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Guest Comment: Be cautious and look for real benefits on secession

By Sahuarita Vice Mayor, Phillip Conklin
Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:17 PM MST


I have been asked a number of times about the concept of seceding from Pima County so I will share my current view.

If the supporters of the idea can show how this change would immensely benefit us, I would welcome such information to consider.

In the meantime some things to consider are:

  • Roads: How do Santa Cruz roads compare to Sahuarita roads?

  • Police protection: How does 18 current deputies for 1,200 square miles and a population of 43,000 compare with Sahuarita’s twice as many officers for only 30 square miles and half the population (21,000) compare?

  • Connectivity of population: what percentage of residents have connections through work, social and entertainment venues with Tucson and Pima County as compared to Santa Cruz County? It has been estimated that 75 percent of the workers from Sahuarita work in the Tucson Metro area.


  • Relationship with county supervisors: Currently the town has a cooperative and positive networking relationship with the Pima County Supervisors and other Pima officials.

    We have been assisted with new bike lanes, road improvements (30 million for Sahuarita Road alone), library services, wastewater discharging, etc.

    It would have cost far more in labor, hauling and gas to haul excess effluent all the way to Nogales. Ray Carroll, Pima County Supervisor, for this area has been the lead spokesman in fighting against the Rosemont Mine on our behalf for a sustained better quality of life. Ramon Valadez, who represents a large geographical area in the town of Sahuarita on the Pima County Board, has also been very cooperative and supportive of the needs and concerns of our town. We are very well represented in Pima County.

  • Nearness to county seat: One may need to go to the county seat at various times for such things as certified birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses or recording or filing of legal documents etc. Which is more convenient — Nogales or Tucson?

  • Added amenities: The town is currently involved with Pima County to bring a new $6.6 million library to Sahuarita and a community swimming pool and recreation complex (approximately $12 million).

    Would these would be delayed or even abandoned by a change to Santa Cruz County?

  • Bottom line: Where would Sahuarita benefit the most?

    The supporters need to present a paper or fact sheet showing what benefits could be guaranteed by such a shift for Sahuarita.

    Then the citizenry could decide if that is worth the change in taxes of $161 a year.

    A change to Santa Cruz County would eliminate Sahuarita from PAG (Pima Association of Governments) and the RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) thus removing our input and participation in any Tucson Metro regional planning for our area.

    I talk to a number of Sahuarita residents each week and find few who currently consider the shift in counties as positive.

    Green Valley residents are in a different position and should decide for themselves how they might be affected.

    I am not on the offensive or defensive on this matter.

    Let the supporters come up with some real positives and we will all examine that; in the meantime be cautious and look for realistic benefits, not just to be a big fish in a little pond.

    Editor’s Note: Conklin raised these questions in a recent e-mail to constituents and notes that his views do not reflect any official town position nor those of this newspaper. He can be reached at pcconklin@cox.net.



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