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Nationally Significant Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week Announced For March 20-23, 2025 At WestWorld of Scottsdale. The Fair Will Feature 120 Art Galleries Exhibiting Alongside Fashion Shows, Cultural Performances And More.

Seeking to take its place among the nation’s great art events and being announced one year from its inaugural date, Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week, will be an event like no other including art from more than 120 galleries, daily fashion shows, cultural performances, sculptural installations, and other innovative programming. Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week will also have a plethora of collaborations with institutions, galleries, artists, prominent collectors, and off-site VIP events. That’s just a sample of what guests will experience March 20-23, 2025 at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

The art fair and related elements will take place in the same dynamic 120,000 square foot building that houses the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

The event is co-owned by a who’s who in the Scottsdale area. It includes Trey Brennen, owner of T.H. Brennen Fine Art, a cornerstone gallery in Old Town Scottsdale; Jason Rose, Scottsdale entrepreneur who owns an Arizona public relations firm, The Scottsdale Polo Championships, and Quixote Productions (which produces musicals around the country); Cities West Media which owns PHOENIX Magazine and Phoenix Home & Garden; Anita Lang, Arizona’s most awarded interior designer; Mark Candelaria, owner of Candelaria Design and Arizona’s most prolific architect of high end homes in the Scottsdale area; Emilie Dietrich, owner of RAYMAR Fine Art Panels and the RAYMAR Studio; and Danny Sharaby, Tickets Unlimited founder and Arizona Arts Commission member. Logan Browning, an arts advisor with a notable stint at Hindman, is serving as the event’s Chief Creative Consultant.

Scottsdale, one of America’s most affluent cities, has a vibrant arts scene rich in cultural history. Put on the map by Elaine Horwitch, art dealer and gallerist responsible for launching the careers of many notable contemporary artists in the Southwest, Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area are home to a plethora of contemporary and western art galleries, auction houses, internationally renowned artists, collectors and a fantastic network of museums and cultural institutions. Yet, despite this art scene, and prominence as a luxury community, the city has not previously featured a confluence of culture. Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week will attract art patrons from around the world, to the heart of Arizona during the height of tourist season when the region’s many 5 Star Resorts are awash in visitors due to idyllic weather and Major League Baseball’s Spring Training.

“Scottsdale has exploded in popularity over the past few years. It is the wealth of the west in many ways especially during the heart of spring training here when our inaugural event will take place in 2025,” said Brennen who conceived the event after attending an art fair in the Hamptons last summer.

The primary location for Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week is a renowned Scottsdale venue, WestWorld of Scottsdale, a nationally recognized event facility with a breathtaking backdrop of the McDowell Mountains, just off the prominent 101 Freeway with ample parking.

“We are very selective when it comes to the events we sponsor and the use of our brand. When we were presented with this ambitious and compelling concept, we welcomed the opportunity to be the title sponsor and join this excellent team of business leaders, art aficionados, and visionaries to bring yet another signature event to Scottsdale,” said Scottsdale Ferrari General Manager Chad Morgan. 

Rose, a frequent attendee of Art Basel, Frieze, and other art shows around the world said, “Scottsdale’s thriving arts scene has long been a nationally recognized point of pride. Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week is intended to bring as many of these great elements together so the world can experience the area’s compelling and diverse artistic expressions in a new and dynamic way.”

“As soon as we heard the concept behind Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week we didn’t want to just help, we wanted to invest. This is an incredible, and very wealthy market in waiting for something like this. After all we have the biggest golf tournament, car auction, Arabian Horse Show, and best spring training in America, why not a new art event with the same ambition?” said President of Cities West Media Brett Wilson, speaking of his company’s decision to not only invest but provide promotional assets for the show.

Additional event details, including gallery applications, can be found at www.ScottsdaleArtWeek.Com.

Tickets will go on sale to the public in September 2024 with additional partnerships and programs announced leading up to the fair.

This once-in-a-lifetime Paradise Valley property is seated on majestic and historic Mummy Mountain, and is currently owned by a couple of Scottsdale’s most prominent visionaries.

Known for representing buyers and sellers for Arizona’s most spectacular and iconic properties, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce the listing of a property that perfectly exemplifies the special nature of both its homes and its clients.

This signature estate at 6210 E Hummingbird Lane in Paradise Valley is now listed for $6.25 million by Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Agent Cionne McCarthy.  The current owners are the visionaries behind the Sanctuary Resort + Spa, Mountain Shadows Resort, Hotel Valley Ho, and many more of the Valley’s most iconic local developments.

The pinnacle of modern luxury, the estate offers 4,700-square-feet of space designed by renowned architects Allen + Philps Partners with interior design led by Jamie Herzlinger Interiors.

Expansive views of the Phoenix Valley define this property. Classic, contemporary styling and walls of glass give this home a cosmopolitan feel in the desert, with open living spaces that lend to the opulent feeling. The main level features a sleek gourmet kitchen and flexible entertaining spaces. A family room/media room opens to the alfresco dining room with intertwined water and fire features, a BBQ grill, and a pizza oven. A striking peninsula terrace boasts a commanding view of the lap pool, which in turn offers sweeping vistas of the entire valley below.
Exterior decking on three levels of the home leaves plenty of room to entertain while guests can enjoy the views.

The primary suite takes full advantage of the property’s breathtaking views, with a bath which is elegantly appointed and luxury exemplified with two separate walk-in closets. Retractable sliding glass walls in the living room, family room and the downstairs game room open the home and fill each room with an ethereal quality where inhabitants feel like they can step out onto the vistas surrounding them.

Designed to provide all the essentials while including touches expected only at luxury resorts, the home is brimming with features. Modern functionality matches elegance in every room including an exercise room with its own gorgeous views. More touches of modernity include the garage which is pre-wired for an electric vehicle, and the Control 4 Smart Home System. When night comes four gas fireplaces light up the inside to match the nightlights of the surrounding valley.

“This property is extremely rare in this ultra-luxury Paradise Valley market,” said Cionne McCarthy, listing agent for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, “The current owners have developed several world-class resorts and honed them to a size that features only the most essential rooms and accentuates all the amenities expected by buyers today. It also possesses the perfect private location on revered Mummy Mountain, yet is only minutes from the most concentrated area for luxury hotels, restaurants, and shopping.”

Positioned atop the mountains in Hassayampa Prescott, this 8,639-square-foot estate is the lap of luxury, every window offering breathtaking views, and every room exuding comfort through elegant design.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, the company with a 77-year legacy of listing and selling the state’s most luxurious and coveted homes continues that tradition with Hassayampa Masterpiece, the star of its gallery of Prescott homes.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce 2162 Forest Mountain RD., also called Hassayampa Masterpiece in Prescott, Arizona is now listed for sale at $4,995,000 by Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Agents Linda Wood, Chris Wood, and Jill Anderson.

The epitome of refined living, Hassayampa Masterpiece is nestled within the exclusive Hassayampa gated community. Just 2.7 miles from the historic heart of Prescott, this residence showcases breathtaking panoramic views spanning over 100 miles. The breathtaking views are accented by the home’s extraordinary design. Majestic wooden beams and natural stone accents contribute to the masterpieces’ views, while five fireplaces and a private bowling alley elevate the allure of this distinguished home.

Owners can entertain in style in the gourmet kitchen, featuring an expansive island, or unwind in the elegant living room and custom bar, all while enjoying unobstructed views. The deck, equipped with a heated spa and swimming pool, provides a serene retreat overlooking the picturesque surroundings.

The convenient elevator allows quick travel throughout the expansive home. While the seven-car garage ensures there is plenty of room for guests, and a billiard room stands ready for entertainment. Six ensuite bedrooms offer privacy and comfort, while the lower level boasts a full kitchen and a great room, perfect for hosting gatherings. Outside a fenced yard adorned with lush native foliage and a turf putting green enhance the property’s overall appeal. Beneath it all, Geothermal heating and cooling, coupled with a backup generator, ensure year-round comfort and peace of mind.

The expansive views of mountains engulf the Masterpiece, from the large deck to the expansive yard. Inside or outside the home, and any time of the day or night the home lives up to its name.

“Breathtaking views, the property decadently draped in natural beauty and perfectly positioned in Prescott, this one-of-a-kind estate takes luxury to a new level,” said Jill Anderson, listing agent for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. “At the $4.9 million asking price this elegant estate is one of the most noteworthy homes in terms of amenities and luxury.”

Of course, none of these luxurious amenities compare to the perfect location of this home. The prestigious Hassayampa gated community has much to offer. Beautiful bike and walking paths, a community pool, fitness facility, and clubhouse compliment the luxurious home.

“With more than 8600-square-feet, Forest Mountain Estate is an exquisite mountain home with every amenity the modern homeowner would want. It is one of the most spectacular custom homes ever built in the Prescott luxury home market and the amenities will please even the most discerning buyer,” said Linda Wood, listing agent for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Arts and Culture Party of The Year Returns for Its 11th Year

As the highlight of Art Detour’s month-long celebration, an impactful event in support of a growing Arizona arts scene, the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala returns on Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at Phoenix Art Museum.

