Living in Scottsdale – Ready for My Closeup

By on February 14th, 2008 In Hype!

Scottsdale’s brand is getting beat up in the Arizona Republic these days because of two communities near me who are having issues with security lights and cyclists.   You can read Laurie Roberts’ column here.  

I won’t begin to defend either situation – I know enough as an INTJ to sense that you can’t judge all the facts until you’ve walked in their shoes.   But it reminded me of the conflicting images that Scottsdale seems to be going through.

When we moved from Ahwatukee to Scottsdale 9 years ago, we did it to lessen our work and evening commutes.    This was before the 101 was completed, and we were spending hours of frustration trying to get in and out of the world’s largest cul-de-sac.   I was commuting from Chandler Blvd to I-17 and Greenway and then to Scottsdale Road and Greenway for several years.   We loved Ahwatukee but the freeway hassles were too much.   (We lived in Boston, so we’re not tenderfeet by any means, but we wouldn’t make it in California traffic, either).  

The first week in our home in Scottsdale, I was convinced that I would need to dress up in order to go outside to get the morning paper.   The only reported “crime” in our new neighborhood was that a resident had had his morning paper stolen one day.   

We are lucky to have great neighbors here, and on most accounts, like living in Scottsdale, despite its lingering Snotsdale image due to conflicts like obstructed views and “gangs” of cyclists.     My background is more technical PR than issues or community PR – maybe some of you experts out there can offer some tips.  In the meantime, I continue to scurry down the driveway each morning to get the paper, probably looking much like a wild, literary weasel.   As Gloria Swanson would say, “I’m ready for my closeup.” 

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