[Originally posted on Phxated.com]
Right now, an important conversation is occurring about how people can, need to, and should engage civically, and with civil discourse toward a more positive evolution for our communities and state.
Five of Arizonaʼs premier organizations have come together over their collective concern for and impassioned work to inspire civic action and conversation-changing dialogue that leads to a better future for our state. The Arizona Foundation for Women, Arizona Town Hall, Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus Pine Council, The Center for the Future of Arizona and The OʼConnor House have joined forces to support thoughtful civic engagement and civil dialogue.
On September 23, 2010, these groups are hosting Itʼs Up to Me AZ: A Day for Civic Action at the downtown Wyndham. This full day of programming will include gatherings and discussions focused on inspiring Arizonans to understand key issues, to plan their course of action, connect with one another and important resources, and to bring forth the leadership the state needs to achieve social and economic success.
The day’s activities begin at 7:30 a.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m.
They include:
- Who Votes? Who Helps? Who Speaks for Arizona? at 7:30 a.m.
- The Status of Women in Arizona: A Special Report and Call to Action by the Arizona Foundation for Women at 9:15 a.m.
- Arizona Town Hall Fall Luncheon starting at 10:30 a.m., lunch at noon.
- It’s Up To Me AZ: The Action Starts Now starting at 1:45 p.m.
- Inspiration & Action for AZ reception and dinner starting at 5:30 p.m.
Sign up and get more info here. Interested folks can sign up for the entire day’s slate ($200) or can pick events a la carte (as low as $free).
Special note: The afternoon session is meant to engage the broader community who might not be able to attend a full day event or cover the cost. The Itʼs Up to Me AZ: The Action Starts Now is only $10 for a dynamic session that will delve deep into your concerns and actionable ideas. Thatʼs why itʼs set for 1:45 p.m.-5 p.m. Several community leaders will be listening to the outcomes and discussing them at the eveningʼs dinner event, include former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OʼConnor. Students are welcome too!
In creating this event, the collaborative partners recognize the power and importance of the individualʼs voice to help reshape and define our state. They realize that it should not be just the traditional institutions and organizations that guide our future. The title “Itʼs Up To Me AZ” is meant to encourage each resident of our state to take on the responsibility to “be the change” they seek. More information on the event is available at: ItsUpToMeAZ.org.
To make sure that this is a dialogue that reaches as many Arizonans as possible, there is an active Facebook page to encourage discussion leading up to the September event. The “Itʼs Up To Me AZ” page is a virtual gathering place where residents can connect with one another and share ideas, questions, concerns and hopes for the future of Arizona. Please check it out and join the conversation. The input received on the FB page will be incorporated into the events on September 23rd.
For more information, please contact: Rhonda Bannard at 602.370.3560 or Yuri Artibise at 480.319.2067.
Thanks for being a regular reader of my site!
I wanted to let my Arizona based readers know of an upcoming event that you may be interested in. I know the organizers and many of the presenters and promise that it will be a great introduction to social media for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Please note that I am an affiliate of SMAZ 3 and if you use this link to register I will earn a small percentage of the ticket sale.
A full access ticket costs $120. There are special deals for students ($25) and non-profits ($85).
Social Media for Business AZ is the largest Social Media event focused on business in Arizona. Want to learn about Social Media and Digital Marketing focused on business? This is the event you should attend!
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, MapCap Theater, 730 S Mill Ave, Tempe.
SMAZ is a business-focused event designed to help businesses understand, improve and learn about Social Media. Learn from Industry Experts and Corporations that are well versed in using Social Media to reach and support their clients. Presenters range from Fortune 200 executives to Social Media authors and SEM architects with years of experience willing to share the challenges and rewards of implementing internal and external Social media strategies. Learn policies, processes, tool sets, and monitoring techniques from the experts. Bring your questions and meet the right people.
Interested? You can register HERE.
