Reckoning the Referendum

July 23, 2001

Now that the Willow Springs Ranch referendum petitions have been turned in, examined, and accepted by the County, I would like to share a few "numbers" associated with this effort.

Four hundred thirty-three petitions were turned in, bearing approximately 5,900 signatures. Of the 59 people who carried petitions, 34 live in Oracle, and 25 live in other parts of the county. County folks who volunteered their time and effort live in Aravaipa, Coolidge, Dudleyville, Florence, Hwy 79 area, Mammoth, Maricopa, San Manuel, SaddleBrooke, San Tan area, Superior, and Winkelman. Some went door to door. Some spent hours in the June heat, standing in front of businesses on hot asphalt or pavement. I know personally that at least 35 people must work to support themselves and their families, and I want to give my special thanks to them for making time in their busy schedules to actively engage in a process in which they believe. But, whether they work or not, everyone involved in this referendum put in untold hours. Many of us pay lip service to a principle or belief; these folks got up and did something.

An added benefit of the petition drive is that these citizen volunteers were willing to register new voters. During the time of the drive, 604 voter registrations were received by the County Recorder’s office in what is normally their slowest season.

Petitioners gathered signatures from over 30 cities, towns, and areas. Significant numbers came from Apache Junction, Arizona City, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, Gold Canyon, Kearny, and Maricopa.

Four hundred eighty-six Oracleans signed, as did 480 from SaddleBrooke. Communities along the San Pedro River Valley, from San Manuel to Kearny, contributed over 600 signatures. This says to me that people throughout Pinal County are concerned about the impact of mass housing developments whether or not these proposed developments are in their areas. They claim the right to make themselves heard by voting on this issue.

I’d like to express my thanks to everyone throughout the county who contributed time, energy, donations, and signatures to help put this referendum on the November 2002 ballot.

Suzan Austin, Oracle