32 MARCH 2021 By Rachael Bouley Within minutes of taking office on January 12, Scottsdale’s new mayor, David Ortega, declared a proclamation of emergency in response to the pandemic. This was followed by a second proclamation the next day, reimposing face coverings to combat rising cases. “I was ready to take immediate action by preparing between the November election win and shouldering the oath of office,” Ortega said. “I have been building consensus with newly elected colleagues, council members and fostering trust with city staff.” Ortega replaced Jim Lane, who was Scottsdale’s mayor for 12 years. The courteous transition between the two included briefings on critical issues facing the city and region, which helped the new mayor zero in on his main goals for the next few years. His objectives include ensuring quality police, fire and EMT services throughout this economic recovery period and protecting local neighborhoods and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. “Families and businesses will thrive in a stable environment,” Ortega said. “We must protect our neighborhoods from massive block apartments and proliferation of short- term rentals, which disrupt our quality of life. By working with other cities and legislative allies, we can get the Arizona Legislature to restore local control.” He also plans to enact council districts and an anti-discrimination ordinance. “Scottsdale’s world-renowned, business- friendly and hospitality-centered reputation can be strengthened by inclusion and equality for all,” Ortega said. Ortega is originally from Tucson; the eldest of seven children. He followed in his father’s footsteps, attending the University of Arizona with dual majors. He played baseball during college until his architectural ambitions became his primary focus. During college, Ortega worked part-time for architect Anne Rysdale. After graduating in 1978, he came to Scottsdale to work as an apprentice for Bennie Gonzales, the internationally acclaimed architect who designed Scottsdale City Hall, Civic Center Library and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. He met his wife Rosemary, got married, and raised two children, Alexandra and Luke. Ortega has been involved with the Scottsdale community in many different ways. His office on Fifth Ave. has been there since 1984, and he was a city councilman from 2000-04. “Being a Scottsdale architect gave me a great foundation to get involved with redevelopment issues, transportation solutions, and architectural guidelines for downtown,” Ortega said. He has designed a dozen signature Old Town landmarks, most notably the building behind the Cowboy Roper sign. Out of all his work, Ortega said his favorite project was the restoration of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Miami, AZ, where his father was baptized. When asked about his inspiration to run for mayor, Ortega referenced the 2020 Opening Day of spring training between San Francisco and L.A., sitting next to Mayor Lane and wife Joanne. “A major storm passed, dazzling sunshine lit up the rain-delayed game, and I wondered what it would be like to throw out the opening pitch,” Ortega said. “Similarly, the storm will subside, and brighter days are ahead.” As the Scottsdale City Council works to safely move forward with events like MLB Spring Training and Barrett Jackson, Ortega said the city remains committed to enforcing all safety measures. He looks forward to leading his community to a safe and promising future where citizens drive success. “Citywide projects include Civic Center mall renovations, new parks, public safety buildings, transportation and drainage improvements, senior center expansions and amenities such as a new off-leash dog park at Thompson Peak Park,” Ortega said. The mayor also plans to strengthen ties with Scottsdale schools to improve learning opportunities for all. As an avid volunteer who has served with the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club and the reading program at Pueblo Elementary, Ortega believes in the power of community education and connection, sharing that “Scottsdale always surprises me with new things to love, even after 42 years.” scottsdale.gov Architect adds to his legacy as Scottsdale’s new mayor Ortega’s great-grandparents, Jose and Mercedes, with their twins. The new mayor was sworn in on January 12. Ortega played first base at U of A. 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33 MARCH 2021 By Melissa Hirschl The air ambulance company Angel MedFlight recently provided the Paiute Neighborhood Center in south Scottsdale with a much-needed financial boost through a $20,000 donation. The center provides a crucial link for those in need to access social, cultural, recreational and educational programs. It houses the Hirsch Academy Charter School, a family resource center, Head Start, a WIC office (nutritional support for women, infants and children), a community assistance office and more. The donation will enable Paiute to launch two new programs to empower families. AMF’s CEO Andrew Bess said he believes strongly in investing in programs and policies that promote racial sensitivity, social justice and eliminating inequalities in Scottsdale. “Angel MedFlight’s mission of helping those in need and standing up for what is right extends beyond our