Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Records - Miscellaneous (69) THE ANTIDOTE A REMEDY FOR THE ORO VALLEY VOICE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 27 MARCH TOWN COUNCIL SESSION The Council denied a request by Messrs. Seaman, Thorell and Peck for a zoning variance in the Linda Vista Citrus Tracts which would have permitted higher density construction than is permissable under current zoning. The Budget Committee report revealed that projected revenues from state and federal sources will fall short of the town's expenditure requirements for the next fiscal year by from $5,000 to $10,000. This shortfall does not include liquidation of the projected $30,000 debt from this years operations. Local taxation will be required for these purposes. Tax sources available locally are the business priv- iledge tax, income from permits and fees and the property tax. An alternative course of action, to avoid imposing local taxes, would be a reduction in the level of public services. A public budget hearing is scheduled for early April. Mayor Holford resigned citing as the reason, attempted bribes by land speculators and threats against his life and his family by the same individuals. A FINAL DOSE Those of you on the distrubution list for Jim Kreigh's recent "Open Letter" were undoubtedly smitten by the contradictions in logic and the numerous myths pervading that missive. Assuming that all are in agreement that his entire list of citizen accomplishments was desireable, the inescapeable fact is that none of them were achieved as a result of the town's existence. All occurred before incorporation and were the result of people, many of whom opposed incorporation, acting in concert through their respective and collective Home Owners Associations. Rather than being an arguement for incorporation, those accomplishments give lie to at least two points in that tuasstal,. Obviously, a town is not necessary for concerned people to act in concert when they feel threatened. The mechanism of an active Home Owners Association is sufficient. Equally obvious, the county administration is responsive to organized citizen input. Otherwise, the Kreigh list would not exist. Since many of those achievements were accomplished in conjunction with homeowners who are not in the town, indeed they often supplied the leaders, it would seem that the town is not only unnecessary but is an ex- pensive impediment to effective collective action by the larger community in which it is imbedded. Furthermore, in view of the incorporators obstinance in the face of the overwhelming majority's desire for disincorporation, we can't help but wonder if .a town government under their control would be as responsive to the community will as the county has been in the past. Why, contrary to existing realities, the incorporators persist in promulgating the myth that funds supplied by the state and federal governments will suffice to supporthe town without a reduction in public services is more than we can com- prehend, Why not tell the truth? It isn't being done and it can't be done. It is time that myth went the way of the tooth fairy and other delightful delusions of the unsophisticated. Another myth that should be laid to rest is the one that implies that expertise in one field makes ore competent in other unassociated activities. In other words , engineers do not necessarily make good governors any more than the reverse is true. The same applies to business school managers, amateur golfers, etc. Competency to govern is particularly lacking in that type of individual who ignores reality and, in the face of all evidence to the contrary, insists that what is happening really isn't. The disincorporation drive is in its final stages. You have now had a year to observe the practical effects of the town. Although all of you have not yet felt the financial Impact, that is so only because the town has gone into debt in lieu of levying the necessary taxes to defray current operating expenses. Eventually, we must pay the piper. It is apparent that nothing of benefit to anyone has occurred as a result of the town's existence. Over 64% of the voters have exhibited disapproval of the continued existence of the town by signing the petition to disincorporate. With that much dissent, it is highly improbable that the town called Oro Valley will ever become a happy association of satisfied citizens. It is certain that we are not going to let those who have foisted this disaster upon us run the show. The Committee for Disincorporation stands ready to collect your signature if you have not already signed the petition. We ask you to join with the majority of your neighbors in bringing an end to this expensive fiasco. A call to any of the following contacts will bring a petition to your door. Virgil Brandon AN OPEN LETTER TO: The Citizens of the Town of Oro Valley FROM: Jim Kriegh, 40 E. Calle Concordia In less than one month the Town of Oro Valley will be one year old. It is time for the citizens to assess the Town Government. The issue can not be ' incorporation versus disincorporation ' , the issue is and must be 'competent councilmen' for sound town government. The goals of the Town should be as they were back in 1970 when the incorporation petitions were filed. Among those important to all of us were a) a financially sound government without imposition of any local property tax, b) maintaining the local CR-1 and SR-4 type of zonings of the bedroom type community, and c) controlling our own destiny. The Town goals and all of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of the Town can be maintained using the revenues that automatically come to the Town from the State and Federal revenue sharing sources. No prOw8rt Taxes Are Needed. The Town must be run by competent individuals. The Town of Oro Valley has been supported by people who have worked for the people of the community long before incorporation. Projects such as paving Northern; installation of a street light at Calle Concordia and the Oracle Highway; restoration Of the 25 mph speed limit in front of the High School on Calle Concordia after Pima County changed it to 45 mph--that is right--45 MPH; blocking Pima County' s attempt to install open raw sewage ponds (called oxidation ponds) in the Canada Del Oro river bottom just west of the golf course - after construction had already started; changing the Amphitheater School District plans to build a school complex around CDO--they had plans for a Junior High and three elementary schools just to the West and North of CDO; and protesting and protecting the area from undesirable zoning changes by attending and speaking at Pima County Planning & Zoning and Board of Supervisors meetings. These are some of the things which have been done for the people in the area and most of them done by people who support the Town. Why do they support the Town? They believe in self control , self government, and true governmental rep- resentation. To say these people are selfish or politically ambitious is ridiculous-- a bunch of bunkum. Certain Pima County officials, City of Tucson officials, and some outspoken in- dividuals in our area have fought the Town. They have used scare tactics, name calling, etc. , trying to destroy the Town. Why?? Can you name one thing that Virgil Brandon has ever done for the people in Shadow Mt. Estates or for the people in the Town of Oro Valley? Likewise, we must seriously examine the Town Council . Three of the individuals on the Council are quite capable individuals. Fortunately for the citizens, Mr. Lauren Rhude has really worked to keep the Town operating on a sound basis. Mr. Bob Hansen and Mr. Dick Kolt are quite capable and if they really worked for the Town there is no doubt that it would develop as it should. However, the latter two have left too much control in the hands of the one individual who obviously cannot handle the job, and he is our Mayor, Kenneth Holford. He evidently is still getting his directives from one or more of the Pima County Board of Supervisors; and in addition, he is attempting to completely undermine and ffset any good work done by other Council members. He is exercising his job with inconsistencies , misdirection, and poor judgement. The way he and Councilwoman Dorothy Montgomery treated and handled the removal of Suzanne Sherick, after hiring her as Town Clerk, is one example. HE HAS TO BE REPLACED. HE CANNOT HANDLE THE JOB. Don 't be fooled by his play on words and fast talk. He is not nearly as knowledgeable as he would aVe you believe. Therefore, we are recalling Kenneth Holford. Hopefully, Mr. Holford will realize that it will be in the best interests of the Town administration as well as the Town citizens for him to resign and to allow the remaining Council members to appoint a new Council member. This is not my bid to seek a position on the Town Council . There are many good, rational and intelligent people in the area who can serve the Town. I have always and will , however, continue to offer my support and services to the Town if and when they are wanted.