That night, Artlink – the non-profit that developed Downtown Phoenix’s First Fridays and now connecting artists and organizations throughout the Valley and state – will be recognizing four arts leaders at this year’s gala: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Owner of Bentley Gallery Bentley Calverley, Associate Vice President at Arizona State University Rick Naimark and Honorary Commander Doris Ong.

“Through its dedication to fostering creativity and artistic exchange, Artlink serves as a conduit that connects artists with both businesses and audiences and helps transform our streets into living galleries,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Artlink’s work not only enriches our cultural landscape
but also reinforces Phoenix’s identity as an arts city. I’m proud to continue supporting their mission and am humbled to be an honoree this year.”

Mayor Gallego has long been a champion of the arts and since taking office has been dubbed as the “Arts Mayor.” She is a rising star in national political circles who speaks fluently to the importance of supporting arts and culture, and recently celebrated the Phoenix voter approved General Obligation (GO) Bond election, which allocated $50 million for arts and culture infrastructure projects.

The theme for the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala is: P A N O R A M A, celebrating the 360 view that Arizona’s creative community brings to a colorful life. From the stunning visual displays to the exhilarating performances and the culinary delights, guests will be enveloped in the expanse of art in motion and celebrate those who contribute to Arizona’s creativity, community and economy.

“It is indeed an honor to be recognized by Artlink in this 40th anniversary year of Bentley Gallery. It has been a privilege to be a tiny, tiny part of its growth into such an integral part of the art, city, and business communities,” said Honoree Bentley Calverley, owner of Bentley Gallery, Inc. “It’s not just their total commitment to local artists but their willingness to bang on the doors of businesses to encourage them to support the arts that makes Artlink such a beloved organization.”

When Bentley Calverley moved Bentley Gallery from Scottsdale to its Bentley Projects warehouse space in 2012, the move raised the profile of the Phoenix gallery scene and inspired further investment in the surrounding Phoenix Warehouse District. She has since moved the gallery to the Evans Churchill Neighborhood/Roosevelt Row arts district, reinforcing the art presence that enhances and re-energizes the area’s valued arts history. She is a former Artlink board member, and provided a gala venue for three years, helping strengthen the organization at a critical time.

“I am truly humbled to receive this honor by Artlink. Community and access to the arts is vital because I believe art is transformative and brings joy! And I want to share this with everyone,” said Honorary Commander Doris Ong. “My mentors have always inspired me to take leadership roles that can help make positive change, including at the Phoenix Art Museum, The Phoenix Symphony, as an inductee in the Honorary Commander program at Luke Air Force Base and the 2018 Fighter Country Partnership Civilian Volunteer of The Year 56th Fighter Wing.”

Doris Ong is a photographer and painter and is one of the strongest supporters of the arts community, including her service on the Phoenix Art Museum Board of Trustees and the Phoenix Symphony Board of Directors. Her vision aligns with Artlink’s mission and encourages connection between organizations, artists and the community.

A former City of Phoenix Deputy City Manager, Rick Naimark currently serves as ASU Associate Vice President for Program Development Planning. His community development leadership and expertise help ASU both build and connect with communities. He is a former Artlink Board Chair who significantly supported the organization’s growth, and continues to support several nonprofits including Hance Park Conservancy, The Arizona Jewish Historical Society and many more. A painter, piano player, and a regular attendee of nearly every downtown Phoenix neighborhood and community meeting; he is a true renaissance man.

“As a former Board Chair of Artlink and a Board Member for many years, it has been an absolute pleasure to build on Artlink’s history and lead its growth and evolution as the premiere network to serve local artists and connect them with one another and the broader community,” said Honoree and Associate Vice President at Arizona State University Rick Naimark. “As a visual artist and musician, Artlink has helped me find new ways to grow my artistic self and use my creative works to benefit other artists and the community as a whole. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back in this way and to be recognized for it.”

All four honorees will be recognized at the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala, chaired by Chris Camacho, the President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. who believes a flourishing arts community is also great for Arizona’s economic development.

“Art d’Core brings together and celebrates those who actively, purposefully and powerfully contribute to and participate in Arizona’s creative culture, as spectacularly demonstrated by each of this year’s Honorees,” said Catrina Kahler, Artlink President & CEO. “Their leadership combined with an extremely talented and innovative arts and culture community continues to inspire us all.”

Featured visual and performing artists include members of the Artlink Artist Council paired with collaborators selected via an open call to artists: Kenaim Al-Shatti & Chiung Fang Chang, Laura Spalding Best & Heidi Dauphin, Ruby Farias & Janel Garza, Magda Gluszek & Christine Golden, Liliana Gomez & Leonor Aispuro, Abbey Messmer & Craig Randich, Nicole Lyn Olson & Tara Sharpe, Rembrandt Quiballo & Regan Henley, and Patricia Sannit & Sam Arrow.

Culinary creations will be served by chefs Adam Allison of Handle Bar Diner and Tortoise & Hare, Tom Baumbach of Tom & Lin Catering, Devan Cunningham of CC’s on Central, Micki Hudsen of Kaizen, Stephen Jones of The Larder + The Delta, Brent Kille of Sonoran Pasta Bar, Jeff Kraus of Crepe Bar and Tortoise & Hare, Dom Ruggiero of Hush Public House and Fire at Will, and Gregory Wiener of elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain.

Exceptional artistry will also swirl in the glass as Artlink is joining forces with the Arizona Wine Growers Association to present award-winning wines and to announce the winner of this year’s Governor’s Cup.

The suggested Art d’Core attire is for a progressive arts experience where shimmering cocktails meet hip & chic. Tickets start at $150 (with special pricing for Artlink Articipants) and are now on sale and can be purchased here: artlinkphx.org/gala2024.

In addition to the Gala, the Art Detour event schedule offers art patrons, collectors and art lovers a broad range of ways in which to engage with artists and destinations throughout the state, in partnership with Arizona Commission on the Arts, City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Valley Metro, Downtown Phoenix Inc., Park Central, Phoenix Art Museum, FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel, SRP, The Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Suns, Baker Development, Stella Artois, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and more to come.

For more information on Art Detour, please visit artdetour.com. To sign up for updates and for more information about Artlink, please visit artlinkphx.org, or connect via social media on FacebookTwitterInstagram and YouTube.

Known For Its Dedication to Helping Business Owners Grow — Cardone Ventures Sponsors Local Scottsdale Police Foundations Initiatives To Support Local Officers

Cardone Ventures, the Scottsdale-based company that teaches business owners how to grow and scale their businesses with a 360-degree approach, announces a significant charitable contribution and sponsorship of The Scottsdale Police Foundation. The $150,000 donation comes from Cardone Ventures on behalf of owners Brandon and Natalie Dawson and Grant and Elena Cardone who express their solidarity with the Scottdale Polices Foundations mission to support the local Scottsdale Police Department.

“The Scottsdale Police Foundation is vital in providing Scottsdale police officers and the Scottsdale Police Department with many of the tools they need to ensure public safety.  As Valley residents and Scottsdale business owners we are proud be able to support our local department and all its officers,” said Cardone Ventures CEO and Co-Founder Brandon Dawson.

Local organizations like the Scottsdale Police Foundation fill the gap left between police departments’ budgets and needs, relying on local individuals and businesses like Cardone Ventures to support programs that would otherwise go unfunded. Donations fund not only life-saving tools for local officers but also support training, community, development, wellness and educational programs.

“We’re extremely grateful for this generous donation from Cardone Ventures,” said Scottsdale Police Foundation’s Founder Debbie Steinhauer, “This donation will allow us to purchase replacement helmets and vests for our SWAT teams, ballistic windshields for vehicles, hearing protection and more tools to protect our officers and help them perform their duties.”

Other items the donation will fund include new service rifles, tactical equipment and patrol jackets for officers. Replacing dated tools and improving the equipment for the departments officers and civilian employees is an import goal for the foundation, as it improves officer safety.

Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther expressed his thanks for the donation as well. “I am truly grateful for the incredible generosity of Brandon and Natalie Dawson of Cardone Ventures. Their support for public safety in Scottsdale truly makes a difference in the overall effectiveness of our mission and our ability to help keep our community one of the safest in the nation.  They have our heartfelt thanks!”

With a vision to create one million 10X businesses, Cardone Ventures has helped business owners take a 360-degree perspective, including operations, marketing, finance, and people to take their buisness to the next level. Founded in 2019, Cardone Ventures attributes its rapid growth and expansion to its values of hard work, persistance and education. .

Based out of the The future development of a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot corporate training facility at Scottsdale’s Promenade is just another testament to their investment in the Scottsdale area alongside their growing employee base.

For more information about Cardone Ventures or its 10X companies visit www.CardoneVentures.com.

For more information about the Scottsdale Police Foundation and its mission visit https://scottsdalepolicefoundation.org/.

