Tony Nelssen For Scottsdale City Council

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TONY NELSSEN'S CAMPAIGN

Election Held:

AUgust 24, 2010

Last Update:

25 Years of Volunteerism and Neighborhood Advocacy 

My family and I live in an older area of Scottsdale that just happens to be north. In 1982 we purchased 2 1/2 acres for $25,000 dollars and began to build our home. It was a slow process as we had no water on the property and we were building with block. Even after our home was completed we had to haul every drop of water we used. We were annexed into the city in 1983 and were given our first taste of Scottsdale: a toll free number to the police department. Then came increased property taxes and the often broken promises from city hall.  We asked the city about the possibility of getting city water � they said sure, but you will have to pay for it yourselves. We formed an improvement district and paid for the water. Then came development, at the pace of an acre per hour the desert around us was being consumed by development that was distinctly not Scottsdale. We were becoming Anyplace, USA. I met with local concerned neighbors and we decided to stand up for our neighborhoods much like many in the southern reaches of our city are doing today. It took time, persistence, and thoughtful solutions to preserve the rural character we were all drawn to. We still have dirt roads and septic tanks and our neighborhood is an eclectic collection of architectural styles: from pre-manufactured homes to large equestrian estates. We still ride our mules and horses off our property and visit our neighbors, much like original Scottsdale used to be. This was not an easy accomplishment during the most explosive growth in Scottsdale�s history.

In general, my efforts have all been based on my belief that individuals can, should, and do make a difference.  I�ve sought to help make Scottsdale a better place to live, work, visit, and raise a family, while preserving our unique western heritage and the elements that make our city unique.

My family and I have volunteered  our efforts regarding everything from picking up trash on the Scenic Drive (established and maintained by residents since the mid 60�s), to watering the trees that I obtained through donations from the developer of the Summit shopping center, and I had planted along Scottsdale�s Desert Foothills Scenic Drive; to traffic circulation plans for our quarter section, maintaining the dirt roads and trails, re-vegetating areas and restricting traffic and illegal dumping on  miles of newly constructed water line easements�yep, we hauled our OWN water for 8 years; to forming a 69kv underground improvement district (keeping our vistas scenic); to serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission for 5 1/2 years and Planning Commission for the past 2 years.

My input included work in many areas of Scottsdale:  Civic Center improvements, Chaparral Dog Park, improvements to the Via Linda Senior Center, the Skate Park at Eldorado Park, the Pinnacle Peak Park and Trail�too many years in the making, but not as long as original Scottsdale has been waiting for something more than talk, study groups, and too highly-paid consultants.

I served on Scottsdale�s Wireless Ideas Team that recommended ordinance level changes that seamlessly and safely blend needed communication facilities into our city;  I also designed character enhancing, functional equipment screens to visually improve utility boxes in our right of ways (Dixeleta west of Scottsdale road). In addition, I helped design and implement new rural road profiles that incorporate safe equestrian friendly trails.  I am committed to doing my best for our city and believe Scottsdale is a great place to raise our families.

Time and energy have been well spent serving neighborhood boards and as a community advocate. (GPPA: Greater Pinnacle Peak Assoc.; DPOA: Desert Property Owner Assoc.; and Friends of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive).

Long term efforts (and there have been many), include work on ESLO (Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance), Rural Overlay / Foothills Overlay, and the Desert Foothills Character Area (study groups, public meetings, and implementation) these are standards for maintaining the local, rural and equestrian desert sensitive lifestyles).

Some of this same energy and focus spearheaded and formed a group called the Great Sonoran, from which the city has adopted ordinances for stewardship of the desert and sensitive desert dwelling.

The focus shifted naturally to more work on the Scenic Corridor Guidelines and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. I served on the Desert Subcommittee, Planning Subcommittee, and more recently worked on the Trails Master Plan, as an advocate for safe, functional trails with access to open space and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

I have worked with individuals, groups, neighbors, city staff and administration, corporate entities and developers of all shapes and sizes over the last 20 years to accomplish much of this work. We have received the broad support of the community to preserve open space, establish scenic corridors for residents and wildlife, and forge meaningful compromise with homeowner and developer alike.

Twenty-five years of volunteering, twenty-five years of important progress for Scottsdale.  I believe that WE THE PEOPLE make a difference.  With your support I look forward to continue making our city even better as your Scottsdale City Councilman.

Sincerely,

Tony Nelssen