Scottsdale Firefighter Charities Recognized Weisz, a Community Leader and Former State Special Agent, for His Contributions to Our Community

Scottsdale Community Bank Board Chair George Weisz devoted more than four decades to public service, including working alongside Arizona firefighters and improving benefits for firefighter families. During many of those years, he also served as a special agent with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, investigating organized crime in Arizona and overseeing the investigation of the bombing murder of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles. Those efforts and his extensive public safety career earned him recognition from Scottsdale Firefighter Charities at its annual Behind the Flames dinner Sunday, Sept. 27.

Weisz received a C.A.R.E. Award at the 27th annual Behind the Flames Presented by HonorHealth at Mastro’s City Hall in Scottsdale. The fundraiser honors local leaders for their service while raising money for firefighters, their families and organizations throughout Scottsdale.

Weisz served as president of the 100 Club, which provides financial assistance and other resources to the families of firefighters and police officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. The organization’s work took on particular significance following the deaths of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters from Prescott who lost their lives battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. Weisz also served in the Arizona House of Representatives and as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Jane Dee Hull, where he helped advance legislation improving retirement benefits for firefighters.

The Bolles murder became one of the most widely followed criminal cases in Arizona history and was a major focus of Weisz’s work with the Attorney General’s Office.

“I spent years on the Bolles case, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten,” Weisz said. “To have that work recognized nearly 50 years later is quite an honor, especially coming from Scottsdale Firefighter Charities. I have a great deal of respect for our firefighters and everything they do for Scottsdale.”

Today, Weisz chairs the board of directors at Scottsdale Community Bank.

Weisz shared this year’s C.A.R.E. Award honors with Arizona sports journalist and radio personality Dan Bickley, journalist Jeremy Duda, author of “Murder in the Fourth Estate,” which details the Bolles murder 50 years later, and Melissa Schalles, executive director of the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Association.

Behind the Flames also recognized Rey Igliane as Scottsdale Firefighter of the Year for his dedication and service to the Scottsdale Fire Department, with KTAR News radio host Jim Sharpe emceeing the occasion.

This year’s event raised more than $100,000, a new record for Behind the Flames. Scottsdale Firefighter Charities uses proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships to support firefighters and their families and organizations including the EVIT Foundation, Scottsdale Community Partners/Human Services, Scottsdale Food Bank, Jobs for America’s Graduates, the City of Scottsdale Youth Development program, Scottsdale Senior Center and Together Pink Network, among others.

For more about Scottsdale Community Bank, visit ScottsdaleCommunityBank.com.

Only Bentley Torcal in the Country to Make a Special Appearance Nov. 7 at WestWorld

Bentley Scottsdale is bringing an extraordinary piece of automotive history to the 15th annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships next weekend. The legendary British automaker’s first fully electric vehicle, the Bentley Torcal, will make a special appearance at WestWorld Saturday, Nov. 7, adding another element of luxury to an event already known for its impressive automobiles, world-class polo, fashion and entertainment. The Torcal’s appearance is especially noteworthy because it’s currently the only one of its kind in the United States.

“This is an incredibly special car, and the fact that we’re bringing the only one in the country to Scottsdale makes it even more exciting,” said Beli Merdovic, General Manager of Bentley Scottsdale. “The Torcal has everything people have come to expect from Bentley, but it also takes performance and technology in a whole new direction. It’s a rare opportunity to have a vehicle this extraordinary at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships.”

For more than 100 years, Bentley has made a name for itself building some of the world’s most prestigious automobiles, with the all-electric Torcal offering a fresh take on the brand’s long-standing approach to design. The first all-new Bentley in a decade, the Torcal has a bold exterior with a diamond-inspired grille, while its interior combines Bentley’s signature handcrafted finishes with modern digital features. The SUV also has an unusual namesake: El Torcal de Antequera, a region in southern Spain famous for its limestone rock formations, many of which have taken on unusual shapes over time.

The Torcal’s appearance adds to the excitement surrounding the Nov. 7 event, which will also feature hundreds of luxury, exotic and collector vehicles, three polo matches, fashion shows, rugby, live music and other entertainment.

On the polo field, New Orleans Polo Club will face Arizona Polo Club, while defending champion England Select Polo Team will take on the Dark Horse Dallas All-Stars. The Semper Fi Heating and Cooling Military Matchup will also see Army and Navy face off in another patriotic showdown just days before Veterans Day.

Beyond polo, guests can catch the nationally ranked San Diego Old Aztecs taking on the Scottsdale Blues in the Rugby Opener, Phoenix Fashion Week’s The World’s “Longest” Fashion Show, Lugari Pet Salon’s Canine Couture: A Dog Fashion Show Like No Other and Nashville-based Moo Country’s Cowboy & Cowgirl Couture, “How The West Is Worn.”

As the sun sets, Walter Productions will bring out Kalliope, its massive art car and mobile sound stage, for a concert featuring nationally renowned electronic music duo Phantoms.

VIP luxury lounges, food and drinks, brand experiences and an impressive collection of automobiles will round out the day’s festivities.

Tickets start at $50 and are on sale now at ThePoloParty.com along with additional information about tables and sponsorship opportunities. Premium experiences include Prime, a Luxury Tent Experience by Bentley Scottsdale, Neiman Marcus, Barrett-Jackson and Maple & Ash; The Scottsdale Maserati Drivers & Players VIP Lounge; the Barrett-Jackson Champagne & Jazz Lounge; All Access passes; and Sideline Parking packages.

