Stratton: New leadership for Scottsdale — Why I am running for City Council

Let’s bridge the divide in city government and build upon our common goals. I am running because I want to make Scottsdale a better place for my family, and yours.”

Tim Stratton, Scottsdale City Council candidate

I recently filed paperwork to officially form my campaign committee to run for the Scottsdale City Council.

I do so with the encouragement of many Scottsdale residents and with a sense of responsibility and hope for the future.

Those of us fortunate enough to live in Scottsdale know just how special our city is. I am running to insure that Scottsdale remains the place we all love and cherish.

I am running because we need new leadership in Scottsdale. Leadership that will listen to the residents and make decisions based on the best interests of the city.

I’m no stranger to Scottsdale. My family and I chose to live in Scottsdale, as many of you did, because we love the amenities and lifestyle Scottsdale has to offer. Scottsdale’s family- friendly, relaxed lifestyle, and top-notch amenities were a draw, and became the place we wanted to raise our family.

As I have traveled across our city talking with our neighbors, I keep hearing a few common themes:

•  Residents want a City Council that listens to their voices and represents what’s best for the city;
•  Residents want to protect our beautiful desert preserve and vital open spaces unspoiled;
•  Residents want great roads, schools and other services without skyrocketing taxes;

But most of all residents want a livable city where we have the very best-in-class amenities, a city where we can safely and comfortably raise our families, where seniors can afford to remain in Scottsdale, where our important tourism industry remains strong, where business want to locate and grow, and where we remain a place where visitors want to come to relax and experience all Scottsdale has to offer.

To do these things we need dynamic, laser-focused leadership that understands the issues facing our community today and is committed to executing a plan to address those issues and not just complain about them.

Our challenges are many, and our City Council must work harder than ever before. Scottsdale is not the great city it is by accident — the high standards that our residents have come to expect do not come without diligence, planning, and an understanding of the complex issues of municipal finance, real estate development, land use, utility planning, traffic management, water conservation, and police and fire safety matters.

We need fiscally responsible leadership that is willing to commit to do the hard work of long term planning needed to make Scottsdale the best it can be.

Mismanagement and misdirection can destroy the city we love, and the decisions of our City Council will have long lasting impact, both positive and negative. Who we elect to City Council matters and it’s not a place for single issue candidates, popularity contests, or on the job training. We need the most experienced people for the job. That is why I am running.

It’s time for new leadership for the city of Scottsdale. Leadership that has the life experiences and ability to focus on the many complex issues facing our city.

I have served on the Scottsdale Industrial Development Authority for six years and have been engaged in city economic development.

On the IDA Board I worked with city and business leaders to send a lifeline to our struggling hospitality businesses during COVID. I’m proud to have been a part of that effort.

In addition, I have served on the city’s Board of Adjustment where I have had the sometimes difficult task of balancing property rights and making sure our zoning ordinances are adhered to. In my professional capacity I have worked with cities and towns all across the state on these and other issues facing Arizona.

I have a demonstrated history of working with communities to attract and retain business and investment while insisting on high quality development that adds to the community and is appropriate in scope and quality. As an attorney negotiating complex financing operations for the benefit of communities, I have firsthand experience working with the economic development community, the business community, and the local community.

The development community knows I will be tough and insist on high quality and demand high standards, but I will be fair and consistent, and always put the interests of our residents and the city first.

Scottsdale has always been an example for the rest of the state. We have always been innovators and on the leading edge. Just look at the big projects we have embraced over the years. Projects such as Indian Bend Wash, the Preserve, the Air Park, and WestWorld to name just a few.

These projects have added to the value of Scottsdale, have made us better and have moved the city one step forward, while building upon our rich history and tradition. It’s time for the next generation of leadership to work with the community to envision our next chapter. We can’t rest on our laurels, but we cannot turn our back on the past either. Scottsdale is a special place and we can offer something for everyone.

It’s time to work with our business community and other partners to retain jobs and create new opportunities for Scottsdale families; It’s time to protect our preserve and our water resources for the future; It’s time to take the rancor and divisiveness out of city government and to restore a sense of civility to our politics; It’s time for new leadership that is grounded in our history, but has a commitment to, and a plan for our future; It’s time to make sure our public safety officers are well equipped and trained to do their jobs; it’s time to protect our neighborhoods and insure they remain livable and free from the problems of short-term vacation rentals.

It’s time to insist on quality development that fits within our zoning code and general plan. It’s time for a candidate who has the skill and will to build bridges among our neighbors and not tear them down. We can turn down the temperature and disagree without being disagreeable.

Too often we look at those who have differing opinions as the enemy. I pledge to work with everyone to find common ground and to solve our problems.

If you value a vibrant Scottsdale with all the great amenities we are blessed with, and a Scottsdale where we encourage innovation, but honor and build upon our past; where we focus on appropriate and best-in-class development that adds to the fabric of our community; and where we have a city government that listens to our residents and leads the city through these challenging times, then I ask for your vote for Scottsdale City Council.

Let’s bridge the divide in city government and build upon our common goals. I am running because I want to make Scottsdale a better place for my family, and yours. I am running because I have a strong sense of community and a belief that our city is only as good as its government. I am running to be your voice on Scottsdale City Council.

Editor’s Note: Tim Stratton is a candidate for Scottsdale City Council. He is a government finance expert, attorney, small business owner and has served on the City Scottsdale Board of Zoning Adjustment. Tim is also the former Chair of the City of Scottsdale IDA and currently serves as a member of the State Board of Charter Schools and was appointed to that body by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to that position.