Archive for April, 2009

A DIFFERENT SORT OF TRANSPARENCY

by Jim Nintzel – The Tucson Weekly – April 15, 2009

Rumors are swirling that the underlying tensions between council members Nina Trasoff and Karin Uhlich—exemplified by the fact that Trasoff was furious about Uhlich’s decision to fire Mike Hein last week—stem from the fact that both women harbor ambitions about becoming mayor in two years, when Republican Bob Walkup’s third term comes to an end.

Uhlich says she believes in a simple, nonpolitical mantra: “Do good work; work hard; stay centered on the public’s interest; and the politics unfold. I don’t know what doors will open to me in the future, if any. I think a lot of people in public office get pulled off-track by looking toward whatever ambition might lie ahead. And so I don’t do that.”

Okey-dokey.

During the TV interview, Uhlich also said she was open to increasing the city’s environmental-services fee, which was derided by Democrats as a “garbage tax” when Uhlich and Trasoff were running for office four years ago.

Uhlich, who had supported a trash fee when she was on the city’s budget committee in the 1990s, was more careful about her rhetoric than Trasoff during the campaign. Rather than calling for a repeal of the fee, she criticized the implementation of it. She also declined to take any kind of position on what should be done about it, saying only that the council needed “to revisit the whole thing and put everything back on the table.”

After they were elected, Uhlich and Trasoff made an effort to persuade their colleagues to consider reducing the fee, but the once the incumbent Democrats who had opposed the “garbage tax” actually had the power to do something about it, they discovered they liked spending all that money. Surprise, surprise.

Now Uhlich says the fee, like many others in the city, isn’t too high after all. Instead, it’s too low and should be indexed to inflation and subject to regular increases. Now that’s what we call revisiting.

Uhlich says indexing fees to inflation makes sense, because too often, politicians don’t regularly increase fees.

“Often, governing bodies are afraid of any revenue discussion,” Uhlich said. “We avoid it, avoid it, avoid it, avoid it, and then every 10 years, there’s a 25 to 50 percent jump.”

We wonder why politicians are afraid of talking about raising revenues, which is the latest code for hiking taxes. It could be because when they do, challengers come along and relentlessly pound them for doing so. Good thing Uhlich is above that kind of thing.

Listening to Uhlich reminded us of how the City Council avoided any talk of raising bus fares until last year, when the Transportation Department suggested a 25-cent hike in bus fares. Who led the opposition to that increase? Oh, yeah—Karin Uhlich.

Instead, the City Council threatened to fire Hein and created a new mass-transit committee to consider whether the increase was justified. And even though that committee came back with a recommendation to hike the fee, the council has taken no action.

So let’s see if we understand how this is supposed to work: First, support a fee. Then oppose its implementation, because the increase is too high. Then once elected, keep it at its current level until costs increase, and then call for annual future increases.

We can’t imagine why Mike Hein would run into trouble working with these people.

(We wouldn’t be surprised to see Ward 4 Councilwoman Shirley Scott show some interest in that contest as well. And we’re not counting out Ward 2 Councilman Rodney Glassman, although we hear he might have his eye on the larger prize of Arizona secretary of state.)

On Arizona Illustrated last week, Uhlich said she had no plans to run for mayor in two years and is concentrating on winning re-election in November. But she also declined to pledge to serve her full four years if re-elected.

We had Senator Al Melvin on the Wake Up Tucson show this morning.  We talked about the unique opportunity Arizona has to become a safe haven for enterprise. California is driving there business away and Texas has been opening doors for the past 10 years. Texas implemented tort reform, a relaxed regulatory environment and favorable tax status for enterprise.  It’s working.  The jury is out as to if Arizona’s conservatives can get it done and start turning the tide.

Even without our Tucson business communities support, we have leaders up north that are trying to turn the tide. Let’s hope Arizona can but the ‘open for business’ sign up. Read about SALC’s lobbing HERE.

TEXAS GOV. BACK RESOLUTION AFFIRMING SOVEREIGNTY
Tue Apr 14 2009 08:44:54 ET

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry joined state Rep. Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state,” Gov. Perry said. “That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.”

Perry continued: “Millions of Texans are tired of Washington, DC trying to come down here to tell us how to run Texas.”

[VIDEO]

A number of recent federal proposals are not within the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers and impede the states’ right to govern themselves. HCR 50 affirms that Texas claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not otherwise granted to the federal government.

It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

Developing… From Druge

What:     TUCSON TEA PARTY

When:    Wednesday, April 15, 2009    9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Where:   El Presidio Park in Downtown Tucson

Who:     The AZ chapter of American for Prosperity (www.aztaxpayers.org), many other allied pro-taxpayer organizations, hundreds (thousands?) of taxpayer activists from Southern Arizona, and several local media personalities, including Jim Parisi of 790 KNST and Jon Justice of 104.1 the Truth.

Why:     We need to protest (and stop!) the tax increases proposed by big-spending politicians at the federal, state, and local levels.  Our message in a nutshell:  NO NEW TAXES!

How:     Please let us know you will attend by sending an email to infoAZ@afphq.org.  If you can send us your state legislative district (not your Congressional district), or if you can send us your city and zip code, we can send you legislative updates on future tax and budget issues.

