9 minute read
LISA BOROWSKY Interview Candidate for Scottsdale Mayor
A little about me and Oh My Valentine’s horse history.
When I was little, my sister and I used to stay up late coming up with horse names. We always dreamed of having our own horses. When I was about eight years old, my parents “ordered” us our first horse which got delivered by commercial transit van to our front yard! His name was Malakai and he was a retired race horse. It was the most exciting day of our lives!!. That began our passion and commitment to riding and showing horses.
My sister and I started riding with Yale and Fern Siminoff at Siminoff Stables when I was nine. We rode with Siminoffs for many years (now where Cracker Jax is). It was such a great way to grow up. There were lots of kids, almost all of which we still keep in touch with today. The big events for the barn were the annual Super Bowl Party and the Rawhide Christmas Party. We were like a big family!
As I became more competitive in the show ring, I moved to the Quarter Horse show circuit. My sister and I moved over to Jim Baker’s training facility because my parents’ purchased a well known show horse for me, Sierra Supreme. I showed with Jim for a few years and then moved on to Kerry Stone where I rode for a while.
My horse focus shifted to cutting when I was 15. My dad purchased a large ranch northeast of Flagstaff where we took our horses every summer. The legendary Tommy Lyons purchased a portion of the ranch and moved his cutting operation up there every summer too. I worked for Tommy Lyons in the summers, riding just broke two year olds in the forest for conditioning. During that time, my dad acquired several of Tommy’s foals and a more advanced cutter. From that point, I began my (unsuccessful) career as a “cutter”. I’ve had many cutting horses since and enjoyed working with some of the best in the industry, including Tommy Lyons and Bobby Ingersol.
When my daughter became interested in riding, I decided to switch gears again, this time to Arabians. I am so impressed by how the Arabian shows have evolved. I love that they are so close and in the “city” at Westworld. It is such an amazing facility with so many great amenities; I wanted to be a part of all of it with my daughter.
My daughter started taking lessons with Amy and Jeff Wilms when she was about nine. I bought a cute Arab for her to start out on. A few years ago, I bought my first Half Arab, Oh My Valentine (“OMV” born on Valentine’s Day), from Sandspur. We transitioned to Bisch Arabians at Los Cedros and enjoyed training with Dede for many years. I have been working with OMV to get her ready for upcoming shows. I am so excited to get back in the ring!!!
In 2018, I was invited to join the Board of the Scottsdale Charros Foundation. Becoming part of the Charros organization has been a dream fulfilled. They are such a passionate, hard
working, group of business and community leaders that do so much for kids, schools and the underprivileged in our community. I am thrilled that the Charros organization has assumed responsibility for the Parada Del Sol and the Rodeo. There are so many great things to come with these events at the direction of the Charros!
My other notable involvement in the City includes my service on the Scottsdale City Council, 2008-12. I am proud to have led the charge to complete the expansion of the facilities at Westworld. I am a strong advocate for our equine industry and I understand what a significant economic and tourism driver it is for our City. Also, I served on the Board of the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau for two terms. Tourism is a passion for me and I am committed to keeping it in the forefront of my decision making for Scottsdale.
Dede Bisch BISCH Equestrian, LLC
Lisa Borowsky Interview -
Q – Historically, Scottsdale has annexed areas in Maricopa County to grow. The Rio Verde Foothills with nearly 2,000 residences, and adjacent to the City, looks like the next annexation target. What do you think?
A - As Mayor of Scottsdale, annexation of the Rio Verde area sounds like a fine idea. There has been significant residential growth in that area and, as a result, Rio Verde residents would benefit from the City’s services. However, the key to the annexation question is: How do the property owners in Rio Verde view the idea of annexation? That is key. State law requires a majority of all property owners approve annexation in order to proceed. On the City’s side, the idea must make financial sense, which is achieved, preliminarily, through a pre-annexation agreement. We have to be careful not to increase expenses to the detriment of existing taxpayers. I am open to evaluating the prospect of annexation if the residents of Rio Verde are in favor of the idea.
Q - Scottsdale has mostly run out of raw-land to build on, and now is growing vertically with very high density. Scottsdale recently approved 54 units on barely over one single acre. Do you find that excessive?