Monterra at WestWorld of Scottsdale is welcoming a new chapter after city renovations transformed the longtime venue into a fully climate-controlled space for weddings, corporate gatherings and community celebrations year-round.

City officials and WestWorld partners celebrated the reopening with a ribbon-cutting and open house Oct. 23. Under city operation for the first time since originally opening in 1990, Monterra also offers an on-site setting for receptions and banquets associated with WestWorld’s signature events.

“Bringing Monterra back into city operation gives us an opportunity to make better use of a community asset,” said City Manager Greg Caton. “These improvements expand what WestWorld can offer throughout the year, whether we’re hosting a local celebration or welcoming visitors for one of Scottsdale’s signature events.”

Monterra has been part of WestWorld since 1990. It operated under a private agreement until November 2024, when the City Council approved bringing the operating rights to the city, which now manages Monterra as a rental facility within city-owned and operated WestWorld.

Before reopening, the city installed a new heating and cooling system and roof, replaced indoor and outdoor flooring, painted the interior and exterior, and upgraded restrooms to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

The venue features a ballroom with a full bar, three outdoor function spaces and patios overlooking the WestWorld polo field toward the McDowell Mountains. The combination offers options for corporate meetings, private parties, conventions, galas and weddings.

“Monterra pairs views of the McDowell Mountains with the convenience of being right here at WestWorld,” said WestWorld Director Cassie Johnson. “With the new climate-control system and updated spaces, we can welcome guests year-round and help event organizers bring everything from a wedding reception to a large banquet together in one location.”

M Culinary Concepts, WestWorld’s food and beverage partner, provides exclusive catering and bar service.

Daily rental rates are $3,000 Thursday through Sunday and $750 Monday through Wednesday. The City Council approved the rates in September as a one-year pilot informed by a market study of comparable venues. Monterra is at 16601 N. Pima Road. For booking information, call WestWorld’s sales manager at 480-312-6815 or visit Monterra at WestWorld.

Anyone Can Sign Up to Participate in the All-Day Wiffle Ball Tournament Before Shane Doan and Other Arizona Personalities Compete in a Primetime Celebrity Home Run Derby

Scottsdale Stadium is trading Major League Baseball for wiffle ball this weekend when Big League Wiffle Ball brings its seventh annual Western Wiffle Ball Classic to the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants Saturday, Oct. 24. The tournament gives spectators a chance to see just how competitive the familiar backyard game can get when experienced players take the field, putting their pitching, hitting and defensive skills to the test in front of fans of all ages. For those who want to do more than watch, participants can register a team of three to five players at blwwiffleball.com, competing in a separate division from the pros.

“Most people have played wiffle ball at some point, but they have no idea how exciting it gets at this level,” said Big League Wiffle Ball founder Logan Rose. “We want everyone to come out to watch or participate and share our love for America’s greatest backyard sport.”

The action continues at 7 p.m. with Big League Wiffle Ball’s inaugural celebrity Home Run Derby, which will bring Arizona Coyotes legend Shane Doan and other familiar Arizona personalities to the plate to compete against local hitters for a $1,000 prize.

Doan spent 21 seasons in the NHL and became the Coyotes’ all-time leading scorer. Now, the former captain will see how his skills translate to hitting wiffle balls, going to bat against competitors that include baseball influencers DSARM and Damian Henderson, local influencer @mrazsports and radio personality Johnjay Van Es. Altogether, eight celebrities will participate in the derby.

Local hitters can also compete for a spot. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., anyone interested can pay $10 for a qualifying attempt, giving them 60 seconds to hit as many home runs as they can. The eight participants with the most home runs will then advance to the evening’s open bracket, with the celebrity and open-bracket winners facing off against each other in the final round.

Whether coming for the tournament, the Home Run Derby or both, spectators can spend the day watching a sport that uses familiar equipment, but demands considerably more skill than the typical backyard game.

For tickets or to learn more about Big League Wiffle Ball, check out BLWiffleBall.com or follow developments on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

For sponsorship or general questions, email lrose@blwwiffleball.com.

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) — A striking new work of Western art is coming to the heart of Old Town Scottsdale this December. Way of the Wild, 1832, an eight-foot-tall bronze monument by acclaimed Western artist John Coleman, will be permanently installed near the entrance of Western Spirit Museum, creating a new public art experience for residents and visitors alike.

The monument, generously donated by Western Spirit Trustee Howie Alper, will be unveiled at a private ceremony on December 1 before going on public display.

“John has an extraordinary ability to tell a story through bronze and to capture the strength, character and spirit of the American West,” Alper said. “Way of the Wild, 1832 is a powerful piece, and I wanted it to be somewhere people could experience and enjoy it for generations. Western Spirit is the perfect home for it, and I’m proud that it will now welcome visitors to the museum.”

Way of the Wild, 1832 depicts a lone hunter standing tall and confident, his gaze directed into the distance. The commanding figure evokes the independence, determination and uncertainty of life in the American West during the early 19th century.

Positioned just outside the Smithsonian Affiliate museum, the monument will offer visitors an introduction to the stories, people and artistry of the West before they even step through the museum’s doors.

The installation further extends Western Spirit’s collection beyond the walls of the museum, creating a prominent new piece of public art for residents and visitors to experience year-round.

