This Community Meeting was held in one of the classrooms at the new Golder Ranch Fire Training Facility.  It's a comfortable venue and available free to community groups by scheduling a date through the GRFD business office.

 

Patrick Cavanaugh, of Supervisor Day's office was on hand to answer questions and listen to concerns.  He's becoming such an integral part of these meetings that I feel the need to remind even myself how important it is to have someone from that office taking the time to stay connected with the residents.  I, and others, had emailed Ms. Day a few months ago with our concern that the Village Council had become the only "accepted" venue for public input.  She responded the next day by phone, with a very adamant "I don't play favorites".  She's been true to that statement, and her office seems to have set the tone for the entire County "machine" to treat Catalina with a little more respect.  I won't go so far as to say it's all wine and roses, mind you.  But it's a whole lot better than it's been for a very long time.
.
Now to the night's invited guest.....many, many thanks to Don Carter for spending an hour of his time to fill us in on the plans and progress of the Catalina Regional Park and answering questions from those in attendance.  An overview of the most significant points of the night's discussion is contained within his latest park update which can be read at: Catalina Regional Park News and Info . 

 

We all came away with the sense that Pima County had chosen the right man for the job.  Many of us had been concerned that this park, within Catalina, would become so "regional" as to not reflect the character of the community that surrounded it, and that it's environmental significance would be ignored in favor of team-sports and development interests.  But it is clear that Don feels he is a steward for this land, and much of his efforts are toward bringing it back to its natural state.

 

He spoke often of his desire to be responsive to the wishes of the community, and expressed a sincere invitation for groups and individuals to call him with their ideas.  He made it clear that he isn't in a position to "promise" anything, yet he is in the perfect position to advocate residents' ideas to his superiors.  Along those lines, Don said he had been approached by various groups and individuals about forming a Friends of the Catalina Regional Park volunteer organization, and that he would keep us informed of any progress in that direction.  Don can be reached on his cellphone at 240-9493, or at his Catalina headquarters on Trotter Lane at 818-3807.   

 

We had some new folks this time....glad to see ya....with some input about the Lago del Oro Parkway area.  Traffic, and the speed of that traffic, seemed to be a great concern for those residents. One resident had gone so far as to ask Pima County to do a traffic study and the results of that study were somewhat of a surprise, but perhaps not; ten-thousand trips a day on Lago del Oro Parkway with the vast majority ending in Pinal County and Saddlebrooke.  The County stated that the 45 mph speed limit was dictated by the designation of the road, which is in the same category as Oracle Road as it passes thru Catalina.  Both Patrick and Don felt that once the Regional Park is opened to the public, the presence of the park itself might become a "mitigating" factor in lowering the speed along Lago.

 

This led to a discussion of the routing of Saddlebrooke/Pinal County traffic down Columbus Blvd and Hawser St once the improvements along Edwin Rd are completed.  And this led to speculation of traffic snarls at the Golder/Oracle intersection becoming even worse than they are now.  As many were interjecting their personal stories of Pinal's impact on Catalina and the potentional transportation nightmare that will come with the enormous number of homes planned for construction just north of us, Wes brought up the issue of the Oro Valley annexation of the State Land just to the west of Catalina.

 

This State Land annexation is still in the planning stages, but Wes and others were invited to meet with Oro Valley planning officials as a courtesy, as a kind of "heads-up" for what's coming down the pike.  The maps will be ready later this month, and public meetings concerning this will be taking place over the next couple of months.  (Have you ever noticed that public input stages for ALL the  unpopular development projects happen over the holidays when folks are too involved to "get involved"!!)

 

Patrick spoke at length about Pima County's involvement in this proposal, about the County's desire to maintain open-space and the wildlife corridor between the mountains.  There were many specifics to this discussion that I honestly don't remember, but I'll see what I can find out and put together as this all progresses.

 

I brought up the fact that a few members of the Catalina Village Council, (a private non-profit organization that has at times been either a charity or an HOA, a legal corporation or sometimes not!), had recently gone before the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce with the intention, it seems, of claiming and exerting some kind of representational role for this community.  I stated "clearly" that no private citizen has the right to usurp my right to represent myself to my officially elected government.  To lend credence to "government by non-profit" is a dangerous practice and an insult to the citizens whose voices will never be heard because someone else claims to have spoken for them.

