Ask the Candidate
Posted
John Little says if he is elected to Scottsdale City Council this November, he wants to develop a stronger relationship between the governing body and the city’s Human Relations Commission.
While the topic of diversity has been front and center in media this year, Scottsdale has long discussed equal representation for everyone at City Hall — particularly in the form of a citywide nondiscrimination ordinance that has never been approved.
Another idea gaining steam this election is using a district process to elect City Council members.
Mr. Little, one of six candidates for Scottsdale City Council in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election, discusses his points of view on the topic.
Read below to see what he has to say.
What does diversity mean to you?
Diversity is not a destination. It is a journey. Our culture is rapidly changing, our demographics are changing, social norms are changing, and accordingly our notions about diversity are changing. In the final analysis diversity means simply acknowledging we share this planet, this country and this community. To ensure it works best for everyone, we need to make sure no group or perspective is marginalized or excluded.
But beyond just making sure we are all involved, we need to celebrate the richness that comes from interacting with people who have diverse life experiences or are the products of different cultures.
Does more diversity need to be established within Scottsdale City Hall? If so, how will you work as an elected leader to achieve that goal?
As a septuagenarian, I would like to say we need more young people involved in local government. I think districting might open the door of opportunity to people that traditionally have been underrepresented in our planning efforts and decision-making. I also am keenly aware of the difference between having an “open house,” which means “you are invited,” and actively engaging with people by saying “we need you.”
Historically, we tend to say “everyone’s invited” and then we bemoan the fact that the same people show up all the time. There are groups of people in Scottsdale that clearly need a more proactive strategy to invite them to the table.
In terms of diversity, what do you see within city government that needs to change?
We have great diversity on our Human Relations Commission. They are an advisory body and have been advising the city council for years to adopt an anti-discrimination ordinance. The council majority has been playing hot potato with this “advice” for years.
First, it was “we don’t need an ordinance, all we need is a pledge.” Then it was “let’s let the state Legislature handle this.” The last iteration of dodge ball was simply to throw up their arms and say (inaccurately) “the Supreme Court has already decided this issue for us.”
Kicking the can down the road is not good public policy. I would like to see the city council develop a stronger relationship with the commission and give them periodic forums to share with the community their perspectives on our efforts to close the values gap between who we say we are, and what we do.
READ: Q&A: Durham outlines his thoughts on Scottsdale’s diversity
The Link LonkOctober 22, 2020 at 10:13PM
https://www.yourvalley.net/scottsdale-independent/stories/qa-little-proposes-stronger-scottsdale-council-commission-relationships,196476
Q&A: Little proposes stronger Scottsdale council, commission relationships - Your Valley
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
No comments:
Post a Comment