By Betty Janik

One can tell that it’s election time in Scottsdale because suddenly everyone’s a McDowell Sonoran Preserve supporter! Unfortunately, the truth isn’t always being told.

City Council Candidate Bob Littlefield touts that he: “fought commercial development in the Preserve by opposing the Desert Discovery Center and working to pass Proposition 420”.

As Treasurer of the “Protect Our Preserve” group, which ran the 2018 citizens initiative that put Prop 420 on the ballot, I can tell you that Littlefield never helped our effort. As a matter of record, he actually never signed the Prop 420 citizens’ petition! Neither did Councilman and current candidate Barry Graham!

However, Councilwoman Solange Whitehead helped lead our successful campaign and has remained a steadfast Preserve Champion on Council.

In 2024, Bob and Barry mounted a very aggressive campaign to defeat Prop 490, which was created to fund the Preserve, invest in our parks, improve WestWorld infrastructure and increase public safety capabilities. In fact, Barry voted twice to keep it off the ballot and squelch voter voices.

Councilwoman Whitehead and I served on the Prop 490 Advisory Council, informing residents of the benefits to our community. Voters understood and Prop 490 passed in every precinct. Now Scottsdale has 30 years of funding to reinvest in parks, provide Police Rangers for both the Preserve and parks, and maintain our Preserve, including mitigating wildfire risks. All benefits that Barry and Bob tried to deny our residents.

The Preserve is one of Scottsdale’s greatest assets, yet it is constantly under threat from people who want to use it inappropriately. We need Council Members who understand how important the Preserve is to our economy, quality of life and souls.

People who have a honest track record of working to protect this precious resource. Not election time posers. Please remember this when you cast your votes.

Respectfully,

Betty Janik, Former Scottsdale Councilwoman

Sonoran Sage