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OPINION
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | MARCH 22, 2020
Opinion
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Virus puts ‘slow growth’ in dire perspective BY JASON ROSE Progress Guest Writer
T
he various debates previously taking place in Scottsdale now seem so trivial. The Desert Discovery Center, Southbridge 2 and the latest civic issue that may be creating anger or acclaim still matter to the vested but matter little to a wounded community as a whole. While the media can’t stop reporting on the coronavirus, it has been underreporting the devastating impact just starting to be fully realized in tourism communities like Scottsdale. Tourism is the number one industry in our city. But hotel room and occupancy rates are collapsing. Special events that drive business for so many are being canceled – or could be later this year. Just wait. When the City Treasurer reports again on Scottsdale tax revenue, watch what happens. It’s not going to be pretty. Vital funds needed to fund vital services will be depleted. I mean no disrespect to my friends in
New group avoids the voice of Scottsdale residents Why is it those in the business community, like the Chamber of Commerce, professional real estate brokers and leadership trainers, think anyone beyond their sphere of employment, doesn’t have brain one to address problems in their community? It is insulting and it is tedious and gets old very quickly. Then if you don’t agree with current electeds seeking higher of�ice, you are a dweller of the “City of No,” otherwise known as “Stopsdale.” “An old geezer.” “A crazy old fart.” “A boomer bottom feeder.”
the “slower growth” camp because there is a time and a place for every voice. But it is those intoning support for business that are now desperately needed in Scottsdale. One can’t always rail against “growth,” saying tourism should and will be our savior when tourism itself is facing a future worse than after 9/11. I appreciate those who say Scottsdale should go slow when it comes to new businesses and buildings. Such opinions are not always misplaced. But such observations are a luxury of good economic times. Those will not be ours over the coming months. I hope I am wrong. Good times and economies don’t just happen. Bernie Sanders may think so. As the insightful New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently opined, to listen to Senator Sanders is “to listen to someone who seems to believe that the American economic pie just miraculously appeared and exists on its own. He never discusses where that pie came from, how to bake it or how to enlarge it.” And so it is with a certain segment in Scottsdale. The city and its enviable life-
style and business pro�ile didn’t and don’t just happen. They are curated by the custodians of commerce. It’s important to understand that you can say no to those who may knock on your door, but it’s tough to build a house if no one ever shows up to help. In other words, there are opportunities and investments never known because the marketplace understands they are not overly welcome there. Scottsdale is a collection of thousands of rejuvenating small businesses, developments, events and entrepreneurs. Now more than ever, they need to be celebrated not scolded. Helped, not hindered. Scottsdale, more than most communities, is facing an economic tsunami. If its leaders and future leaders engage in the anti-business rhetoric that has arisen more in the past couple of years, voters will punish them. There is a reason Scottsdale’s City Council was a 6-1 pro-business majority after the obviousness of the Great Recession. Voters wanted people who knew what it took to pull the community through.
This city need not sacri�ice its soul, even in the toughest of times like now. But it does need a more energetic, enlightened economic approach to deal with this crisis and to stimulate and encourage investment. The city council and mayoral campaigns of 2020 were just upended. The voices of “no” will be horribly out of step when the steps needed now, from every city of�icial and candidate, will be how to help the city while under economic siege. In an ultimate act of patriotism, Barack Obama and John McCain largely came together during the onset of the Great Recession to work with President Bush to support what needed to be done to save the economy. Let’s hope the situation today is not so dire but every Scottsdale political leader should and will now need to act likewise. Without patriots for progress, Scottsdale’s better days may remain too distant on its beautiful horizon. -Jason Rose is president of Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations in Scottsdale.
If you agree with those current candidates, especially for mayor, the Chamber of Commerce and this new group called SCOTT or Scottsdale Coalition of Today and Tomorrow, (Forget about yesterday, I guess) you might want to do your research. This new group is by invitation only and requires dues and states they are here to “educate more people about important issues in the city and enable them to get more involved.” The last time I looked, one could get involved in solving problems and help educate the community by offering to serve on one of the many boards and commissions our city is required to have by state
statutes. No dues to pay and you submit your name sans invitation. And the opportunities to work with all facets of our community is part of the process. If you detect some of us are a bit perturbed, you are right. This group has jumped on a term all warm and fuzzy, but the issue is one boards and commissions have been working on for the last six or seven years with no help or input from the professional organizations involved with SCOTT. You might notice there is something missing from the list of bullet points they claim to be focused on. Can you �ind it?
A permanent, positive voice for the city Proactive on issues and leadership need to advance the city Promote the city’s heritage, natural beauty & economic strengths. Inclusive, representing a broad crosssection of businesses community and civic groups and geographic locations within Scottsdale. Right. Missing is the voice of the residents, those of us who live here, who helped create the Scottsdale we have come to appreciate today. Everyone should be allowed to take part no invitations and no dues. And no prejudices in an election year. - Nancy Cantor
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