You may already know that I’ve filed my statement of organization to run for mayor of Scottsdale.
I’m going to continue posting articles and observations here at ScottsdaleTrails. However, I may not be posting as frequently, and I’ve been advised that any content relating to my campaign should be confined to my campaign website, ScottsdaleCitizen.com. Please take a moment to look at it and bookmark for future reference.
The last eight years or so have not been good for the long-term future of Scottsdale, and we’ve seen many issues that are creating real problems right now. I’ve been heavily involved in advocating the residents’ positions in these issues, and I will continue to do so in spite of big money working against us.
My first big hurdle is getting on the ballot for the August primary. To do that, I must collect 1000 signatures on nominating petitions by the end of May. That’s a lot of signatures and not a lot of time to get them.
If you have the ability to organize even a small group of your neighbors and friends who live and vote in Scottsdale I can meet with them and you to discuss how you can help, and I will bring my petitions. If you can circulate and fill a petition (only 15 signatures), that will help greatly, too. I am glad to bring one to you or mail it if that’s easier.
If we work together we can restore leadership to the Scottsdale City Council, and insure that Scottsdale remains a “Most Livable City.”
4 Comments
Mr. Washington:
Good luck on your campaign. I look forward to learning more about what you would do as Mayor.
That said, I am concerned about your alliance with COPP and particularly…
Please do not delete these comments as you have my prior postings. Just because you may disagree with me doesn’t mean you should censor me. Isn’t that what you accuse others (Mayor Lane) of attempting to do?
Bob
Bob, I would have emailed you directly but the contact info you entered doesn’t seem to be working.
I hear you loud and clear on the issue of COPP and I understand that you are frustrated with particular individuals. I definitely don’t want to censor anyone, either, and I share your frustrations on that point. However, as “the guy” behind ScottsdaleTrails, I also have to be mindful of, A) exposing to public attack a person who is not a public figure (unlike Lane and the members of the City Council and city staff), and B) potentially exposing myself to liability. I know you know that.
Having said that, feel free to contact me offline and I’ll chat with you anytime. I’m particularly interested in your perspective on property value.
John:
Respectfully, this is very disappointing. I will omit the name of the person to avoid your censor’s mouse, but I don’t think anything needed to be censored. The person in question repeatedly puts themselves in the public light to advocate their position. Nothing in my comment was an attack.
The reality is that Legend Trail was built in the middle of what everyone at the time hoped would be preserve space. Whether that is good or bad everyone may debate for themselves. That said, I think it’s clearly hypocritical for someone to buy there and then claim that we MUST preserve all the land around it, particularly when doing so would undoubtedly increase that person’s property value overnight.
You have given this person a platform through your website because I appreciate that you agree with their views. That said, if you want a truly informed citizenry, that citizenry should know that at least one advocate stands to gain personally if the City purchases all of the land surrounding Legend Trail.
Once again, the truth is not an attack. And a quick google search reveals that the truth is always a complete defense to any defamation claim.
So, I ask, are you interested in informing the citizenry completely, or just along the lines of those with whom you agree?
Bob
I’ll let it stand as-is. Appreciate the comment. I was not aware of this situation.
I would say, however, that, A) I wouldn’t necessarily hold a homeowner responsible for broken promises (in the form of zoning, etc.) that were made by the city and/or a developer; and B) I wouldn’t necessarily hold it against the homeowner for either wanting to prevent over-development around them or wanting to keep their property’s value up .
After all, that’s sort of the situation I’m in. I wasn’t the one who developed my neighborhood. I bought a existing home and expected the community around it to stay largely the same as it was when I purchased.
I may be missing some nuance, though, and welcome whatever you have to add.