Log in

Opinion

Dodds: Watch out for 70-ish council candidate on ‘Scottstrek’

Posted

Please be careful if you see Scottsdale City Council candidate John Little zip by around Oct. 10 or 11.

At the age of 70, he’ll be riding a bike — or scooter or Segway or walking or even skating — from the north end of the city to the south, more than 30 miles.

Be sure to steer around him on the streets and sidewalks and bike paths.

I’d like him to stay safe.

I put him up to this.

This “ScottsTrek” starts early on Oct. 10 at the entrance to the Desert Mountain community northeast of Carefree, the north-most development in Scottsdale’s boundaries. John will cover more than 20 miles the first day and make a few stops, notably at the Gateway Trailhead to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. He’ll end before noon at the Mustang Library parking lot near Shea Boulevard.

On Oct. 11, he’s back at Mustang in the morning to tackle another 15 miles. He’ll wind his way through McCormick Ranch, the Indian Bend Wash, Downtown Scottsdale, Skysong and the southern neighborhoods, ending outside the Vista del Camino Community Center in the early afternoon, close to our southern border at McKellips Road.

Along the way, he’s planning to talk to a bevy of people about the issues facing our city. Who knows? He may bump into you. Don’t worry, it’ll be in a socially distanced, masked way.

You can see the schedule and check on John’s progress (I will!) on his campaign website, JohnLittleScottsdale2020.com and his Facebook page.

So, why would I suggest a candidate — and a good friend — do this?

Well, especially in the midst of a pandemic, it’s a fun way to stretch your legs and your mind. I think it’ll make him a better City Council member.

Back in the early 1980s, I did something like it. I was a young reporter covering City Hall. I took two days to walk and wend my way from McKellips Lake Park north to the old Pinnacle Peak Patio. On the way, I saw Scottsdale at 2 miles an hour, not 45 or 50, and it gave me a much deeper appreciation for the breadth and variety of the community within our borders.

Since that journey, big chunks of our city have changed and big chunks have been protected. We may still have a small-town culture, but we aren’t Mayberry. Scottsdale now ranks among the nation’s 50 largest cities by land area and among the 100 largest in population.

Even in the 80s, the city contained an astonishing mix of people, neighborhoods, businesses and landscapes. In more than three decades, in my estimation, the contrasts have only grown.

I would argue that the city isn’t tilting in one direction. With revitalized areas in the south and more people settled in the low-density north, it has become more urban, suburban and rural all at the same time. It’s truly a no-size-fits-all place.

John already has a more intimate knowledge of the whole community than any of the other folks seeking a City Council seat. He started a career with the city about the time I was hoofing it to Pinnacle Peak. He served in many important roles, including chief of staff to the legendary Mayor Herb Drinkwater and city manager. He has since run a thriving business here and remained active in nonprofits and civic groups.

He has deep roots, but he’s really not an “old guard” guy or a “new guard” guy.

He’s independent. He’s a good listener and a talented bridge-builder. He’s a doer, which is why my off-the-cuff suggestion for a traipse across Scottsdale is happening.

Even with his experience and knowledge, I think this trek will be more than worthwhile for John.

It’s a great way for him to get a visceral understanding for the expanse of the city and the scale of its achievements — from the 47 square miles set aside in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve to the miles of parks, golf courses and greenspace that comprise our southern jewel, the Indian Bend Wash.

It’s a great way to get new perspectives on our challenges — preserving our desert, our downtown, our neighborhoods and schools and our community spirit. Does it make sense, in such a large and varied place, to consider electing our council members from districts? Can we achieve a unified vision for such a big, diverse city?

Most of all, it’s a great way for John to demonstrate that he’s willing to go to great lengths — and buy a lot of IcyHot — to see and understand the whole of Scottsdale.

So, if you see a 70-ish guy with a distinctive mustache zoom by, please give him a thumbs up.

I’ll be doing the worrying.

But he’s riding for you.

Editor’s Note: Pat Dodds is a resident of Scottsdale.