GVR rejects participating in survey

The Green Valley board of directors narrowly voted against participating in a survey of needs of Green Valley and Sahuarita residents Tuesday.

GVR President Jim Burt broke the 5-5 tie after sometimes spirited debate.

The motion called for GVR to spend $2,500 to participate.

Other survey participants include the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce, Green Valley Community Coordinating Council, La Posada and Carondelet Health Network.

Speaking in opposition board member Lou Lovat said the survey would “not be useful to GVR members.”

And he said many GVR members would be included in the data since they live in the area to be polled.

Lovat said he didn’t think the GVR members would want the board “spending their money carelessly” on the survey.

Lovat also said GVR Executive Director Jeff Ziegler and his staff have the expertise to find out what the members want.

Ziegler said he doesn’t have the statistical tools to conduct such a scientific survey.

Speaking in support board member Leon Lies said during his professional career he had often relied on scientific data gathering.

And board member Stan Riddle supported the survey saying good organizations “don’t react, they anticipate,” and the poll data would help GVR.

Last year Green Valley Recreation board members also rejected Ziegler’s proposal to conduct a survey.

Finance director Bev Chell gave a year-end report showing the organization received more than $950,000 in net income in 2006 and ended the year with total assets of more than $19.6 million.

Two board members also criticized the Green Valley News for endorsing four candidates of board positions.

Lovat spoke during a comment session and said “I think they were out of line” when they endorsed the candidates.

And after the meeting adjourned director Frank Kalis also expressed his dissatisfaction at the newspaper’s stance.

The News endorsed four of the eight candidates running to fill upcoming vacancies

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749