Oro Valley
Council wants more info on Internet filtering
The Oro Valley Town Council voted 5-1 on Nov. 15 to continue discussion of whether the Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive, should filter all Internet access for pornography.
Councilman Barry Gillaspie motioned for the Town Council to continue discussion of the issue after it receives more information on filtering. He said that for the Town Council to make a decision without more information could be dangerous because the town could get sued.
Vice Mayor Terry Parish voted against continuing discussion and said he didn't understand the Town Council's trepidation about the issue.
Earlier in the meeting, Parish had motioned to approve a resolution to filter all Internet access at the library using the library's current filtering software and said that library staff would have to be be available to unblock Web sites for adults who asked. The motion failed when no other members of the Town Council seconded it.
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Councilwoman Helen Dankwerth was absent from the vote.
The Oro Valley Town Council's consideration of the resolution was not a public hearing, but five members of the public — three for filtering all Internet access and two against — spoke at the meeting.
Councilwoman Paula Abbott said she would like to hear more from the public on the issue.
The date when the Oro Valley Town Council will reconsider the resolution has not yet been set, said Town Clerk Kathryn Cuvelier.
Development standards focus of TV program
Two Oro Valley town staff members will discuss the town's development standards on Access Tucson's "Government Connection" program, which will broadcast live at 6 p.m. Wednesday on Comcast Channel 74 and Cox Channel 99.
Planning and zoning administrator Sarah More and building safety administrator Suzanne Smith will discuss how these standards affect the growth and appearance of the community, and they will take phone-in questions.
Viewers may ask questions by calling 629-0683 or 624-2792 during the show.
"Participation in the 'Government Connection' series is part of a larger effort on the part of the town to share information with Oro Valley residents," said Bob Kovitz, the town's governmental and community relations administrator, in a media release.
The program will re-air at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and noon Dec. 5.
Council weighs 4% tax on electricity, gas, water
The Oro Valley Town Council will consider imposing a 4 percent local sales tax on electricity, gas and water services at an upcoming meeting set to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Oro Valley Town Hall, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive.
Town officials have said that if the town implements the tax, then the town would be able to hire 18.5 new city staffers, including staffers for the Oro Valley Police Department and Oro Valley Parks and Recreation.
The Town Council voted down a 4 percent utility tax at a Sept. 20 meeting, but Vice Mayor Terry Parish asked on Nov. 15 that it be put back on the agenda.
Parish, Mayor Paul Loomis and Councilwoman Helen Dankwerth voted in favor of the utility tax on Sept. 20.
The Town Council will consider the utility tax on Wednesday either with or with out a "sunset clause" that would place a time limit on the tax, said Town Clerk Kathryn Cuvelier.
If passed, the utility tax would generate $2.1 million a year for the town's general fund, said Town Finance Director Stacey Lemos.
The cost to taxpayers would be a $7.48 monthly increase to the average household's utility bills that would start April 1, 2007, she said.
Northwest
Weekend art, craft show aids Bobbi Olson group
An arts and craft show set for this weekend will benefit the Bobbi Olson Memorial Foundation.
The craft show, which will be held at Bashas', 2000 W. River Road, will feature pottery, wood works, metal art and jewelry, according to a news release.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 405-3179.
Democrat wins Dist. 26 in official election results
Results of the Nov. 7 general election became official earlier this week. Thousands of ballots had continued to be counted after election night.
Democrat Charlene Pesquiera claimed the District 26 Senate seat by 455 votes, according to results posted on the secretary of state's Web site.
Pesquiera, who had led Republican Al Melvin since election night, saw her lead grow over the weekend.
Officials in both Pima and Pinal counties have finished counting mail-in and provisional ballots. Both counties certified the results earlier this week.
● In the District 25 House race, Republican incumbent Jennifer Burns will hold onto her seat after a tight election race. Burns had 803 more votes than Republican challenger Gail Griffin.
● In the Avra Valley Fire District race, Luis Castaneda grabbed the final governing board seat by six votes, defeating incumbent John Yacks.
Catalina
Shop at Golden Goose to aid charity programs
'Tis the season for shopping, bargain hunting and giving to charity, and people can do all three at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop this Friday and Saturday.
Golden Goose, 16701 N. Oracle Road, is a nonprofit, upscale thrift shop that raises money for charity programs at Catalina Community Services and SaddleBrooke Community Outreach.
The shop's hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.
