By Scottsdale Pinetop
It’s a full slate for the upcoming Scottsdale city council elections as nine residents have thrown their names to fill one of the three open seats. Hosted by Scottsdale Progress’s noble Wayne Schutsky, here are the key impressions and highlights:
*With so many candidates debating on a virtual platform, the discussion at times felt more like a round of “Jeopardy” with candidates only allowed 30 seconds to answer questions. Regardless, all candidates did remarkably well keeping their answers concise and simple. That’s not always easy to do when trying to reach voters.
*The #1 question on every Scottsdale resident’s mind following the recent events at Scottsdale Fashion Square and downtown Scottsdale – public safety. In response to the question if Scottsdale police acted appropriately in their response, the candidates’ answers were about 50/50. The most artful dodge of the day came from former City Manager John Little who provided no answer, but rather a plea for city wide unity.
*Becca Linnig and Betty Janik both missed the opportunity to discuss their involvement with the successful 2019 Scottsdale Bond election. Both served as members on the campaign committee.
*While Councilman Guy Phillips, who is the only incumbent in the race, has been cleared of recent ethics complaints, he couldn’t avoid underlying nudges from fellow candidates when asked about anonymous donations and gifts. This may be a dark cloud that follows the councilman throughout his campaign.
*Bill Crawford continues to be the defender of small businesses and public safety, reinforced by his remarks regarding George Floyd and continuous hardships on re-opening businesses as a result of the pandemic and protests. This platform has served him well, including the 2018 election, but is it enough to get him over the finish line this time?
*Tammy Caputi, while one of the most thorough in her comments, at times appeared a bit scripted and “bullet-point” oriented rather than elaborating on two or three important issues. Her most compelling argument was improving the Scottsdale budget and allocation of funds, an important issue for many in Scottsdale.
*Michael Auerbach didn’t have many good moments but his best one came when urging to maintain Scottsdale’s sales tax revenue and supporting tourism as Scottsdale’s main sources of revenue. Notably, he was the only candidate who voted No on the School Override and Bond election this past year.
*Tom Durham and Kevin Maxwell, considered by some to be underdogs in the race, held their own. Durham was actively involved in Prop 420 campaign, but his biggest challenge will be distinguishing himself from Betty Janik’s shadow. Maxwell, bringing an analytical approach to the table, will need to find a way to be able to effectively communicate his platform beyond what he articulated in the debate.
*Little became the “Champion of Unity.” In his closing remarks he even called for a halt on traditional campaign tactics such as signs, materials and political speeches. No campaigns. Seems odd when trying to run for office?
*Crawford, Linnig and Maxwell all are residents of southern Scottsdale, something that has not been seen on council for many years. This will likely be an attractive aspect for many residents living in that part of the city as they continue to see rapid changes in the area.
*With four council seats up for grabs, including a new Scottsdale Mayor, an overhaul at City Hall could change the mindset and direction of Scottsdale for years to come.