A - Absolutely. One person who brings passion, clear vision, dedication, experience, and the ability to collaborate can make a difference in every situation. As that person in the Mayor’s office, citizens can count on me to advocate on their behalf for the betterment of Scottsdale, which includes running a safe, efficient and attractive City offering high-quality environment and experience to residents, business owners, and visitors. As an attorney, I have spent my 25-year career absorbing voluminous information and distilling it to what is important in order to achieve desired results through advocacy. I will bring this experience as a strong and effective advocate for Scottsdale’s most prosperous future.
Q –To enable management’s ability to create a reasonable return on the investment at Westworld they must induce event producers with Bed Tax Money to be competitive with other venues. The folks in Las Vegas, Texas, Oklahoma all have revenue streams to offset rental expenses at their venues for major events. This is big-business, and event producers expect and receive discounts from City, County, and State authorities. Scottsdale needs to offer the required incentives to secure new major national events. Experience Scottsdale can either directly get involved or use some of their budget in a separate account to recruit events. What do you think of reallocating what is needed in Experience Scottsdale’s budget to give WestWorld a chance to compete on a level playing field?
A - It depends. If the property in question was zoned for the density and height that was ultimately approved, approval is warranted so long as all other applicable zoning and design criteria are met. However, where a property is not zoned to accommodate a proposed project, the Council must scrutinize the application carefully before handing out additional entitlements. In order to better address zoning applications, I propose establishing Neighborhood Advisory Commissions to act as the first line of review so that residents weigh in on whether it is appropriate for their area of the City. The benchmark must be: Does the proposed development enhance Scottsdale? Backing the process up to include more direct citizen involvement prior to coming before Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council will result in less divisive approvals.
Q - Queen Creek, Gilbert and Chandler all took a lot of pages out of Scottsdale’s playbook for design and style. They executed on farmland with larger planned developments that feature new beautiful roadways with extensive landscaping and more. Scottsdale out-shined these other communities in the past. How can Scottsdale regain it’s edge?
A - I entered the Mayor’s race because I felt Scottsdale was at risk for losing its edge. With runaway development, which has not enhanced the overall look, feel and character of our City, we risk diluting what has made us the envy of the Valley and the Southwest. As Mayor, I will lead the charge, and bring the vision, to restore focus on enhancing Scottsdale as the leading destination in the Southwest in order to best attract visitors, future residents, business owners, and premier signature events. We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us. As Mayor, I will make it my top priority to promote high quality economic growth which enhances our City and the experience for all.
Q - As Mayor or City Council member, can one person really have an impact in Scottsdale? If so, how?
A - Experience Scottsdale is under contract to attract visitors to Scottsdale which must include a significant emphasis on our world class special events, such as those that take place annually at WestWorld. The City needs to take a hard look at how the bed tax revenue is being allocated toward WestWorld’s event attraction and retention goals. Having lifelong involvement in National Equestrian events, I understand this specialized market, and appreciate that it requires an experienced and targeted approach. I support providing WestWorld with necessary resources from bed tax receipts, originating from Experience Scottsdale’s portion or the City’s, so there is the ability to competitively and effectively promote our world class facilities at WestWorld. Successful annual events at WestWorld are a win/win for the City and tourism overall and a top priority.
Q - Scottsdale is at a crossroads. Does the City continue to build on the reputation as a tourist destination, and continue to pay the costs to drive that business?
A - Absolutely. Tourism is the backbone of our City’s reputation and our economy. We must remain focused on promoting Scottsdale as a top tourism destination. We do this by maintaining a safe, efficient and attractive community. With tourism as the backdrop for decision-making at City Hall, we will preserve, and improve upon, that which has made us well known as a top destination for visitors, residents and business leaders.
Q - Or, does it migrate into a labor-based economy and redistribute the Experience Scottsdale budget to local needs, and or debt service?
A - No. We must not dilute, or re-distribute, bed tax revenue to pay General Fund operating expenses. When I was on Council previously, I advocated for the bed tax increase (supported universally by tourism industry) for the sole purpose of creating a dedicated revenue stream for the advancement of tourism. Tourism is an economic driver that pays strong dividends to our community. I will continue to support tourism generation as a top priority once I am elected which includes a strong emphasis on the equine industry and events at WestWorld.
Scottsdale Arabian Horse voters should be confident that Lisa Borowsky will represent their interests by protecting the Equine character that is so unique to Scottsdale. The equine industry has a long history in Scottsdale and continues to add special character, high quality of life and economic vitality. Lisa supports this important aspect of Scottsdale!
Taryl O’Shea City of Scottsdale Advocate