 

The meeting broke up at close to around 8:45 with Wes committing to schedule another for January sometime when we'll have more decisive information about the State Land issue.  Patrick offered that he would help facilitate getting Arlan Colton of the State Trust Land Department to come to that meeting.

 

As usual, I didn't take notes because it's almost impossible for me to do that and stay involved in the discussion at the same time.  If anyone has corrections or additions.....send them on.

 

 

There were fewer participants this time, which allowed more folks to speak directly with Supervisor Day's aide, Patrick Cavanaugh.  The more opportunity individual residents have to be heard, the more personal the relationship between Catalina and our County government, and a greater probability that County decisions will be based on a broader cross-section of residents' concerns. 

 

A resident asked for clarification on a "rumor" that the County was still considering putting buildings down in the Regional Park along Lago del Oro.  Patrick's response was "absolutely not".  We learned that some residents had expressed great concern that barbed wire used to fence off the park to motorized vehicles would be hazardous to the wildlife travelling the wash.  The County has now changed that fencing to one with smooth wire at the top and bottom allowing wildlife to go over or under safely.

 

Another resident asked what could be done when a private easement is washed out due to run-off from a neighboring parcel.  We were told that matters concerning private property, require civil (lawsuit) action. Private property is not under the jurisdiction of the County.  The question of whether the channeling of water off of private property would fall under County permitting wasn't clarified.

At this point Patrick remarked that the development plans for High Mesa (now Arcadia) have been returned 3 times for reworking of the run-off issue.

 

Two residents brought up the issue of increased run-off across Pinto Lane from development in Pinal County.  It also was requested that County transportation trim the vegetation on the shoulder of that road from Columbus to Bowman.

 

The possibility of documenting a complete history of Catalina was raised, and a history done by local teens in 1994 was shown to participants.  That booklet titled, "Nightlights in the Desert", is available at the Catalina library.

 

I voiced my desire to have a "free movie night" sometime after the holidays with a showing of the documentary, "Two Square Miles".  The producers website is at:  http://www.twosquaremiles.com

 

Wes felt that a presentation by Web Parton concerning the toxic landfill to the north and it's effect on our drinking water would be a good thing for a future meeting.  When I cynically chimed in with "but what can any of us do about it", Patrick remarked that when researching the landfill documents a few years back in his role as investigative reporter, documentation showed that all was well.  He suggested that it would be prudent for we residents to stay informed and "stay on top of" the status of that landfill's safety.  Another resident suggested that folks could picket the Saddlebrooke Ranch, or hand each realtor there a copy of the official report thereby legally requiring that realtor to "disclose" the information to potential buyers.

 

Wes closed the meeting saying that we probably would wait a while before doing this again, and would schedule the next gathering for the fire station where meeting rooms are available free to residents. 

 

 

 

 

 

First, thanks to all 52 of you for attending.  It was YOU who created such a welcoming and open atmosphere in which everyone felt free to voice their opinions and concerns.  The whole evening affirmed for me that when people are allowed their "voice" in an atmosphere of acceptance, no one needs to get angry to be heard.  It was an informative and enjoyable evening.

 

Wes Stolsek led the meeting, offering the floor to any member of the audience who wished to speak.  One of those in attendance was, Patrick Cavanaugh, from Supervisor Day's office, who took the floor to respond to concerns or answer questions as needed. 

 

Following are most of the announcements and issues discussed....in no particular order.  If I've missed anything, please let me know and I'll add it!

 

Linda Allyn and Connie Crosby spoke of the newly incorporated Catalina Community Arts Council and the semi-annual Catalina Artists Studio Tour held in November and April.  We learned that the Arts Council recently donated $2000 in special art supplies to the Art Department at the Coronado School.  Linda and Connie both expressed a desire that the Arts Council be involved in the planning for the Art Plaza that is to be part of the Regional Park at Lago del Oro.  Appreciation for all their efforts was shown by a warm round of applause from the audience.

 

The upcoming Potential Bond 2008 meeting to be held on September 17 was announced (see News).  When asked what those in attendance might want to see funded by bonds, responses ranged from renovating and expanding the existing Recreation Center, to getting a new full-service library for Catalina, to preservation of open space. The question of available land on which to place a library was raised.  Patrick responded that sites were being researched.  The issue was raised that 28% of the usage at the Catalina branch is by Pinal County residents who use Pima's library at no cost.  Patrick responded that the County and Library administrations are researching ways to resolve that inequity. 

If you would like to comment to Pima County about bonds, mail to  :bondinfo@pima.gov. 

