By Julie A. Pace, Town Councilmember and former Vice-Mayor

The beginning of the New Year is the time for both reflection and goal-setting. In Paradise Valley, we are so fortunate to live in a unique community that preserves our special quality of life, committed to public safety, operates in a fiscally responsible manner and has gorgeous iconic mountains to protect and enjoy.

There are challenges ahead because of the pressure of development and commercial businesses encroaching in neighborhoods, but together we continue fostering the benefits of achieving improvements in responsiveness to residents, transparency and accountability in Town governance. Stormwater management, preserving open space and mountain views, safeguarding our low density, one-house-per-acre residential character continue to be high priorities. 

I am optimistic about the new year. I am very sorry to not be in person for the January 12 celebration and installation of new Councilmember Christine Labelle, whom PV overwhelming elected last year. Our Council welcomes Christine.

Christine is bright, independent and stands up for residents and our community. And, she has superb family and neighbor support as she has already made a difference in PV.

Christine Labelle (left) and Ellen Andeen (right) speaking with Paradise Valley residents

Also a big congratulations to the re-election of third-generation PV councilmember Ellen Andeen. Ellen has high integrity and is a financial whiz who always pays attention to the money. 

Ellen strongly supports public safety and served as PV police volunteer. Ellen’s passion is also preserving the mountains, just like her father did when he served on PV Council many years ago. The family legacy is strong to support our Town’s core brand through the generations. 

Come down and congratulate them on January 12 at PV Town Hall when they both are sworn in. And send them a note to thank them for their service in a tough election cycle, but they won with extremely high votes. 

I applaud them both, along with all volunteers and my peers who serve to make our community better and demonstrate by their actions the goal of preserving Paradise Valley and preventing it from turning into subdivisions, density and commercial enterprises.

I will toast them while I am on a 10-passenger expedition boat in Antarctica, a Covid-delayed journey to my 7th continent. It is a 72-foot boat that will traverse Antarctica for 14 days and go to shore each day that weather allows. And no Drake passage because we fly in and out so more time in Antarctica. 

Penguins, icebergs, whales and tranquility will be plenty, just like the peace and quiet we desire in our homes in PV while we enjoy the natural beauty.

Returning home from each trip to the more than 90 countries I have visited provides a fresh appreciation for our community and rejuvenates my energy and passion for preserving Paradise Valley.

We will be on a small scientific boat (72-foot boat) that we are using for a photography expedition with Franz Lanting and Justin Black (Visionary Wild). Ten passengers and we fly in and fly out over the Drake passage so more time in Antarctica. We get to enjoy 14 days in Antarctica with no internet or cell coverage. We will be on land as many days as weather allows. We are on the boat called the Hans Hansson and it is with Quixote Expeditions. Attached is a photo of the boat from last week.

If you would like to see a blog of what is occurring during the next two weeks on our expedition boat, you can do it in two ways:

1. Go to Facebook and follow/like Quixote Expeditions and you will see a blog and photo that each of us on the trip will write and post as the satellite connection sporadically allows.

-OR -

2. You can go to blog and map updates at Quixote Expeditions and select news and see the photo and what is happening in the unique Antarctic.

Photo Credit: Quixote Expeditions Hans Hansson

Paradise Valley Town Councilmember Julie Pace proactively engages to preserve the mountains and open space and focuses on substance, action, and doing good work for the best interests of the Town, while building a sense of community.

Julie Pace for Paradise Valley Council | 5501 E Solano Drive

Paradise Valley AZ 85253 | paceforpv@gmail.com

Paid for by Julie Pace for Paradise Valley Council

Authorized by Julie Pace.