Featured Editorials


As you likely know, the presidential preference primaries happened last week. Yes, there are no real cliffhangers regarding the results; Donald Trump won on the Republican side and Joe Biden won on the Democrat side. But even while the high-level results were not a surprise, that’s not to say that there weren’t any tea leaves to read from the results.

At the time of writing, there are still votes to be counted, as to be expected, but a couple general themes show up. First, there is a reason to be cautious about Trump’s ability to coalesce the Republican base. He pulled in 79% of the vote, which obviously is a resounding victory, but considering that he is the only current candidate (with Nikki Haley having withdrawn), that is a slight reason for concern.

Haley received over 110,000 votes, which is more than enough to sway any relatively tight statewide election in Arizona. How many of those are “Never Trumpers”, it’s impossible to tell, but it’s not unreasonable to think that a good number of them are.

On the Democrat side, Biden pulled in nearly 90% of the vote; no huge surprise as his only “serious” opposition was Marianne Williamson, who earned about 16,000 votes. There was no strong “anyone but Biden” option on the left; a testament to the ability of the DNC to coalesce around those currently in power and push out anyone who might usurp it. However, this strength may be their biggest weakness this year, as many believe that a younger candidate would have a better chance of taking on Trump.

Probably the most damning aspect of the uphill battle that Democrats face however is seen in the raw vote total. At the time of writing, Biden has earned around 374,000 votes, while Trump has earned around 490,000. With both races having similar uncompetitive dynamics, Republicans flexed their voter registration advantage and faithful voting practices. As referenced before regarding Nikki Haley, 116,000 votes is a huge difference for a tight statewide race.

So again, as it often does in this state, it comes down to the biggest party in the state: those who choose no party…registered Independents. They can certainly overcome this deficit and push Biden to victory like they did in 2020, but after everything they’ve seen from the first four years, will they? It’s a fool’s errand to predict so far out, but at this point, it’s not looking probable.

Photo Credit: Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic

As the saying goes, the faster the rise the bigger the fall. And while the rise of Jevin Hodge as an Arizonan political figure wasn’t necessarily fast in the political sense, he is a 30-year old who managed to get the attention of much of the local Democratic establishment by a young age. Now the attention he has is of a negative variety.

For those who are unaware, Hodge had worked his way up the Democratic political establishment to become a party-supported candidate, first running for the Board of Supervisors and losing by a razor-thin margin in 2020, then running against David Schweikert for the U.S. Congress and losing by a tight margin. He parlayed his charisma and non-offensive, largely bland policy positions into an appointment to the Arizona legislature.

And just like that, his past came roaring back; where he was booted out of and banned from the George Washington college campus after sexual improprieties came to light. You can read the details for yourself, but suffice it to say that they flew directly in the face of his squeaky-clean public image, as did his attempt to sue the victim for daring to besmirch his reputation by speaking the truth. That simply will not fly in today’s Democratic party; if it was something decades in the past, perhaps it would be more forgivable, but four years after these events he was running for office.

Democrats should have listened to us. Less than two years ago we wrote, “He is known for having ingratiated himself as much as possible to DC interests, and his fundraising of north of $715K (and CoH north of $270K) demonstrate a degree of success there. His attempted past as a motivational speaker as someone in their early 20’s and resume bolstering as a head of a non-profit are not the makings of a legitimate, serious person however, not for a district full of true professionals and accomplished individuals. He has an honorary degree at Fake It Til You Make It University, and will likely win public office at some point if he keeps trying (see also: Rodney Glassman), but it’s tough to see this being that instance.”

The writing was on the wall. Serious people don’t throw their hat in the ring for three very different political seats in three years. You know who does that? Egomaniacs who are obsessed with power and glory. Serious people in their late 20’s understand that they have a ways to go before they’re in a position to be effective leaders in society. You know who doesn’t? Narcissists. And you know who fancies themselves motivational speakers in their early 20’s? Egomaniacal narcissists to an incredible degree. And it’s shocking that so few people apparently saw through this.

This is a good time for reflection. Democrats have been chasing the charisma of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama over experience and effectiveness for too long. We deserve people with practical leadership experience, good judgment, and enough years lived to have perspective, not a ring chaser. Those are the leaders we need, not good speech-givers.

Photo Credit: AZCentral.com

Five years ago, fentanyl was still on the relative fringes of society. Stories of this end-of-life painkiller being abused existed, but it hadn’t yet exploded into the national consciousness. And then Covid hit, and the entire world dealt with isolation and emotional health issues in various ways. This combined with a massive increase of production and importation created the perfect storm for the second pandemic: fentanyl addiction.

While anyone who has spent time in west coast downtown areas recently has likely seen, the problem is not evenly distributed, and Arizona has been spared the worst of it. That is, until now, as the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is ringing the alarm bells and announcing a 5,000% increase in deaths from the drug over the last decade.

It should be noted that percentage increases can be unreliable measures in some capacity; after all, if the starting number is small the ending number may still not be huge. And deaths from fentanyl a decade ago were nearly non-existent. But how do we stack up?

For starters, precise statistics are notoriously difficult to gather. The CDC has rankings of overall overdose deaths by state, but it lumps all drugs together and the most recent year with full data is 2021, where we rank 17th (1st is the most overdoses). A fentanyl-focused group, Families Against Fentanyl, has done some heavy lifting regarding pouring through the specifics. Their research puts Arizona slightly below the national average when it comes to the increase in fentanyl deaths compared to the national average. Seen through this prism, County Attorney Mitchell’s alarm is in sync with a national alarm, signifying that this is a nationwide problem.

Regardless of how we stack against other states and regions, one thing is clear: fentanyl is perhaps the single most destructive drug of our lifetimes. It’s only saving grace, that it is so cheap that it does not necessitate committing crimes to fuel an addiction like heroin or meth has, is also one of its most destructive elements, that it’s accessible and cheap.

So how do we fix this crisis? There are no easy answers: solving the border crisis will help, but traffickers will be creative when there is money to be made. Increasing treatment options and compelling treatment is important. And draconian consequences for anyone selling it may help thwart supply. But much of the onus falls on parents, to do everything in their power to ensure that their children understand the death sentence that is fentanyl.

The Scottsdale Unified School District has had a good run recently. From largely avoiding the controversies that befell it a few years back to operating schools at levels that are gaining national recognition (read our full coverage here), it has been relatively smooth sailing recently…until now. A recent story potentially demonstrates an unforced error and a significant bump in the road, but a more cynical look implies that perhaps it may be subterfuge from within.

A local attorney recently filed suit alleging that SUSD violated open meeting laws by not putting the details of a retreat onto the public record. This same attorney brought suit over violations of open meeting laws several years ago: the rule that whenever there are official meetings, the agenda must be made public. That lawsuit was successful: AG Kris Mayes agreed with the merits of the suit.

This particular instance doesn’t pertain to a regular meeting, but instead a retreat. While there did seem to be education-related workshops to it, it does not seem to have been focused around official district happenings; where the line is drawn insofar as open meetings law is probably not so precisely settled, so one could see both sides: why it wouldn’t be necessary and why it would be prudent.

However, the notable aspect is the two members who spoke up about these omissions: newcomers, staunch conservatives and sometimes bomb-thrower board members Amy Carney and Carine Werner. These two had shown sometimes embarrassingly little understanding of the rules of the board, and so to have them now taking the lead on a potential procedural mistake seems a bit…odd.

Also notable is that the same attorney filed suit during open meeting violations at the height of Covid-era insanity, a time when both Carney and Werner cut their teeth as activists that were heavily critical of SUSD. Is it possible that they prompted that attorney to file suit originally and are now doing the same now? Is it possible that he is their tool to attempt to demonstrate dysfunction at SUSD for their own benefit? It’s tough to believe that the agenda of a retreat is vital information for the public, even if it does violate the letter of the law, but it does make for good talking points and an opportunity to look like heroes.

All of this is entirely speculation and may have no relation whatsoever. But it seems odd that the people who had no issues throwing bombs and ignoring procedure are now so very concerned about procedure when it allows them the opportunity to stand out positively. It makes you wonder.

By Ronald Sampson

DEI, or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has been one of the biggest buzzwords in America for the last few years. It has gone from a vague talking point amongst political progressives to a fundamental credo in much of corporate America in the last decade. Generally speaking, it is the pursuit of diversity in your workforce and groups, equity of outcomes, and inclusion of all marginalized communities.

To the political left, it is a vital aspect of the prism through which they see society. To the political right, it is a symptom of political correctness run amok. To the head of HR at your company, it is either something they strongly believe in or boxes they feel they need to check.

Generally, it is seen as more of a tangential aspect of corporate America, but a new op-ed in The Hill brings up some disturbing news related to DEI and the CHIPS Act, one of President Biden’s hallmark pieces of legislation. In essence, it says that stringent DEI requirements tucked into the CHIPS Act is having major multinational companies reconsider their planned expansions in America and is truly imperiling its potential efficacy.