The Ever Growing list of Speakers & Panelists include:
- Greg Chapman President, Sitewire
- Matt O’Brien President, Mint Social
- Michael Roberts President, SpyFu
- Sheila Kloefkorn Founder & President, KEO Marketing
- Katie Van Domelen Social Media Manager, Off Madison Ave.
- Bart Steiner CEO and Founder, BulbStorm
- Arnie Kuenn President, Vertical Measures
- Laurie G Buczek Enterprise 2.0 Program Manager, Intel Corporation
- Tiffany Winman Social Media Strategist, IBM
- Fred von Graf Managing Partner, Web3Mavens, LLC
- Mike Corak - Vice President of Strategy, Tallwave
- Bret Giles President, AgencySide
- Linda Gorman, Director Public Affairs, AAA Arizona
- Jeff Moriarty Director Social Media, Sitewire
- Evo Terra Digital Marketing Strategist, Sitewire
- Fionn Downhill President, Elixir Interactive
- Dean Wright Vice President Marketing, Crexendo
- Still More Coming Soon!
- Click here for bios!
Interested yet? Please register HERE.
Why join us?
- Focus on Real World experiences!
- Learn from and meet the best in the business!
- The major Digital Agencies will all be there.
- Everything from the 101 session, Small / Medium Business to Enterprise.
- Join our panel of experts in a comfortable environment allowing for direct interaction. Ask questions that are pertinent to your organization.
- Hear and see how other companies are approaching Social Media, the challenges and successes.
- Case Studies will be emphasized, real world information!
- What tools are being using?
- How do you measure success?
- How do you convince your management?
- What questions do you need to ask to be successful?
- How to address corporate policies around Social Media?
- Meet others with similar goals and make new connections.
- Oh and there’s some great food too.
- Exceptional prizes are being given away as well!
For additional information please go to: SocialMediaAZ.org
Use #SMAZ on Twitter: SMAZ conversations on Twitter
Register HERE.
Originally posted in the Downtown Phoenix Journal on June 14, 2010.
Any responsible Downtowner knows that buying locally — whether it’s groceries, a night on the town or a new outfit — is important to the vitality of our urban core. Now we have the facts to prove it.
A recent study commissioned by Local First Arizona found that SCF Arizona, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, had a $528.3-million economic impact in Arizona in 2009. Applied Economics, who conducted the study, determined that last year SCF sourced 82% of its goods and services from other Arizona companies.
According to Kimber Lanning, Executive Director of Local First, the purpose of the study was to show the impact that one major employer can have on Arizona’s economy. In the past, other general measurements have suggested that when consumers buy locally the majority of those dollars spent are recirculated back into the local economy. This is the first fully scientific study in Arizona measuring the economic impact of just one employer.
SCF Arizona is a sleeping giant when it comes to its local economic impact in the state. We hope this study encourages business leaders to think even more broadly about the impact of spending their money with local companies. The ripple effect adds up to much more than most of us realize, and this study quantifies that impact. The numbers are staggering.
— Local First Arizona Executive Director Kimber Lanning
Rick DeGraw, Chief of Staff of SCF Arizona, said the 531-employee company has looked for more ways to buy locally over the past few years. SCF Arizona spent $38.5 million with other Arizona companies in 2009. In turn, this created an estimated $68.2-million impact, including the dollars recirculating within the state.
In addition, SCF Arizona pays its employees $36.4 million, or an average of $59,100 per employee plus benefits. This is well above the all-industry average wage across the state. Factoring in employees at all the secondary businesses SCF Arizona purchased from, total employee impact from SCF Arizona was another 3,000 jobs and $167.9 million in annual payroll. These jobs and payroll stem from direct and indirect impacts of supplier demand created by SCF and consumer demand created by its employees.
SCF Arizona also plays an important role as a responsible corporate citizen in Arizona, donating a staggering $570,000 to nonprofit entities across the state in 2009, despite the massive economic downturn.
We feel strongly about being an Arizona company. Our policyholders are all Arizona companies, and when we support them, we are really supporting ourselves. That’s true of any business when a consumer spends his or her dollars locally. So, whenever we can, we spend locally.
