Please consider the facts, our future in this mayoral election

By Jerry Bien-Willner in the Town of Paradise Valley Independent:

During my four years as mayor, I have worked hard with a talented team to keep our town at the top and true to its bedrock values and unique residential character. I am proud of this work and of my proven record of protecting and enhancing our exceptional quality of life.

Recently, my opponent has made several false statements and exaggerations in the Town of Paradise Valley Independent. My opponent also made the following remark: “Carefully consider voting records to determine who actually preserves Paradise Valley with actions, not mere words. If you want Scottsdale, don’t vote for me.”

I felt that this statement deserves some consideration, because it’s a telling indicator of what this mayor’s race is all about.

First, let’s compare my voting record to my opponent’s while I have been mayor. The truth is, my opponent voted with me 484 out of 489 times — or 99% of the time. And the five occasions where my opponent voted on the other side, her position was the losing one and contrary to the town’s traditions of good governance, due process, and civility.

Consider also consequential votes in 2017-18, before my time as mayor. Ms. Pace approved spending $320,000 on a roadway redesign, but then flip-flopped and didn’t authorize the actual roadwork. She threw away these taxpayer dollars, while I voted consistently against the expenditures.

I believe the second part of Ms. Pace’s remark above speaks directly to questions of the temperament, awareness, and respect needed to lead teams, form coalitions, forge consensus, and solve problems. It’s much harder to build bridges than to burn them.

Does our community benefit when a Paradise Valley official publicly demeans our neighbors in Scottsdale to try to gain personal political advantage?

Paradise Valley relies on Scottsdale for vital public safety cooperation, sewer services, collaboration on issues of mutual concern (such as the short-term rental problem), and other important matters. I value our town’s relationship with Scottsdale — a different, but outstanding community — and I’m proud of our work to strengthen community ties without anyone sacrificing their unique identity.

The fact is, our town has thrived during my time as mayor, despite facing many difficult challenges. This is due not just to my work, but to the hard work and dedication shown by Town Council members, staff, and residents in our community. Our town’s wellbeing takes strategic thinking, constant effort, and skill to maintain — and cannot be taken for granted.

You can continue to count on me to protect Paradise Valley’s special residential character and exceptional quality of life, just as the eleven former Paradise Valley mayors and vice mayors and many other distinguished PV leaders and community members who endorse my reelection do.

I am honored to serve as your mayor, and ask for your vote in the Aug. 2 election to continue our success.

Editor’s Note: Jerry Bien-Willner is running for reelection in the Aug. 2 primary election to a third term as mayor in the Town of Paradise Valley.

Hamway: Reelect Mayor Bien-Willner to truly preserve Paradise Valley

By Mary Hamway from the Town of Paradise Valley Independent

During my years volunteering on the Paradise Valley Town Council, I worked with a number of different colleagues to protect and preserve what makes Paradise Valley special, including our mayor, Jerry Bien-Willner.

I have personally seen how Jerry Bien-Willner consistently goes above and beyond for our town, both in his time as a Town Council member and his two outstanding terms as mayor. He has worked tirelessly with the sole goal of ensuring Paradise Valley retains its place as Arizona’s finest community.

Jerry has stood rock-solid in his commitment to protect our one-acre residential neighborhoods and their peaceful beauty.

Jerry has also shown unwavering support for public safety and our police department, making our town safe. He has shared the commitment to fiscal responsibility that has resulted in the limited, effective town government we enjoy today.

During the pandemic and times of civil unrest, Jerry provided effective and steady leadership that helped our community thrive despite the challenges. His stable approach is not to be taken for granted — it is an important skill that speaks to his proven leadership ability.

And importantly, Jerry has fostered a working environment that is collaborative, respectful, and open with his colleagues, town staff, and residents. He has shown the ability to listen, learn, and proactively work to find solutions that create positive outcomes for everyone involved.

Unlike some elected officials who pursue personal exposure and gain, and use their position as a bully pulpit, I know Jerry to be caring, ethical, smart, and effective for our town. If we truly want to preserve what makes our community great, we should support those leaders who have shown an impeccable track record of success, teamwork, and civility.

Jerry Bien-Willner has done a superb job as mayor the past four years — and is a big part of why our community continues to be such a great place to live. I hope you will join me and so many other Paradise Valley leaders who know his excellent work first-hand in supporting his re-election as mayor on Aug. 2.