Noted in the op-ed is that TSMC, the major semiconductor producer that has made major plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in Arizona to increase its production footprint here, is rethinking those plans. The Taiwanese company had planned on bringing over 500 specialists from Taiwan to help create their chips here, but that may not happen now due to requirements for added diversity and inclusion of traditionally marginalized groups in its hiring.

In this particular case, these 3- and 4-nanometer chips are the most high tech in the world, and that research is currently taking place in Taiwan. It is completely logical that they would want to bring their own people to make them here; they are the ones who have the expertise. These are an order of magnitude more complex than what Intel is doing in their Chandler fabrication plant. It is highly specialized to a degree that we have yet to tackle here in the States.

Yes, having a diverse workforce is a noble and positive goal. Yes, it does create a better, more balanced environment that can better relate to a diverse world. But we are not talking about making widgets, or customer service, or hospitality. This is a discipline that only a tiny number of people in the world understand. This noble goal is now not just getting in the way of pragmatism, it’s getting in the way of national security.

The FAA got a lot of heat for the patent absurdity and recklessness of pushing the hiring of people with “severe intellectual disabilities”, and for good reason. But this shouldn’t be ignored, as the ramifications will be especially far-reaching for Arizona’s future. The federal government should strip these requirements immediately. The stakes are too high.

The Cactus League gives us all a chance to get out in the sun before it gets too warm, to have a few brews and check out some baseball with friends and family. Every once in a while it also offers a few surprises, such as an opportunity to recognize a local icon and his contributions to the area.

The Cactus League recently announced new entrants to its Hall of Fame, and Don Carson made it in this year. The name might not immediately jump out at you, but you have probably had your life impacted by his accomplishments, especially if you have been in Scottsdale for a long time.

Carson came here from Chicago and quickly made a major imprint in the city. He soon opened up his famous trio of restaurants, the Pink Pony, Don and Charlie’s, and the Italian Grotto. While all three became mainstays for Cactus League tourists and Scottsdalians alike, it was Don and Charlie’s, which Carson purchased in 1981, that turned into one of the most iconic institutions in Scottsdale’s history.

Anyone who has been to Don and Charlie’s knows precisely why it is so intrinsically tied to baseball: because Carson is a huge baseball aficionado, and the walls were lined with memorabilia. It was in and of itself a bit of a baseball museum. It was so stuffed with baseball history that it became a target: sadly, thieves stole an estimated $600,000 in signed baseball from Major League Baseball’s biggest names in 2019, an event that the restaurant never seemed to truly rebound from.

The same year, Don and Charlie’s closed up shop for good, and Carson sold the land. The building has since been repurposed into a boutique hotel, exemplifying both the beautiful ghosts of Scottsdale’s past as well as the constant need for that which is fresh and new.

Carson remains active in Scottsdale life, and is currently a member of the Scottsdale Charros. And even though the restaurant is gone, Carson’s dedication and passion for the game, as well as providing a venue that was beloved by players, coaches, fans and media alike, is finally properly recognized and very well deserved.

This is a place where free speech and public debate are welcomed and encouraged. The Speakers’ Corner originated in the mid-19th century at London’s Hyde Park. The concept spread worldwide both physically and now virtually. Here at the Arizona Progress & Gazette, we are presenting this platform in the form of question-and-answer style interviews with people who have had a meaningful impact on the community.

Anna Thomasson has been serving on the Paradise Valley Town Council since 2019. She recently announced she is running for Mayor. She moved to Paradise valley in 1994 and married her husband Gary in 2002. Most of her 35-year business career has been spent as a principal with global consultancy and pension actuarial firm, Towers Perrin/Towers Watson serving Fortune 500 companies. Thomasson is a public member of the Arizona Supreme Court Judicial Council and previously served seven years as a public member of the Arizona State Bar Board of Governors. Anna and her husband Gary also volunteer their time raising German shepherd guide dogs for the blind.

You have lived in Paradise Valley for nearly 30 years. What, in your opinion, is its most positive change in the past three decades?

Thanks to the foresight and hard work of past mayors and councils, the Town is in great financial condition, and we have made appropriate investments in our infrastructure, technology, and public safety. We have retired almost all municipal debt, fully funded our police pension fund, and built a healthy cash reserve.  We have continued to improve the quality of our Town staff and improved many services to our residents. Thanks also to many Town volunteers, we established the Paradise Mountain Preserve Trust that helped gather 260 acres for conservation, preserving our iconic mountains.

What change causes you the most concern?

As people from around the country discover our unique Paradise Valley, the financial pressure on our land, views and open spaces increases. We know our residents cherish those qualities that make us special, and I fight every day to make sure we stay compliant with our codes and ordinances while respecting property owners’ rights.  There is only one Paradise Valley, and we have to keep it Paradise Valley.

What prompted you to run for Mayor?

I was inspired by Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner and past mayors to continue the tradition of hard work and service to our Town. For 30 years, including seven years of volunteer service on the Board of Adjustment and Town Council, Paradise Valley has been my home. Since retiring from the corporate world, I am now able to devote as much time as needed in service to the Town. It will be my first priority.

We have a beautiful, peaceful, and safe community and we need fresh, current energy leading us in the future to Keep Paradise Valley, Paradise Valley. I’m an experienced leader, working on current issues and I’m ready to serve as the next Mayor of Paradise Valley.

Your biography on the Town website describes you as “a militant fiscal conservative who is passionate about keeping the tranquil, residential environment that attracts so many to Paradise Valley.”
How do you define militant fiscal conservative?

In my personal and professional life, when it comes to spending, I often start with no and look for a solid ROI before getting to yes. Living in a wealthy community with a strong financial condition provides an easy temptation to spend money, but I know the reason we are in a good financial condition is because past councils were very careful with Town spending and made careful investments. As Mayor I would make leaving the Town in an even healthier financial condition a priority. I believe people and organizations should be financially responsible for themselves while making thoughtful, appropriate investments for the future.

What is the most effective way to preserve Paradise Valley’s tranquil, residential environment?

Electing leaders who truly love the Town and understand our values is central to preserving our environment. Our elected officials should also have the time and skills to work with each other, our staff, our Planning Commission and our legislators to manage the threats to our quiet, residential lifestyle. As a current councilmember and retired business leader with plenty of time and passion, I know I have the experience and current knowledge to keep our Town special.

Given your business background, how would you grade the Town government’s fiscal health and why?

Excellent. Our police pension is among the highest funded police pension plans in the state, funded at over 90% and we also have very little debt left on our courthouse building. Most notably, we have over 3 years of annual operating expenses in our reserve fund, allowing us to weather financial challenges like a pandemic decimating 40% of our tourism revenue stream, a state legislative change in construction sales tax revenue, or elimination of our efficient photo enforcement tools. Our Chicago-based municipal bond consultant said he wanted to move to PV for our financial condition alone!


What motivated you to volunteer so much of your time with the Arizona State Bar?
Read More

This is a place where free speech and public debate are welcomed and encouraged. The Speakers’ Corner originated in the mid-19th century at London’s Hyde Park. The concept spread worldwide both physically and now virtually. Here at the Arizona Progress & Gazette, we are presenting this platform in the form of question-and-answer style interviews with people who have had a meaningful impact on the community.

Carla, (who goes by one name) was one of the first Scottsdale residents to envision the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. She has worked tirelessly since 1991 to make it a reality and continues to be a fervent advocate. Carla is now helping a campaign to replace, at a reduced rate, the sales tax that funded the Preserve to maintain the Preserve, assist police and fire, improve existing parks, and much more citywide.

How did a woman from South Scottsdale come to be so passionate about saving mountains in the north?

Mom was a scientist who didn’t allow us a TV when we were young. Instead we had walls of books and the great outdoors to explore. We’d catch rides up north to the McDowells or out to the river. In summer Mom would pile us into the VW bus and drive across the country visiting National Parks and beautiful, interesting places  – camping along the way. Appreciation of Nature was always part of our lives. Watching the Sonoran Desert get bulldozed and the Boulders fenced off for private development was heart wrenching. So when the McDowells were threatened some of us decided that we’d be damned if we gave them up without a fight.

Scottsdale has always been a beautiful city. Why does it need the Preserve? How does it benefit from the Preserve?

Imagine if all the Preserve land had been developed into a huge new city center up north. If we think South Scottsdale has issues now think of how hard it would be to compete with the need for services there. Think of what would happen to our tourism industry if we killed all the beauty that makes Scottsdale special. So there’s that. Most importantly is what protecting this natural treasure gives to our quality of life. An urban escape. An outdoor adventure playground. A living classroom. A reminder of where we came from and our obligation to future generations.


What still needs to be done to maintain and protect the Preserve? Why are more funds needed?

