I remember driving from Minneapolis in May, with snow still on the ground, then arriving in the Valley with temperatures of 100 degrees-plus. I knew that I had made it to the best place to live, and that my new life would start here.
When I arrived back then, many people talked about the recession and the poor business climate in the early 1990’s. I did not see it that way—I saw it as opportunity. There were many businesses just getting started and many had the same determination to succeed. Today, in another down economy, the hard working people are still doing what it takes and they are surviving. You can look in our pages of Arizona Foothills and see that some of the best businesses are here to stay. We should support those local businesses and charities, including the Thunderbirds. Many of these people and their families are the core to our community and they are giving back to the nonprofits that need it the most.
When the Phoenix Open was changed to the FBR Open, and now the Waste Management Open, we all wanted to make a joke about it. However, I embrace the creativity of the Thunderbirds for actually securing a major sponsor in such a tough economic year.
This world-famous golf event started back in 1932 and the amount of money that is put back into our economy is tremendous. Speaking of events, Barrett-Jackson hosted the annual Drive the Dream gala to benefit Childhelp USA in January and they raised more than $4.8 million in one evening. That is a great example of teamwork again. Some of the most talented people in our Valley, such as Susie Wesley, Missy Anderson, Jinger Richardson and Jim and Carol Hebets, worked together that night and saw no recession in their way. This may be the largest amount ever donated in one night in Arizona.
Every day we have a choice to be positive and look forward to the future. We all wake up and the choice is ours to make. I am making the choice to be positive, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the new Waste Management Open this year.
We will have our staff out there snapping shots of the crowds, so look for your pictures online at AZFoothills.com. We wish everyone a safe and fun February!
-Michael S. Dee
President and Publisher
