By Scottsdale Pinetop
The Highs
*Former Councilwoman Kate Gallego has been endorsed by six state leaders: Senator Juan Mendez, Lisa Otondo, Martin Quezada, Representative Athena Salman, Representative Kelli Butler, and Representative Isela Blanc.
*Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley held the 2018 Town Council Debate on Thursday August 2 for the four candidates who will be pursuing one of three seats. The candidates participating included Ellen Andeen, James Anton, Paul Dembow and Anna Thomasson. Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner, who is running unopposed for Mayor, attended the event as well.
No Lows for the Week
In-Betweens
*Councilwoman Linda Milhaven will be hosting a fundraising event called “Neighborhood Conversations” on Wednesday, August 15th at 5:30pm at the Home of Bronwyn and Kevin Maxwell. Link to RSVP for the event.
*The Town of Paradise Valley Independent reached out to each candidate to offer its fifth installment of an eight-part series focusing on local issues. This installment focuses on what the candidates believe to be major threats to quality of life within the community. Click here to read full article.
What do you believe to be the No. 1 threat to the quality of life in the Town of Paradise Valley?
Vice-Mayor Jerry Bien Willner: “There are many areas where we must continue to watch over carefully. These include continually striving for the highest levels of public safety, ensure that the town’s finances remain strong, and make sure that we maintain our position as the state’s most desirable location to live.”
Anna Thomasson: “I worry that the strong pressure for financial gain and property development will continue to chip away at our town character. Very simply, as our land becomes more valuable, the pressure to maximize lot coverage on both residential, resort and medical properties will increase.”
Paul Dembow: “Terrible cell phone service is not only the largest threat to quality of life but also a safety issue because our residents may not be able to use their cellular phones.”
James Anton: “Traffic! Surrounding growth has brought us a constant increase in traffic that wishes to travel through our town. Increased resort facilities and surrounding housing add to our own density increasing traffic as well.”
Ellen Andeen: “Development and density are concerns that could adversely impact our town’s quality of life. It is a delicate balance to preserve our town’s character and one house per acre zoning, while fostering successful resorts and maintaining no property tax for the town.”
Candidates in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix should feel free to send me tips and information at stayabreastaz@gmail.com