Log in

Opinion

Gentile: Enough is enough - an open letter to Arizona, Scottsdale leadership

Posted

My wife and I have been residents of Scottsdale for just under a year. We are a law enforcement family from New York who relocated to AZ — after unfortunate years in Los Angeles.

We have been following the press-manufactured drama regarding Self Made Fitness Center (and others) and we, the voters, are disappointed in you.

We moved our family (and our business and our income and our American values) to Scottsdale, Arizona to be in a more like-minded state. A state where:

  • Where the Bill of Rights still has meaning.
  • Where responsible adults can purchase and carry firearms to protect their homes, businesses, their lives.
  • Where Police Departments are not racist institutions but are honorable and necessary so that all citizens, of any race, can enjoy the freedom to pursue their happiness without fear of roving mobs.
  • Where we vote on what statues are erected (and destroyed).
  • Where businesses can thrive without punitive taxes and regulations.
  • Where our elected officials follow the same rules that are expected of their constituents.

We moved to Arizona — to Scottsdale specifically — to escape the masked hysteria that has been California’s (and much of the country’s) failed overreaction to the COVID-19 novel virus and escape the “peaceful protestors” who looted and set fire to the business (a discount shoe store) two doors down from my own business (a TV studio) on Sunset Boulevard.

To Police Chief Rodbell and the SPD bureau heads BCC’d: Your oath to uphold our Constitution and its Bill of Rights supersedes any “Executive Order” from a governor, mayor, councilman, or whomever. We, the citizens, do want officers acting as an armed response unit for ADHS.

The men and women of the outstanding Scottsdale PD, do not want to hassle business owners. Don’t put our officers in a position where businesses fear their visit.

In LA, the outstanding officers in my neighborhood knew our business as a place to get a hot cup of coffee, use a clean bathroom, and take a break from the filth of the city. The relationship between neighborhood police and local merchants is precious and vital. Do not tarnish it. These are our brothers, our sisters, our neighbors.

To Governor Ducey: You do not — nor does any Governor in this great country — have enough scientific information to impose such a draconian response.

You may think you do. You do not. “Better safe than sorry” is not sufficient enough data to destroy the lives and livelihoods of our citizens. More people die from car accidents/crashes every year — young people, healthy people.

Should we ban cars? More people die from alcohol-related injuries, fighting, DWI/DUI — should we reinstate prohibition? I could go on.

Hypocrite Chris Cuomo, brother of hypocrite Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted recently regarding his enjoyment of cigarettes: he knows the risks of smoking but chooses to take them.

Chris accidentally stumbled on his Constitutional rights: If one fears COVID, they have the freedom to stay home, wear masks, bathe in sanitizer, or whatever they want to do. Executive orders remove our choice — and remove our freedom. We will not obey.

“If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” — Thomas Jefferson

To the press: Cover Self Made Fitness Center fairly. SMFC is not open to the public. It is a by appointment only. They are actively protesting against government overreach. That is the story. Not their so-called “violations.”

To all who seek votes from me, my family, my neighbors in Scottsdale: We will remember you at the ballot box.

Arizona citizens are tired of lockdowns and the out-of-control totalitarian policies that are decimating our communities.

Most media is not covering the civil unrest in Europe. The protests in Europe are not about “police brutality” or “social justice.” The protests in Europe are because of government overreach.

Protests are coming to America, they are coming to Arizona, they are coming to Scottsdale.

My family and I will be there with our voices, with our financial support, and with our votes.

Who will stand with us?

Thank you for your time. I truly wish you all health, safety, and happiness,

Editor’s Note: AJ Gentile is a resident of Scottsdale.