Visitors inspired by Way of the Wild, 1832 can discover more of John Coleman’s work inside Western Spirit Museum in the ongoing exhibition, Collecting Stories: John Coleman Bronzes from the Collection of Frankie and Howard Alper.Read More

Two and a half weeks ago, we wrote what read like a eulogy. The Phoenix Symphony had announced it would suspend its season after a November 1 concert, leaving 66 musicians facing unpaid layoffs. In our piece we asked the companies and civic leaders betting on Arizona’s future to step up. We hoped someone would answer.

Someone did. This past week we learned that the symphony will resume performances Thursday, Nov. 12, after a concentrated fundraising push secured enough commitments to lift the suspension. The musicians, laid off on Nov. 2, are going back to work.

A Quiet Rescue and a Loud Thank You

The turnaround took less than three weeks. Board chair Mo Stein credited a small group of community leaders, organizations and culture lovers who acted fast. Their names haven’t been released yet, though the symphony says it will recognize them soon.

Meanwhile, the musicians did their part too. Thousands watched and shared their farewell performance of Elgar’s “Nimrod.” Associate principal cellist Bridget Pasker thanked everyone who “refused to let this orchestra go silent.” The musicians also host a benefit concert this Sunday, Nov. 8, at Monroe Street Abbey downtown.

Fixing the Engine, Not Just Refueling It

One might reflexively think that this is simply kicking the can down the road, but this rescue comes with a plan. The symphony created the New American Symphony Commission, an 11-member group charged with rethinking its finances and operating model. Moreover, two of its seats go to musicians chosen by their union, Local 586.

The co-chairs are serious people. Don Opatrny is a former Goldman Sachs partner and immediate past chair of Phoenix Art Museum. John Graham, chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, is a former symphony board chair. Graham also chairs the Maricopa County Stadium District board overseeing Chase Field’s renovation.

That detail deserves a smile. In our first piece, we contrasted a half-billion-dollar ballpark facelift with a silent concert hall. Fittingly, a man steering that ballpark project is now helping steer the orchestra.

The Work Isn’t Finished

Photo Credit: Visit Phoenix

Still, nobody should mistake this for a happy ending just yet. Continuing into 2027 will require more money, and a new campaign called The Next Movement is underway. The real goal is keeping musicians on stage well past December 31.

So here is the ask: donate if you can. Even simpler, buy a ticket. The first concert back is a chamber performance of Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 at the Musical Instrument Museum. Then, from Nov. 13 through 15, Stuart Chafetz leads a pops program of Lloyd Webber, Elton John and McCartney at Symphony Hall.

Two weeks ago, we worried about living with the silence. Thankfully, we don’t have to. Now let’s fill the hall.

by Ronald Sampson

Few people have fought for Scottsdale’s character longer than Bob Littlefield. The Army veteran and tech entrepreneur served three terms on the City Council, from 2002 into 2015, and chaired its subcommittee on water issues. He founded Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions, better known as TAAAZE, to fight against what he and many others saw as the incredible overreaches of Axon and its mega-apartment complex plans. This year, he ran for a fourth term. Then, after earning his spot on the November ballot, he walked away from it.

Back in August, Littlefield exited the race after the July 21 primary and returned to lead TAAAZE. He had finished third with 22,091 votes, comfortably in the top four. This week, that decision paid off. Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita are headed to the council, and Littlefield deserves a share of the credit.

Reading the Numbers

The primary left four candidates chasing two seats. Three of them, Littlefield, Graham and Ugenti-Rita, shared a slower-growth message and had effectively run together. Meanwhile, Raoul Zubia finished just 194 votes behind Littlefield and urged supporters to vote only for him, the single-shot strategy that has been successful for state House races across the state for years.

That’s where the math turned dangerous. Three like-minded candidates splitting one bloc of voters, against a single opponent collecting concentrated support, is how a minority view wins a majority of seats. Littlefield said the primary results changed the landscape. He also said he believed two candidates opposed to overdevelopment could win. In other words, he saw that his presence might be the very thing that tipped a seat the other way.

What Was at Stake

For Littlefield, this was never abstract. Zubia has said Scottsdale could welcome Axon’s jobs while asking for less density, a stance his opponents called too friendly to the company. Furthermore, Zubia dismissed using water resources as a deterrent to development. That runs directly against the case Littlefield has made for two decades.

Head Over Heart

By all accounts, stepping aside wasn’t what Littlefield wanted. He has spent much of his adult life in this fight, and the council dais is where he’s done some of his best work. However, his head and his issue-driven heart reached the same conclusion. The cause mattered more than the candidate.

That’s rarer than it should be. Politics is full of people who stay in races long after the numbers say leave, and voters pay the price. Littlefield did the opposite, and now the slow-growth bloc he helped protect has two more seats at the table.

Still in the Fight

Of course, he never left the arena and we’re not sure he’ll ever stop unless he’s physical unable. He went back to TAAAZE to keep pressing the legal and political challenge to the Axon apartment deal. With Graham and Ugenti-Rita joining Solange Whitehead on the new council in January, that fight has friends on the inside.

Bob Littlefield deserves the thanks of anyone who values fighting for issues over personal gain. He put Scottsdale first, even when it cost him, and Scottsdale is better for it.

By Alexander Lomax

Scottsdale voters just handed Axon a lesson in the limits of money. By unofficial results, Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Barry Graham won the two open council seats. Raoul Zubia finished third. For the company and its allies, that was the worst case scenario, and it happened anyway.

The Warning Signs Were There

We saw this coming. In June, TAAAZE put Axon on notice over its election spending. Weeks later, we traced the Better Together PAC to its Axon-linked officers. Its chairman is an Axon lobbyist. Its treasurer is a former Axon spokesman. The same two ran an earlier PAC that took roughly $1.1 million from Axon and its executives.

