Regarding pond, 11 of 12 say ‘fill it’ | News

Twelve people — three of them candidates for office in this summer’s municipal election — spoke before the Oro Valley Town Council’s March 8 decision to fully fund a bid to rebuild and refill the former golf course irrigation pond north of Vistoso Highlands Drive.

All three of those speakers — Rosa Dailey, Mark Napier and Matt Wood — are in support of moving forward. Charles Stack was the lone speaker against refilling the pond. Most, if not all, have spoken previously.

“It’s unfortunate that after years and years and years, we still have some that want to derail this project,” resident Terry Hart said. “Bring it back again to what it was … the benefits are enormous.”

“Under no circumstances should we pull the plug on this project,” said Napier, who is running for mayor. Any claim regarding reclaimed water contamination “has no merit, is nonsensical and should be dismissed.” That said, “This project must be completed on budget, and in a timely manner,” he added.

“I’m dissatisfied and frustrated it’s taken so long to get this far,” resident Phil Zielinski said. “I appreciate now you’re going to take positive action and move this forward. … It can become a bigger part of the community, and a real asset.”

Doug Iverson lives across the street from the former pond, and often looks at a picture of a full pond on his phone. He’s “thrilled” with the ever-growing activity on the preserve’s trails.

“I am a strong supporter of moving forward,” Iverson said. “Many of the residents around me are most anxious to see this completed. This has gone on an awfully long time.”

“I remain opposed to this pond,” said resident Stack, a board-certified environmental scientist and environmental consultant. Stack suggested the pond bottom may already pose “a hazardous waste disposal problem.” Current plans call for the demolition of the man-made waterfall. He suggested the pond might smell in hot weather. And, he emphasized, use of reclaimed water “violates the agreement” with Archaeology Southwest.

Resident Joe Bell refuted Stack’s claim about odor, saying Stack had drawn “an incorrect assumption there’d be no aeration designed into this pond.” There will be.

“We’ve shown a tremendous amount of support,” Bell said. “This is a town that’s proud of its parks. That’s one of the reasons people come here. It’s not hazardous, and it’s not waste. It’s responsible use of water on the desert.”

“How regrettable it is this community is constantly faced with challenges of a failed golf course, a problem we did not create,” said Dailey, a candidate for town council.

“The purpose of the easement was to prevent development, and encourage new recreational use for this property,” Dailey said. “What Archaeology Southwest is trying to do, I can’t tell you. That’s not the purpose of this easement, and not what the community deserves.”

Society’s problem with forever chemicals in water “cannot be placed on the backs of this small community,” said Madeline Dailey. “Defer to the source of the water you purchase. Please do not allow the noise of social media critics to distract you from your obligation. Focus on measurable and meaningful progress to restore this land to its recreational purpose.”

“It’s been a long journey,” said Gayle Mateer, president of Preserve Vistoso, the organization that raised some $2 million toward the purchase of the closed golf course. “I feel like we are right at the finish line, and we can see those flags waving. Get to it. We’re so excited to see the possibility of this happening fairly soon.”

“When we drive into that community every day, I see that hole,” resident Michael Di Manni said. He lost many a golf ball in it. But he wants to see it restored. “Please, let’s get it done.”

“We’ve got a chance on this pond,” said Wood, a candidate for town council. “We’ve got to grab that chance, and just do it. This is a great opportunity to move Vistoso Trails forward.”

“There is a community that will stand behind this,” said resident Susann Ventzke. “I’m very dismayed by Archaeology Southwest’s comments. We all know reclaimed water is a huge, key component in conservation. Let’s get it done before prices go up any more.”