By Recker McDowell —
Scottsdale residents, neighborhood advocates and community leaders from all walks of life are supporting the infrastructure investments and repairs in Questions 1, 2 and 3 on the November 5th ballot.
Voters need to mail their ballots back to the city now, so they are received and counted by Election Day.
The entire Scottsdale City Council, groups representing first responders as well as arts advocates, small business owners and community leaders from all parts of the city have all endorsed all three Scottsdale bond questions.
That kind of unity is no small feat in Scottsdale.
Here is a sampling of that diverse and widespread community support.
“Voting Yes on Questions 1, 2 and 3 will help our first responders do our jobs better and respond faster and more efficiently and effectively to the community that can save lives in situations where seconds count.” — Keegan DeShotel, President, Scottsdale Fraternal Order of Police
“I am endorsing Questions 1, 2 and 3. As Board President of Partners for Paiute and a graduate of Scottsdale High School, I know how important the infrastructure investments before voters will be for the Paiute Neighborhood Center. The bonds will benefit the Paiute center and the Scottsdale families, kids and seniors who rely community programs and neighborhood services housed on our campus. The Paiute Neighborhood Center is located near Osborn Road and 64th in southern Scottsdale.” — Lynn Whitman, President, Partners for Paiute
“The consequences of voters approving the questions along with the scheduled retirement of old bond obligations will have the effect of a net reduction of secondary property taxes that fund the bonds. These city bonds will not impact the primary property tax … The infrastructure investments are in all areas of Scottsdale. Senior centers, fire and police stations, the city jail, parks as well as the Eldorado and Cactus Pools will all get needed upgrades. The southern end of Indian Bend Wash and Civic Center Plaza will get needed infrastructure repairs.” — Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane
“Anyone who lives in Scottsdale knows it is special. And one of the reasons is that those who came before us invested in superb public infrastructure like the Indian Bend Wash, Civic Center Plaza and the best, natural “infrastructure” of all, our beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Now it is our turn.” — Copper Phillips, Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS)
“It is prudent and fiscally wise for a community to make consistent and measured capital improvements. As infrastructure wears-down over time it is cheaper to continually bring in new investments. This approach is preferable and far less expensive for taxpayers than paying for costlier emergency repairs. The city experienced this first-hand with the emergency shutdown of Civic Center Plaza and Drinkwater Boulevard, as well as the 68th Street bridge. We don’t need more images of crumbling infrastructure.” — Barry Graham, CPA and Scottsdale resident
“We all know Scottsdale is wonderful place to live, work, start a business and raise a family. City voters have not approved a major bond program in 19 years leaving us with some infrastructure that needs fixed and community assets that need improvements. Questions 1, 2 and 3 will do that across our city but especially by investing in our seniors and our kids.” — Becca Linnig, Scottsdale resident