Axon CEO Rick Smith. Photo Credit: Jim Poulin, Phoenix Business Journal

Better Together then spent more than $200,000 attacking Graham, Ugenti-Rita and Bob Littlefield. Every dollar came from a Virginia super PAC. Axon insists it was not directly involved, and filings never tied the money to the company. However, the pattern was hard to miss.

Pressure and Probes

Moreover, the tactics left a mark. Petition organizers accused Axon of intimidation during the referendum drive. A former planning commissioner said pressure landed on his private employer after he voted no. Then came the “Bye Bye Barry” signs. Finally, state officials found a reasonable likelihood that Better Together broke disclosure rules, and the Attorney General is reviewing the case. No wrongdoing has been determined.

Everything Lined Up, and It Still Failed

Consider what Axon’s side had. Zubia ran a tough campaign, and he led on election night. A Democratic tsunami rolled across Arizona. The plan was simple: back one candidate and hope conservatives split their ballots.

They did not. Graham and Ugenti-Rita finished 47 votes apart, with Zubia about 2,150 behind Graham. That margin is narrow. Even so, it came under the best conditions Axon could have asked for. Voters appear to have sorted by development, not by wave. A Data Orbital poll had warned the company about this exact opposition in early 2025.

Where Axon Goes From Here

The approved deal stands at 600 apartments and 600 condos. However, Graham has said the goal was to install loyalists who would let Axon return with a fresh application for more. That door just got heavier. TAAAZE has promised to fight any upsizing, and its lawsuit over SB 1543 continues.

The smart move is to retreat from proxy politics. Build the approved headquarters. Make the case in daylight, under the company’s own name. A business can be Scottsdale’s champion or its biggest campaign donor, but it cannot be both. Money bought Axon plenty of ads. It did not buy a single trusting voter.

Graham and Ugenti-Rita took on the bully and won. Kudos to them and the message it sends for the foreseeable future.

By Ronald Sampson

A Gracious Note in a Rough Week

Scottsdale just finished one of the more contentious council cycles in recent memory. There were attack ads, super PAC spending, a viral toilet-to-tap video and a debate where candidates traded barbs on stage. So when Councilwoman Solange Whitehead took to Facebook after Election Day, one could have reasonably expected more of the same.

Instead, she offered congratulations to Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Barry Graham on their wins, and a heartfelt thank you to Raoul Zubia. She admitted she barely knew Zubia before the campaign, that she knows him now, and that she has the utmost respect for him. Then she thanked the whole community, “from South to the tippy north,” for engaging and voting.

Why It Matters

Whitehead had every reason to take a victory lap. She won her seat outright in July, and she spent months as a target of the very people she was now congratulating. Ugenti-Rita’s campaign went after her over water policy and development. Gracious words cost nothing on paper, but they cost a lot politically when the wounds are fresh.

That is what makes this worth noting. Civility is easy when everybody agrees. It is a choice when the campaign got personal, and she made it publicly, within days.

A Standard Worth Copying

The response from the community was telling. One commenter called her a class act and said Scottsdale is lucky to have her regardless of one’s position. That is the correct read. You do not have to agree with Whitehead on growth, water or Axon to recognize that this is how public servants should behave.

Scottsdale’s next council will have real disagreements to work through. The tone gets set early, and a post like this helps. Whitehead, Graham and Ugenti-Rita will share a dais in January, and they will need to govern together on the same hard issues they fought over.

In a contentious time, more of this would do the whole city good.

By Alexander Lomax

At both the national and state level, this election was about as shocking as they come. Everyone knew that it was likely to be a good night for Democrats, but absolutely no one predicted the level of the blue tide, nay, tsunami that rolled in. But even if it was joyous evening for Arizona Democrats writ large, the Scottsdale city council race is going a different direction.

Scottsdale City Council: A Plot Twist

Polling by one of Scottsdale’s most notable organizations 45 days ago showed this to be a likely nail biter. And it is. Remember Raoul Zubia’s lead on election night? It’s gone. Michelle Ugenti-Rita now leads with 47,849 votes, and incumbent Barry Graham sits just behind her with 47,827. That is a gap of only 22 votes out of more than 107,000 ballots counted. Both candidates are currently in line for the two open seats. The tiny gap reflects the complete uniformity of conservative voters choosing both of them with extremely few split ballots. Indeed, Republicans outnumbered Democrats 3:1 among those voting on Election Day and as we saw in 2024 Republicans and now-Mayor Borowsky and now-Councilman Adam Kwasman surged mightily as additional ballots were counted.

Zubia has slipped to third with 45,949 votes. He trails Graham by 1,878, after leading him by 1,308 earlier. In other words, the race swung by more than 3,000 votes overnight. Meanwhile, ballots are still being counted, so Zubia has not run out of road. However, the trend is not on his side, and every new batch matters. Solange Whitehead already won her seat in July, so these are the last two chairs.

While this election sure ain’t 2024 that’s dangerous math for Zubia who, like Graham and Ugenti-Rita, should be commended for good, tough campaigns.

SUSD’s $375 Million Bond Is Winning, but the Lead Is Shrinking

Scottsdale Unified asked voters to approve $375 million in bonds for school buildings and equipment, repaid through property taxes. It is the district’s first bond request since 2016. The district estimates the cost at about $157 a year on a $607,000 home.

