Labelle: I’m running for Paradise Valley Town Council

My name is Christine Labelle and I am excited to announce my decision to run for Paradise Valley Town Council in the Aug. 2, primary election.

I am a mother, wife, daughter, business owner, and an advocate for my Paradise Valley neighborhood. I grew up here and have lived in Paradise Valley for 45 years.

My parents still live in the same home I grew up in, which they purchased in 1977. At the time, we had unobstructed views of all the Paradise Valley Mountains and lived on a dirt road. We had evaporative cooling. Everyone had horses. I would walk to Cherokee Elementary through the old Desert Wash of Indian Bend (now Camelback Golf Course) past 100 year old Mesquite trees and packs of coyotes. While I miss that era, I feel confident that we still have time to protect and strengthen what makes Paradise Valley truly unique.

I am now lucky enough to live down the block from my parents and my original home. My husband and I have raised our twin daughters here, and have long been involved in protecting Paradise Valley’s quality of life on many levels over the years. As a recent volunteer on the Paradise Valley Historical Advisory Committee, I was happy to say it was a pleasure, an honor and a personally meaningful experience to help plan and celebrate our 60th Anniversary party for the Town. I was so encouraged by the sense of community I witnessed in our volunteers and guests.

I have never aspired to any political role, however, having been forced to fight (successfully!) to close a party house in my neighborhood, I know firsthand the troubles unregulated short-term rentals can bring to the fabric of the neighborhood. Myself, along with like minded neighbors, walked door to door in my non-HOA neighborhood, to secure changes and to amend our CC&Rs in order to stop more than one troubled rental property from continuing its destructive business practices.

If you elect me to serve you as your Town Council member, I will continue to work tirelessly for the safety and security of our neighborhoods. Creating educational tactical information and resources that individuals and subdivisions can readily access to discourage or shut down party houses will be my priority.

As a resident in a non-HOA subdivision, I know first hand how difficult it can be to advocate for one’s neighborhood. I have ideas and tools gleaned from my personal fight that will enable private citizens to advocate on their own behalf.

New methods and forward thinking technology are an overdue item I would like to see the town implement to help private citizens secure the safety and value of their own neighborhoods, and ultimately the whole of the town.

I support ordinances on short-term rentals to prevent illegal non-residential use properties and party houses from irreparably changing the character and value of our neighborhoods. However, I advocate for individual action supported by community involvement as a robust addition and necessary tool to stop them.

At 13 years of age, my dad recruited me (after dinner while we walked our dog Patches), to walk door to door with a clipboard getting signatures to preserve open space and residential neighborhood paths so long ago. I am no stranger to neighborhood activism and involvement. These issues are still dear to me. I will continue to ensure our striking desert and mountain areas are preserved for future generations.

My twin daughters attended Cherokee, Cocopah, and Chaparral High school. I attended Kiva, Cherokee and Chaparral myself. I continue to maintain relationships with many of the educators here in Paradise Valley and the district. Community relations and working together to secure our future and keep Paradise Valley unique with one acre lots, no property taxes and thoughtful and future minded development is a primary focus for my involvement.

Paradise Valley is one of the best small towns in America. I feel beyond lucky to live here. I will work tirelessly to maintain our high quality of life by ensuring Town Hall is listening to and engaging with our community. I will work to protect our rural character, our open space, our well maintained infrastructure, work to mitigate cut through traffic and to support and preserve all of the other elements that make Paradise Valley so special.

With a servant’s heart and a warrior spirit, I ask for your support at our primary election on Aug. 2. Please stay up to date on our progress by visiting www.LabelleforPVCouncil.com and help me get the signatures I’ll need to get on the ballot! Share your concerns and thoughts with me.

Editor’s Note: Christine Labelle is seeking a spot as candidate for Paradise Valley Town Council. Labelle is a 45-year resident.