Comments on: Councilmembers: Please Hold Firm against Rio Nuevo Board

By: Golda Velez

Golda Velez — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:46:08 +0000

Yes – and we can hold those council members accountable when they come up for reelection, vote in new ones if we want, even hold a recall election. What are we going to do if the appointed board members spend the next $230 million on their lawyers in order to take ownership of the Mission Gardens property that we bought with part of the first round of spending? They don’t need our votes and have no accountability. We should indeed insist that the money be spent better, that the process be more accountable and transparent – but as far as I can see its become harder to do that, not easier, with the appointment of the board.

By: niemicat

niemicat — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:54:25 +0000

Regina in July 2008. She, & Scott, approved the spending and COT Preocurement and Greg Shalko spent it, sometimes with the help of City Manager when the Cost of the of the change orders were very high. Council member Regina Romero, who represents Ward 1 on the West Side, told us, "I really think we need to start encumbering that TIF money. Let's go, go, go." Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ef925d4d-fa52-5283-a90a-0078213a0edb.html#ixzz1Zklv7w38

By: galse

galse — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:27:22 +0000

$230 Million dollars! That is approximately how much of our taxpayer money was spent while Rio Nuevo was under the City’s control!What is unconscionable is that we have practically nothing to show for it.Now WHY would we Trust our City Council? Please enlighten me!

By: Golda Velez

Golda Velez — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:53:30 +0000

Steve Kozachik, the Republican member of the City Council, also concurs:
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Golda, that’s my plan. Thank you for the note affirming that it’s what the citizens are after. I appreciate it.
SteveK

By: Golda Velez

Golda Velez — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:51:45 +0000

Regina Romero responded to my email, below, and asks other voters to please contact her office. We as voters can have a significant impact on decisions and our representatives need to hear from us.
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Golda,

I agree with your assessment and will fight for Tucson taxpayers and west side residents in this unconscionable claim the state appointed Rio Nuevo Board has filed.

I agree, there were mistakes made in the past managing Rio Nuevo but for the last 4 years Mayor & Council have fired the previous management, instituted an Independent Audit & Performance Review Commission, asked for and cooperated fully with an Attorney General Audit and have made investing in infrastructure our priority (i.e. Constructing Cushing Street bridge to connect east to west).

Please make your voice heard publically with your friends, neighbors, neighborhood association, letter to the editor. It helps me to have a multitude of voices I can point to when making these difficult decisions. Call my office at 791-4040 with any questions.

My best,
Regina Romero