The Preserve is a living thing that must not be overused or neglected. Wildlife habitat protection is foremost, including wildland fire fuel management and invasive plants control – since a destructive fire is the greatest fear. A regularly updated Ecological Resources Plan for the Preserve which includes natural resources studies and projects and restoration of disturbed lands will help guide proper management. Cultural resources must also be protected and managed appropriately. All the Preserve trailheads have been built and most of the trails plan completed. Some of the older trailheads need to be updated using lessons learned – think more shade. Trails need regular upkeep to maintain safety. A dedicated funding source that does not have to be fought for yearly in the General Fund will provide the ongoing care the Preserve needs in  order to stay sustainable. This is not just for our enjoyment but for the benefit of all future generations. Our Proposition will provide that secure funding without raising taxes.

What other parks in the city need additional resources and why?

All the parks in South Scottsdale need reinvestment – especially ones in the Indian Bend Wash – they need it badly. I grew up using El Dorado Park and I see things there that haven’t been fixed for decades. Every park in Scottsdale needs regular maintenance and an increased staff presence  – which they are not getting now. In the South especially we are sharing our parks with the homeless. The dedicated Police Rangers Unit in our Proposition will help with outreach and increase residents’ sense of security.

How important is open space for the city and its residents?

Open space, be it the parks or the Preserve, bring areas of light which remind us Nature is still here. It helps lessen air pollution and provides opportunities for exercise and socialization. It contributes positively to our economy and property values. And open space provides much needed respite from the pressures of urban life. In short it is  a critical part of each resident’s quality of life.

How much support is there for a tax replacement at a reduced rate to fund parks and the Preserve?

Strong. Citywide. The vast majority of residents understand how much our parks and our Preserve give to their lives. And how important it is to maintain the quality and safety of these open spaces. This Proposition, in conjunction with the proposed Scottsdale Permanent Base Adjustment, should be viewed as a package deal. Passing both will allow citizens to raise their quality of life without raising their taxes.

How have you enjoyed your time on the task force looking to extend and repurpose the tax that you fought so hard for 30 years ago?

It’s been a mixture of hard work, entertainment and frustration. But a group of thoughtful citizens were working towards something good for our community and that makes it all worthwhile.

How did you come by being identified as only Carla? Did you ever have a last name?

I was born a Woodall. But when getting divorced eons ago, as my own personal “Declaration of Independence” I legally changed it. For decades I had just one name  – until it became a problem with hospital computers. So I went back to court and became Carla Carla. But please, just call me Carla.

Aside from the Preserve, where is your favorite place to hang out in Scottsdale?

My front porch in Peaceful Valley. Listening to music and hanging with my porch cat Fnuts. Talking with my neighbors as they walk by. People and dog watching on the Indian Bend Wash path my house faces. And in the spring enjoying my wild African Daisies that have spread to neighbors’ yards and all along the street berm. It’s a riot of color and they make people smile.

As political commentators and pundits, we love a good spicy topic. There’s nothing like contention to bring in scores of people to otherwise sleepy city council meetings, to give impassioned speeches (or screeds), to beg, plea, shame and perform histrionic incantations to their leaders to attempt to get them on their side. It’s truly entertaining.

Those of us in Scottsdale have very few things to legitimately complain about; that’s why we’re so desirable, being pretty much at the top of the municipal version of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. But every once in a while, the perfect storm arises…a minor issue with manages to inflame groups on both sides who otherwise don’t have much to battle about.

Enter “road diets”.

A “road diet” is, generally speaking, the condensing down of car traffic lanes in order to produce extra space for biking or walking. It was a hot-button issue last year, but at the moment, road diets are dead in Scottsdale.

While initially getting majority support in city council and ostensibly being something that recreational enthusiasts would appreciate, it quickly hit the buzzsaw of reality in Arizona: that this is a driving state, and impediment to the ability to drive is tantamount to infringing on 2nd amendment rights, and pushback was stiff. The cohort that is resistant to change is a strong one here (as it is for any area with a lot of retirees).

And just like that, political candidates and consultants alike are making mild adjustments to their election plans. Had this passed, it would have provided a foot in the door to take on the incumbents who supported it; now that ammunition is mostly dead. That’s not to say that one couldn’t make a point of mentioning that four out of seven members of the dais did originally vote in favor of it, the fact that it’s dead makes that attack angle less consequential.

While it is a relatively inconsequential subject, that alone is a positive thing. After all, many other cities have much more pressing issues to deal with, serious problems that demand the attention and best efforts of leadership. The fact that this is even an issue that we’re talking about is a good thing, because there’s not much scandal or chaos to cover.

By Councilmember Scott Moore

Dear Fellow Paradise Valley Resident:

As your former Vice Mayor and current Paradise Valley Town Council member, I’m excited to be running for re-election in the July 30 election — you can expect your mail-in ballot to arrive around July 4.

I am an Arizona native, and settled in Paradise Valley more than 15 years ago to raise my family. As both an elected and appointed Town official, I have worked tirelessly to preserve Paradise Valley’s unique and beloved character by collaborating with my fellow colleagues and state legislators to protect the quality of life and high standards that are important to Paradise Valley residents.

My Town experience includes serving as an unpaid volunteer for over 10 years, beginning as a member of the Board of Adjustments, and later serving on the Planning Commission, and as the Town’s Vice Mayor.

To maintain our quality of life it is important to have strong, steady, knowledgeable, and effective leadership. Competence in the full scope of Town business, including all aspects of legal requirements within meetings, proposed projects, and Town efforts, is paramount for top results.  I have worked hard to listen and learn, and to utilize my skills to benefit our citizens while always prioritizing the highest professionalism and respect for others.

I am proud to be endorsed by many current and past elected officials – including our current Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner, former Mayors Scott LeMarr and Ed Winkler, former Vice Mayors and Council members, members of our Boards and Commissions, and residents who have endorsed my campaign for re-election.

I cherish our Town’s values and support our police officers and first responders. And I’m opposed to any local property tax. My passion for Paradise Valley’s low density residential character, and the example set by others before him, are what guide my priorities.

I have an open-door policy with residents and thank all those who have reached out to me. I welcome the opportunity to continue hearing from all of you about any issue that may be affecting your quality of life in Paradise Valley. Please feel free to contact me at scott@scottmooreaz.com.

I look forward to continuing my service to the Town on your behalf.

Yours very truly,

Councilmember Scott Moore

Photo Credit: Sivan Veazie

We love to tout Scottsdale on this blog, and there are many reasons why. We don’t have to tell you the reasons why it is such a popular national (and sometimes international) vacation destination. It has also become a burgeoning hotspot for jobs as well. And while we don’t often tout our educational system as one of the reasons why our city is world-class, others seem to be noticing.

In a recent survey of 3,000 people related to desirability of school districts, Scottsdale Unified School District made the top 10 in the nation of “most envied” school districts, sitting at number 10 out of 250 school districts.

According to Test Prep which conducted the survey, “Chaparral High is celebrated for its high academic achievements, comprehensive AP curriculum, and outstanding extracurricular programs. The school’s success is supported by a well-engaged community in Scottsdale. Known for its strong academic program, including an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Desert Mountain also boasts a vibrant arts scene and competitive sports.”

For the sake of being objective and balanced, this survey is the height of subjectivity. Unlike various surveys that rank Scottsdale highly nationally for a number of different concrete metrics, or at least relatively subjective but stated metrics, this doesn’t seem to have any hard metrics as much as how people feel. That said, the reasons they list are not at all incorrect, so while not scientific by nature, we also can’t deny it.

To balance out this ranking with something more concrete, we checked out niche.com, that helps parents find the right schools for their children. Overall, they rank SUSD as an A, with academics, activities and college prep earning an A rating, and the lowest ranking for administration at a B. They consider it the 4th best school district in Arizona, and out of 109 rankings from parents within the district, over 80% rank it as above average or excellent.

While the Scottsdale Unified School District has come under fire in some ways, some a result of Covid-era antics and inflamed passions and some mistakes by leadership, it is good to keep things in context. While imperfect, they’ve helped set a standard not just in our state but also nationally. So while being engaged and airing legitimate grievances is healthy and good for us, it’s important to keep in mind that things are still quite good. Let’s not lose the forest for the trees.

Political pundits not only here but across the country were salivating at the thought: a truly competitive three-way race for a US Senate race, one where the incumbent was actually polling in third place. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and in this case it did so before it truly got off the ground, as Senator Krysten Sinema announced that she will not be running for re-election.

It has been a favored issue here, pontificating on her political future. We asked the question of whether or not she actually would run again, given that she could easily step into a lobbying gig worth seven figures a year. But recent issues with Kari Lake had opened the door for Sinema to pull some Republican votes and capitalize off of the chaos surrounding the presumed Republican candidate. There was a possible lane there.

First, why did she decide this? We obviously cannot peer into the heart of the Senator. She did claim that increasing partisan rancor was the reason why, but she spent most of her time capitalizing off of this fact and leveraging it as one of the few swing votes, so it’s difficult to believe that this is the real reason.

