edward
12-21-2009, 02:19 PM
Thunderbird Farms Arena
December 14, 2009
Dear Mr. Medina,
I was told you are the contact person to find out what is happening with the Thunderbird Farms Arena on Ralston Road, north of Papago Road in the Thunderbird Farms South area.
This weekend I received two emails from friends in the area saying the arena's water pipe is being removed this week. Additionally, I attended a charity event at the arena this weekend and that rumor seemed to be confirmed by the fire depertment personnel there. Some people say the entire arena is slated for removal.
Is there any way this decision can be reveresed or at least delayed to allow our community time to respond? Removing the water pipe removes the ability to control dust. This is critical for us to be able to use the arena. The arena itself, is an important focal point of our community.
Many people based the decision to purchase their property on their home's relationship to the arena. Shows are held there to raise money for the Thunderbird Fire District, Equine Eden Horse Rescue, and other non-profit groups. Additionally, the arena is used by area residents for a safe riding environment when training and working with horses. It is a fixture of the community and, until this weekend, very few, if any of us realized it was in jeapordy. Probably most people are under the assumption it is controlled by the T-Bird Farms HOA or the fire district; I know I certainly was.
At a time when the county faces monetary challenges, why remove something that, if properly managed, could turn into an income? It is true the arena is probably underused--but with proper propmotion and management, it could easily generate a small revenue for the county.
Talking before acting would be a much less expensive proposition! At the very least, it would behoove the county to explain to our community WHY they feel they need to take such an action before anything is done. Were I able to attend the Board of Supervisor's Meeting this Wednesday, I would speak out there; unfortunately I am scheduled for a day of tests at Mayo Clinic and can not attend. Hopefully, this situation will be resolved before then or another person from our community will be able to attend and speak out on the arena's behalf.
Please, at the very least, delay any action until the community can be informed of the decision and the reasons behind it. Perhaps we can offer a solution to the problem which will be of benefit to all concerned.
Thank you,
M. F.
December 15, 2009
Good morning Chip,
the Reader's Digest Condensed version is this:
the arena is a facility on County-owned land;
for a number of years, the scheduling for the arena was handled by the Thunderbird Farms Fire District as a courtesy to the County and local residents;
about a year ago, complaints about access began to surface and inasmuch as we were reorganizing our Fairgrounds & Parks department, it made sense for us to look at this facility/site as well;
we agreed to take over the scheduling and began to look at the twin issues of billing for electrical power (arena lighting) and water (dust control);
we're just about ready to finalize those issues ... BUT
someone's spreading rumors that we're going to either demolish the entire arena OR limit access OR charge huge fees OR ??????
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!!
We intend to continue to make the arena available -- there will probably be some fee associated with the arena's use, based on cost recovery and the users will have to pay for power and water (much the same way they do now).
Hope that helps. We are looking to bring folks together (probably after the first of the year) to clarify and dispel these rumors but the two not-for-profit equine organizations have been made aware of the true facts and our intent.
Hope this helps -- please let me know if you've any additional questions.
All the best of the holidays,
david
David Snider, Supervisor
Pinal County District 3
820 E. Cottonwood Lane
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
V 520.836.0003
F 520.836.3876
david.snider@pinalcountyaz.gov
PLEASE NOTE: Pinal County's zip codes have changed as of 7/1/09. The zip codes of 85222 (Casa Grande) & 85232 (Florence) will continue to function until 6/30/10 -- but you should amend your address book to reflect the new zip code for my various addresses: 85122 for Casa Grande & 85132 for Florence.
Pursuant to A.R.S. 39-121.01, this email, and all its contents, may be considered a public record subject to full release and public disclosure. Please be advised that the news media has requested access to these email transactions (sent & received) under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
This email (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC Sections 2510-2521. It is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, any retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender if you have received the message in error and then delete it.
Thank you.
December 14, 2009
Dear Mr. Medina,
I was told you are the contact person to find out what is happening with the Thunderbird Farms Arena on Ralston Road, north of Papago Road in the Thunderbird Farms South area.
This weekend I received two emails from friends in the area saying the arena's water pipe is being removed this week. Additionally, I attended a charity event at the arena this weekend and that rumor seemed to be confirmed by the fire depertment personnel there. Some people say the entire arena is slated for removal.
Is there any way this decision can be reveresed or at least delayed to allow our community time to respond? Removing the water pipe removes the ability to control dust. This is critical for us to be able to use the arena. The arena itself, is an important focal point of our community.
Many people based the decision to purchase their property on their home's relationship to the arena. Shows are held there to raise money for the Thunderbird Fire District, Equine Eden Horse Rescue, and other non-profit groups. Additionally, the arena is used by area residents for a safe riding environment when training and working with horses. It is a fixture of the community and, until this weekend, very few, if any of us realized it was in jeapordy. Probably most people are under the assumption it is controlled by the T-Bird Farms HOA or the fire district; I know I certainly was.
At a time when the county faces monetary challenges, why remove something that, if properly managed, could turn into an income? It is true the arena is probably underused--but with proper propmotion and management, it could easily generate a small revenue for the county.
Talking before acting would be a much less expensive proposition! At the very least, it would behoove the county to explain to our community WHY they feel they need to take such an action before anything is done. Were I able to attend the Board of Supervisor's Meeting this Wednesday, I would speak out there; unfortunately I am scheduled for a day of tests at Mayo Clinic and can not attend. Hopefully, this situation will be resolved before then or another person from our community will be able to attend and speak out on the arena's behalf.
Please, at the very least, delay any action until the community can be informed of the decision and the reasons behind it. Perhaps we can offer a solution to the problem which will be of benefit to all concerned.
Thank you,
M. F.
December 15, 2009
Good morning Chip,
the Reader's Digest Condensed version is this:
the arena is a facility on County-owned land;
for a number of years, the scheduling for the arena was handled by the Thunderbird Farms Fire District as a courtesy to the County and local residents;
about a year ago, complaints about access began to surface and inasmuch as we were reorganizing our Fairgrounds & Parks department, it made sense for us to look at this facility/site as well;
we agreed to take over the scheduling and began to look at the twin issues of billing for electrical power (arena lighting) and water (dust control);
we're just about ready to finalize those issues ... BUT
someone's spreading rumors that we're going to either demolish the entire arena OR limit access OR charge huge fees OR ??????
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!!
We intend to continue to make the arena available -- there will probably be some fee associated with the arena's use, based on cost recovery and the users will have to pay for power and water (much the same way they do now).
Hope that helps. We are looking to bring folks together (probably after the first of the year) to clarify and dispel these rumors but the two not-for-profit equine organizations have been made aware of the true facts and our intent.
Hope this helps -- please let me know if you've any additional questions.
All the best of the holidays,
david
David Snider, Supervisor
Pinal County District 3
820 E. Cottonwood Lane
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
V 520.836.0003
F 520.836.3876
david.snider@pinalcountyaz.gov
PLEASE NOTE: Pinal County's zip codes have changed as of 7/1/09. The zip codes of 85222 (Casa Grande) & 85232 (Florence) will continue to function until 6/30/10 -- but you should amend your address book to reflect the new zip code for my various addresses: 85122 for Casa Grande & 85132 for Florence.
Pursuant to A.R.S. 39-121.01, this email, and all its contents, may be considered a public record subject to full release and public disclosure. Please be advised that the news media has requested access to these email transactions (sent & received) under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
This email (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC Sections 2510-2521. It is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, any retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender if you have received the message in error and then delete it.
Thank you.