If you'd like to comment to the library administration, go to:  http://www.library.pima.gov/contact/contact.cfm, click "General comments or suggestions about services or programs" and fill in the form.

 

Patrick announced that the Board of Supervisors had voted to reopen the greenwaste collection at the transfer station during peak fire months.  I believe those months are February- July.  We were told that the decision to close greenwaste was a budgetary measure, and the decision to reopen during peak fire months had to do with Catalina's proximity to wildlands.  We were also told that the County is considering charging Pinal County users more for using our transfer station.  The checking of drivers' licenses for place of residence was mentioned.

 

One resident asked about some new fencing along the Wild's Road crossing at the CDO.  Patrick and others believed it had to do with keeping ATV's off the park land.  (You can find the latest "Park Update" on the News  page of this site.

  

A resident raised the issue of increased run-off from Edwin Road seeming to be caused by the culvert recently installed across Edwin during road construction.  Many residents in the area were recently stranded as two washes crossing Pinto Lane between Columbus and Forecastle were blocked off because of swift water.  Pavement at the 27 Wash crossing on Pinto was ripped away during that event.

 

Also discussed was the proposed Catalina low-frequency radio station, the tower for which will be at Vicki Cox Realty and which is being and planned and staffed by residents of Saddlebrooke.   Audience opinion ranged from "so what" to adamantly opposed.  Some people thought the station would be a pleasant addition to their daily lives.  Others felt a deep concern that Saddlebrooke residents were becoming too involved in our residents' daily lives.  There were many comments about the negative visual impact of a large tower on neighbors, and questions as to the actual ownership of the license and station....CCS or the radio board of directors.  I spoke of my concern for the reliability of information being filtered thru the perception of non-residents with a very different perspective on "what's good for Catalina".

 

An audience member brought up the fact that $500,000 of Neighborhood Reinvestment Bond money was just awarded to Catalina Community Services for a new facility at the old fire station on Hawser.  The concern was that 2 members of the Village Council attended the bond committee meeting  at which the funding was decided claiming to represent community-wide support of the funding.  Many in the audience Thursday stated very clearly to Patrick that individuals sitting on the VC were NOT representatives for Catalina, and should not be perceived as having any implied authority to speak for the residents.  Patrick responded that the bond committee required a "community group" to show support for the entity requesting funding.  

 

Barry Richards, writer and webmaster for http://www.savecatalina.com, took the floor to discuss his concern about our water.  He talked about the Paige-Trowbridge toxic dump site a few miles north of Catalina and his belief that planned development around the site will seriously affect the quality of our diminishing water supply.  He referred us to his website for articles and outside links concerning this issue.

 

A newer resident to the area expressed a desire for more playgrounds in the area, citing that the Rec Center was the only place with swings and grass for small children. 

 

And while we're on the subject of "neighborhood" park space, I wonder how many of you know the history of our Rec Center.  It was built by the area residents themselves in the mid-seventies on land donated by E.B. Garner, and was called the Catalina Youth Activies Center.  The pool was later donated by Lloyd Golder.  Catalina was just a small area then, populated mostly by miners and their families.  The women became concerned that their children had no place to gather, so they took it upon themselves to have fund-raiser barbecues that drew folks from many miles around.  As they got enough money for materials, the men would work on the weekends often with the help of others from their workplaces.  Until just recently, the photos of their family members who served in U.S. armed forces, many now deceased, hung on the wall inside the Center as a memorial.  The portraits were recently removed, and we've heard rumors that the County has no desire to invest any money into the center.  Yet that building is solid, just as was the community spirit that raised it and gave it life.  Perhaps that is why gatherings held within its walls generate so much "cooperation".  For me, and perhaps for our community, the Rec Center is as much an historic building as any cathedral or antique home, and deserves our efforts to preserve it, to keep it alive and useful.  The folks that put their love and toil into creating it reflect the same qualities of resourcefulness and independence that permeates Catalina today.

 

Just before the gathering finally broke up at 8:45, Wes asked if we should get together again to which the response was a resounding, "yes".  And as the residents walked out into the balmy night gathering in small groups to discuss the evening, one couldn't help but feel the atmosphere charged and transformed by the collective "good will" of those present.  It was a good night!

 

Wes is planning to facilitate another Catalina Community Meeting near the end of September.  He would like your input and ideas, so feel free to contact him at:  w_stolsek@comcast.net, or 825-0250; or you can email this website and I'll pass it along.