To the editor:
People living in Vail and Corona de Tucson don’t live in Tucson city limits. Most of us specifically choose to not live within Tucson city limits for a myriad of reasons. But yet, our government officials and local business leaders regularly confuse this important point and misuse the definitions to fit their agendas.
For instance, in the October Vail Voice issue, there was a front-page story, “A New Library for a Growing Community” that was written by the president of the Corona de Tucson Community Alliance. This new library is being hailed as a miracle with “modern looks, natural elements, and a friendly environment.” This $4.5 million dollar project will “promote literacy and foster a love of reading.” The problem? This new library isn’t being built anywhere near the communities it is intended to serve. It is being built well within the Tucson city limits in Rita Ranch.
As a matter of fact, this new library for “our community” is 5 miles from the heart of Vail. The new library is also 11 miles from the heart of Corona de Tucson. Will you let your kid ride his bike on the busy Houghton Road or Mary Ann Cleveland to just get a book from our new library? I seriously doubt it.
The same goes for the fairly new Esmond Station Regional Park. This county park is still being built with 2004 voter-approved bonds well within Tucson city limits. This disastrous project is 2.5 miles from the large Purple Heart Park. Rita Ranch residents will now enjoy two large parks within walking distance. What do Vail and Corona residents have to show for this new park that is 5 miles from Vail and 11 miles from Corona? Well, higher taxes and that is about it. Will you let your kid ride his bike to get to this park? I certainly doubt it again.
Urge your government officials to stop building more amenities for Tucson and start building them for Vail and Corona residents.
- Gonzales
