HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Records - Miscellaneous REMARKS - Richard F. Kolt, Mayor April 22, 1975
Town of Oro Valley
Before movinr; to the business scheduled before the Council, I have some
thou7hts and observations to present to you. Because it appears that in the
past entirely accurate accounts of what vas said at various times have not been
renorted in all the media, therefore printed copies of my remarks are available
for whomever would care to have them.
The Town of Oro Valley is now one year old. It has been a tempestuous
year to say the least, one that has been filled with dissension and turmoil.
It is probably fair to say, however, that considering that the citizens of the
town are so closely divided on the issue of the town's continued existence, it
is probably creditable that even Teater turmoil has not been created.
As the Mayor my stated position will continue as it was as a Councilman;
to try to find areas of aotreement and try to develop more harmony and less
tension in the community, while still recognizing the need for both sides to
clearly enunciate their position.
I believe that part of the problem has been the lack of accurate communi-
cation, partly because of distortion by persons on both sides, and partly due
due to misinformation in the media. I hope you may have noticed that I have
not made any public statement to the media since my appointment as Mayor. The
reason, as I explained to them, is that I feel that any opinion that I have on
an issue should be reported here at the Council meetine; to the citizens there-
fore, I will attempt to the best of my ability, to have you know first what my
position is. So, if you read in the papers or hear on the radio that my posi-
tion is this or tv,nt, you may dismiss that as clearly conjectural on the part
of the journalist unless I have already stated my position to this forum. This
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no comment position has not been popular with the media but I believe it to
be in the best interests of all members of the community.
A second item that I would like to touch on is the orderly conduct of all
the affairs of this town. In the past, disorderly conduct, redundant statements,
and hyperbole have punctuated the town meetings. As long as I am chairman of
this Council that type of conduct will not be tolerated. Everyone is entitled
to try to sway the citizens and the members of the Council to a different posi-
tion, but no one has the right to disrupt meetings, to yell and shout and fling
caustic dispersions on others. If there are any in the Town that feel that
type of action lies within their personal domain, please be on notice that those
types of actions will result in your physical removal from the town meeting, or
the meeting being immediately closed until order is restored by the sheriff or
the constable.
The central problem of the Council as I see it is, "How do we reestablish
a neighborly feeling amongst members of the community regardless of their posi-
tion, how do we replace animosity with goodwill so that the townspeople can
once again be friendly and considerate to all their neighbors.
Secondary to this issue are the day to day problems of local government.
1) What services are needed? 2) Where do we buy or services? 3) How do we
pay for them? 4) If not enough money is available how do we raise additional
funds? I think you'll agree that these issues can be much more readily resolved
if the central problem, that of peace and harmony in the community, is defined
and resolved. An example of this, I believe, is clearly demonstrated in the
recent work of the budget committee. The six people appointed were charged with
the responsibility of bringing a consensus on the budget to the Council. You'll
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recall that they were able to get within about 10% of both positions. The
budget problems have not yet been solved but this is a sample of the type of
work that is needed. We need facts not fantasy and everyone entering with a
positive, dedicated approach to solving our problems in a business-like manner
with an absolute minimum of dissension.
As my final thought I would ask you to consider that everyone on this
Council is working for what we believe to be your best interest. As your Mayor
I intend to represent everyone in the community, be he pro or anti incorporator,
and to make decisions based on my best personal judgment. I expect to receive
your consideration, accommodation and goodwill, and I will insist that every
member of this Council be treated in the same manner that you would expect to
be treated.
If each of us will proceed in this manner I am confident that we can
restore tranquility to our troubled town. May Y count on your support to
achieve that objective?
Mayor Richard F. Kolt
