By Scottsdale Pinetop
Whether it’s the current Trump administration or local city councils, those who have become disenfranchised by their government all share a common denominator: passionate advocacy. It’s that passion that has fueled new grassroots movements like Red for Ed and March for Our Lives.
Unfortunately, for Scottsdale, it’s the passion behind the Desert Discovery Center that is the source of local government problems.
The city council’s decision last year to deny a public vote on the project ignited a political firestorm in Scottsdale and has become the thorn in Scottsdale’s side ever since. From the north to the south, thousands of passionate voters in every ZIP code have unified in a monumental citizen effort to protect the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We’ve come to know them as the NO DDC. Their goal – to push the development of the Desert Discovery Center to a public vote in November.
On the other end of the spectrum, supporters of the project have outlined the tourism benefits and educational importance the Desert EDGE will bring to the city of Scottsdale.
Signatures are due July 5th.
Scottsdale is more polarized on the Desert Discovery issue than any other municipal project in recent years. It’s divided the City Council on a number of issues. And now it is dividing an entire community. As six candidates begin gearing up for the November City Council election, their stances on the DDC will be crucial to their political platform, especially if the issue does makes it onto the ballot.
With the recent decision to postpone a General Obligation bond, it’s time for City Councilmembers to re-align community needs and wants with municipal desires, starting with quashing the never ending problem that is Desert EDGE. If they do that, they will win back the public trust necessary for so many improvements in Scottsdale beyond this single project.