That would be the house of the Scottsdale City Council, not having the strength nor the vision to shutdown the restaurants and bars.
Are our elected officials smarter than and have a greater vision than, and maybe more medical expertise than the governor of New York or the governor of California, or the governors of many other states, and the mayors of many other cities? I suspect not.
One City Council member actually stated to me “we love the bars in Scottsdale.”
It’s a good thing that there is a higher power than our City Council, the governor just took the action our council failed to do --- shut down. They failed us.
The mayor declared a “state of emergency.” What does that mean? He called off all city events, rec programs, and classes. He called off all special events.
What the mayor declared seems a bit hypocritical with stopping almost everything else, gatherings, etc., but not restaurants and bars where people are close, and certainly within 10 feet of one another. Hmmm. Would not closing private places be a part of a declaration of emergency?
If I understand what his declaration is, it surely is not a declaration of emergency.
Libraries and fitness centers where people get healthy are shut down, but not restaurants, and bars, the latter where people go to get unhealthy, and yes I understand, one is private sector, one public, but come on, is it an emergency or not, Mr. Mayor?
There is a blueprint for this in very many cities.
My son lives in Brentwood CA, upper middle class at worst, very very wealthy at best, the main drag San Vicente where all the commercial and so many restaurants has been dark for over a week now. Is Scottsdale different? If so, let me know how and why.
Mr. Mayor, and your City Council ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You all did not have the strength nor the moral sense to do the right thing, like other cities in the Valley, like other cities throughout the country.
We needed the governor to shut you down --- shameful you could not step up to the plate at such a crucial time for thousands of us at risk, the world at risk.
How do you spell leadership? Certainly not the way tens of thousands in our city do. Thank goodness three terms is the max, ought to be less for council members based on observation and voting records, and sensitivity to the citizens/voters of our wonderful city.
Your time shall come!
Editor’s Note: Jim Bloch is a Scottsdale resident.
