By Don Henninger

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over 60 Scottsdale business and community leaders have endorsed the “Declaration of Community Values” listed below. Their names are at the end. To add your endorsement, email donh@scottsdale.com .

The sounds of silence often can be damaging.

That point comes to light after recent events in Scottsdale have presented an image to the national and international media that does not reflect the values embraced by the majority of community and business leaders in the city.

Some of those images have harmed the city’s reputation, and we don’t know yet what kind of effect that will have on the city – socially, culturally or economically – on a longer-term basis.

These events – even the words and actions from a single individual – do not reflect the city we are proud to call home.

Good reputations built over a lifetime can be shattered in an instant. Perhaps that’s not fair, but that’s the way it works.

Based on conversations over the past two weeks with a score of community and business leaders, it’s clear they are concerned that these events have stained the city’s brand.

Many leaders, individually, have posted comments on social media and been quoted in traditional media abhorring some of the things that have happened here.

But there has not been a collective voice that has spoken as one community, and as the summer drags on the opportunity lessens for that to occur on a prominent stage. I’ve been asked to draft a statement that reflects our values and share them collectively at a time when silence is not acceptable.

“Declaration of community values:

“In Scottsdale, we think that everyone of us has a leadership role that is reflected in our thoughts, words and actions. If we live here, each of us represents the character and values that collectively determine what our city is all about.

“We believe that every person who lives, works or visits this city deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. There is no room for discrimination in our city and we will not tolerate racism.

“We embrace taking actions that are in the best interests of the community as a whole, and we respect the rule of law. When we disagree with it, we do it in an orderly fashion and in ways that are not disruptive or disrespectful.

“We believe that diversity in every way it’s measured – ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age – makes our city stronger and a more desirable place to live, work and visit.

“We know the city is not perfect, and we are willing to roll up our sleeves and do the work required to solve our challenges.”

If these values reflect yours, consider endorsing this statement and sharing it with your individual and professional networks and see if they’ll support it, too.

Let’s not allow the events of the past few weeks tarnish a reputation built by generations before us. Let’s protect it and make our city even better for our children and the generations to come.

Let’s break the silence and tell everyone what we stand for in Scottsdale.

Don Henninger is executive director of SCOTT and can be reached at donh@scottsdale.com

Endorsed by: Scottsdale Community College, Chris Haines, interim president; Scottsdale Leadership, Lee Ann Witt, executive director; Scottsdale Together, Jason Alexander, editor;

Kenneth Allen,  Andrea Alley, Todd Bankofier, Brian Bednar, Peter Bezanson,  Denny Brown, Bill Callahan, Sam Campana, Tammy Caputi, Julie Cieniawski, Dana Close, Doug Craig, Brion Crum, Bill Crawford, Joe Cusack, Carol Damaso, Todd Davis, Brendan Denker, Jim Derouin, Wes Frank, Bob Frost, Amy Greer, Don Hadder, Jesica Hays.

Also: Richard Hayslip, Bill Heckman, Steve Helm, Mark Hiegel, Emily Hinchman, George Jackson,  Frank Jacobson, Michael King, Jason Kush, Larry Kush, John Little, Al Maag, Kevin Maxwell, Sean McGarry, Alex McLaren, Fred Mercaldo, Cory Miller, Mike Norton, Randy Nussbaum, Rachel Pearson, Todd S. Peterson,  Mary Platner, Denise Pulk, Dennis Robbins, Laraine Rodgers, Yvonne Rosales,  Jon Ryder, Rachel Sacco, Dan Schweiker, Gary Shapiro, Enid Seiden, Charlie Smith, Paula Sturgeon, Neil Sutton, Douglas Sydnor, Linda Tucker, Lawrence Tucker, Steve Tyrrell, Carter Unger, Josh Weiss, Sasha Weller, Raoul Zubia

By Laraine Rodgers

For those of us who live, work, or do business in Scottsdale, this is a great time to learn more about the city, from simply receiving email updates to actively being a part of civic engagement.

When COVID-19 hit in March, the city quickly began to address issues caused by this pandemic. Emergency plans were put in motion and some staff was redeployed to help as needed. Staff rethought processes and focused on critical activities, needs of citizens, the community and the budget.

As the community at large started to adapt their practices during and beyond this emergency, interest in the city’s services and operations increased. Community outreach was expanded; timely updates were provided online for key information.

For the latest information, see City of Scottsdale COVID-19 Updates.

Due to limitations on in-person activity, many city services modified delivery methods and continue to focus on, “Simply better service for a world-class city.” Changes were made to the way Scottsdale’s citizens engage and participate as a community, enabled by increased use of technology and communication platforms.

The requirement for community input and feedback throughout Scottsdale’s municipal planning process emphasizes the role of residents across visioning, planning, and review processes.

Here are some ways to stay engaged:

–The General Plan: Citizens may engage with the ongoing General Plan effort: Specific links and more details can be found in blogs: SCOTT website.

–Operating Budget and CIP: The 2020/2021 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan was adopted at the June 16 City Council meeting. The annual report to Citizens for 2019/2020 will be published by September. See the 2018/2019 report.

–Ongoing City Council meetings: The City Council Agenda and Minutes page provides links to council sessions, past, current and planned, with marked agendas with votes and actions. You’ll also find links to the city’s organization chart, with names and contact information.

–For now, physical facilities are not open to the public. The meetings can be viewed on Cox Channel 11, streamed online at scottsdaleaz.com (search “live stream”). Check each meeting agenda to see how to provide input and make comments.

–Volunteer: There are over 20 ways to engage with the city as a volunteer. Although the volunteer program is still on “pause,” you can reach out now to learn more. If you know High School students, encourage them to check out the Mayor’s Youth Council. 

–Board and commissions members provide input on a variety of issues affecting the city. You can learn more about their work and their meeting schedules, if there are any vacancies and how to apply to serve here. Their work and meetings are continuing electronically until further notice. There are vacancies on many of the city’s boards and commissions.

–Learn more about the candidates running for mayor and the three seats open on City Council in the Candidate information pamphlet. Two of the five mayoral and six of the nine council candidates will go forward to the General election on Nov. 3.

–Last day to register to vote is July 6 for the Aug. 4 Primary. You can also register to vote by mail by July 24. To learn more about the election see the City’s Election page on scottsdaleaz.gov.

Civic engagement opportunities abound, even during this pandemic. Your voice counts – at City Hall, with the community at large, and as a volunteer. This year there are two important ways you can engage with the City: Speak up by voting in the primary and in the general election. The ultimate method of civic engagement is your vote!