Carondelet Health Network opposes wastewater initiative

Carondelet Health Network has lined up against the town wastewater initiative, sending letters to Sahuarita residents saying its approval “has the potential to slow growth in the region and result in delaying the hospital construction.”

The letters, dated Feb. 21 and signed by Carondelet President and CEO Sally E. Jeffcoat, said “We encourage you to vote “NO” on Question 2 and allow the residents and the Town of Sahuarita to continue to work together to solve the challenges of infrastructure development.”

The initiative, if approved, would regulate what areas could hook up to the town sewer plant.

The non-profit, church-based health network has purchased property in the Town Center and is planning to develop a hospital and related medical services.

Its opposition to the initiative is significant because the ballot measure was drawn up and bankrolled by Rancho Sahuarita developer Bob Sharpe, who sold the land to Carondelet for the planned hospital.

While the initiative has drawn opposition from Citizens United for Sahuarita’s Future, a coalition that includes many local business leaders, the health network is the largest active developer to oppose the measure.

Sharpe said, “Voting Yes on Question 2 will not delay the hospital’s construction.”

The Carondelet letter said, “Only when there are sufficient households to support a hospital can Carondelet Health Network move forward with construction of the hospital. We are concerned that the passage of Question 2 has the potential to slow growth in the region.

“In addition, we are concerned about creating disincentives for developers to enter our community due to the increased bureaucratic electoral process, costly elections and extended time frames, which ultimately may delay the development of necessary community services.”

Sharpe drew up the initiative to require voter approval before the town sewer plant could hook up to areas beyond the 4,219 acres in and around Rancho Sahuarita that were guaranteed service in 1999.

The hospital site on the southwest corner of La Villita and Sahuarita roads lies within that area and is guaranteed service regardless of the initiative’s outcome.

However, if the measure passes, land across La Villita Road, where medical offices could be located, would need future voter approval to hook up to the sewer plant.

Asked about the letter, Sharpe appeared to attack both Carondelet and initiative opponent Nan Walden, who does fundraising as a board member of the Carondelet Foundation, saying “It’s unfortunate that representatives of such a well-respected institution would engage in scare tactics to benefit a wealthy patron.”

Sharpe said, “The letter on behalf of Carondelet appears to be a direct result of undue influences and its assertion that voting yes on Question 2 impedes regional planning and growth is unfounded.”

Carondelet declined to respond to Sharpe’s comments.

Walden could not be reached for comment.

The Carondelet letter says a No vote allows the town to continue the regional planning process on behalf of the residents of Sahuarita and says, “We believe that public participation is very important, but can be achieved through other public means.”

“Citizens United for Sahuarita’s Future is pleased to have the support of Carondelet for a NO vote on Question 2. They feel the same as we that the Wastewater Initiative would be detrimental to our community,” CUSF chairman Jerry Pulliam said.

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