Robbins: A letter of thanks to Scottsdale City Council

Your years of service have improved the quality of life for our citizens, visitors, and businesses. Your values have reflected those of our community and those values have been lived in the decisions you have made, the votes you have taken, and the speeches you have given.

Thank you, Mayor Jim Lane, Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp, Councilmember Virginia Korte, and Councilman Guy Phillips for your service to our community.

You have given your time, talents, and treasure to our community in such a real and direct way that has been such a blessing to the citizens of Scottsdale.
I see your time on the City Council as having two distinct characteristics: One is Leadership and the other is Service.

First, you are all Leaders who have motivated others to help you all achieve a common goal. That goal is to make Scottsdale a better community, a better place to live. You have certainly motivated citizens to vote for you, you have motivated staff to carry out policies for you, and you have motivated businesses, visitors, and citizens to engage in economic activity in Scottsdale. Thank You!

The second characteristic is service.

Your service on the City Council is community service. This work or service is something that you have done for the benefit of others. Many times, you are asked to do things or make decisions that have nothing to do with you and everything to do with others or your community in general. Rotary

International has a motto that says “Service above self.” I think this describes what you do every day in your role on the City Council.

Leaving the City Council is certainly an end. But, it is also a chance at a new beginning.

Take it from someone who has left the Council a couple of times, your experiences are valuable to our community. Your leadership skills and your community service will continue to be important to the citizens of Scottsdale. I know you all will keep giving back --- it is in you nature to do so.

Aristotle said, “What is the essence of life? But to serve others and to do good.”

You all have certainly lived up to that maxim. Your years of service have improved the quality of life for our citizens, visitors, and businesses. Your values have reflected those of our community and those values have been lived in the decisions you have made, the votes you have taken, and the speeches you have given.

All we can do now is say THANK YOU!

Thank you for attending the meetings, the open houses, the ceremonies, the events, the luncheons, and the dinners. Thank you for taking the phone calls, reading the emails, talking to citizens, and being interrupted at all times of the day and night. Many times, it is a thankless job. So, now I say thank you.

Godspeed to each one of you for all you have done for Scottsdale.

Editor’s note: Mr. Robbins is a former member of Scottsdale City Council and Executive Director of the Scottsdale Charros