Editor’s Note: Mary Hamway is a former elected member of Paradise Valley Town Council.

Beckman & Beckham: Bien-Willner brings together Paradise Valley residents

By Patty Beckman and Allyson Beckham | Guest Commentary from the Paradise Valley Independent

We are both long-time Paradise Valley residents, and have also both served as volunteer leaders of the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board.

On the school board, we have seen first-hand just how important it is to be able to bring people together to make our community a better place.

We have worked hard to ensure a better future for the children of our district, which includes many families in Paradise Valley. And we were fortunate to have a tremendous partner in Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner, who shares our commitment to our youth and our community.

Mayor Bien-Willner has strengthened relationships between the Town of Paradise Valley and local schools, both public and private. He understands that the town government can work in partnership with local schools to create new opportunities for youth and to foster collaboration that benefits local families.

Upon his election, Mayor Bien-Willner started the town’s first-ever youth recognition program to publicly acknowledge and congratulate our students for their achievements in community service, academics, and athletics.

He also welcomed the Paradise Valley Police Department Explorer Program to provide young people with an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and the career opportunities that are available in the field.

Mayor Bien-Willner has worked hard to embrace and enhance the town’s beneficial and positive relationships with all its key stakeholders. The value and strength of these relationships was on display during the most difficult times of the pandemic, when Paradise Valley stuck together and thrived with 
Jerry as our mayor.

Public service is not easy — especially in a community like Paradise Valley, where it is done on a volunteer basis.

A steady temperament, care, listening, and a commitment to working collaboratively with others are required to find the best solutions to issues. Mayor Bien-Willner has done an exceptional job of this over the past four years, and is worthy of the community’s support in the Aug. 2 election.

Please join us in voting to re-elect Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner.

Editor’s Note: Patty Beckman is a Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board member and former president. Allyson Beckham is an SUSD Governing Board president and member. Both are residents of the Town of Paradise Valley.

Updates from Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner — April 8, 2022

Spring is here, and aren’t we blessed to live in Paradise Valley?  

I seek re-election as your Mayor to keep our Town safe, stable, and on top. I am honored to receive vast citizen support to do so, including endorsements from ten former Town Mayors and Vice Mayors, and many other distinguished community leaders, who know me and my record.  

Although it’s campaign season, I will never lose focus on my duties to you as Mayor.  Public service, not politics, must always come first.  Toward this end, I want to share some Town updates.

Fighting Short-Term Rental Dangers: We have led the way in responding to citizen concerns about short-term rentals.  Predictably, recent Town Code improvements to protect citizens and visitors alike were criticized by Airbnb.  The large majority of our helpful actions were, however, recently approved by the Attorney General’s office and we will resolve the few remaining questions.  Mayors around the state I work with are grateful for our trailblazing, as are their communities.  This issue needs more work, though, and I am committed to keep leading the charge.   

Budget:  The Town’s budget is set over the coming months, a public process which touches on all of the Town’s operations and funding levels.  I will continue to uphold the Town’s traditions of limited and effective government, fiscal conservativism, prioritizing public safety with a fully funded police department, and a balanced budget that meets our needs now and in the future without a local property tax.  Everyone is welcome to join these and other Council meetings of interest in person at Town Hall (meeting details are on the Town website).

Working Together - General Plan:  After months of great engagement and work from Town citizens and the entire PV team, the Town Council recently unanimously recommended approval of the Town’s 2022 “General Plan” update, meeting a state law requirement.  If of interest, the Town website states how to weigh in on this topic in the August 2nd Election.

Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve as your Mayor as we continue to advance citizen interests together, and keep our Town on top!  Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Former Paradise Valley Mayors LeMarr and Parker: Mayor Bien-Willner Deserves Our Thanks — and Another Term

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share with you this guest column in the Town of Paradise Valley Independent written by former mayors Scott LeMarr and Vernon Parker. I'm proud to have their support and appreciate their kind words. 

By Scott LeMarr and Vernon Parker, former Mayors of Paradise Valley

As former mayors of the Town of Paradise Valley, we know the unique and often difficult challenges faced when entrusted to lead one of the finest communities in the country.

It’s incumbent on the mayor and Town Council to protect the community’s unique residential character. To promote limited but responsive government with no property tax. To ensure the safety of the residents and visitors of our community.

