By Adam Kwasman | Point of View
I am running for city council to bring reason and thoughtful, solution-based leadership to Scottsdale.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen nothing but baseless attacks and desperation from other, and now former candidates, in the race for Scottsdale City Council.
I entered this race because I, like so many others, have seen a rise in homelessness, crime, and cost of living in our city. Scottsdale, once gorgeous and safe, is simply no longer the same city it was a decade ago. It is now a regular sight to see the homeless community on a street corner in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale made the news as the current council considered moving forward with a program that would put the homeless in our hotels. Representative Matt Gress stood up and brought this broken program to light and I am honored that he has endorsed my campaign.
This past spring, Scottsdale was also in the news, as we saw an uptick in dinnertime burglaries from illegal street gangs.
And now, as the cost of living is rising, and our residents must decide how to manage their incomes, the council has asked us to raise our taxes. This tax increase was so deceptive, it was initially rendered illegal by the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Something has to change. It’s time for new, sober leadership for our incredible city.
Since I started running, I have focused on these very issues. I am prepared to address them head-on, bringing my experience from my service in the legislature, as an attorney and business owner, and as a husband and father to the council. Fiscal responsibility and thoughtful, competent solutions to create a safe community are not extreme. Reasonable measures that focus on residents and families are exactly what voters are demanding from their City Council.
Tom Durham and others are attacking me because I want to deal with these issues based on facts, and they don’t like being called out for their failures. I have built a bipartisan coalition of support, including the Scottsdale Police and Fire Associations, while knocking thousands of doors, and hosting a multitude of public meet-and-greets, and I hope to earn the support of all voters.
We all deserve better leadership from every level of government. This November, I hope to bring quality, sensible, thoughtfulness to the city of Scottsdale.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Kwasman is a candidate for Scottsdale City Council.
