August 9, 2016
ME FIRST, then the environment, heritage, tourists, and residents! That’s what the actions of more than 20 political campaigns seem to be saying with loud colors, clear words and intrusive campaign signs. They are the candidates that are ignoring, perhaps unintentionally, the long-standing voluntary political sign ban on Scottsdale’s Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. Look for their signs on the Scenic Drive and let the environment dictate your vote.
The Scenic Drive was established 53 years ago to preserve roadside vegetation and vistas. In the mid-1990, Friends of the Scenic Drive with the support of the Scottsdale City Council encouraged a voluntary ban on posting political signs on the northern part of Scottsdale Road, from Happy Valley Road to Carefree Highway, a distance of 6 1/2 miles. Election-after-election, the ban has held as candidates have supported the effort. Not this year!
While many candidates support the effort, the following campaigns STILL have campaign signs posted on Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive.
- Joe Arpaio Sheriff
- Nancy Barto State Senate
- Tammy Caputi
- Steve Chucri, County Supervisor
- Boyd Dunn, Corporation Commission
- Marc Fortunato for Constable
- Jana Jackson, County School Superintendent
- Clancy Jayne, Judge
- Jerry Karaszewski
- Alex Meluskey for Senate
- James Rich, Constable
- Cathy Riggs, Justice of the Peace
- Dan Saban for Sheriff
- Jeff Schapira, Republican Justice of the Peace
- Dan Schweiker, Scottsdale City Council
- Dr. Kelli Ward, U.S. Senate
- Steve,Watson, School Superintendent
- Captain Russ Wittenberg Congress GOP
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Entry Sign. (Courtesy of Cindy Lee.)
Friends of the Scenic Drive invites the above candidates to help us to protect the environment and quality of life. We understand that candidates from other areas of Arizona might not be aware of the voluntary ban, although city staff has always informed them in advance. Now, we are reaching out to campaigns, by email, phone, and this article, so that they can take pride in scenic roadsides along a historic landmark. Please remove your signs.
If you would like to help with this humble but important effort, register to help Keep the Scenic Drive Scenic.
Help Keep Scenic Drive Scenic
Related Articles & Websites
Welcome Scenic Drive.org Visitors
August 10, 2016
Both of my signs have been relocated away from the scenic drive. As a native of Arizona, but never a resident of Scottsdale, I must admit I did not know about the voluntary ban.
August 10, 2016
Thank you very much for removing the signs. We’ll delete your name from the article immediately. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Scenic Drive you will find a great deal of information on this website under “Scenic Drive.” Thanks again for your support. Les Conklin, Friends of the Scenic Drive