(Editor’s note: News releases are published as submitted unless there are errors of fact.)
Strong voter turnout propelled by positive community minded campaign.
Scottsdale voters have approved the city’s first major bond program in 19 years by overwhelmingly backing Questions 1, 2 and 3.
The three Scottsdale questions passed with an average of 70 percent of the vote, according to unoffficial results. The program invests in 58 projects totaling $319 million.
Question 1 (which invests in senior centers, parks and recreation facilities) passed by a 69percent to 31 percent margin.
Question 2 (which makes infrastructure repairs and improves important tourism and community assets) was approved by a 68 percent to 32 percent margin.
Question 3 (which invests in public safety and upgrades to technology) was approved with 73 percent of the vote. Only 27 percent opposed Question 3.
“We are grateful that Scottsdale residents saw how important Questions 1, 2 and 3 are for our community’s quality of life and future. The bonds invest in public safety, senior centers, parks, youth sports facilities and infrastructure repairs. The results show how our community can come together for the greater good and make our great city even greater,” said Mike Norton, Co-Chair of the For The Best Scottsdale Campaign.
Scottsdale voters turned out in impressive numbers for the bond election. There were 47,798 ballots cast in this election putting voter turnout at 27.52 percent. In 2015, voter turnout for a less successful bond election was 25 percent with 37,761 ballots cast.
“Scottsdale voters turned out strongly in favor of the three bond questions because they make critical investments and infrastructure repairs our community needs. We built a positive campaign led by a diverse coalition of supporters all committed to investing Scottsdale’s present and future,” said Dana Close, co-chair of the For The Best Scottsdale Campaign.
Question 1 passed with 69 percent of the vote. The measure improves the Granite Reef and Via Linda Senior Centers, Paiute Neighborhood Center, Pinnacle Peak Park, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and other recreation facilities.
Question 2 was approved with 68 percent of the vote.
Question 2 makes infrastructure repairs at Civic Center Plaza and the southern end of Indian Bend Wash, repairs horse barns and makes other improvements at WestWorld of Scottsdale, renovates the Stage 2 Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and adds public parking and pedestrian upgrades in Old Town Scottsdale.
Voters backed Question 3 with 73 percent of the vote. The measure will build new fire stations, installs bulletproof glass at police stations and upgrades Scottsdale’s 911 systems and first responder training facilities.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and the entire Scottsdale City Council endorsed all three city bond questions. The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association, Scottsdale Fraternal Order of Police, Police Officers of Scottsdale Association, AARP Arizona, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, Scottsdale Charros, The Thunderbirds, HonorHealth, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, Arizona Quarter Horse Association, Scottsdale Fashion Square, the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS), Scottsdale Gallery Association, Phoenix Rising and the Scottsdale Ice Den also endorsed all three questions.
The Campaign Committee was co-chaired by Andrea Alley, Dana Close, Mike Norton, Dennis Robbins and Paula Sturgeon. Its Steering Committee consisted of:
- Alex McLaren
- Barry Graham
- Becca Linnig
- Berke Bakay
- Betty Janik
- Bobby Dulle
- Brian Esterly
- Chris Brown
- Copper Phillips
- Craig Jackson
- Damien Mendoza
- Don Henninger
- Doug Huls
- Gerd Wuestemann
- Jim Derouin
- John Bridger
- Jon Ryder
- Joyce Tawes
- Larry Kush
- Les Conklin
- Mario Diaz
- Mark Stanton
- Matt Benson
- Michelle Pabis
- Mike O’Hearn
- Nick Cardinale
- Rebecca Grossman
- Robert Rogers
- Sandy Schenkat
- Sasha Weller
- Sonnie Kirtley
- Suzanne Brown
- Suzanne Lansford
- Taryl O’Shea
- Taylor Burke
- Tim Riester
- Tom Thompson
- Van Robinson
- Vernon Parker
- Bob Pejman
- French Thompson.
Paid for by For the Best Scottsdale PAC
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign committee
