Manross stays true to campaign slogan

When Mary Manross unveiled her campaign slogan, "It's a Bright New Day in Scottsdale" nearly 10 months ago, it became no secret how Manross planned to win her third term.

Manross intended to speak positively about her record and how things are better in Scottsdale today than when she was first elected mayor in 2000. And Manross, who has always been a cheerleader for the city, has stayed true to form.

During the campaign against opponent Jim Lane, she has called Scottsdale the most successful community in the country, with the highest level of services anywhere in the country, and a downtown that is the envy of all others in the U.S.

MANROSS TOUTS CITY PROFILE

Since Manross was elected mayor, there has been unprecedented private investment in downtown Scottsdale, which helped earn it international exposure during Super Bowl XLII week with parties and ESPN daily broadcasts, as well as write-ups in national publications.

Manross said she directly contributed to the investment as a spokesperson for downtown, being a positive voice, by encouraging people to invest, as well as by her votes approving the private projects and additional parking.

Manross has also actively promoted the city's environmental policies, including being awarded a "gold certification" for the design, construction and operation of the Granite Reef Senior Center, while citing her continued support of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and historic preservation.

Manross also was a supporter of the Loop 101 photo enforcement cameras, a pilot program that studies showed reduced speeds and sparked the governor to create a statewide program. Manross continues to praise SkySong, likes to tout the city's AAA bond rating, the highest a city can earn, as well as the lowest tax rate among major Valley cities. When asked, Manross does acknowledge that tax collections have increased because of higher property values, but said other cities have kept their tax rates the same.

MAYOR KEEPS SUPPORT

After 16 years on the council dais, Manross has been able to maintain the support of most city groups, including the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and Coalition of Pinnacle Peak and a number of recognizable community members. The endorsement of Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale, has been highlighted above all others by Manross, a Democrat running against a Republican on Sept. 2, the same day partisan primaries are held.

"If one thing is clear about (myself), everyone knows what I believe in and it's very clear what I fought for," said Manross, who thinks the race should remain nonpartisan.

Jason Rose, a Scottsdale political consultant, said that to be the mayor of Scottsdale, you have to be a progressive voice, a voice for the arts, the mountains, decorative manhole covers and the most artistic bus shelters known to man. Rose said Manross is viewed as stronger on the preserve and the arts. He also said receiving the endorsement of the chamber and COPP - a north Scottsdale watchdog group - is a political achievement that shows her range of support.

"There are certain people that do not respect her, but very few who don't like her," Rose said. "In politics, being well-liked even by your opponents is a source of strength and in my opinion has been her primary source of support."

SPINNING THE TRUTH

Manross is not only touting what she feels are her accomplishments, but is fending off criticism from Lane with her own positive spin that's not always accurate.

During a debate, she said the jury in the Toll Bros. preserve condemnation case basically split the cost of the land down the middle. But that's not the case.

The city argued the land was worth $34 million, while Toll Bros. argued it was worth $107 million. The jury came back at $82 million, far closer to the Toll Bros. figure.

When talking about Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction - her critics have blasted her for not inking the weeklong event to a long-term deal with the city - Manross said they are under contract through 2013. But while Barrett-Jackson has the option to renew each year, it is not required to do so.

Manross prefers not to be clear about where she graduated college. In her biography on her campaign Web site, as well as in a questionnaire she filled out for the Tribune and other groups, Manross mentions she has a college degree and that she attended UCLA and Minot State. What she does not say - unless being asked in an interview - is that her college degree is from Minot State. Manross, a southern California native, started at UCLA, but transferred to Minot State when her husband, Larry, was in the Air Force and sent to North Dakota.

WHERE SHE STANDS

One of Lane's major attacks on Manross is that she has promoted a secretive administration, citing Manross' position on keeping top employee evaluations private. But Manross counters those claims.

As mayor, Manross said she now holds a public meeting for the council to vote on whether to go into a closed session, which gives every council member a chance to ask questions in front of the public. Manross said she now allows more public comment at City Council meetings and for the first time allows public input during a work-study session.

In contrast to Lane, during council meetings, Manross rarely questions any aspect of a city-produced report. She praises staff members regularly. The mayor is rarely the lone vote on any issue, and usually finds herself on the winning side. One of the few times Manross was on the losing end of a vote was the decision to oust former City Manager Jan Dolan, whom she still praises.

One issue where Manross went against her colleagues was last year when she voted against allowing off-track horse racing betting at the downtown Upper Deck Sports Grill. Just a few months ago, however, Manross agreed with the rest of the council to extend the license. When owner Tom Anderson then asked for off-track betting on dog racing, Manross was once again the lone vote against it.

Manross has also opposed smoking and the operation of the city's sexually-oriented businesses. She was an architect of the original sexually-oriented business ordinance and supporter of latest round of toughest regulations, which in 2006 were overturned by voters.

SOUTH SCOTTSDALE PRIORITY

Manross said for her final term as mayor, the priority must be on southern Scottsdale revitalization.

"That's where the history began, it's the heart of the community and close proximity to downtown. It's must be a priority and I look forward to having a council elected that shares that concern," Manross said.

Manross points not only to SkySong, but to continue the update of zoning ordinances that will make it easier for homeowners to invest and developers to complete infill projects. She also supports a bond election in the next year or two to help pay for transportation and arts and culture.

"That's important for our quality of life," Manross said. "We need to invest more in those areas."

Manross' only full-time paid job since moving to Scottsdale has been as a council member and mayor. Manross raised a family with four children. Manross and her husband volunteered at the Franciscan Renewal Center and taught its marriage preparation seminars for two decades.

Mary Manross

Age: 61

Marital/family status: Married, four children, three grandchildren

Years in Scottsdale: 36

Occupation: Mayor (2000-present)

Education: B.S., Minot State University, Minot, N.D. (also attended University of California, Los Angeles)

Prior community service or public office: City Council (1992-2000), Parks and Recreation Commission; Planning and Zoning Commission; Franciscan Renewal Center, volunteer director of marriage preparation seminars

Campaign Web site: www.marymanross.com

Three major issues: Revitalization and redevelopment in downtown and south Scottsdale, Implement transportation plan to increase road capacity and transit uses, McDowell Sonoran Preserve