Ortega: My response to Cheryl Pelletier

Firstly, I must point out that “My Goals as Mayor of Scottsdale” has always included voting districts.

Voting Districts: Bring voting districts to the ballot by 2022, since no council member resides south of Shea.

On Feb. 24, the Scottsdale Independent published “Ortega: An idea for implementing Voter Districts in Scottsdale.”

Wherein, I stated: “Fundamentally, I believe, the current ‘at- large’ framework is not working. Why? Because not one of the councilmembers or any of my mayoral opponents lives south of Shea.”

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Ms. Borowsky entered the mayoral race on March 5, ten days after I published my opinion describing the “Straight Six” and “Four+Two hybrid” district systems. Scottsdale Republic and Scottsdale Progress also received my Feb. 24 op-ed, which continues regarding the hybrid district system:

• “These four districts have diverse population density and radiate unique identities.”
• “Consider 'Four Districts + Two.' Four districts would each elect a councilperson....”

In late April, Ms. Borowsky announced “her” district plan with four diverse areas and Borowsky mailers in September state, “No one on the City Council lives in south Scottsdale (see map).” The same reference I used six months earlier.

In law school it would be called plagiarism, but in politics, I say welcome aboard, Ms. Borowsky. Late, but welcome.

Editor’s Note: David “Dave” Ortega is a candidate for Scottsdale mayor in the Nov. 3 general election.