I just got an email from a Scottsdale voter about campaign sign pollution in the city.
He asked:
Do you think there is anything our city can do about the campaign signs strewn all over town? I realize the state recently passed a bill limiting each cities ability to limit the time and location of these signs but I don’t get the feeling out city leaders really put up much of a fight in the matter and now I feel that out city looks terrible.
The Scottsdale Republic quoted me on this subject last week:
I believe House Bill 2500 is a drastic over-reach by the state, specifically hyper-partisan interests who don’t value the unique character of Scottsdale nor respect our desire and right to keep it that way.
I have not done a sign campaign simply because it is expensive and wasteful. I am glad to have name recognition through my proven track record that will transcend the need for sign clutter.
Read the full article and pay close attention to the candidates who support the changes or offer only token resistance.
Here’s my reply to this voter’s email which includes more detail:
You hit the nail on the head. It was a tactical decision to not fight.
“The establishment” (whatever that is) decided that their desire to preserve their power and status quo is best served by facilitating the efforts of those who can raise the most money.
Scottsdale’s landmark sign ordinance just turned 50 years old this year. It is IMHO one of the most important things the citizens and city government have done to differentiate us from our neighbors (one of the others is a strong zoning code backed up by a visionary General Plan which preserves community character through careful management of height and density).
It is unconscionable that Lane and the Chamber caucus on the Council (Klapp, Robbins, McCullagh) not only allowed this to happen, they encouraged it behind the scenes and Lane and Klapp are benefiting from it.
This is the same mentality that turned city elections upside-down by moving them from spring to fall, and will see 30% of Scottsdale voters disenfranchised because they aren’t affiliated with a political party. Here’s more on that:
http://www.scottsdaletrails.com/2012/08/02/non-partisan-voter-no-early-ballot/
You’ll notice that there aren’t any signs from my campaign. A couple of independent expenditure groups have posted signs with my name on them. The race is likely to be close and I’m glad to have their help, even though I REALLY disagree with the sign clutter. Frankly, I probably would have bought some if I hadn’t felt it important to focus resources on the mail effort.
I appreciate your interest and would be happy to entertain any further thoughts you may have on this or any other subject!