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Opinion

Manross: Leave it as it is

Posted

“Leave it as it is! You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.”

These are Theodore Roosevelt’s epic words that have been the inspiration for all who have worked to preserve beautiful areas of our country.

In Scottsdale we have the largest urban preserve in the country, but developers wanted to build inside its boundaries.

City Council candidates Betty Janik and Tom Durham showed great leadership in helping to lead the successful 420 proposition that protected our Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. That is real leadership, not just empty words.

Betty and Tom have a great deal of talent that will help provide much needed leadership on our City Council.

Theodore Roosevelt’s words are also relevant to the recent effort to knock down a large area of our downtown and build 12 story towers which would change the entire character of the area.

David Ortega, a mayoral candidate, helped lead the successful citizen referendum to gather 17,000+ signatures to overturn the project.

That is demonstrated leadership. As a professional architect, in Scottsdale for 41 years, David has helped to design our community.

David can also help revitalize downtown, while retaining its history and character.

I am voting for Betty Janik, Tom Durham and David Ortega

Editor’s Note: Larry Manross is a longtime resident of Scottsdale, and husband of former mayor Mary Manross.