— SCF Arizona President and CEO Don Smith
Just this month, SCF Arizona stopped buying office supplies from Minneapolis-based Corporate Express and switched to Tempe-based Wist Office Products Co., a workers’ compensation policyholder. “We compared 1,000 products, and were able to move over to Wist without paying more for anything,” DeGraw said.
Created in 1925 as a part of the Industrial Commission of Arizona, SCF Arizona employs 555 people, covers more than 35,000 businesses and has about a 40% market share in the state. In May 2010, Gov. Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1045, directing SCF to become a mutual insurance company. Under the law, the organization will have three years to transition, becoming fully privatized in January 2013. When the transition is complete, SCF Arizona will be the largest insurance company in Arizona — and will continue to have a major impact on the local economy.
Kimber Lanning
It is hoped that this study reignites interest in local purchasing by both private and public sector organizations in Arizona. Lanning has tried to convince the state of Arizona to switch its $5-million office supply contract with OfficeMax to Wist. In 2007, Local First Arizona organized a study that showed the state’s $5-million office supply contract was losing $500,000 in “leakage” by staying with OfficeMax and not switching to a local supplier. State legislation addressing that issue was unsuccessful in 2008.
The state of Arizona is one of only three remaining states that does not favor local businesses in the purchasing process. Arizona’s purchasing decisions are based on the lowest price rather than actual net gains for the state. We can prove if we spend a bit more money supporting a company that provides Arizona jobs, the impacts are positive.
— Kimber Lanning
For the complete study produced by Applied Economics, contact Kimber Lanning, Executive Director of Local First Arizona, or find it on the LFA website and on their Facebook page.
From Phxated:
Mapping the SB 1070 Boycott
JD mapped the legislative support for SB 1070. His analysis found that a state-wide boycott misses the point:
There are 9 legislative districts across Arizona where the sitting Senator and House members all voted against this hateful legislation, and another 8 districts where the delegation was split (1 or 2 votes out of a possible 3 for SB 1070).
Especially with respect to the 9 districts with no legislators supporting SB 1070, it’s fairly easy to make the case that the majority of voters living in those districts did not want this law and therefore should not be subject to a blanket boycott of Arizona.
Based on this premise, NiJel has created a simple map detailing how the delegation from each legislative district voted of SB 1070:
The dark blue areas of the map show the 9 districts where the entire delegation voted against SB 1070.
The lighter blue are 3 districts where 1 member voted for the legislation, and the light red are districts where 2 members voted for SB 1070. That leaves the dark red for districts where all 3 members voted for SB 1070.
As you can see, there is a distinctive urban-suburban/rural split in support, with the legislators representing the urban cores of Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson and Flagstaff unanimously opposing SB 1070. As such, JD argues that these districts are being unfairly hurt by the boycott:
So, if you were planning a conference at the Phoenix Convention Center or were planning a stay at the Clarendon Hotel and you canceled your reservations because of SB 1070, please reconsider!
It’s also okay to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (but not Phoenix-Mesa Gateway!), rent a car in the Rental Car Center and drive to the Grand Canyon, but please don’t stop for lunch in Sedona, Prescott or Camp Verde. Flagstaff, however is just fine!
The same is true of the entire Navajo Nation and some of Arizona most beautiful places like Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and some of the Painted Desert.
Also, if you’re headed to southern Arizona, virtually all of Tucson is a “go” zone, with the exception of the extreme eastern and northern sides. Don’t boycott Tucson (mostly)!!
[…]
Finally, all three state universities are outside of the boycott zone, as are the stadiums for the Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field/BOB) and the Phoenix Suns (US Airways Center).The new Cardinals stadium, however, is someplace you might want to consider staying away from. Perhaps this might get the team to consider playing their home games at Sun Devil Stadium again?
Another interesting observation from JD’s analysis is that there wasn’t a single district along the Mexican-US border that unanimously supported the legislation. Each border district had 2 out of 3 representatives/senators who voted against the bill.
