By Julia Moffett
Photo Credit: 12 News
We always want to assume the best in our city’s management and employees, but politics often creeps in where it shouldn’t. While it’s sometimes tough to parse out intentions, sometimes it’s difficult to believe in coincidences.
For instance, days after Cory Pilger publicly aired his frustrations about construction impacts devastating his Best Life Nutrition business, Scottsdale code enforcement showed up at his door. For a business owner already reeling from a 75% sales drop due to unexpected roadwork, the visit felt like anything but coincidence.
Pilger’s concerns deserve serious attention. When construction work at Goldwater Boulevard and 5th Avenue blindsided his business without adequate notice, he did what any responsible citizen would do: he spoke up at public meetings. That code enforcement arrived shortly afterward raises uncomfortable questions about whether Scottsdale retaliates against vocal residents.
The optics are particularly damaging given the power imbalance involved. Small business owners like Pilger depend on city permits and approvals to survive, making them vulnerable to enforcement actions that might appear routine but carry real economic consequences. When advocacy seemingly triggers scrutiny, it creates a chilling effect on public participation.
City officials will likely point to standard procedures and complaint-driven enforcement protocols. They may argue the timing was purely coincidental, that code enforcement operates independently of political considerations. These explanations, while potentially accurate, miss the larger point about public trust and transparency.
Even if Mayor Borowsky’s extensive background in construction litigation provides valuable perspective, the appearance of impropriety damages municipal credibility. Citizens shouldn’t have to wonder whether speaking out at city meetings will prompt unwanted government attention.
Scottsdale needs clear policies ensuring that civic engagement doesn’t invite enforcement scrutiny. Until then, incidents like Pilger’s will continue raising troubling questions about whether city hall truly welcomes citizen input.