That said, partisanship by the voting base likely played a role in electability, as Republicans and Democrats are more likely to come out to vote than those without party affiliation, and are most likely to vote for their own candidate. Unless voters are supremely unhappy with their voting options, it simply doesn’t allow for a strong pathway, and while the jury is still out with Kari Lake, there is no indication that Democrats are unhappy with Ruben Gallego.

So now, the political calculus gets much easier. Lake vs Gallego, Republican vs Democrat. One has been fully vetted in the eyes of the state, one hasn’t. Gallego sits in an unusual position politically: bombastic, not afraid to go on the attack (probably a result of his former time as a Marine), and while not a member of the hard left (and has notably criticized the Biden administration for its policies on immigration) he does have a voting record that can and will be used against him. He also has a bit of a checkered personal history, with a divorce and a history of being a bit of a wildcat.

How much of the latter comes to the surface will be one wild card in this race. Other than that, the weapons of war will likely be rather predictable: charges of both candidates being extremists in their own ways, and tens of millions of dollars of attack ads. Gallego is distancing himself from an unpopular president, and Lake will try to pin him to that same unpopular president. Gallego will try to ingratiate himself with an electorate that largely doesn’t know him, and Lake will try to define him before he has the chance to define himself.

Photo Credit: mlb.com

Spring training baseball is an iconic part of Arizona. Every February to the end of March, people descend from around the country to escape winter and watch their favorite teams in a relaxed atmosphere, and us locals have ourselves a good reason to go see an inexpensive ballgame in beautiful weather. Even if we don’t care about the outcome, that’s not the point; it’s a ballgame in a wonderful setting with friends and family at a cost that doesn’t break the bank.

Except…now it is breaking the bank, as many people are noticing.

Stories have been circulating about the egregious prices of games these days, with single seats routinely above $30 per seat with fees, with concession costs matching the Big Leagues as opposed to being approachable and friendly, and costs for a family of four approaching hundreds of dollars for a game that precious few actually care about.

The great thing about Spring Training is that it was a venue to allow you to bring your family without it being a significant financial burden, or you going out with your friends and not having to see it as a substitute for a night out. It was affordable…now? Not so much.

Us regular folks have precious few avenues to make our grievances heard in a material way. Sure, we can complain about it on social media, send sternly worded letters, heckle the concessionaires (although you shouldn’t do the latter, they don’t set the prices). And we do believe in the greater good of capitalism and the free market. But the free market demands buyers along with sellers, and one of the few powers that the consumer has these days is banding together and saying that enough is enough.

Do you think that sounds like feel-good bull? Take a look at Bud Light and how badly their brand took a hit when it was clear that they were not listening to their target customer and went astray. They learned the hard way.

Let’s be real: the only way they will listen to you and I is if we hurt their bottom line. By saying that enough is enough and speaking with our wallets. Do you get as much enjoyment from Spring Training games as your spending? If you are like us and the answer is no, then the best response is to take your money elsewhere and tell them precisely why.

If they want our business, they should figure out how to win it back.

Our readers know the deal about Axon by now; it is threatening to take their ball (in this case, their headquarters) and go to a new home if it doesn’t get what it wants, in this case nearly 2,000 apartments plopped right into North Scottsdale. Perhaps you read our piece related to its more recent threats during its quarterly financial results call (read it here).

One aspect we didn’t bring up in that piece is just how well the company is doing financially. The stock jumped over 15% last week as the results of its most recent quarterly filing hit the markets, and it was a doozy. It brought in over $57 million in net income for Q4 2023 alone, a nearly 100% increase from the same quarter in 2022. The results were so unexpectedly good that its stock had the biggest single-day jump since 2020.

Now mind you, this is after it is in line to receive some $12 million from the taxpayers of Scottsdale in order to incentivize it to stay in 2020. And while using taxpayer funds to reward a company for doing business in your municipality is never ideal, it could be somewhat justified as Axon HAD been a good corporate neighbor; “had” being the operative word.

Only four years ago, it went hat-in-hand, and now it wants more and more accommodations. As a reminder, the parcel of land which it originally purchased from the Arizona State Land Department under the guise of it being used for additional office space; doing so allowed them to purchase it at a lower cost than if it had been purchased for residential uses from the start. Since the pandemic it has decided to do an about-face and switch the use for the parcel, likely saving a massive amount of money in the process.

Coming back to the $57 million in net income for the quarter…will it use that to pay down the original $12 million in taxpayer subsidies? Will it pay the state for the different in the value of the land for residential usage versus office space usage? Highly unlikely. Axon appears to be attempting to play the game of private gain and public risk, of the transfer of taxpayer dollars to its bottom line, and enough is enough.

Any corporation is going to do whatever it can to maximize shareholder value; that is their job as a publicly traded company. But leave the taxpayer out of it. Axon is making money hand over fist, it doesn’t need to be propped up by us, or subsidized further by changing the rules to allow for the biggest apartment project in Scottsdale history.

Councilwoman Caputi becomes first candidate to file in a crowded field with 30% more signatures than the minimum threshold. 

Yesterday, incumbent Scottsdale City Councilwoman Tammy Caputi filed nomination petitions with the Scottsdale City Clerk to officially place her name on the ballot for the Primary Election in July and the General Election in November. Caputi worked with her team of volunteers to exceed the minimum requirement, with no paid-circulation effort. Her early success and depth demonstrate the broad support for her reelection from local residents.

“I’m seeking re-election to the Scottsdale City Council to continue the great work that’s being done by this council,” commented Tammy Caputi. “Along with my colleagues, I’ve increased job creation by 10%, kept our budget in the black, fully funded public safety, and brought our tourism back to pre-pandemic levels. I will run as hard as I can to make sure we keep moving forward in a positive, balanced direction.”

Caputi will campaign on what she characterizes as Scottsdale’s “Winning Formula”: A strong, healthy economy that keeps property values and amenities high with property taxes low.

“I have been blessed to collaborate with a diverse group of colleagues, an amazing city staff, and so many caring and passionate residents and business owners,” said Caputi. “Together we have found common ground and accomplished so much already. The city will be facing many new challenges in the next few years, and we can neither stand by nor sit still if we want to maintain our excellence.”

Photo Credit: AZCentral.com

Two issues have taken a lot of real estate at the Arizona Progress & Gazette are water and industry. Usually they end up being separated because they are nuanced-enough subjects in their own right, but occasionally they merge, and in one particular case it spells out the massive potential challenges that await our state.

For those of you who use YouTube (which is the majority of every age group), you may be aware of the channel RealLifeLore. They have well over 7 million subscribers and specialize in long-form, detailed videos typically about geopolitics. When they cover a specific topic, you know it will be a very deep dive, and you know that you will learn a lot.

Thankfully, they recently graced us with a video about the Phoenix area. And regardless of how much you think you know about the area, you are certain to learn a lot. And in this case, what we learned was right at the intersection of water and commerce.

We have spoken about the massive investment into the area’s semiconductor industry, one that helps make us a national leader in the industry as well as a critical aspect of national security (here’s one piece). RealLifeLore makes a point of mentioning how incredibly water-intensive the semiconductor industry is; an extremely thirsty industry growing exponentially in a desert.

So how do we resolve this? Israeli corporation IDE Technologies has a solution: desalinization. They have helped flood Israel with desalinized water from the Mediterranean Sea, and recently they have proposed building a massive plant in the Sea of Cortez, in Mexico south of western Arizona, and then build a pipeline up to Maricopa County. It would be at a cost of $5 billion, but with unknown water bills payable to IDE, essentially putting their water security in the hands of a foreign corporation.

Additionally, building a pipeline over hundreds of miles and in two nations is absolutely certain to be a regulatory nightmare. Not online do both federal governments and both state governments need to be in agreement, but then there are environmental concerns. It would cross through the Organ Pipe National Park, and would also imperil sea life in the Sea of Cortez as water is extracted and salt put back into the sea.

Yes, becoming the center of the semiconductor universe, as Arizona is inching towards, is absolutely a great thing. But more semiconductors, more problems, and the potential solutions only bring up additional problems. 

Tax hikes and shoddy plastic sewer pipes are a real problem for Buckeye voters. That’s according to a poll conducted in late February by respected Arizona-based pollster Data Orbital, the most accurate state pollster during the 2020 election cycle.

The new poll, on behalf of Building Products Company shows residents are opposed to a property tax hike to pay for city infrastructure. Really opposed. Buckeye may put that question to the voters in November.  75% are opposed to the idea. About 62% are strongly opposed. 20% support the tax hike, with just 8% strongly supporting it.

Here is how the question was worded along with the responses.

The Buckeye City Council is planning to put a referendum on the November General Election ballot that would increase municipal property taxes to sell bonds intended to fund new public infrastructure in the community. If the general election were held today, would you support increasing property taxes or oppose increasing property taxes?