Over the course of the past three years, Jerry Bien-Willner has achieved and defended these priorities time and again as mayor. During the pandemic and other unwelcome events over the past several years, the tests of leadership have been extraordinary. This is a time when other communities have seen higher crime, civic unrest, great division, economic difficulties, and other negative events. Paradise Valley has not, and this is no accident.

The best leaders are the ones who listen, guide their constituents through difficult times, and make their communities better on the other side. Jerry Bien-Willner is doing just that. He has worked hard to drive the town forward on its great path, and he has kept the largest threats and problems out of our town. Jerry truly cares about the people and town he serves. He deserves our thanks for his service as a volunteer mayor — and he deserves our support for another two-year term.

During Jerry’s time as mayor, he has not only addressed every challenge that has come the town’s way, he has made our quality of life better in a number of important ways. Some examples include leading the fight against disruptive short-term rentals, and collaboratively fostering solutions to the issues facing the town with creativity, skill, and little fanfare — all while avoiding the town getting pulled into needless, divisive politics.

Jerry has ensured that new development in our community will be complimentary to our unique residential character, and he has resolved key issues with developments under construction that will allow them to proceed and benefit the entire community.

These are just a few, broad examples of Jerry’s positive impact on our town, but there are many more. We’re not completely past the hurdles of the pandemic, we never can let up on our commitment to public safety, and we know that preserving the outstanding quality of life in Paradise Valley requires ongoing commitment and great skill. There’s clearly more work to be done. We have great confidence in Jerry’s leadership, and his vision and values.

We need another two years of strong, steady leadership that works to protect Paradise Valley’s citizens and our quality of life. We are grateful to have had that leadership from Jerry, and we will be fortunate to have it for two more with the re-election of Jerry Bien-Willner as Mayor of Paradise Valley.

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Thank you to Mayor LeMarr and Mayor Parker for their guidance, kind words and support, as well as the other esteemed leaders who have shown their support of my campaign. I would be honored to have your support as well in the August 2 election.  

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Mayor.

A Season for Reflection, Giving and Gratitude in Paradise Valley

Dear Friends,

This is the season of giving, and also for reflection and gratitude.  I am very grateful for the privilege to serve as Mayor of such an amazing community, especially during these challenging times.  

My primary aim throughout my service as your Mayor has been to ensure that Paradise Valley citizens continue to experience an exemplary, safe, and well-run Town like no other.  Consistently meeting this ongoing goal has required overcoming many serious challenges during the past couple of years, but the dedicated effort is well worth it.  Our recent results are clear:

·       Unparalleled Quality of Life:  Current data confirms that Paradise Valley is a top-ten place to live in the United States.  Indeed, “Paradise Valley is the best place to live in Arizona if you care about home values, low crime, and a high quality of life.”

·      Outstanding Public Safety:   With the lowest violent crime rate in Arizona, a high ratio of public safety personnel, and an accredited Police Department (earned for the first time in 2021), Paradise Valley is consistently ranked among the very safest places to live.   Our outstanding record of safety has continued throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and periods of unrest and disruption throughout the nation.

·       Top Home Values:  Paradise Valley is the only place in Arizona to rank in the top 100 zip codes in the U.S. for highest home values– coming in at #50 in the nation!

·       World-Class Resorts:  When it’s time for that staycation, great night out, or life event, the “best of the best” resorts are in Paradise Valley!

·       Healthy Finances:  Notwithstanding the pressures of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its economic ripple effects, our Town continues to be in excellent financial condition, we have carried on without significant disruption during challenging times, and now are moving forward without missing a beat thanks to the Town’s careful and strategic preparation for such challenges, which I had made a priority at the start of my service as Mayor, well before the Pandemic.

There is so much to be thankful for in our resilient, kind, and strong community.  I am very proud of our Town, and grateful for all our citizens, stakeholders, and Town professionals who help make it such an amazing place to live while preserving and honoring its wonderful traditions and character.

I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday Season, with time to enjoy family and friends, reflect and relax, find strength from each other and our spiritual communities, and, most of all, to look forward to a great year ahead!  

Warmest Holiday Wishes,

Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner & Family

Bien-Willner: The real state of affairs on Arizona's short-term rental law

From the Paradise Valley Independent

The short-term rental platforms are working hard to spin their recent loss. 
They would have you believe that they offered legislation to “fix” the STR rental problems that they created in our towns and throughout the state, only to have it rejected without reason. That’s just not so.