Voters are saying yes, 48,493 to 40,568, or 54.4% to 45.6%. That is a lead of about 7,900 votes. The numbers will get closer as more ballots are counted.  However this is an encouraging sign that despite school closures voters are not ready to give up on a district that is a heartbeat of the community. And stay tuned for more news soon on the SUSD front as district leadership will have the opportunity to thank voters with a bold, innovative move.

SUSD Governing Board: Johnson Leads, Carney Holds Second

Separately, voters are choosing two members for the Governing Board from three candidates. Jennifer Johnson leads with 37.6%. Conservative incumbent Amy Carney is second at 32.6%. She is ahead of Jeanne Beasley by 3,267 votes, a gap that has grown overnight. The top two win. What has been a frequent 3-2 split on school matters with conservatives in the minority will now become 4-1.

Shah Wins AZ-1

Democrat Amish Shah leads Republican Jay Feely 52.6% to 45.4%, a margin of more than 22,000 votes. Libertarian Monica Alponte has 2.0%. Shah’s lead has tightened as late ballots arrived, but that cushion is a big one.

In fact, Shah lost this district narrowly in 2024. David Schweikert’s exit to run for governor gave him a second shot. Feely arrived with Donald Trump’s endorsement, yet in following the national trend that endorsement was more of an anchor than a buoy.

And the Republican 2028 primary battle royale starts now. That’s a race that will shake up Valley politics.

LD4: Democrats Hold On to Every Lead

Democrats still lead all three Legislative District 4 races. In the state Senate, Aaron Lieberman leads Carine Werner 53.0% to 47.0%, a margin of about 6,300 votes. In the House, Tammy Caputi and Karen Gresham lead Republican incumbents Matt Gress and Pamela Carter. Gresham’s edge over Gress is about 4,300 votes, as the margin looks too daunting, even for a Republican rock star like Gress. It shows when the national mood is such defying it down ballot is nearly impossible

Those margins are narrower than they were on election night, so they are worth watching. Meanwhile, Caputi, who was ousted from the Scottsdale council in 2024, is on track for a comeback.

A Rising Star in LD3

And though LD3 with its lopsided Republican registration advantage was a foregone conclusion Scottsdale should celebrate the win of George Khalaf as one of its newly minted state representatives. A conservative who combines common sense with talent will serve the community and his now minority caucus with distinction.

While Arizona will now be contending with what a truly Democrat-run state looks like, Scottsdale is again proving that local politics matter locally.

For a century, the Colorado River has been governed by a fragile set of deals among seven states. This month, Arizona decided those deals were no longer enough. On October 16, Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources moved to join Nevada’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Photo Credit: ABC 15

Then, on October 27, the Central Arizona Project asked to join as well. The CAP canal carries river water to Phoenix, Tucson and Scottsdale. As a result, few lawsuits matter more to Arizona’s future.

What Washington Decided

In August, Interior released new guidelines for managing the shrinking river. Under that plan, Arizona faces a cut of 760,000 acre-feet, or roughly 30% of its Colorado River allocation. CAP’s share drops by about half.

Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Department of the Interior

Meanwhile, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming face no mandatory cuts at all. The four Upper Basin states are asked only to meet voluntary conservation goals.

“Arizona has always been willing to do our part to protect the Colorado River,” Hobbs said. “But we will not accept a forced federal plan that solves this crisis on the backs of our families, farmers, and businesses.”

What Arizona Is Arguing

The lawsuit claims Interior violated federal law and the 1922 Colorado River Compact. In particular, Arizona argues the plan lets the Upper Basin states send less water down the river than the compact requires.

CAP general manager Brenda Burman put it simply. “The Colorado River is smaller and can’t be saved on our shoulders alone,” she said.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum sees it differently. According to AZFamily, he said Arizona holds junior water rights and argued that a judge should not decide where the water goes.

Legal experts expect a long fight. One told Bloomberg Law that Arizona’s move “virtually guarantees” the dispute will reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

What It Means for Scottsdale

Scottsdale has more at stake than most. Colorado River water makes up nearly 70% of the city’s supply, and about 90% in north Scottsdale. Moreover, ASU water expert Sarah Porter has warned that Scottsdale “needs to be prepared for a potentially 100% cut in supplies in the years to come.”

Central Arizona Project

Scottsdale’s own preparation has also shifted. In June, the City Council unanimously passed a $2.1 billion budget. It set aside $100 million for “water source and supply” but left out $233 million in specific water projects. That change paused the city’s plan to add purified recycled water directly to its drinking supply by 2027. During the debate, Councilman Barry Graham moved to pass the budget without a separate $20 million water request from Councilwoman Solange Whitehead. That motion also passed unanimously, with Whitehead voting yes.

City officials say Scottsdale’s commitment to water security has not changed. However, the lawsuit is a reminder that the river may not wait for local politics.

The Road Ahead

A court fight could take years. In the meantime, Arizona will keep negotiating with California and Nevada on a separate Lower Basin agreement. Water managers will keep planning for less.

For Scottsdale, the question is simple. If the river delivers far less, what fills the gap? With a new City Council taking office in January, voters should expect a clear answer.

By Raoul Zubia

Scottsdale has an extraordinary opportunity to build on what makes our city special. And with the right leadership, we can finally move forward on priorities residents have demanded for years.

Last week, Proposition 490, which I helped develop, was upheld in court. Voters overwhelmingly supported protecting our Preserve, improving neighborhood parks, and investing in public safety. Despite opposition from Councilman Barry Graham, the voters prevailed.

Now imagine what we can accomplish with a City Council that shares those priorities.

