Why would Scottsdale repeal its new Sustainability plan?
Posted
By Bjarne Heggli | Scottsdale
It has come to my attention that there is a proposal on the Jan. 14 agenda to repeal the Sustainability Plan. I find it very surprising, as the plan had been worked on for four years and approved by council about one month ago.
What are the reasons for wanting the repeal? I can only guess since there is no reasoning offered:
Scottsdale should not have a sustainability plan – at all. This appears to be the most likely reason – but why? It was apparently added to the agenda at a late moment without any public discussion.
The council-approved plan is insufficient and doesn’t meet community needs. This is an unlikely reason. The plan, which does not even have a mandate, has only been in place for a month. Like any other plan, there could be amendments needed over time, but none have been suggested.
The suggestion to start a new task force under the city manager, with no detail, is suspect as he/she is not an elected official by Scottsdale residents. This disconnects elected officials from having the responsibility for sustainability and gives council members/mayor more individual influence.
There are political reasons from someone who dislikes the Sustainability Plan.
Residents of Scottsdale demand council transparency! That is non-negotiable. A reasonable approach is to offer amendments to make the plan better.
Agenda item 14B smells of hidden agenda and I urge the council to reject it.
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