The creative class is underrepresented in Metro Phoenix. Our elected leaders continue to make choices that are detrimental to our future and we refuse to get organized to stop them. It is time that we choose our battlefield and take up arms and make a stand. We can have the most impact in our own neighborhoods. Specifically at a local level like the cities we live in.
We need to start identifying our peers that can make an impact. We need to arm them with the tools and support to be successful. We need to choose representatives that are passionate enough to not cower in the face of the establishment and instead stand up and force the old guard to listen them.
We need to have a consistent message and be ardent in delivering it on a regular basis, to anyone that has the potential to influence our future. This message needs to be clear and concise. It needs to be made so that anyone can execute it effectively to get the point across.
We need to select our future leaders now. They need to be people willing to move forward without waiting for permission from those already entrenched in how things are done today. They need to come to the table willing to build bridges, but not afraid to shatter walls if necessary to get things accomplished.
Those in power are losing support. The time to make a difference is NOW. Creatives need to be organized, persistent and bold in taking on issues concerning our future. Who is a leader in your city? How can you support them? What message are you wanting to send? This is how we achieve the Arizona we want, not by starting think tanks.
More from Derek Neighbors
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- Do We Want It Badly Enough?
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What this town needs is a webapp!
I agree, but what does the creative community need? On the federal side I there are issues like Startup Visas and Net Neutrality, but what are the issues particular to Arizona? Do you see anything that effects individual designers/developers/etc specifically, or are you only talking about broader business issues, e.g. trying to start a business or tax credits?
We need to change how we fund infrastructure. We need make sprawl less appealing and infill rewarded. We need to radically change education and make raising capital for early stage businesses more attainable.
I agree about infill. Downtown Chandler is off to a good start. Do you think the money to redo DT was spent well (in general, not to the dollar)? Some detractors wanted the money to go to creating jobs, and perhaps, lending to/investing in businesses. It seems the council felt that was too short term with less ROI.
In the case of dowtown Chandler. The money for the City Hall has been saved over the past few decades. Using that lump of money to build why the cost of building is extremely low seems prudent to me. A sense of place is important and running a city the size of Chandler out of a leased building and mobile units is just plain silly.
The money spent widening Arizona Avenue (for pedestrians) is crucial to building a sense of place and attracting talent. Young companies generate the most jobs. Most young companies now a days require talented people. Which is more important funding the company or attracting the talent? I think they have done a reasonable balance between the two.
It’s not like they funded ShittyScape…. Chandler has historically built for 20 years out and has not been short sighted. It is what let them land Intel and others.