By Scott O’Connor | Point of View
Years ago, as a youth sports coach, I was dismayed that the Town of Paradise Valley had no available practice fields for recreational youth teams to gather and practice.
Prior to this, we had practiced at Kiva School, but the school had stopped maintaining the field, to the point it was dangerous and inoperable.
I took the problem to then-Councilwoman Mary Hamway, who recognized this deficiency in the town’s services to its residents.
She organized a task force of stakeholders, including the Town, the school district and the city of Scottsdale, to work on a joint solution. After many public meetings, some local community fund raising, a town grant towards new lighting, we were able to make the improvements and execute an intergovernmental agreement for continuing operations and maintenance.
This was a first for the town, and would not have been possible without Mary’s leadership, interpersonal skills, perseverance and follow-through. Paradise Valley would be well-served with this kind of leadership in the mayor’s office. Please join me in voting for Mary Hamway for Paradise Valley mayor.
Editor’s Note: Mr. O’Connor is a resident of the Town of Paradise Valley and former member of its planning commission