Recruit your friends!  Here is a printable flyer for the Tucson Tea Party:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/files/tucsonteapartyflyer.pdf

Az Star ran a story on the business communities interpretation of the Hein firing. HERE- Don Diamond, Tucson’s large developer was quoted as was select Southern Arizona legislators.  As is usually the case, the online comments are often times better than the story themselves. Here are a few opposing sides of the debate about the role of business and the business leaders in our community.  Both raise interesting points and are worth a read:

58. Comment - April 12,2009 @ 12:41PM

State Sen. Jonathan Paton, a Tucson Republican, has a bill lined up to mandate non-partisan elections in Tucson, but he said it won’t get introduced until a budget is passed.

They don’t lead, they take, and can never get enough for themselves — Diamond and Click, the most visible examples, that clean-up their image with what are small contributions compared to their enormous worth.

Isn’t this constitutionally illegal by State statutes, besides being ‘not their call?’

The State can’t dictate voting rules to just one district. They have no business micro-managing COT. Ir’a more coercion, to try and force us to obey their demands. They are truly out of control with their power.

Since almost every government entity is in the red — last thing we need is the ‘need’ for a law suit, to prevent the neocons in the Arizona Legislature imposing their will on COT voters.

Not all that long ago, Republicans had a majority on the COTCity Council — and they got themselves voted out. Walkup is the last vestige of their stupidity and even worse management. Can you imagine if Hein had been around then? They would have ‘spent’ the projected $600 million projected funds, instead of just the $100 million Hein helped to blow in the last 4 years. All the neocons, and 2 bad democrat Council members are supporting Hein — what does that tell you?

Until Republicans aren’t run by the neocons — they ruin their own chances of winning anywhere, other than in their stronghold areas. I’ll vote either party — for the best, which is sadly often for who will do the least harm, and won’t blow off the taxpayers.

Ha, ha, Diamond, and buddies, your public-taxpayer-funded gravy train is over for now — and I hpoe forever.

“Business Leaders’ = oxymoron

And….

36. Comment - April 12,2009 @ 8:07AM

Ratings: -13 +12

How long will this community continue to demonize the business leaders and enterprise?
Are there bad apples? Yes. But how do you think we generate the money to do all your little pet projects? The majority of the money brought into our city government for; graffiti classes, after school rap lessons, artist warehouse districts, Rio Nuevo, presidio walls, department of neighborhood resources and on and on comes from the 2% sales tax collected on car dealers, retail stores, construction materials and license fees paid by over 25,000 businesses in Tucson alone.
The culture that has been created in our region is one of fear and ‘get in line to get along’. Business leaders know how to get projects done and work the system just like everyone else. We know that if we take a stand, use the court systems or the media to expose the insanity that we live in every day we stand the greatest lash back ever seen. Every once in a while an individual will rise up and challenge the status quo. Their future opportunities are in jeopardy.
I speak with business people every day that give example after example of unfair treatment, intentional stalls of projects, unbelievable and out of line requests from elected officials or bureaucrats because of some agenda (like low income housing trusts funds or open space to name a few). I know of major firms that WILL NEVER DO ANOTHER PROJECT in our region again. La Encantada ring a bell?
So all of you above that keep commenting on how selfish the business community is, how if Hein is supported by the business community he should be fired, how much money a Diamond make and how he’s the problem open the budget, visit a web site, look at what we are experiencing as a community right now. The business sector is hurting, due to national economic issues and guess what……government tax collections are down and services have to be cut. See the connection?
Phoenix looks at our situation down here as a back woods community that is a joke. They throw us a bone like Rio Nuevo and host Superbowls and create $650 million convention centers while we can’t get out of our own way.
When a savvy national business looks at coming to our region they look at the education system, crime rate, regulatory environment, political culture, skilled and educated work force and quality of life. Doing OK in only one of 6 of these categories just isn’t going to cut it.
We need better leadership, we need an active business community that can and will make a stand for what is right; we need TUSD to get its act together. Vail, Flowing Wells, Amphi and many other districts are doing a great job at educating our kids. You don’t hear about their dirty laundry every day in the paper.
We need elected officials that lead, that has been in private industry and understand what it takes to make a healthy business community. If you continue to load stake holder groups with neighborhood activists, NIMBY loud mouths, you won’t get progress or change. Elected officials, please please please – educate yourself, pick business leaders you trust as advisors, chose a direction and stick to your path. You will take arrows from every special interest out there. But the path you are on is driving us off a cliff.

 Click image for larger view.

Fast forward to 2.22 in the video for the best question of the year:

Ann Brown -”It was such a close vote, 4-3, what does that say about this council’s ability to come together, to draw concensus.”

Councilwoman Uhlich – “This council has voted unanimously over 90% of the time.”

Ann, the problem with the budget, Rio Nogo,  the inability to raise or cut anything, funding of pet projects and the general complete lack of leadership  is the fact that there is no dissention. No one steps out of line. When one member does deviate they beat them back into submission.