Interestingly (but not necessarily surprisingly), the strongest support for the bill comes from districts some distance away from the border: the suburban (and exurban) regions of Tucson, the East Valley and North Phoenix, and the northwestern quardrent of the state.
So, like with the legislation itself, there is no black and white answer to the SB1070 inspired boycott. Rather, both the legislation, and the boycott it inspired, need to considered in a much more nuanced manner.
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![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_c.png?x-id=2c116b12-e753-45e6-949b-4685a9528d35 "Mapping the SB 1070 Boycott (Phxated.com)")
The other day, I wrote a ‘Call to Action’ exhorting readers to get more involved in their community and city.
Those of you who know me, may know that I am involved in many activities related to downtown Phoenix. What many people don’t know, however, is that my civic participation begins closer to home. Actually right outside my front door.
This past winter I became president of the Grandview Neighborhood Association. Formed in 1991, the association represents about 1,200 residents living in our diverse central Phoenix neighborhood. The homes in Grandview are of mid-century vintage, with most being but in the early 1950s. We also have a few apartment complexes (including one designed by Al Beadle) and condominiums. Our neighbors come from all walks of life, and age groups and include some of the original residents! The neighborhood boundaries are from 7th Avenue west to 15th Avenue and from Camelback Road south to Campbell Avenue, bordering the Grand Canal (map).
The stated goal of the Grandview Neighborhood Association is “to improve quality of life, safety and security, communicate with city, business and institutions in the neighborhood, and preserve the diversity of lifestyles.” We are NOT a homeowners association; we do not “hold power” over an individual’s home. (In other words residents can paint their homes any color they want.) Rather we act as in information conduit between our residents and the neighboring business and organizations as well as city officials and the Phoenix Police Department.
In my brief time as president, not only have I met many more of my neighbors, but I have also got to know the city officials responsible for various aspects of our quality of life. I have deepened my understanding of my neighborhood and the issues our residents face. I have also gained insights into how the City of Phoenix functions.
To anybody interested in getting more involved in their community, I suggest you start by seeing if you have an active neighborhood association (Phoenicians can search here). It is a great way to build an understanding of not only your community but also your city. If nothing else, it will introduce you to more of your neighbors, which is never a bad thing.
As an aside, if you’re heading to the Seventh Avenue Street Fair today, be sure to stop by our table and say hi. I’ll be there between 1 pm and 3 pm at the least, but there will be residents around all day. To learn more about my neighborhood, join our our Facebook Group or follow us on Twitter.
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Usually I have a hard time whittling down my weekly reading list to just five. This week I didn’t have a problem. Not because there weren’t tons of great articles out there, but because I haven’t had a chance to read as much. Here are about the only five articles I read this week (although they are all excellent 
):
Credit: Nobara Hayakawa (Flickr: nobara)
- Consequential Strangers: A review of a book that looks at why the people we take for granted like our car mechanic, the bakery clerk and the fellow dog-walkers at the park, are actually more important people in our lives than we may imagine.
- Bill Gates Is Wrong As Usual: To Mac addicts like me, this title may not be shocking, but the reason just may be. This post looks at why Gates’ recent TED presentation was wrong-headed and potentially dangerous to the climate change movement.
- Can We Design Cities for Happiness: another way at looking at urban success. Key passage: “Economics, urban planning, ecology are only the means. Happiness is the goal”.
- The 10% Solution: The post links to one of the best articles I’ve read on urban strategy in a long while. It is a great reminder at how seemingly modest goals can have transformative impacts. I will be following up on this concept and how it applies to Phoenix in the near future
- Getting to Yes on Open Data: This article appealed to the policy wonk in me. Open Data could be a game changer in how cities services are delivered, as well as increase accountability, and, ultimately, increased trust with our local governments.
This is day 24 in my 28 Day Blogging Challenge. 4 days to go.