Total Support                20.1%
Strongly Support          8.0%
Somewhat Support      12.1%
Total Oppose                 75.4%
Somewhat Oppose       13.7%
Strongly Oppose           61.7%
Neutral                           2.0%
Undecided                     2.5%

Support for lower quality plastic sewer pipes is also underwater according to the Data Orbital poll. A Las Vegas based mega-developer, called the Howard Hughes Corporation, which is building a 37-thousand-acre development, got special permission to use less expensive and potentially hazardous plastic sewer pipes for a mixed-use development under construction. More than 67% of those surveyed oppose the idea. 50% strongly oppose it. Support is less than 20%. Like Phoenix, Buckeye has had a policy of requiring clay sewer pipes but recently altered that policy for a single project.

Below is how the question was presented along with the responses.

One of the largest developers in America, the Howard Hughes Corporation, is developing the 37,000-acre Teravalis mixed-use development in Buckeye. Recently, they received special permission from the city to use less expensive plastic sewage pipes. Opponents argue that traditionally required clay pipes are better for the environment, last longer, are less toxic than plastic, and ultimately save taxpayers money in the long term. Do you support or oppose the city’s decision to allow plastic sewage pipes for this development?

Total Support              19.6%
Strongly Support        11.0%
Somewhat Support    8.6%
Total Oppose               67.6%
Somewhat Oppose     14.7%
Strongly Oppose         52.9%
Neutral                         5.6%
Undecided                   7.2%

In addition to the overwhelming opposition, it’s also worth noting how few people are neutral or undecided.Read More

Nearly everyone engaged in current events enough to read our content understands that the state legislature passes laws in Arizona. However, not everyone is aware that the legislature can also pass bills for the sake of putting them to a public vote on your election ballot. And it is precisely through this mechanism that Arizona Republicans are making a bet on this year’s election.

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 2060 is currently making its way through the legislature; it states that every municipality who receives welfare benefits must ensure that employers comply with the E-Verify system which confirms or denies the legal status of people in its employment. Non-compliance will lead to a loss of those benefits from the state level.

As referenced before, this particular bill will not go through the normal mechanism of bill-passing. It has already passed through the House, and if it makes it through the Senate (which is likely), it will be on the ballot in November and will become law if over 50% of voters vote for it.

However, astute followers of politics may already be aware of the political game being played here. Immigration has surged in importance recently as the Biden administration has utterly failed to stem the tide of illegal immigration levels which are overwhelming not just border towns, but also numerous sanctuary cities. It is an issue that the Democrats are seen to be on the wrong side of by the strong majority of voters, and one that could incentivize more people to vote. And that is the clear bet that the Republicans are making: that it will be a motivating factor for relatively reluctant Republican voters to show up on Election Day.

Mind you, this is not an unusual tactic, one that Democrats utilize as well. Even though Katie Hobbs is comfortable in the Governor’s seat for at least two more years, Democrat-aligned groups are currently getting signatures to put an abortion-protection initiative on the ballot. While the protection and furthering of abortion rights is the primary objective, it is widely assumed that it will help turn left-leaning women out to vote.

This comes at a critical time for Arizona Republicans. After all, they hold tenuous one seat majorities in both the state House of Representatives and Senate, one that could easily be upended by a single issue such as abortion. So to a degree, this is a counterbalance to the attempts to frame this upcoming election as one focused on abortion and give the Republican base further reasons to come out to vote and make it all the way through the ballot.

Much can be said about whether or not it is the correct approach to deal with a significant issue. It is unlikely to end illegal immigration and may place additional burdens on small business owners, even if it may be a step in the right direction. But one thing is more clear: it is a cagey political move by Republicans.

By Alexander Lomax

Photo Credit: AZ Central

Moderating one’s self is a time-honored tradition in politics; candidates will typically position themselves more towards a political wing in order to win a primary election, and then move towards the middle for the general election. But Kari Lake has routinely broken any normal conventions in her brief time in politics, and this is no different.

Lake never really moved towards the middle in the general election for Governor in 2022, and now in her Senatorial race she’s moving towards the middle…before the primary.

Yes, apparently she was just joking when she talked crap against John McCain. She is now against draconian anti-abortion laws and is pro-women’s health. And she doesn’t want to talk about stolen elections. It’s an all new Kari Lake!

But here’s the problem: she was so incredibly successful at getting attention and burning her brand into the brains of Arizona voters that she can’t just stop on a dime and have everyone forget the past. WalMart may want to try to cater to the wealthy with luxury goods, but no one is going to simply forget that they’re a discount retailer. It’s Marketing 101; brand pivots are possible, but not overnight and they are often embarrassingly unsuccessful.

What made her so unforgettable is now making her so unelectable, at least when it comes to the myriad moderates in the state.

Primary voters are often known for making bad choices vis a vis general election electability. What appeals to the core often turns off the masses. Her brand of politics was extremely engaging for a Republican base that has become the party of Trump. But in reality, Karrin Taylor-Robson would likely be Arizona Governor now if Republican primary voters chose pragmatism over purity and bombast.

Lake can try to pivot, and frankly, she should. She’s not running against Joe Biden; she will have at least one strong general election opponent, maybe two. But she can’t run away from her past, and if they value this one Senate seat (and of course they do, as the balance of the Senate may my at stake with this seat), Republican leadership and voters should consider backing a candidate without so much baggage; a candidate who can win in November. 

The WM Phoenix Open recently made headlines around the world as the golf tournament known for a touch of rowdiness and bacchanalia went overboard this year. While the overboard partying that this year was known for is difficult to quantify, we did recently hear of a piece of data that has us rethinking the Open in a very real way.

400.

What’s 400? It’s the number of law enforcement officers that were deployed to the event this year. 400 police officers to manage a golf tournament. Granted, they were taken from around the area, so it was not purely a drain on Scottsdale’s resources, but frankly, we were taken aback by that number. In isolation it doesn’t tell us too much however, so we wanted to give it some added context.

So how big is that number? Well, it’s equal to the entire number of full-time law enforcement officers in the Scottsdale Police Department. The city of Phoenix has around 2,775 police officers, so that 400 number represents over 14% of the entire Phoenix force. The city of Tempe employs 338 officers, so their entire force wouldn’t be enough to work the event. Lastly, we took a look at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and found that there are 300 uniformed deputies in the department.

Even when using these comparables, 400 seems like quite an imposing number, and yet it didn’t seem to be enough to prevent or properly quell issues at this year’s event.

So then the question becomes…should there be more? Can our area support a significant increase in officers without leaving blind spots elsewhere in the Valley and laying the groundwork for more crime? Is 400 an indicator that the event has simply gotten out of hand and should be scaled down or much more tightly regulated? If 400 cops weren’t enough of a deterrent, what number would be?

There are no easy answers here, but the one conclusion that most sober minds have come to is that something needs to change.

What do you think? Does there need to be more officers? Does the event need to be scaled back and tightened up? Or do you think it was the right amount of law enforcement presence? Comment and give us your thoughts

2022 Scrum


Photo Credit: The Hill

Here are the Arizona Progress and Gazette, we love to cover the weird world that is Arizona politics. Not many states are pure swing states, which brings with it an incredible amount of attention. And perhaps no race other than the Presidential race will be more watched than the specter of a three-person cage match to represent Arizona in the US Senate alongside Sen. Mark Kelly.

Campaign viability is almost always tied to fundraising, and with that in mind we received some clarity as to where the candidates stand in the way of their 2023 Q4 financial statements. And so far, it’s Advantage Gallego.

According to those Q4 reports, Rep. Ruben Gallego brought in $3.3 million and sat with $6.5 in cash at the end of the year. Compare this with Kari Lake, who brought in $2,1 million but with no cash-on-hand numbers available at the time of writing. Incumbent Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s numbers were not available at the time of writing.

Perhaps most notable with the fact that 99% of Gallego’s contributions were under $200. That means that he has been able to build an incredible breadth and scope of donors nationally, ones that he will be able to go back to time and time again until the election, as opposed to max donors who are tapped out until after the primary election.

All of this is a relative pittance in what is certain to be one of the most important races in the country however, especially considering the extremely tight lead that Democrats have in the Senate. For context, a stunning $236 million was spent in the 2022 US Senate election; in all fairness, over half of that was spent by outside groups, but regardless, the bar of competitiveness for a US Senate race starts around $30 million or so, so the early numbers matter but are not critical.

While Gallego’s strength is obvious, a big question will be Kari Lake’s ability to fundraise. During her run for Governor, she eschewed the necessity of traditional fundraising, relying instead on earned media and a strong social media presence. As a result, she was soundly defeated by Katie Hobbs in the fundraising race. While the national Republican party will likely come to her support unless Sheriff Mark Lamb makes it a competitive primary, she must demonstrate that she has learned a lesson from her failure in her gubernatorial race.

But of course, the big elephant in the room is whether or not Sinema will vie for another term in the face of low favorability ratings. But until then, she is certain to utilize her influence and power to raise huge chunks of money to assist her in whatever her next step is.

