Councilman Solomon,
It has come to my attention that during the April 19, 2017 council meeting, you accused me of spreading false information. Your statement was as follows:
“The facts clearly show that the claims of the failing golf course and that we can’t afford new playing fields are completely false. The true financial numbers are on our website. It’s unfortunate that MIKE ZINKIN, SHIRL LAMONNA, DIANE PETERS, along with a few other people continue to go out to multiple media sources spreading this false information.”
Before I get into the facts that are going to the media, I wish to remind you that YOU were the individual who spread false information during your campaign for council in the form of a flyer that you delivered to residents living along the golf courses. To quote from YOUR flyer: “Save your home value! The incumbents running for re-election have pledged to close and sell your golf course destroying your home value!” That was a blatant lie and when you were challenged by an Oro Valley resident to provide proof that the incumbents had pledged to sell the golf courses, you were unable to back up your claim. Had you been honest, you would have told voters that the course cannot be sold by the Council as its value requires any sale to be approved by the voters first.
Here are the facts about golf, as found on the Town’s website. Is this false information? Is this fake news?
Attachment #1 shows that Troon (golf, food, beverage, non-aquatic center swimming, and tennis) LOST $110,264 in Feb. 2017.
Attachment #2 shows that Troon lost $61,294 in Feb. 2016. Since golf lost $48,970 MORE in 2017 than in 2016, this is NOT a positive trend as you implied during your speech.
Attachment #3 shows how well the food and beverage portion is doing. While Ms. Lemos stated that in Feb. 2017 there was a profit of $5,533, she failed to mention that the forecast for Feb. 2017 was to make $12,354. This is a $6,821 miscalculation. She also failed to mention that the Restaurant/Grille has lost $90,501 so far this fiscal year, when the forecast was to only lose $11,842.
Attachment #4 shows that the Community Center Fund is $477,986 in the red. There still has to be a $120,000 pay back to the General Fund Contingency. You’ll remember that the first $120,000 installment was not paid back last year. This attachment also shows that there were $527,200 in forecasted capital outlay, however the Town has only spent $72,392. This attachment takes into consideration that there was $1,425,073 in sales tax revenues.
Councilman Solomon, these are the FACTS that are available of the Town’s website. Therefore, your slanderous statement that I “continue to go out to multiple media sources spreading false information” is patently false.
Attachment #1 also shows that Troon’s initial forecast for their losses for FY 16/17 was $1,534,505. However, the most recent forecast is now up to $2,038,334. The attachment also shows that there has not been one month this fiscal year where their losses have been under $100,000. There are four months left in FY 16/17 and if this trend continues, the $2,038,334 figure will have to be revised again.
Fact: Troon’s losses were higher in Feb. 2017 than Feb. 2016 (even with the 7,000 rounds of golf that you mentioned.)
Fact: Golf membership is nowhere near Troon’s desire of 318 members.
Fact: The restaurant/Grille is not reaching any forecast.
Fact: Your statement is a total fabrication.
At the next Council meeting, during the Council Report portion, I expect a public apology from you for “shooting from the hip” without having your facts straight. If not, realize that you could be facing legal action for your undocumented and slanderous statements.
Mike Zinkin