While We Were Away...

Sidles and Adler retire

Longtime Town of Oro Valley employees Margie Adler and Tobin Sidles retired this August. Adler, who served as the town’s economic development specialist since 2015, was recognized for her dedication to helping local businesses and for delivering regular economic updates to the community. According to Mayor Hiremeth, Margit was "...the face of small business for Oro Valley." Sidles, the Town’s Legal Services Department Director, retired after 35 years of service and was honored with the State Bar of Arizona’s 2025 John Belatti Public Lawyer Career Achievement Award for his commitment to public service and ethical legal practice. Both leave behind strong legacies in their respective fields.

Naranja Drive path construction begins this fall

Construction of the Naranja Drive Multi-Use Path is scheduled to begin in mid-September 2025, following the Oro Valley Town Council’s unanimous approval of final funding on June 30. The 1.75-mile, 10-foot-wide paved path will run along the north side of Naranja Drive from La Cañada Drive to First Avenue, providing safer access for walkers, cyclists, and joggers. Nearly 91% of the project’s $3.99 million cost is covered by federal and regional transportation grants, with the Town contributing $341,000 through local project savings. The Arizona Department of Transportation will oversee the work, which is expected to be completed by March 2026. Town leaders say the new path will improve safety and connectivity for the community (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Napier announces candidacy for Mayor

There is an important election coming up this summer. It is an election for the mayor of the town. There are also three council seats that are up for election. Thirty-year  Oro Valley resident Mark Napier has announced that he will be running for council. In his August 13 Facebook announcement Napier notes: "Oro Valley has provided so much for my family and me over the years: Safe neighborhoods, beautiful open spaces, good parks, and an incredible sense of community. This is why I am running for Mayor in the August 2026 election - to ensure we preserve our community character and values, while responsibly and strategically planning for our future." (Source)

A few notable updates from the July town manager "Executive Report To Council"

Several smaller updates stand out in the July 2025 Town Manager’s Executive Report. The Town Council approved right-of-way license agreements for new high-speed internet providers, paving the way for expanded service in Oro Valley. Only two new short-term rental licenses were issued in June, with the vast majority of these rentals being single-family homes. Every available segment in the Town’s Adopt-A-Road program is now spoken for, reflecting strong community participation. Transit ride numbers increased slightly to nearly 68,000 rides in fiscal year 2024/25, though monthly usage appears to be leveling out.

Drones overhead? Know your rights

Oro Valley police addressed common concerns in the July 2025 CrimeFighter newsletter, reaffirming that drone flights over private property—such as backyard and rooftops—are legal under federal jurisdiction. As Oro Valley lies in Class G airspace, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) holds controlling authority over drone operations, and the town does not impose additional airspace restrictions. While police oversee public safety in flight situations, they don’t regulate drone operations. The only limits are standard FAA rules: drones must fly below 400 feet, avoid sustained flights over people or moving vehicles, and refrain from capturing images inside private yards without consent. Homeowners uncomfortable with overhead drones are encouraged to reach out to OVPD for guidance. (Source: OVPD Crimefighter, July, 2025)

Pusch Ridge Golf Course seeks Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program Certification

The Pusch Ridge Golf Course has joined the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, launching a comprehensive process to enhance wildlife habitat, promote conservation, and improve environmental stewardship. This signals a commitment to protecting the natural resources that make the course unique, benefiting not only golfers but also residents and wildlife. Achieving certification will mean the course meets high standards for habitat management, water conservation, and chemical safety. It will place Pusch Ridge among a select group of environmentally responsible courses in the region and show Oro Valley’s leadership in balancing recreation with conservation. The project will also offer new volunteer opportunities for those who want to support sustainability and help shape the future of the golf course. (Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf media newsletter, 07-29-25)    

Draft of OV’s Path Forward coming later this fall

Residents can expect the full draft of OV’s Path Forward—Oro Valley’s next 10-year action plan—to be released later this fall, offering the first comprehensive view of proposed goals, policies, and action steps developed with input from more than 100 residents during Phase 2 earlier this year . The initial 30% draft was completed by May 2025, and now includes 31 goals, 78 policies, and over 255 action items organized into themes such as sustainability, land use, parks, and public safety. The draft marks a point when the community can review, refine, and ensure that the final plan reflects residents’ priorities before it goes to a public vote in November 2026.

Oro Valley secures $3 million for water sustainability

The Oro Valley Water Utility has secured the full $3 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona to support the Northwest Recharge and Recovery Delivery System (NWRRDS). This grant was fully anticipated by the town and it's planning so it's no surprise. This regional project—done in partnership with Marana and the Metro Water District—will allow Oro Valley to store and recover renewable water supplies, significantly reducing groundwater pumping and helping stabilize aquifer levels. For residents, this means improved water security, better water quality, and less risk of land subsidence. The grant also eases long-term costs for customers by offsetting infrastructure expenses without requiring repayment. Once completed in mid-2026, the system will provide reliable renewable water to over 115,000 customers across northwest Tucson. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

The OVHS has had a very busy summer 

The Oro Valley Historical Society marked its 20th anniversary with a summer full of projects and community milestones. The Society launched a new website with the help of Red Coyote Services and dedicated volunteer Lynn Zoyiopoulos, rejuvenated the Heritage Garden with Home Depot’s support, and—thanks to a major Chamber of Commerce Foundation donation—installed eight new interpretive signs at Steam Pump Ranch. OVHS volunteers completed updates to the Procter-Leiber family tree, advanced the digitization of the Society’s historic records, and expanded outreach by meeting with other regional historical groups. They also hosted the Tucson Paranormal Society for a special museum investigation and celebrated Jim Williams, who received a national award for his book, “Oro Valley: The First Fifty Years.” All of this activity sets the stage for a full fall calendar, new exhibits, and collaborative events at Steam Pump Ranch. (Source: OVHS August 2025 Update).