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Yesterday I wrote about some of the strengths that Phoenix has, and how they can be building blocks for creating a great city. However, too many of us still look to the politicians, developers and civic organizations to arrange these building blocks and create new ones. Trouble is they keep squandering this responsibility by chasing after the next big block, instead of finding ways to pull together what we already have. Put another way, we have allowed city building to become so problematic, so institutionalized that it has been stripped of all but the most rudimentary citizen input.
Part of this is our own problem. We have sat back and watched the real estate industrial complex and kookocracy take over our city. We were satisfied with the odd positive outcome and accepted their empty platitudes. Sure a few people have complained from the sidelines, a few more have attempted to get involved, and fewer still have been able to affect some positive change. This makes the rest of us victims. As Derek Neighbors has said “the biggest faux pas that creative class has made in downtown Phoenix is not getting involved in the right organizations and making an impact.”
If enough people do not care to do more than bitch among themselves; if enough people don’t have the passion to get involved, then there isn’t a platform for positive change to be build on. Sure we can stand around and joke about‘Kimber for Mayor’, but without a critical mass of ACTIVE supporters there isn’t much she can do, even as mayor. We all need to prove to our civic leaders that there is indeed a market, not only for denser downtown, but a vibrant downtown that is created by community input and involvement. We need to provide then with not only good ideas, but also the confidence to enact them.
The decision that are made today, were conceived months, if not years ago. They weren’t pulled out of thin air, but built and negotiated by city staff, developers, and business groups. Some of them may have been referred to a committee for consideration. By the time they reach the public, it is too late to do much more than smooth a few rough edges. If we want to affect sustained change, we need to have impact earlier in the decision making process.
Quite simply we need to GET INVOLVED. Instead of simply complaining, find an organization you would like to see changed (or influence change) and start attending their meetings. Try to get on their board od directors. At the city level, there are dozens of citizen based boards and committees, many with vacancies (Phoenix’s are listed here). Find one and apply to be on it. In the meantime, start attending your council district, neighborhood association and or HOA meetings and learn about what is going on and who the key influencers are.
Be warned that this won’t change things overnight. Those with the power wont hand it over because you attend a meeting or two. Real change takes perseverance and patience. The developers have it. This is why they are so often on the winning side. If we want to balance the tables, we need to have it as well. If we love our city, then a little effort put into making it better is a small price to pay. If enough of us get involved in a concerted way, I guarantee that real change WILL occur.
Those of you who follow me on Twitter and Facebook know that I’m not a fan of CityScape. I was initially excited by the project and had high hopes that the city finally ‘got’ it. However, as the months went by the buildings went up, my excitement turned to guarded skepticism. This week any hopes I once had were dashed by the following three strikes:
Strike #1: Urban Form
I recently walked around the exterior of CityScape, Phoenix’s supposedly ‘exciting urban infill’ development. During this walk my suspensions were confirmed: Far from being an authentic urban development that takes into account the surrounding urban fabric, it would be yet another typical development. I guess I was naive to think expect anything different from a project conceived in a Scottsdale business park and designed by an Seattle architect.
CityScape’s idea of urban form is to place a large-scale suburban pharmacy on one corner of the development and an elevator lobby on another corner. So much for encouraging an active street life or pedestrian activity downtown.
While I have no problems with the CVS Pharmacy, I do wish the proposed design took up less street frontage (perhaps placing it on the second floor?). This would free up valuable street frontage for smaller scale businesses that would attract customers and window shoppers, enhancing the urban vitality of the development. Instead it looks like we’ll get something similar to most other CVS’s with large blank walls or faux windows, punctuated by a small entry way or two.
Strike #2: Public Space
The supposed ‘park’ to replace the publicly owned Patriots Park, is not really a park, but an outdoor arcade on private property surrounded by buildings. Worse yet, at least part of it will be above street level, further discouraging pedestrian activity. Basically, this ‘park’ is designed for the office dwellers and patrons of the complex, NOT the citizens and residents of downtown Phoenix. Besides, we already have several downtown park spaces that are chronically under used, why do we need another?
