(SCOTTSDALE) The greatest achievement in Scottsdale’s history is the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It was made possible by leadership and sacrifice.
And now one of the loudest voices that tried to stand in the way is running for Mayor.
In 2004, David Ortega, running for Mayor for the first time in a race he would eventually lose in a landslide, led opposition to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. His opposition is spelled out in this East Valley Tribune article. https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/preserve-sales-tax-proposal-divides-scottsdale-residents/article_6665d6ec-6c2c-5167-a2df-7f7547bcb5d2.html
He was also taken to task by the Scottsdale Republic and ultimately voters who rejected his candidacy handily.
The 2004 editorial in the Scottsdale Republic said Ortega’s opposition “..rubs against the grain of Scottsdale’s values.” The editorial also says the opposition, “…reeks of political gamesmanship. ”
Because it’s unthinkable to think of Scottsdale being led by an opponent of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a political action committee has started running television commercials, putting up signs, and placing advertisements highlighting Ortega’s out-of-step positions.
Rose to Rise RMA PAC Chairman and Scottsdale businessman Jason Rose said, “David can dance around the issue all he wants, but facts matter and all the tap dancing in the world can’t obscure the fact he was a loud and proud voice in opposition to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Scottsdale is blessed to have many good candidates for Mayor. Ortega is not one of them.”
Here is a link to the television spot currently running in Scottsdale. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=267642891203515
During Scottsdale’s 2018 elections, Rose also used personal monies to make a significant contribution to the successful campaign that defeated the Desert Discovery Center, an ill-fated project that sought to locate at the Preserve’s gateway.
Paid for by Rose to Rise RMA PAC. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.