By Larry Heath
I received an email from Bob Littlefield recently exclaiming that he was officially on the ballot for Mayor of Scottsdale. To me, it felt like the shark from Jaws about to swallow the City. Although that looks strangely entertaining on a movie poster, do we really want Bob and his wife, Kathy Littlefield, to devour 20 percent of the City Council?
There appears to be significant opposition to that notation as stated by a survey cited in an op-ed in the Arizona Progress & Gazette, under the headline “Two Littlefields Too Much” (which I encourage you to Google and read). 
According to 300 likely Scottsdale voters, 71% agreed with the following statement: “Kathy Littlefield currently serves as Scottsdale’s Vice Mayor. Having her husband Bob Littlefield serve as Mayor at the same time would be unprecedented in Scottsdale history and unwise because of the legal issues and conflict of interest violations that could occur.”
North, South and Central Scottsdale, few residents support the notion of a husband and wife serving on the City Council together. Geographically, demographically or politically it doesn’t poll well, including among Bob Littlefield’s supporters.
Frankly, I can’t believe the City Charter permits it!
It is a form of nepotism, and there are rules against nepotism in politics for good reason.
We elect council members to be free thinkers who look out for the best interests of the City and its constituents, rather than candidates who would clearly be joined in a partisan marital voting-block. With 20% of the vote, Kathy and Bob Littlefield could take Scottsdale down a path which may not be in the best interest of the City.
Prejudice is a form of bigotry. The Littlefields despise growth and developers, and intolerance like that in municipal politics almost always results in negative consequences, including higher taxes.
I find hard to believe in a city of 255,000 mayor we can’t find better candidates for council than two who aren’t laying their heads down beside each other at night, and then brushing their teeth together in the morning.
Imagine if there’s divorce!
I submit the Scottsdale City Council should consider a Charter Amendment prohibiting immediate family members from serving on the council together. If you require a Citizens Petition to formalize that request, I am certain one could be easily rendered.