“Divine Desert Drive” by Chad Weaver, Carefree – Winner Scenic Drive Category, 2015 Summer Fun Photo Contest
June 26, 2018
By Les Conklin
President, GPPA-Friends of the Scenic Drive
Please Support Local Tradition, Reduced Visual Pollution & Show Respect for Visitors
To: Candidates for political office,
Thank you for your community service. Thank you for investing your time and resources and running for political office.
Once again, Friends of the Scenic Drive is asking all candidates for political office to refrain from posting campaigns signs on the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. The Desert Foothills Scenic Drive is the northern-most section of North Scottsdale Road from Happy Valley Road north to Carefree Highway, a distance of 6 1/2 miles. Area residents are well-aware of the ban. Participating in the ban is a simple way for candidates to show their respect for our preservation efforts, local history, visitors and the desert.
The Scenic Drive was established 55 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 the voluntary ban. Election-after-election, the ban has held as candidates have supported the initiative.
Political signs can legally be posted in public rights-of-way beginning on June 29. City of Scottsdale staff makes information about sign restrictions available to political candidates. Friends asks that signs on intersection roads be place well-back from Scottsdale Road. The goal is to showcase the Scenic Drive.
Election Information and The Peak
Friends of the Scenic Drive is a corps of volunteers within the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA). In addition to supporting the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, GPPA publishes A Peek at the Peak magazine (The Peak) as a complimentary community service.
GPPA is a 501 c (3) nonprofit and cannot back specific political candidates. However, during the upcoming campaign we will be supporting the election process in four ways.
#1. Publishing articles about local election issues.
#2. Publishing selected electronic newsletters produced by Scottsdale candidates.
#3. Publishing the names of candidates who are not supporting the voluntary campaign sign ban.
#4. Organizing a candidates forum, open to the public, in the fall.
Related Articles & Websites
Scenic Drive Information Directory Article
55 Years Down the Road Article
The Peak Welcomes Your Comment
GPPA Membership Make a Donation to GPPA Peak Advertisements & Advertorials
June 29, 2018
I share this environmental measure.
November 2, 2018
I am sure your readers would like to see before and after cleanup.
In addition picture of scenic drive with campaign posters.
November 2, 2018
I would love to show them pictures from the past before the voluntary sign ban was instituted. It was really bad, like busy streets in most cities. The litter situation is also much, much better overall than in the days when this area was being rapidly developed. So, the city has come a long way in day-to-day roadside appearance but our volunteers are making an important difference.