By Merritt McGlothlin
We are continually reminded by the mainstream media regarding military options in the Mideast, that the American people are “war weary.” I gotta tell you though, that my neighbors are even wearier, “Pima County Government Weary.” It beats us down, wears us out, then takes more of our hard earned money for land acquisitions, and non-essential giveaways to various favored entities.
Yes, as the little girl in the movie Poltergeist exclaimed; “they’reeee baaaaaaack.” Of course it’s the same old bunch that are back.
What does the County want this time? Why it’s just a simple no kill animal shelter bond issue for the exorbitant sum of $22 million dollars? Questions abound regarding this animal shelter, it’s cost, and the process that has brought us to this point.
Why the excessive cost? Has the general public been properly educated? What do all the numbers truly represent in detail? How much cushion has been factored in?
Have all the stakeholders (Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, S. Tucson, Green Valley) signed agreements that they will guarantee their fair share of the costs for the yearly maintenance at this facility? Oh by the way, what is that yearly maintenance number? Is this just another pie in the sky project like the costly over budget County Courthouse?
The first time the majority of taxpayers were made aware of this project was when the supervisors were given a short time period, with very little if any discussion, as whether to vote to place this issue on the ballot. The vote passed by the BOS and it then became Proposition 415.
Since the time of that vote, we have had three numbers bandied about as to the true cost, with the latest being somewhere in the $18.5 million range. But at the September 16, 2014 BOS meeting it was stated that the bonding for said project, regardless of the final number, would be $22M. Including the pork built into the project cost, will there be excess funds used at the discretion of the same old power group that oversees the county business? Now you see it, now you don’t, I have three walnut shells all you have to do is pick which one the pea is under.
There are many questions too numerous to list but a couple more need airing. Is there any undisclosed agreement regarding this project with the UofA Veterinary School, and what is the explanation of the preponderance of the current and most likely future population of aggressive breeds of dogs that seem to occupy the current shelter?
This ill-conceived project as currently structured with so many questions and so few answers should be voted down. A broader coalition can be developed to discuss and arrive at a fiscally, humanely sound plan,— going forward with this present proposition is reckless!
The taxpayers deserve more than the same old order of business by the same old elected and self-appointed overseers of the peoples hard earned tax money.