business to the community. We are proud to support the PNC. Our goal is to strengthen inclusion in Scottsdale and promote equity and opportunity for all.” According to PNC Board President Lynn Whitman, critical players in the financial deliberations were former Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Bess and Partners for Paiute – a group of community members who “have a place in their hearts for the campus.” “Partners for Paiute provides direct support to individual families in the area for necessities not covered elsewhere,” Whitman said. The group also provides funds for meditation classes, gift cards for holiday toy drives, campus beautification, translation services and more. According to Whitman, the center will use the lion’s share of the money to provide childcare vouchers for parents. “Many times kids can’t go to classes because they have to stay home and take care of their siblings,” she said. “These vouchers give them a choice of providers and alleviate the strain of finding good childcare.” Parents who want to learn English can participate in English as a Second Language classes. Over the next year, the goal is to host three eight-week sessions to improve English skills for up to 45 people. “When a private business like AMF steps up to serve a human need, it makes the fabric of our community stronger,” Mayor Lane said. “Through the connection between Paiute Neighborhood Center and AMF, I gained a much deeper understanding of what the families in that neighborhood are experiencing. Paiute is a wonderful resource, and now they have additional funds to target real-time issues.” Paiute Neighborhood Center receives donation from local company Angel MedFlight’s team works with healthcare facilities to coordinate everything from the ground transport to the healthcare coverage needed to make an air ambulance flight more accessible. The Mayor Youth Council gives high school students the opportunity to see and study how city government works. By Jennifer Marshall We’ve all been there: sitting in a classroom, copying copious notes off the chalkboard and trying to stay awake while learning about our city government and the role it plays in our lives. For today’s students, there is an option that allows a hands-on learning experience. Students are immersed in city council meetings, volunteer projects, and even playing a part in the city budget. Since the late 1980s, the Scottsdale Mayor Youth Council has been motivating young people to give back to the community and develop valuable leadership skills, all while interacting with the city council and mayor as they learn about the role elected officials play in society. “The Mayor Youth Council gives high school students from sophomore year and up the opportunity to see and study how city government works,” City of Scottsdale Human Services Manager Kristy Hahn- McDonald, who manages the program, said. Interested students apply in May through the Youth and Family Services Division, and interviews are held in June and July. Prospective applicants are interviewed by three people from the City of Scottsdale. “We offer many volunteer opportunities, and participants are only allowed to miss three meetings,” Hahn-McDonald said. “Members have to be committed to devoting the required time to the program.” The Mayor Youth Council seeks a diverse body of representatives. Approximately 30 students are chosen each year from Scottsdale’s public and charter schools. In addition to o p p o r t u n i t i e s like meeting the mayor, last year the youth members par ticipated in the Adopt-a-Road Prog ram, which means they clean up their assigned road a few times throughout the school year. This past Thanksgiving, they packed food for the Adopt-a-Senior program. They also visited a police training facility where they interacted with the officers, learned gun safety and even met the K-9 Unit. The group also had a meeting with the city budget director, where they learned how money is managed and how a city budget functions. “The budget director had the kids run through the budget and determine what the current needs were for the city,” Hahn- McDonald said. “It was interesting to see what they thought was monetarily important and how they thought the council should allocate funds between competing interests like tech, seniors and low-income residents.” This year their main objective is the Youth Town Hall Meeting planned for April 1 at Scottsdale Stadium. “The students are working as a team to plan the event and select the keynote speaker,” Hahn-McDonald said. “They’re passionate about their Town Hall being something that inspires them and motivates them to go out and make changes. They want to feel better about the world and know they can make a difference.” They’re particularly interested in highlighting mental health issues (especially because of the pandemic) in their theme this year. This spring, the group will also learn how to run a public meeting when they hold a simulated city council meeting. scottsdaleaz.gov Scottsdale Mayor Youth Council: Inspiring future leaders Ariella Mandel, Erin O’Conner, Cassandra Cappo, Maden Kuzel, Cydney Lowrie, Jake Triester, Gina Ryu and Raywon Kim. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTY HAHNMCDONALD Friends Helping Neighbors Recognition Wall at Paiute Neighborhood Center.