Strike #3: Grocery Store
On Monday, we learned that the long promised grocery store in downtown Phoenix was not actually a grocery store, but rather a high-end food boutique. While I don’t have a problem with Oakville Grocery per se (especially if it keeps it’s, it’s promise to stock locally produced goods.), I do take issue with is the conceit that it is a ‘grocery store’ that will meet the needs of downtown residents. There is only so much demand for handmade cheeses and gourmet sandwiches in downtown (and besides the Phoenix Public Market already offers these items and more. (On the upside, the high price products will be a boon to the City’s new food tax).
What is really needed downtown is a place to pick up toilet paper, laundry detergent. I rather have seen something like Fresh and Easy or even Trader Joes come in. However, I realize the difficulty in luring other grocers, particularly since the promised residential part of Cityscape is delayed indefinitely. This means that the population needed to support a real grocery store just isn’t there.
As a result of these three strikes, and several others, CityScape represents yet another failed attempt to revitalize downtown. It is basically a morphing of downtown’s last two failed ‘urban infill’ attempts: Collier Center and Arizona Center. Both these were supposed to enhance downtown’s urban fabric. Both failed miserably at this goal.
A Seattle-style tower in the dessert
The various civic ‘leaders’ who continue to push such misguided projects need to wake up. Instead of facilitating a downtown that ALL residents can enjoy, they have continued on the futile quest to keep suburbanites and tourists downtown after ball games or conventions by creating a suburban haven in the middle of the city.
These so-called leaders need to realize that what’s needed downtown isn’t foisting another new mega-project on us. Rather, we as a broad-based community need to radically rethink how we approach development. Until that happen, Phoenix will never realize the potential of being ‘Arizona’s Urban Heart.”
Developments such as Cityscape don’t take us closer to a true downtown, rather they move us further away. In Phoenix’s desperate attempt to attract suburban tourists downtown, the city is morphing downtown into a suburb itself.
This is day 16 in my 28 Day Blogging Challenge. 12 days to go.
Other Posts on CityScape
The CityScape Gamble (Rogue Columnist | Jon Talton)
This is Not Another CityScape Joke (New Times | Martin Cizmar)
CityScape Sucks. Huge Disappointment (Boy Meets Blog | J Seth Anderson)
One thing that frustrates me about living in Arizona is the parochial attitude of many of its residents, especially long-timers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told, “Arizona is unique,” or it will never work here” or “good idea, but we don’t do things that way here”. To which I want to shout “Has any one looked around lately and seen the results of the way you DO do things?”
Potrait by Elven Whims
The current economic crisis isn’t the short-term results of the housing melt down, but rather the predicable results of a generation of poor policy and economic decisions make at all levels of government and by people of all political persuasions. Quite simply the decisions that the state has made over the past generation have dropped us into a hole that it will be all but impossible to climb out of without radical rethinking the way the state runs. Simply applying the same tired solutions (more tax cuts, more corporate ‘incentives’), or hoping the next housing boom will solve all our problems is not only short-sighted but a recipe for continued decline.
While Arizona politicians continue to debate what tax cuts to make, or which national chains to ‘subsidize’, other states are taking innovative measures to spur their local economies.
- In Oregon, there is a bill before their Legislature that would create a task force to look at how to encourage a community to grow its own jobs by encouraging local entrepreneurial activity. Called ‘economic gardening,” this proposed legislation intends to balance the more traditional business recruitment strategy of economic development, in which towns and cities do whatever they can to try to lure big employers, who often leave for greener pastures as soon as the costly incentives expire. I learned of this initiative through Sarah Dinges on Twitter.
In baseball terms, it is the difference between hitting the odd home run versus hitting a steady stream of singles and doubles. While the home run may make ESPN, the singles and doubles win the game. Alas Arizona continues to hope to lure the free agents with the big, but un-loyal bats while ignoring the locally grown talent in our ‘farm system’
- Kimber Lanning at Local First Arizona informed me of a unanimous vote by the New Mexico State Legislature that allows the state to move between $2 and $5 billion of state funds to credit unions and small banks. This is base on a national movement called Move Your Money that people and businesses to move their money to smaller credit unions and community banks. Not only will this keep more money and investment in the state, it should also improve the quality of businesses and developments.
