Guest Editorial: Raoul Zubia will work to preserve, protect and improve Scottsdale

By Steve Tyrrell

I am a South Scottsdale resident who takes neighborhood issues, integrity and citizen input very seriously. I know, as does Raoul Zubia, that Scottsdale is a great place to raise a family, start a business or retire. I have lived here a very long time and count former Mayor Herb Drinkwater on my list of friends.

Mayor Drinkwater once said that he learned more from listening to the citizens who disagreed with him than from those who did. He said it was his foundation to create consensus and get things done. I admired that. Raoul Zubia gets it and knows how to do it. Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita, not so much. Unfortunately, I do not think it is in their character to do so.

A recent article criticizing Raoul Zubia’s work on behalf of our city is unwarranted, ill-fitting and exemplifies the choking off of citizen input and their value to our city. Raoul has been at the forefront of action to preserve, protect and improve Scottsdale. It is in his lifeblood to so do and I admire that. Barry Graham and Michelle-Ugenti Rita – not so much.

I was an early opponent of the Greenbelt 88 Project, but watched as citizen input was solicited/accepted that ultimately led to city council approval of a scaled-down version that   preserved more than 25,000 square feet of commercial space. Reasonable people came together to create a reasonable consensus. Raoul Zubia played a part in that process and I thank him for that.

I will vote for Raoul Zubia to help guide us back to the middle lane of city governance. He has proven he can create consensus and is the only candidate worthy of independent and common-sense votes!