Hiremath, Waters Intimidation Tactics Vary
Earlier this month, Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath accused the organizers of the recall effort against him, of resorting to “outright lies, intimidation and bully tactics.” Many, including Oro Valley Town Council member Mike Zinkin say nothing can be “more outrageous from the individual who is charged with leading the whole community.”
According to sources, it is the Mayor and his sidekick, former CNN anchor and current Oro Valley Vice-Mayor Lou Waters, who have engaged in intimidation and bullying tactics even going so far, this past March, to intimidate fellow Councilmember Brendan Burns by threatening his job.
Under official Oro Valley “Office of the Mayor” letterhead, Hiremath and Waters wrote to the the Arizona State Bar Association demanding that they investigate Burns, a member of the Association for supposed lapses in “moral and unethical conduct.” In what is clearly only an attempt to harass, Hiremath and Waters alleged that Burns gave legal advice to residents who were attempting to get a referendum on the ballot to enable Oro Valley residents to vote on the purchase of the aging El Conquistador Country Club and its golf courses.
Oro Valley Town Manager accused of misrepresenting El Conquistador purchase
Last week, in response to a sworn affidavit filed with the Arizona Court of Appeals, Oro Valley Town Council member Mike Zinkin accused Town Manager Greg Caton of misrepresenting material facts about the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club. Caton’s affidavit was filed in opposition to a stay sought by residents Debra Arrett, and Shirley Lamonna.
In early February, Pima County Superior Court Judge Gus Aragon ruled in favor of the Town of Oro Valley in the matter of a request for an “Order to Show Cause” by residents led by Debra Arrett, and Shirley Lamonna, who sought to put the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club before the voters.
Arrett, and Lamonna filed for Statutory Special Action, through their attorney Bill Risner. The defendant Julie K Bower, Oro Valley Town Clerk, rejected over 3000 signatures due to a small clerical error. In his ruling, the judge found that the plaintiffs failed to put a serial number generated by the Town in the bottom corner of each petition.
Judge Aragon did not grant a stay during the initial proceeding because he assumed the litigation would be complete prior to the Town’s anticipated date for completion of the purchase. This allowed the Town Manager to continue to negotiate on behalf of the Town and to issue a request for quote for design services to convert the El Conquistador Country Club clubhouse (touted as a turn-key operation by the Town) which could include site design, ADA and code compliance, civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, communications, landscape, planning, energy and water efficiency, cost estimating and administration of the construction contract. The Sales Tax increase associated with the purchase will be effective March 1st, prior to the actual acquisition.
Related articles:
Residents appeal Oro Valley El Conquistador purchase referendum decision
Judge rules on Oro Valley El Conquistador purchase referendum
Residents appeal Oro Valley El Conquistador purchase referendum decision