Airbnb and its allies came into this unwillingly. Their “industry bill” — Senate Bill 1379 — emerged only after we shook the industry off its self-serving mantra that the current state law was perfect and required no change. Their backpedaling was a victory in itself, spurred by our work, the alliances we have built, and positive citizen action.

And they could have made a fair deal after this change — like they have in other states where they do business — and solved a growing problem that harms too many homeowners across Arizona. But they balked, and the industry’s actions directly led to being called out at the state legislature and failed badly in the vote — 43 to 17.

A legion of citizens, mayors and council members, and state senators and representatives had workable and constructive proposals to reign in the destructive aspects of short-term rental (STRs) activities in Arizona.

As so many in our town are aware, Arizona’s current state law on STRs, enacted in 2016, removed all traditional norms and protections — allowing homes to be converted into unstaffed motels. Unfortunately, looking to short-term economic gain at the expense of neighborhoods, the STR industry, led by Airbnb, continues to buck any attempt to reign in the devastation it is causing in neighborhoods.

These ongoing problems are known and well-documented, including as expressed by over 30 Arizona mayors in late 2020, and by respected economic analysts Elliot D. Pollack & Company.

This legislative session there were sensible and fair compromise positions offered to the STR industry — and to the sponsors of Senate Bill 1379 — to address the problems the industry has created. The willingness of cities and towns to reach a win/win compromise hasn’t been the problem.

Put bluntly, the powerful, special-interest STR industry — led by Silicon Valley-based Airbnb and other power brokers — continued to show their arrogance.

Their industry thrives in Arizona by converting our neighborhoods into commercial marketplaces in disregard of the zoning restrictions that so many of us relied upon for peace, quiet, and safety when we bought our homes.

They thought there were going to get yet another industry-crafted bill passed without collaborating with those most impacted by their business activities.

They assumed they could bully their way to an easy victory at the state Capitol, and therefore end the discussion and effectively “lock down” the law in their favor for the foreseeable future.

However, they failed to win the support of either Republicans or Democrats at the state legislature. Here is what some key legislators had to say about the STR industry’s actions in Arizona:

Rep. Butler (D): “This bill falls far short of really doing anything meaningful.”

Rep. Kavanagh (R): “This is a band-aid.” “We need to send a message to the industry that we want reasonable concessions to communities and neighbors who have problems.”

Rep. Lieberman (D): “The same industry that originally created this problem are behind this [SB1379].” “There was no effort made to meet halfway.”

We are grateful to the wisdom of these and other leaders who have fought for real and durable reform. As they have noted, SB 1379 was toothless and reactive by the industry’s design — it was like your doctor telling you to skip the high blood pressure pills until you’ve already had a heart attack.

We need to be proactive — let towns and cities put in place land-use plans through tried and tested tools like the residential zoning ordinances that were the bedrock of our town from 1961 until disrupted by this terrible state law designed to prop up Airbnb and their cohorts. It is clear that state law authorizing different groups daily of 30, 40 or more people to occupy one single-family home is not just disruptive to neighborhoods — it is irresponsible and dangerous.

STRs are here to stay in one form or another. As I and other leaders have said many times, there needs to be constructive discussion between STR platforms and in communities in Arizona on how they can minimize negative impacts. We recognize there is a balancing act between the perceived property rights of a few STR owners and the property rights of the majority.

The STR “platforms” like Airbnb and VRBO can address the items in SB 1379, and many other issues, without legislation simply by acting as good corporate citizens. Airbnb and VRBO are tech-based companies, after all, with market valuations exceeding $130 billion.

While we continue the work on the legislative front, I will continue to lead the way with other mayors and council members throughout the state and especially in Paradise Valley as the town redoubles its STR regulation and enforcement efforts with the limited tools it is currently permitted to use — expect to hear squealing from the STR industry, even though they repeatedly claim to welcome sensible regulation.

We will not dwell on the STR industry’s legislative failure, but instead look at this as a new chapter and a continuing opportunity to solve a major problem that we did not create but need to address — and I continue to strongly encourage and welcome the STR industry’s good faith participation to do this.

I am thankful to everyone who is playing a part to solve this problem, and please feel free to contact me if you’d like to join in our ongoing efforts: jbienwillner@paradisevalleyaz.gov or 480-348-3660.