We can secure Scottsdale’s water future. With my election, we can build the council majority needed to advance critical water investments that have repeatedly faced political obstruction. Our water security is too important to remain hostage to political games.

We can rein in short-term rentals. The votes will be there to strengthen enforcement, hold problem properties accountable, and protect neighborhood quality of life.

We can demand transparency and accountability, including meaningful reviews of Flock camera data and how surveillance technology is used.

We can continue funding our police and firefighters, ensuring they have the resources to keep our neighborhoods safe.

And we can restore citizens’ voices by returning the public comment period to the beginning of meetings and undoing Graham’s suppressive move by moving comment to the end of council meetings. 

These aren’t partisan priorities. They’re Scottsdale priorities.

We’ve already demonstrated what we can accomplish together through Proposition 490. Now we have an opportunity to finish the job.

Let’s move Scottsdale forward. Vote ONLY for me, Raoul Zubia. Thank you 

Most World Series stories start on a big-league diamond. This one starts on a neighborhood field in Arcadia. Griffin Jax, the Tampa Bay Rays pitcher who started Game 4 of the World Series with his team facing elimination, once wore an Arcadia Little League uniform, according to the league.

That makes him one of Phoenix’s own. Jax was born here in 1994, while his father, Garth Jax, was a linebacker for the Phoenix and Arizona Cardinals. The Rays’ run ended this week when the Milwaukee Brewers won the first World Series title in franchise history in five games. Still, the one game Tampa Bay won belonged in part to an Arcadia alum.

A Cardinals Kid

Garth Jax played for the Cardinals from 1989 to 1995. Longtime fans may remember him for tackling a drunk fan who ran onto the field at Sun Devil Stadium in 1994. After his playing days, he worked in community outreach for the Cardinals and later coached football at Valley Lutheran High School.

Griffin eventually moved to Colorado, where he starred at Cherry Creek High School. Even so, his Arizona ties never faded. In fact, he married his wife, Savannah, in Gilbert in 2021.

The Path Less Traveled

Jax’s road to the majors was unusual. Instead of signing with the Phillies out of high school, he chose the U.S. Air Force Academy. There, he set a school record with a 2.05 ERA as a junior.

The Minnesota Twins drafted him in 2016. However, military service came first. He reported for active duty at Cape Canaveral and pitched only five games in 2017. Today he is a captain in the Air Force Reserve. When he debuted in 2021, he became the first Air Force Academy graduate to play in the majors.

Minnesota traded him to Tampa Bay in 2025. This season, the Rays moved him from the bullpen into the starting rotation. He went 8-10 and won a silver medal with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

His Biggest Night

Then came October 27. The Brewers led the series three games to none. Jax took the ball at Tropicana Field and struck out six in four innings. Tampa Bay went on to win 4-3 in 12 innings, its first World Series win at home since 2008.

The next day, Jax said he was willing to pitch again. “If I can move my arm today, I’ll be ready,” he told MLB Network. Ultimately, Milwaukee closed out the series that night.

Why It Matters Here

Every spring, Arcadia’s fields fill with kids chasing the same dream. Few will reach the World Series. Nevertheless, Jax proves the path can start right here, between Camelback Mountain and the canal.

So while the Brewers celebrate, Phoenix can take quiet pride. One of the men who kept the series alive learned the game in Arcadia.

City Council candidates in ritzy Scottsdale disagree on whether recycling wastewater into drinking water is smart policy or a dangerous remedy.

A ritzy Arizona enclave is facing water cuts, and the most divisive idea to offset them begins with millions of gallons of sewage. Call it affluent effluent.

The plan — which involves rigorously treating and purifying wastewater, then routing it straight to residential taps — has long been seen as critical for the future of Scottsdale, a city heavily reliant on the dwindling flow of the Colorado River.

But in recent months, Scottsdale’s wastewater recycling program has been sucked into a bitter political dispute, and its fate could hinge on the outcome of the city’s elections on Tuesday.

Read the full New York Times article here

It is not just an icon of luxury in Scottsdale, but a gold standard for luxury accommodations globally, and now it has a new owner: Braemar Hotels & Resorts has agreed to sell the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North for $372 million, according to ABC15. The buyer is Evergreen Acquisitions LLC, and precious little is known about it.

The price works out to roughly $1.8 million per room, AZ Big Media reported. Moreover, the deal follows the recent sale of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Clearly, the top of Scottsdale’s resort market is not cooling off.

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

What Is Changing Hands

The resort opened in December 1999 and has 210 rooms on 37 acres off East Crescent Moon Drive. It sits in the foothills below Pinnacle Peak. Amenities include a 9,000-square-foot spa, a bi-level pool, and courts for tennis and pickleball. Guests also enjoy close access to Troon North’s golf courses.

The Numbers

Braemar paid $267.8 million for the resort in 2022. The new price is roughly $104 million higher. However, that earlier deal included 5.7 acres of developable land, so the comparison is not apples to apples.

The buyer has put down a $10 million non-refundable deposit. Still, closing conditions remain, and the deal could fall through. Including anticipated capital spending of $23 million, AZ Big Media reported a 6.2% capitalization rate.

The Unknown Buyer

Filings describe Evergreen only as a Delaware LLC unaffiliated with Braemar. Beyond that, the public record is thin. A property this prominent deserves clearer answers about who is behind the purchase.

Several questions remain open. Reports do not say whether the sale includes the 5.7 acres of commercially zoned land from the 2022 deal. Likewise, they do not address whether Four Seasons will continue managing the resort. Both matter to north Scottsdale neighbors and to the guests who return every season.