- - -

"Cease and Desist" Letter Sent To Greene, Rodman and Solomon

Cease and desist use of town seal
Last week we reported of a political mailer sent by the campaigns of Greene, Rodman and Solomon. The mailer included the photo in the panel below. It is a picture of now ex-police chief Dan Sharp in uniform with a badge that includes the town's logo.

Class One Misdemeanor
Town Legal Services Director, Tobin Sidles wrote the a "Cease and Desist-Use of Town Logo" letter to Harry Greene on July 9.

"On or around July 8, either you or one fo your agents acting on your behalf created and published a political mailer advertisement, which included a picture of the Town Seal/Logo located in it on the badge of retired Police Chief Danny Sharp...  You are hereby put on notice that the Town of Oro Valley Seal/Logo is copyrighted within the State of Arizona.

Logo included in last week's political mailer

Further, under Town Code Section 10-1-26, it is a crime... to use the Town Seal/Logo without the prior consent of the Oro Valley Town Council. This specifically includes use for election purposes. You are hereby on notice that any pictures within your control containing the Town seal/logo within them must be "fuzzed out." (Source: July 9 letter from Tobin Sidles to Harry Greene)

Not in compliance in other areas
Add this to the list of other violations regarding political signage from which Greene, Rodman and Solomon suffer. These include placards that make their signs bigger than allowed and identification labels on signs that are smaller than required.
---

Many signs point to the Town's illegal advocating of the Naranja Park Bond.

Last Thursday, September 14th, Axe the Tax Chair, Jim Horn, sent the following letter to the Town Manager and the Town Attorney regarding what is perceived to be the Town’s illegal advocating for the Naranja Bond via information provided on the Town website.

LOVE readers have also noticed the same advocating in hand-outs, the Open House on September 13th, and in an editorial by Oro Valley Communications Administrator, Misti Nowak published in the Oro Valley Voice this summer.

Legally, the Town is only allowed to provide education and information about the bond. They are not allowed to advocate for it.

It has been one week and there has been no response from the Town.

September 14, 2017

Town Manager, Mary Jacobs
Cc: Town Attorney, Tobin Sidles

Ms. Jacobs,

I understand that the Town cannot advocate for or against the Naranja Park Bond but can only “educate” and provide information.

However, in looking at the Project Fact Sheet on the Town Website, it appears that the Town is subliminally downplaying the cost of the Naranja Bond by using bold print for certain terminology and by omitting some of the facts. This is outlined below.

The Project Sheet begins by giving the basic facts such as what’s in the plan and that it will be paid for with a secondary property tax. However, under the heading, “What’s the cost and how will it impact residents?” it then goes on to sway voters into voting YES by placing the following words in regular print:

$17 million
secondary property tax
$1.4 million per year for 20 years

While placing the following words in bold print:

$4.50 per month to an average homeowner.

In addition, the final cost of the bond with interest is $28 million. This number has been omitted from the website. Instead, it is worded, “$1.4 million per year for 20 years.” When worded this way, the number doesn’t seem so high.

In other words, just because the website does not specifically contain the words, “Vote YES on the Naranja Park Bond” does not mean that the Town is not presenting information in a way that is designed to sway a person in that direction.

Under the heading, “Alignment with Your Voice, Our Future General Plan,” the Project Sheet states that the “Naranja Park Bond Project conforms to the 70% voter-approved 2016 Your Voice, Our Future General Plan…” This is more subliminal messaging and manipulation of the facts designed to sway voters into thinking that this proposal must be popular if it was approved by 70% of the people.

It wasn’t 70% of the town, it was 70% of the voters who cast a ballot.

Let’s look at what “70% voter-approved” really means:

Oro Valley has a population of 43,781 (U.S. Census Bureau)
Oro Valley has 30,321 registered voters. (Town of Oro Valley Website)

23,250 ballots were cast for Prop 439 – Your Voice, Our Future General Plan (11/8/16)
16,424 voted YES (70.64%)
6,826 voted NO (29.36%)

The General Plan was not approved by 70% of the total population of 43,781. It was approved by 70% of the 23,250 ballots cast which equals 16,424 residents or 37.5% of the population of Oro Valley. This is not overwhelming support.

In addition to the bond information on the Town website, if your future newspaper ads and educational meeting(s) also present a manipulation of the facts, all of this equates to free advertising for the “Vote YES on 454” PAC, which they are getting with OUR tax dollars.

The “Informational Pamphlet” that the Town will be mailing to registered Oro Valley voters about a month prior to the election is also paid for with taxpayer funds. Will this publication also be heavy on “$4.50 per month” and “70% voter approved?”

In closing, when both sides aren’t presented equally or one side is not presented at all, this could be interpreted as the Town advocating for one side over the other. If the Town presents only the positives and none of the negatives, isn’t that in effect advocating for the bond?

Yours truly,

James W. Horn
Chair, Axe the Tax PAC