present, in typical Steve Solomon fashion, he was disrespectful to the moderator and the other candidates, disruptive of the process, and refused to follow the rules.

The moderator set the rules at the beginning of the town hall:
“I will ask each candidate a unique question and that candidate will have a minute and a half to answer. After that answer, in alphabetical order by last name, the other candidates will be provided up to 45 seconds for a quick response if they so desire.”

Therefore, whenever Bohen or Garner finished their answer, the order for giving a 45 second response would be: Greene – Rodman – Solomon.

But, as usual, Solomon refused to be respectful and follow the rules. In the attached video (just over one minute in length) you will witness the following:

Solomon interrupts Bohen
Tim Bohen discusses the fact that the people who made the largest donations to incumbents Rodman and Solomon’s 2016 town council campaigns were non-residents. (LOVE previously reported that these non-residents were developers, builders, and real estate PACs).

Solomon immediately interrupts. “There you go talking about 2016. If you want to accuse me of something, I suggest you (inaudible). Are we going to allow people to accuse other candidates…"

Throughout this interruption, the moderator can be heard repeatedly saying, “Mr. Solomon…Mr. Solomon…please.” But Solomon ignores him and continues talking over him. (This is the same behavior that Solomon exhibits during town council meetings.)

Solomon interrupts Garner
The moderator then calls on Bill Garner who says, “It’s pretty rich when he [Solomon] talks about his campaign finances because not one dime came from an Oro Valley resident in 2016…"

Solomon interrupts again. “That’s false, that is a lie, he cannot make a false statement a fact.” Garner attempted to finish his turn speaking but Solomon continued interrupting. “Do you live in Marana or do you live in Oro Valley? How about you address that question because you applied for the council in Marana.”

Garner: “Please cut Mr. Solomon off Mr. Moderator.” (Garner is polite and says “please.” He is asking, not demanding.)

Solomon barks orders to the moderator
Solomon: “No, cut Mr. Garner off if he’s going to lie.” (Solomon is abrupt and demanding. He is ordering, not asking.)

Moderator: “Please follow the outline.”

Solomon: “Well, how about we do this? How about we make a pledge not to make false accusations against the candidates because that’s an outright lie.”

(Now Solomon is telling the moderator how to run the meeting. He’s trying to take over the meeting just like he tries to take over Town Council meetings).

Moderator: “Mr. Solomon, you are free in your closing statement to say whatever you would like.”

Solomon’s Diversion Tactics
Solomon tried to make an issue out of a non-issue (Bill Garner’s place of residence) in order to create a diversion and take the focus off of his special-interest campaign contributors. So to clarify, Bill Garner and his family lived in Oro Valley from 2004-2017, then briefly lived in Marana for a little over a year, returning to Oro Valley in February 2019. So yes, Bill Garner is eligible to hold office in Oro Valley.

In 2018, after the sudden passing of Marana Councilmember Carol McGorray whom Garner had known personally for many years, he applied to fill the vacancy when there was a call for applicants to fill the remainder of her term. Garner never ran for the Marana Town Council and had no plans to do so.

Annexation and Oro Valley

Annexation key to Oro Valley's history
The Town of Oro Valley incorporated in 1974. It was 2.4 square miles, centered around the Kreigh Park area. That's the "original" Oro Valley.

Obviously, Oro Valley is much bigger today. It is 36 square miles. That is the result of 20 annexations:

• 12 annexations were less than 1 sq mi
•   5 annexations were between 1 and 3 sq mi
•   3 annexations were greater than 3 sq mi

Click to enlarge

Rancho Vistoso was the "big annexation"
The town annexed Rancho Vistoso in 1987. When annexed, Sun City was pretty much Rancho Vistoso.

"Sun City was still a relatively small retirement neighborhood miles to the north of Tucson when Oro Valley annexed it in 1987, and the development transitioned from Pima County to the young town.... more than half of Rancho Vistoso was set aside for open space or recreation, including parks, golf course."(source)

Plans for more annexation on the horizon
The town has created a draft annexation plan. That plan is in the process of town council review. The draft plan includes annexation of the following in the future

• Next three years: 800 acres of state lands
• Four to six years: The east side of Oracle Road, north of Ina. That annexation would include Westward Look Resort
• Seven to ten years: Almost 6,000 acres from Ina Road, past La Cholla, north to Overton. That area includes the Foothills Mall.
• Ten years plus: 11,600 acre annexation of the land that is known as "Great Wash". This land is north of Rancho Vistoso.

Landowner approval required

Regardless of what Oro Valley plans, the owners of the properties being sought for annexation must approve the annexation. That approval requires 51% of the total land value saying "yes." Not everyone says "yes."  The last time the town tried to convince the Foothills Mall area to join the town they got a resounding "no."

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Mark Your Calendar: Sun City Candidate Forum

Candidate Forum

Oro Valley Mayor and Town Council Candidates

Sun City Auditorium
1565 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd.

Saturday, August 4th

2:00 to 4:00 PM

Open to the Public ~ Doors open at 1:30 PM

Residents Fight RV's, Dirt Bikes, Hunting In Their Backyard

The Town Of Oro Valley and residents of the Honeybee Ridge HOA successfully worked together in January to get permission from the federal government to install two gates on what is known as the WAPA (Western Area Power Administration) #180 trail. The trial runs from Rancho Vistoso Blvd to the state lands along the WAPA right of way (easement). The trail is used to maintain the power lines that run to Casa Grande.

The trail closely parallels a barb-wired fence along the back yards of resident of Alamo Canyon Drive (map on right).  It is designated by the Town Of Oro Valley as a walking trail. However, the town has no authority to insure that the trail is used in this manner because it is not the town's property.

According to Alamo Canyon Drive resident Sally Schunerman and others: "Honey Bee Development owns the land, and they and Lewis Management are responsible for maintaining the barricade and keeping trespassers out. They have completely failed to do so." (Source: Appearance Before PREC in January.)

Residents estimate that there are 500 users of the trail each week. It has been used than far more than a walking trail during the past year. That is because it us a "back door" to state lands, the boundary of which is less than a mile from their homes. There is a "legal" route to the state lands on Oracle north of Rancho Vistoso Blvd.

On this trail, at any time, one can find cars, recreational vehicles, hunters, guns, bow hunters, and, a few walkers. All, just a few feet from Honeybee Ridge homes.

The way this trail is being used has been of great concern to residents. Dust is constantly being kicked up creating health challenges. Open firearms are being brandished on the trail.

One resident, at a recent Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Board meeting, describe a situation in which a hunter stopped their RV on trail behind their property to hunt down a bobcat. The hunter simply left the RV running and went after the bobcat. The vehicle was parked just a few feet from the back of the property.

The installation of the gates is not quite a done deal but the help of the town should get this done. According to Misti Nowak, Oro Valley Town Communications Director: "Our Constituent Services Coordinator (Jessica) is now working on this project with the Honey Bee Ridge Estates HOA. The HOA is working on negotiations for a contractor to install the gate."

Once installed, the gates should deter the continuing hassle and dangers that rampant, illegal use of this trail has caused.
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