Why It Matters

Luxury tourism is a pillar of Scottsdale’s economy and its brand. A $372 million price tag shows that investors still see enormous value here. That is a vote of confidence in the city, and Scottsdale should enjoy it.

Even so, confidence works best with transparency. For residents and visitors, the ideal outcome is simple: the standards stay high, and the new owner introduces itself.

By Barry Graham

With Election Day just days away, an unprecedented last-minute surge of outside special interests is rushing to prop up Raoul Zubia.

Why? They know Zubia is their guy. He’s lobbied for thousands of high-density apartments, pushed for tax hikes and ideological bureaucracies, and taken money from the Bar District, the short-term rental lobby, and Axon’s apartment developers. He’s also promoted by the Phoenix Metro Democratic Socialists.

This week, the Virginia dark money group “American Potential” began running ads estimated at $50,000 or more. Voters will never know who actually funded them, while Zubia says nothing.

Yesterday, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego also inserted herself into Scottsdale’s election to help Zubia. Under her watch, homelessness, crime, toxic overdevelopment, water mismanagement, and tax hikes have skyrocketed, while she’s expected to vote to replace a golf course at Phoenix Kierland with 500 apartments. As Gallego tries to extend her influence in Scottsdale, Zubia says nothing.

There’s a pattern: Outside special interests fund or push Zubia, who never says anything.

He refused to stand up to Axon’s developers, endorsed their massive apartment development, took their cash, and blamed residents for canceling the referendum. Just like when he said nothing after Attorney General Kris Mayes undermined Scottsdale’s golf course economy.

Zubia’s silence isn’t new. Earlier, $335,000 was funneled through a Virginia super PAC linked to Axon to boost Zubia and defeat Michelle Ugenti-Rita and me. He also enjoys support from the statewide Realtors mega-PAC that leads the effort against short-term rental reforms.

Scottsdale is not for sale to outside interests — and residents should take notice of Zubia’s silence and of special interests’ attempts to buy a seat on our City Council.

By Betty Janik

In January, 2024, the Bloc (Dubaskas, Graham, Kwasman and Littlefield) became the dominant force on Scottsdale City Council with Barry Graham as their spokesperson.  

Below is a brief summary of a few of their more notable actions:

1. They voted the voluntary Sustainability plan down allowing no discussion. The plan included a chapter on water conservation which would have increased our water reserves and security.  At this election time, Graham has conveniently changed his position.
2. They filed charges in Maricopa County Court against Mayor Borowsky in an effort to have her removed from office.  The charges were quickly dismissed after preliminary interviews revealed the charges false.  Why did they undertake this action? It appears the Bloc was angry because the Mayor dared to disagree with some of their positions.
3. They moved the open comment section to the end of the Council meetings, which frequently occurs as late as 8 or 9 pm.  This made it near impossible for senior citizens and residents with families to share their thoughts on City issues or concerns.  Residents Last!  
4. They were opposed to Prop 490 which provides 30 years of funding for our Parks and the Preserve including upkeep and Preserve fire prevention.  Bob Littlefield, a close confidant of Graham, has challenged the legality of 490 and the courts again rejected Littlefield’s arguments, and by proxy Graham’s.  

490 stands as a testament to work Raoul Zubia did as vice-chair of the 490 committee and the will of the voter.

Water facts which the Bloc conveniently ignores-

1. The water shortage is here now and is real.  While the SRP service area south of the Arizona Canal is in good shape, the water supplied to the northern part of Scottsdale is not.  North Scottsdale receives about 90% of its water from CAP which has been cut about 25% for the next 2 years and a projected 70% thereafter.  The Colorado River is over allocated; the promised water and wet water credits are just not there. Legal credits cannot supply nonexistent water.
2. Over 20 years of work into the Advanced Water Purification has been successful and would provide a clean, reliable source of water.  The cost estimates have been greatly exaggerated by Dusbaskas and the insinuation by Ugenti-Rita that the water is not pure is blatantly false. 

The Bloc cut over $200,000M from the water budget removing AWP which the experienced experts at the state level strongly support.

VOTE Raoul Zubia, and only Raoul Zubia. Scottsdale needs balanced, competent leadership with a firm understanding of issues.  He listens to the citizens, fellow Council members, and the real experts.

Betty Janik Former Scottsdale Councilman

Sonoran Sage

By Raoul Zubia

Barry Graham is getting desperate. And with Election Day approaching, his campaign’s increasingly bizarre tactics are raising serious questions about just how far he’s willing to go to hold onto power.

Consider recent developments.

First, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld Proposition 490, the voter-approved measure I helped develop to protect Scottsdale’s parks, preserve, and public safety. Graham opposed it. The voters disagreed with him. Now the courts have affirmed the measure.

Then, Graham’s narrative that Scottsdale has nothing to worry about when it comes to water security began unraveling. The reality is that responsible water planning requires preparing for tomorrow, not pretending today’s challenges don’t exist.

And now? Artificial intelligence.

Graham is circulating what appear to be AI-generated images of fabricated PAC advertisements supporting our campaign, seemingly designed to convince voters that an outside political committee is secretly backing me.

There’s just one problem: That’s not happening. Reporting has distinguished outside PAC spending during the primary not the general election. No comparable general-election spending has been established. No filings. No digital presence. Nothing. So, what is he talking about? 

Apparently, when the facts don’t support Graham’s narrative, manufactured images will have to do. Meanwhile, his campaign is circulating suspicious videos purporting to show political sign vandalism, conveniently captured in broad daylight.