It would be great to see something like this occur in Arizona, where a significant barrier to responsible development in the state is the lack of local developers need to go to national banks who often look at local business as high risk and tend to impose one size fits all templates on the state that encourage big boxes and further sprawl.
Neither of these ideas are the Holy Grail that will save Arizona. However, they are new tools to consider for the new times we’re living in. They are ways to start building a ladder to help the state climb out of our hole, rather that the shovels that we continue to use.
Thanks for reading. As always I’d love to heat you perspective on the issues raised above.
This is day 3 in my 28 Day Blogging Challenge. 25 more to go.
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Recently there has been a lot of discussion in the blogosphere on the shortcomings of downtown Phoenix, my adopted hometown. First, there was some consternation that events like Ignite Phoenix and TEDxPhoenix, were in fact not held in Phoenix at all and therefore not to be attended by ‘true Phoenicians’.
In addition, there have been posts from bloggers like Derek Neighbors, Tyler Hurst, and the Downtown Devil explaining what they see as downtown Phoenix’s shortcomings. And of course there is Jon Talton, the ‘exiled’ Arizona Republic journalist who doesn’t pull punches when describing what has happened to his beloved home town. All of these people and their writings have raised the hackles of some downtown Phoenix cheerleaders. However, all of these people are deeply engaged in their communities in their own ways, something that many cheerleaders are not (Hint to cheerleaders: eating dinner at a local restaurant does not make you active in the community).
As an incurable urbanist, I am excited by what’s going on downtown, and have been one of the area’s biggest boosters. I am a firm believer that the only thing worse than unconstructive criticism however, is blind boosterism. As such, I am not blind to the fact that downtown Phoenix is a work in progress that still has a long way to go before it becomes a truly vibrant urban hub and I’m grateful that the above people are willing to point out its flaws.
Yes downtown has come a long way over the past 10 years (and especially the last 5 years). However, all this work has barely laid the foundation for a ‘real’ downtown; an urban space that offers a mixture of opportunities to live, work and play. It is far to early to sit back and proclaim that downtown Phoenix has arrived, and definitely too early to castigate those who dare to point out the remaining shortcomings and hurdles that the downtown core faces.
Boycotting events or ignoring those you disagree with is no way to help the city or region grow. So rather than write of the comments of Derek, TD or Jon, why not listen to them and learn how others see the city? Sure you may disagree with some, or all of their points, but chances are you will re-examine your perspectives and may even find some common ground with the critics to work with. By simply writing the critics writing them off as negative cranks, however, you are missing an opportunity to improve your city.
There are plenty of opportunities to share your opinions and ideas. To begin with, share your opinions in the comment section of this post, or TD‚ Derek‚ or others. Better yet, come out and engage us in person, starting at tomorrow night’s Radiate Phoenix meeting at Local Breeze. If you can’t make it this week, don’t fret, Radiate Phoenix is a monthly gathering held the last Tuesday of every month.
If Tuesdays doesn’t work for you, you can check out Ken Clark’s Get your Phx on the Third Thursday of every month, the intermittent¬† Phoenix Rising events, or one of several other events than occur regularly in and around downtown. In addition the City of Phoenix is holding public consolations for the General plan update that will lay out how the city will take shape over the next 40 years. Even if you can’t attend your neighborhood villages sessions, drop in on another, they are all open to the public. Or if you are simply not a group meeting type of person, invite the critics out for lunch coffee or a beer (we are extremely social people), start up a conversation at your local coffee shop or pub; downtowners are more than willing to share their impressions on what is going on in the communities and engage in constructive debates on where the city is heading.
The point is to get involved and get engaged in your community and neighborhood. Sitting back and cheering is just as bad as sitting back and complaining. After-all, it is only by acknowledging our shortcomings that we care able to address them and help realize downtown Phoenix’s full potential.
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