Recognizing the need for common-sense water policy in Scottsdale

Read the Op-Ed in the Scottsdale Independent

Last month, I spoke before the Scottsdale City Council about an issue that should be common sense but, of course, has turned into another political sideshow. In my address, I shared my support for keeping critical long-term water infrastructure projects like the Bartlett Dam expansion and the Advanced Water Purification Facility in the CIP budget because these investments are essential to the resilience of our community in a changing climate.

Undermining these projects doesn’t save taxpayers money; it guarantees higher costs for current residents and future generations. It sends the wrong message to families and businesses deciding whether Scottsdale is a safe long-term investment. Serious leaders plan for the next generation, not just the next news cycle

I think most residents support expanding advanced water purification because people don’t want higher costs if they can be avoided. Our resources are not infinite, and if we want to continue to grow, we need to be smart about where our water sources come from.

Yet some council members are in favor of delaying and cutting major water investments. They relish the gross disinformation being spread about water purification and recycling efforts. For those opposed to recycled water, I implore you to ask an astronaut if they’ve had any issues with the practice.

In a desert city, water is the foundation on which everything else rests. It shapes where and how we grow, how we plan, and whether the next generation inherits a community defined by resilience rather than scarcity.

I’m running for City Council because I’m tired of watching the council mess up the easy stuff because of political games. On July 21st, Scottsdale voters have a choice. They can vote for the status quo and more chaos, or they can vote for good governance and common-sense solutions for our water woes.