That’s the valid question that Melinda Gulick raises in an article recently published in the Scottsdale Independent. The article is entitled “Gulick: Desert Discovery Center debate getting lost in personal attacks, lies.”
According to an editorial note following the article, Gulick is a “mother, nature lover, and lifelong resident of Scottsdale.” Gulick describes her long relationship with the DDC and Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve in the article. I know her as an early supporter of Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive and from the time I spent as a member of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission and as a member of the board of directors of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.
The reader comments following Gulick’s article are also insightful and it’s strongly recommended that you read them.
Read Scottsdale Independent Article
September 16, 2016
Yes, civil discourse is possible – I have had several conversations w/ those who insist the DDC be only at the GWTH. Distilled, there are only 2 issues: 1. Location of DDC – on or off the Preserve & 2. use of funds designated for the Preserve allocated to the DDC.
Since it was the voters who voted to tax themselves for a “Preserve’ (with no mention of the GW Bajada being purchased for commercial development), any further construction should also be submitted to the voters.
Finally, no matter how “small” and inoffensive and blending the proposal turns out to be is irrelevant – once 4 City Councilmembers can authorize construction – they can continue to build anything they want ……keep thinking about that tram to a restaurant at Tom’s Thumb.