Connect Maricopa, the official campaign in support of the Proposition 400 renewal, formally launched today with a coalition of business, community, and public sector leaders advocating for the extension of the transportation funding measure. The effort is led by Pam Kehaly, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona; Mesa Mayor John Giles; Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers; Mike Hoover, CEO of Sundt Construction; and Jim Kenny, CEO of El Dorado Holdings.

In 1985, Maricopa County voters overwhelmingly passed a 20-year half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation infrastructure. It was renewed in 2004 with the passage of Proposition 400 which invested in highways, streets, and transit. The funding is set to expire December 31, 2025, without renewal. The extension of Proposition 400 was referred to Maricopa County voters by the Arizona Legislature and will be on the November 2024 ballot.

“The renewal of Proposition 400 is an integral part of Maricopa County’s continued economic growth and the overall success of the region,” said Pam Kehaly, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “Investing in critical transportation infrastructure will allow the region to appropriately plan for future growth so residents can travel with ease and not experience the burden of long commute times. I am proud of the coalition of business and community associations that are actively supporting this effort and we look forward to sharing our message with Maricopa County voters.”

“Since the passage of Proposition 400, Arizona has become one of the top 6 states for economic momentum,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “The regional half cent sales tax has allowed the county to grow responsibly and build a comprehensive transportation network to support Maricopa County residents. This continued investment is critical for future economic development and ensuring Maricopa County residents have access to a variety of transportation options that best meet their needs.

”The Connect Maricopa Executive Committee consists of key business, economic development, and community organizations that understand the importance of investing in the Valley’s critical infrastructure:

  • American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona
  • Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors
  • Arizona Multihousing Association
  • Arizona Realtors Association
  • Arizona Rock Products Association
  • Arizona Trucking Association
  • Greater Phoenix Chamber
  • Greater Phoenix Economic Council
  • Greater Phoenix Leadership
  • Home Builders Association of Central Arizona
  • NAIOP Arizona
  • Valley Partnership

Ne’Lexia Galloway

Students of history (or older readers) will remember the Saturday Night Massacre: it was the last gasp of the Nixon administration and its attempt to cover up the Watergate scandal. In it, Nixon ordered his Justice Department officials to fire the Special Prosecutor in charge of Watergate, which led to a string of resignations as a result.

The Maricopa County Democratic Party seems to have had its own version of the Saturday Night Massacre in what seems to be embattled Executive Director Ne’Lexia Galloway’s attempt to protect her own job in the midst of underperformance, internal dissatisfaction, and a potential financial scandal. As a reminder, Galloway is engaged to be married to Bruce Franks Jr., the disgraced former Missouri State Rep/battle rapper/campaign grifter who played a significant role in tanking Julie Gunnigle’s campaign for County Attorney (get up to date on him here).

In a bombshell recent action, we’ve learned that Galloway personally fired every member of the staff except for one older, part-time employee nearing retirement (i.e. someone not deemed a threat). Their last day was at the end of February. The positions that were eliminated were organizing director (the person in charge of reaching out to potential voters), political director, and campaign director. While short term jobs are not renewed immediately after an election, to have such critical roles eliminated in a battleground county with all countywide seats up for election next year is unprecedented.

Some might say that money is a significant issue, and they are indeed light on cash, with only $16K available at the end of February. However, insiders say that part of this cash crunch is a result of gross mismanagement of funds, including a large allocation of cash sent out for what was supposed to be for mailers; but those mailers never went out. Insiders say that Galloway pushed for this vendor because the pricing was so cheap, but the pricing was so cheap because it didn’t account for the large majority of the costs: postage. A true rookie mistake. Now the party is attempting to claw back those funds, and numerous district chairs are extremely displeased.

Adding to that awkwardness? The fact that one of Galloway’s first actions after becoming the ED of the county Democratic Party was a highly public attempt to attack her former boss Ruben Gallego. Galloway spent several days hyping up a major announcement she was going to drop, only for it to be this statement, amounting to little more than a Gen Z’er who is amazed to learn that their boss won’t fawn over every single idea that a new college graduate has. This is much, MUCH more awkward of a dynamic now that Gallego is the presumed Democratic candidate for the US Senate race in 2024.

Additionally, the friend’s list seems to be narrowing, as the county party became an official sponsor of an event that Galloway’s fiance Franks Jr. put on which neglected to invite the Kesha Hodge Washington, a Democrat and favored candidate of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Attempting to purposely alienate the most powerful Democratic elected official of a local seat is…highly risky.


So in summary, it has been bad decisions compounded by bad performance followed by bad financial management that has led to this place: where threats were all around and where money was tight, so Galloway decided to solve both issues at once. And now they will be hamstrung regarding organizing for the future, and their brand has taken a real hit. Her hire has turned into a one-person disaster.

Good governance depends on at least two strong parties that are led competently and have compelling messages. We have seen parts of the Republican party in Arizona devolve into conspiracy theories, and now we are seeing the local Democratic party devolve into power struggles designed to paper over incompetence and underperformance. Much like the Saturday Night Massacre, it’s a sad state of affairs. We can only hope that much like that event, it leads to a wholesale change in leadership and an entirely new direction.

By Alexander Lomax

Now that midterm elections are out of the way, next comes the tradition of political parties having their “reorganization” meetings. What this entails is all of the dedicated party apparatchiks coming together to vote on who should be in their party’s leadership. At the county level, Precinct Committeepeople (PCs) come together to vote on county party leadership. PCs also vote to see who will be on the State Committee, the members of which then vote for state party leadership.

Often, these events are dry and long, full of procedural votes on their party platform, or votes for such boring and generally meaningless positions as 2nd Vice Chair of the county party or the like. Often, leadership will run for re-election, and unless they are particularly unpopular, any opposition will be token opposition. There often aren’t a ton of surprises. However, the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, Raquel Teran, is not seeking re-election, which means a power vacuum. And with any power vacuum, it won’t go unfilled for too long.

Even more interesting and impactful is the fact that the Dems have had big wins, winning the US Senate seat, the Governor’s race, Secretary of State, and (pending recount) the AG’s office. There is actual power to be had in roles like this. So when those newly electeds all coalesced behind candidates quickly, our ears were perked.

Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo threw his hat in the ring; as the only Democrat of the five member board for several election cycles, he has not had much impact on local politics or policy, and while he has been a mainstay in the local Dem scene he hasn’t been too influential. Therefore it was intriguing to see Governor-elect Katie Hobbs giving her endorsement to him. While his other support seems to have been lackluster, having Hobbs on his side is not to be trifled with. Along with that is a member of her transition team stating that it is her right to anoint the next Chair, which…received pushback.

The next Chair shall not be anointed, however: longtime local union organizer Yolanda Bejarano has stated her intention to run. While many people announce an intention to run, hers is followed by a who’s who of local Democrats backing her: Senator Mark Kelly, Secretary of State-elect Adrian Fontes, presumptive Attorney General-elect Kris Mayes and Congressmen Greg Stanton and Ruben Gallego have all announced their support.

Quite the intriguing development, where Arizona’s incoming Governor is nearly alone in her support of the party’s next Chair. It seems as though Bejarano, an organizer by trade, organized around Gallardo/Hobbs and consolidated support extremely deftly. Meanwhile Gallardo, a candidate in a safe blue seat with no primary challenges for ages, didn’t understand the game that he was playing and assumed that being friendly with one person was enough.

While the votes still need to be tallied, it certainly looks like Bejarano is in the driver’s seat, and with that a deep understanding of organizing and less of the social justice dedication that Teran (or at least gave lip service to).

And now, we wait to see the glorious show that the race for the AZ GOP Chair shall undoubtedly provide! 

Data Orbital is pleased to announce the results of its latest statewide, mixed mode survey of likely Republican primary election voters. The survey was conducted from July 18th to July 20th.

The survey tested all Republican candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for Governor in the upcoming August 2nd Republican primary.

With mail-in ballots already being returned, Kari Lake shows a commanding 11-point lead over Karrin Taylor Robson. Lake is pulling away from the field as a poll conducted by Data Orbital earlier in July showed Lake only 4 points ahead of Taylor Robson.

Pollster George Khalaf had this to say about the latest results, “With nearly 250,000 Republican ballots returned, it is clear Kari Lake has maintained – and grown – her lead in the Gubernatorial race. We have seen the Undecided rate steadily drop from 28% in late June to 12%, with a little more than a week until Election Day. With what we are seeing in our polling, and every other public poll released on the Governor’s race, one thing is clear: Kari Lake is on her way to securing the Republican nomination.”

###

This poll of 550 likely primary election voters was conducted through a combination of live survey and text to web that collected 32.4% of the results from live caller landlines, 34.2% from live caller cell phones, and 33.4% from text to web. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.26% with a 95% confidence interval. Respondents were weighted on a number of different demographic figures based on prior primary election voter turnout figures. The poll was conducted from July 18 – July 20, 2022. All non-released questions would not reasonably be expected to influence responses to all released questions. The questions released are verbatim from the survey provided to respondents. Toplines and demographic data can be found here. Crosstabs for this survey can be found here.

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