Ann the questions should have been “This council has been known to vote unanimously on just about everything.  This dissention is a major departure. Does this signify  a change in direction? Are we going to see more of this going forward?”

Even Kimble hit them with the Mike Hein is a scapegoat in his editorial. Yours didn’t even address the lunacy just went to the, “what now” question.

I have been informed that the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District Board has taken action today to investigate out sourced project and financial management options and begin a period of transition to propose a fully independently managed district, separate from the City of Tucson.  In former City Manager’s Hein’s  FY10 budget, he had eliminated the position of Downtown Development Director from the budget anticipating changes in Rio Nuevo Management.  Based on the Board’s desires and our difficult financial times, I will also be proposing the elimination of the Downtown Director position effective June 30, 2009.

Greg Shelko has served admirably among difficult times in the Downtown Revitalization process.  He has been a consummate professional in trying to deliver the projects as directed by the Mayor and Council.  We hope that we are able to build upon the successes he helped create as we move forward in transition on project delivery.  I cannot stress enough how important the Downtown Redevelopment project is to the community and to the State of Arizona and thank Greg for his contributions to that end.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 520-791 4204.

Thank you,

Mike (Letcher – not the other one)

Help Wanted – City Manager, Tucson, AZ.  The exciting City of Tucson is  desperately seeking a new city manager. Join one of the fastest growing communities in the southwest.  Tucson’s budget is upwards of $1 billion, our population is 1/2 million and you’ll be directly responsible for 4500+ employees. Make the leap to the big time, we suggest you rent not buy, no telling how long you’ll be here.

You will become a part of a dynamic team of ‘can do’ elected officials.  Although we’ve had some tough economic times you’re not allowed to cut anything or impose any ‘revenue enhancements’ unless they apply to the business community.

Tucson is a 21st century community with a vibrant downtown  with world class developers,   booming industries. We have top notch class museums, eclectic restaurants and a large artist community.

Qualifications:
 - You must be able to count to 4 (used to be 7 but that sort of changed this week)
- You must be able to take orders. Free thinkers, visionaries, leaders of any kind need not apply.
- We aren’t sure if you need to live in the city limits or not. We know our local school district, is getting a abad wrap so you may want to live in Oro Valley. OV is A community  just North of Tucson. Just ask any of our police officers, they’ll show you the safeesr neighborhoods to raise a family in.  Our communities lack of transportation planning infrastructure will make your commute to downtown a little over an hour. You’ll be tasked to fix the transportaion problem but it must involve light rail, public buses and you absolutely can’t move or harm any animals or plants in the process.
- If you’ve ever re-developed a downtown, don’t even bother to apply. We got that covered.
- If you owned a business, your parents were small business owners, you read the business pages of the local paper or even know how to spell BUSINESS. Don’t bother us.
- Education Requirements; you must have a degree from -  Univ. of Santiago de Cuba, Univ. of Leipzig. We don’t care about your grades.
- Background in teaching graffiti or any type of art would be helpful.
- You absolutely MUST be a democrat. Not a from the progressive wing, or Blue Dog.

We pay a lot. We aren’t quite sure how much since our entire finance department ‘took early  retirement’.   Don’t worry we’ll figure it out, we’re in the middle of the budget process as we speak.

Contact any of our elected officials via there personal email.

From today’s Citizen

No timetable has been set to find a replacement for Hein. In the meantime, Deputy City Manager Mike Letcher is leading city government – but Letcher has said he plans to retire in November.

Finding someone competent and willing to run the city must certainly be the primary responsibility of the council. But there are other pressing matters:

• The Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment effort may be threatened.

Money diverted from state coffers is key to Rio Nuevo’s progress. But some legislators displeased with the slow pace of Rio Nuevo have threatened to cancel future funding.

Hein was in direct charge of Rio Nuevo, and his departure further muddies the downtown waters. Who will now be in charge? And will that mollify or anger legislators who have their hands on the purse strings?

• The city budget is awash in red ink this year and next. Hein had several ideas for addressing that, all of which now are in limbo.

Hein had hoped to renegotiate contracts with the city’s unions to cut $10 million in costs. Those talks, led by Hein, were ongoing when he was fired.

Hein also asked the council to increase revenue by $5 million per year through higher fees or taxes. The council has not addressed that.

And Hein asked the council to decide how to cut $4 million from funding to outside agencies. The council has not addressed that, either.

• Hein had announced plans to merge the Urban Planning and Development Services departments, with some jobs eliminated. Hein was overseeing that effort, now in limbo.

Savings from the merger were to help ease next year’s budget problems.

• The city is about to refinance millions of dollars in bonds and certificates of deposit for lower interest rates and to delay some payments because of budget problems. That is in limbo. More refinancings were planned for next year.

It is not known what Hein’s sudden departure will mean for interest rates. Will bond buyers demand higher interest payments because of uncertainty at the top?

Steve Leal, Regina Romero, Shirley Scott and Karin Uhlich – the four City Council members who voted to fire Hein – have said that dispatching him would clear up a lot of problems within the city.

But they are more likely to discover the problems have been magnified and intensified.

Don Diamond on Arizona Illustrated – HERE. Is the business community finally ready to take a stand?