Editor’s Note: Jerry Bien-Willner is the mayor of the Town of Paradise Valley.

Mayor’s Update: COVID-19, elections and the future

Dear Friends:

COVID-19:  Our Work Is Far from Done, but the Data Shows We’re Moving in the Right Direction

The safety of everyone living in, visiting, and working in our Town is always the primary focus of Town leadership, and since the emergence of COVID-19 it has been at the forefront of my mind without interruption.  We were among the first municipalities with a dedicated Town webpage in February 2020 providing information on the virus and preventing its spread.  On March 17, 2020, I declared a state of emergency because of the pandemic, and ordered that the Town would follow relevant instructions, as they evolved, from health experts to keep our community safe without inserting politics into the mix. 

I’m pleased that our approach is serving our Town well.  I am extremely grateful to our Town’s professional staff, especially our Town Manager Jill Keimach – who has been instrumental in implementing best practices at Town Hall – and to the entire Town Council for their unanimous support of the non-political, steady, agile, and reasoned response we have mounted.  It’s also not surprising, but so appreciated, that the houses of worship, schools, and the Town’s resorts have continued to be excellent partners in promoting public health, as I have had the privilege of working directly with them to assist them in doing their part.   We are also grateful for our governmental partners, particularly Maricopa County, which has been helpful in its expertise on mask use and other efforts to slow the spread.

Last, but not at all least, our citizens have overwhelmingly embraced following the best expert advice available to us.  Your efforts and positive attitudes matter and clearly make a difference.   

While the data can and will change over time, it is encouraging that the latest data show Paradise Valley has achieved a COVID-19 “minimal transmission” status (see https://www.maricopa.gov/5594/School-Metrics):

I share this information not so that we let our guards down or declare victory, but so that we can see that our collective efforts count, and we stay committed to take reasonable and responsible actions to slow the spread! 

According to the health experts, we need to continue to continue the following to avoid reversing this trend:

–      Mask wearing in public

–      Limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people when social distancing cannot be maintained

–      Using good hand hygiene (washing and/or sanitizer)

–      Not touching the face

–      Staying home when sick

We look forward to seeing green all over the map as soon as possible, and for brighter days in general.  A special “shout out” to our many residents who serve others in the medical community and the loved ones and friends who support them – your selfless work is valued and greatly appreciated.

Town Election Results are Official

Paradise Valley residents cast their ballots in record numbers in the August 3 primary election — and for that, I would like to thank all of you. I am extremely grateful for your continued support and trust to serve as your Mayor, especially during such uniquely difficult times.

Clearly, our residents have recognized that Town leadership is working hard to best position our community for a bright future. I look forward to continuing to work with re-elected council members Scott Moore, Julie Pace and Mark Stanton, as well as my other colleagues on the Town Council, and our dedicated professional team.

Important Town Business Ahead

Please know that over the Council’s summer break period I have continued to stay deeply engaged on all important Town issues, including COVID-19, actively monitoring the Town’s finances in light of the pandemic, interfacing with our senior Town employees and Town stakeholders on a regular basis, advancing efforts to change the state law that requires the Town to allow whole-home, daily-rental short-term rental properties (that – no surprise – often turn into the sites of disruptive parties) in our residential neighborhoods, and on many other critical matters. 

I am excited that the Town Council will resume its regular sessions on September 10, 2020.  We have a lot of important work ahead of us to ensure the preservation of health, safety, and the Town’s financial security and values, and I am excited to continue lead our Town’s efforts to solve the challenges we face as, at the same time, we plan for the best and brightest of futures in our amazing community!  Please join us in our meetings by Zoom if you would like to participate – all are welcome. Instructions on how to join in on our electronic meetings can be found on the “Public Meeting Participation” tab on this Town webpage: https://www.paradisevalleyaz.gov/Covid-19.  You can also go to this page to see upcoming meeting agendas and view meetings live via video streaming:  https://paradisevalleyaz.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

I am also pleased to announce that I will begin holding a periodic “Mayor’s Update” forum in the near future, utilizing technology, to allow for additional updates during this time of physical distancing.  Stay tuned for more information on that!

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Once again, thank you all for your ongoing efforts to keep yourselves and others healthy, safe, and secure while we get through these tough times together!

If you have any questions, comments or ideas for our Town government, please feel free to contact me directly at jerry@jerryformayor.com. I hope you and yours stay healthy and safe.