A politically and geographically diverse group of Scottsdale leaders came together Wednesday, May 8, for the first meeting of a unified campaign in favor of new bond measures for public safety, parks and key infrastructure improvements.
Political Action Committee, For The Best Scottsdale: Vote Yes On Questions One, Two and Three has named its initial steering committee for the campaign in favor of three 2019 bond measures.
The steering committee includes neighborhood advocates as well prominent business and community leaders, according to a press release.
Committee members and backers come from all parts of Scottsdale and from a variety of political perspectives in favor of the bonds. And, they come from both sides of last year’s contentious vote over Prop. 420.
At the meeting, the Scottsdale Firefighters Association donated $10,000 to the campaign.
Scottsdale residents Paula Sturgeon and Mike Norton are co-chairing the 2019 campaign in favor of the bonds.
“We have brought together a very diverse but very unified coalition of leaders from all parts of Scottsdale and from various political corners and backgrounds. We all know how important these investments are for Scottsdale’s present and future,” Ms. Sturgeon and Mr. Norton said in a prepared statement.
Craig Jackson — chairman and CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company which is based in Scottsdale — hosted the May 8 meeting at his company’s headquarters.
The steering committee includes:
Sasha Weller
Craig Jackson
Sonnie Kirtley
Andrea Alley
Copper Phillips
Don Henninger
Scott Jenkins
Sandy Schenkat
Brian Esterly
Michelle Pabis
Dennis Robbins
Betty Janik
Alex McLaren
Les Conklin
John Bridger
Jim Derouin
Scottsdale voters have not approved a major bond program since 2000. The 2019 bond measures, authorized by a unanimous Scottsdale City Council, would finance 58 projects spent throughout the city totaling $319 million.
They range from improving senior centers and building new parks to improved fire stations and installing new bullet-proof glass in reception areas at police stations.
“We are grateful that Scottsdale voters often support public safety improvements. But we also want to encourage the passage of all questions because without improved infrastructure in our downtown, at WestWorld and throughout the city businesses can’t continue to produce the amount of sales tax we need to sustain public safety and maintain quality of life in Scottsdale,” said Scottsdale Firefighters Association President Sasha Weller, in a prepared statement.
Scottsdale property taxes will still go down with passage of the bonds this November due to the retirement of the bonds from the last bond package passed two decades ago and the increase in property values in Scottsdale since then.
“We are committed to a transparent campaign that shows voters the benefits of the Scottsdale bonds and how they invest in public safety, important infrastructure and community recreation projects all while property taxes will go down. Our steering committee and campaign show the breadth of community support,” Mr. Norton and Ms. Sturgeon said in their statement.
“Our tent has no doors. Everyone is welcome to join in any form they believe that they can contribute — as a donor, a member of the Speaking Tour, an endorsing community member or someone who wants to be part our group. We have wide open arms — we want everyone to climb on.”
Ms. Sturgeon and Mr. Norton can be reached at paulasturgeon@me.com and xway.mike.norton@gmail.com.