Harry Mitchell weighs in on Prop 401

I knew he wasn't perfect, and now I have proof.

We disagree on Prop 401, a Scottsdale-only referendum concerning sexually-oriented businesses.

On Thursday, he released a statement supporting the passage of Prop 401, saying that it would protect "the community's high quality of life. " He went on to praise Mayor Mary Manross' leadership on the issue.

Harry and I agree on most issues, but not this one.

I believe that the 2 strip clubs that were targeted by the Scottsdale City Council's ordinance have been good business citizens in the city for more than 20 years each. There have been few complaints about the businesses, and the few that have been lodged are not out of the realm of 'normal' for any bar or nightclub. The ordinance just created conflict where none existed before.

I cannot in good conscience support that. And on this one, my opinion may actually be more important than Harry's -

I'm a registered voter in Scottsdale; he's a voter in Tempe. :))

However, I'm not a 'one-issue' voter, and if I was, this would NOT be it. Not even close.

Trust me, Harry Mitchell still has my wholehearted support for the CD5 Congressional seat.

In fact, in a contrarian way, I like his position, even though I disagree with it.

Because watching JD Hayworth try to spin this into an attack on Harry while he himself takes the same position is going to be all kinds of perversely enjoyable entertainment, sort of like watching the contortionist in a cheap carnival sideshow.

In other news....

(From the Phoenix Business Journal) A bipartisan group of border governors, including our own Governor Napolitano, has called on Congressional leaders to pass "comprehensive [immigration] reform and address this critical issue before Congress adjourns for the year."

Fat chance of that with ideologues like JD Hayworth campaigning on the issue. They don't want to see the issue resolved or even just simmered down before the general election, and can be expected to obstruct any attempts to move forward on it.

...Also in the Business Journal is an article chronicling the Arizona Democratic Party's criticisms of ethical lapses in the State Mine Inspector's office and of Secretary of State Jan Brewer's appearance in "Don't forget your ID when going to vote" TV ads, saying that she is using the spots as thinly-veiled campaign ads. The link to the ADP's press release is here.

...In lighter but louder news, on October 6th and 7th Governor Napolitano will serve as co-grand marshal of the Legends Race at Manzanita with "Fred Ferguson, a longtime Valley resident who won the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War."

This is just a guess, but I'm betting that this is a campaign-oriented appearance. Governor Napolitano has a wide variety of interests, but I've never seen an indication that she's a "floor it and turn left" fan.

On the other hand, after years of navigating the chaos created by the amateurs on the streets and highways of Arizona, maybe she just enjoys watching the pros do it right. :))

G'night!