For The Best Scottsdale
Scottsdale has been my home since 1953. I have owned and operated businesses here and had the honor of serving on the Scottsdale City Council.
I served on the City Council in 2000 — the last time Scottsdale voters approved a major bond package.
Now, voters have an important choice before them on the November 5th ballot. Questions 1, 2 and 3 addresses a long list of infrastructure improvements and projects. The $319 million, 58-project program also solves many longstanding challenges our city faces and moves Scottsdale forward for current and future generations.
The infrastructure investments will help Scottsdale be a leader in solar energy by bringing new solar panels to city buildings and parking lots. They will also increase solar energy production at Appaloosa Library and install a new solar energy heating system at Eldorado Pool.
Scottsdale is a world-class arts destination. The bonds will help us keep it that way by renovating the Stage 2 Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts as well as making Old Town Scottsdale even more hospitable to tourists and residents through more public parking and pedestrian improvements.
WestWorld — another key tourism driver at the geographic heart of the city that generates $111.7 million in economic impact and close to 1,900 jobs — needs upgrades so it can keep hosting events and stay competitive. Questions 1, 2 and 3 will repair WestWorld’s horse barns and renovate its arena so it can host even more events.
I don’t need to tell you how important parks and recreation are for Scottsdale’s quality of life and tourism. They are one of the things that help make Scottsdale different from other communities. This package repairs and improves existing parks in all part of the city (Pinnacle Peak, Indian School, Vista del Camino, Indian Bend Wash and McCormick-Stillman Railroad parks). It also builds a new 17-acre park in the northern part of our city and adds a dog park at Thompson Peak Park.
The positive impact on our community from Questions 1, 2 and 3 is immeasurable. I hope you will join me in voting Yes on all three questions, so we don’t keep saying that the year 2000 was the last time we really updated critical community infrastructure.
Tom Silverman is a Scottsdale resident and former member of the Scottsdale City Council.