In a heartwarming gathering at a recent historical society event, both current and former mayors of Oro Valley came together to celebrate the town’s 50th anniversary. The event was part of a series planned by Jim Williams, the chair of the speaker’s program, aimed at highlighting the town’s rich history. While last month showcased community leaders, next month will focus on those who were pivotal in the town’s early days. This month’s panel featured three notable mayors: Dr. Satish Hiremath, Joe Winfield, and Paul Loomis. They shared their thoughts on the town’s development and their visions for its future.
The mayors reflected on why they chose to settle in Oro Valley and the remarkable changes they’ve seen—from just a few hundred residents to nearly 50,000 today. They attributed this growth to the town’s stunning natural beauty, job opportunities, and a commitment to building a diverse, multi-generational community. Education, public safety, outdoor recreation, and job availability were highlighted as key attractions for new residents.
On a personal note, the mayors shared their proudest achievements, such as infrastructure improvements, community projects, and the establishment of a veterinary school. They also discussed challenges and missed opportunities, emphasizing the need for better communication and education about town initiatives and decisions.
The mayors agreed that engaging citizens is crucial, though they noted it often happens late in the decision-making process and tends to focus on criticisms. They expressed a desire for more educational initiatives to help residents understand the town’s challenges and limitations, aiming for a more positive community involvement.
The discussion concluded with each mayor sharing their motivations for seeking office, all driven by a shared passion for serving the community and enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Oro Valley.
If you’d like to read more about the panel discussion, you can download a transcript here. Just a heads-up, while speech-to-text technology has come a long way, it’s not perfect, so there might be a few grammatical hiccups.
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