Are these legitimate incidents, or is someone manufacturing outrage? We don’t know. But the circumstances warrant scrutiny, not unquestioning acceptance of another campaign narrative.

Scottsdale residents deserve better than political theater, misleading images, and manufactured controversy. When our campaign realized we had accidentally used an AI image in an ad, we removed it immediately. Graham doesn’t have that same integrity, apparently. 

Residents deserve a serious conversation about water security, protecting neighborhoods, preserving open space, and restoring civility to City Hall.

Instead, Graham seems increasingly interested in creating distractions rather than defending his record. The closer we get to Election Day, the clearer the contrast becomes: I am talking about Scottsdale’s future. Barry Graham is fighting to control the narrative. And desperation is not leadership.

By Councilman Barry Graham

By Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

Scottsdale is at an important crossroads for its water future, and the decisions its leaders make today will impact the entire Valley for years to come.

The federal government has cut Arizona’s allocation of Colorado River water by 30 percent, with even greater cuts possible within the decade. In Scottsdale, that matters a lot: 70 percent of Scottsdale’s water comes from the river.

Both Scottsdale and my city, Phoenix, have wisely prepared for drought. Scottsdale is in Stage One of its drought plan, asking residents to voluntarily reduce water usage by 5 percent, and it’s been a historic leader on advanced water purification. Unfortunately, some Scottsdale politicians want to roll back progress and put the city’s economy and high quality of life at risk.

That doesn’t just hurt Scottsdale, it hurts all of Arizona and Phoenix.

That’s why I support Raoul Zubia for city council. He’s shown that he will be a common-sense, nonpartisan leader Scottsdale needs to safeguard its water future. He understands the consequences, and significant cost, of a diminished water supply.

The disinformation coming from some about advanced water purification is self-defeating and harmful. If we fail to recycle the water we have, we’ll have to purchase water from elsewhere, at an exponentially higher cost. These poorly informed politicians put the rest of us at risk, and they undermine the exceptional leadership Scottsdale has demonstrated on water for decades.

Raoul Zubia will move Scottsdale forward with common-sense, long-term solutions to our heightened water challenges. Our region has planned well, but we risk squandering the security we’ve built and depend on. We need leadership that understands the importance of continuing common-sense planning.

Scottsdale and Phoenix are linked. That’s why I’m asking my neighbors in Scottsdale to continue your city’s track record of wise water planning and vote for only Raoul Zubia in this runoff election by November 3.

Endorsing a candidate two years before she announces is unusual. Frankly, we don’t care. Scottsdale’s city council needs Maryann McAllen, and we see no reason to wait until 2028 to say so. Why is that?

A Council That Can’t Stop Talking Over Itself

The contention started early in her tenure. Yes, there would always be some degree of friction between the conservative and liberal factions of Council, but 2025 turned outright ugly at times, with even the conservative faction arguing with the mayor. Arguments about staffing, about water, about a parking garage…it seemed as though there was not one issue that could gain a consensus. Leaked recordings captured that contention and brought it to the forefront. Members talked over each other while arguing about their own rules. One resident called the council “the worst example of elected officials” he had seen in decades.

Even through all of this, one person was notably absent from the chaos.

What a Steady Hand Looks Like

Maryann McAllen refused to get drawn into the various conflagrations on council. But taking a step back, it’s worth noting that she is the epitome of Scottsdale. She has lived here for 60 years, and she was student body president at Coronado High School. After college, she spent 14 years with the city in Recreation and Human Services. Later she chaired the Parks and Recreation Commission. Today she runs a small business and leads the Coronado Foundation for the Future, which funds scholarships for local students.

She serves with a smile, too. More importantly, she comes across as a genuinely decent human being. On this council, that is not a small thing. It may be the rarest thing.

Why One Person Matters

One member cannot set the tone for seven. However, tone is not nothing. Every room has someone who keeps the temperature down. Take that person away, and the room gets louder.

The interruptions, the leaks and the staffing fights will not shrink without her. Instead, they will grow. Scottsdale residents have watched enough of that already.

Don’t Wait

Campaigns usually start early for those with the most to gain. We are starting early for the voters. Scottsdale does not often reward decency in politics. In 2028, it should.

Re-elect Maryann McAllen.

Old Town Scottsdale has had a rough year in the headlines. A brutal summer emptied sidewalks, and a string of Entertainment District shootings didn’t help. However, a flurry of big-money deals reported by the Scottsdale Progress suggests investors are betting heavily on the district’s future.

That tracks with a recent In Business Magazine cover story featuring Kevin Burke, the city’s senior director of economic development and tourism. His message is simple: Old Town doesn’t need to become a destination, because it already is one. Now, the money is following that idea.

Photo Credit: Arianna Grainey

The Deals Reshaping Old Town

On Oct. 6, Texas-based Terry Black’s BBQ paid $11.2 million for the historic Bischoff buildings on Brown Avenue. The restaurant plans to open there around this time next year.

Bischoff Building. Photo Credit: Scottsdale Progress

Days later, HonorHealth sold 3.1 acres at Second Street and Drinkwater Boulevard for $17.3 million. The buyer, the Empire Group, has filed preliminary plans for the Mondrian Scottsdale Hotel and Residences, a luxury hotel with a possible residential component. The name may ring a bell. The original Mondrian Scottsdale opened on Indian School Road in 2007 before eventually closing.

Meanwhile, the old Buca di Beppo at First and Main is nearly ready to reopen as Drake’s Hollywood, an Old Hollywood-style supper club.

More Homes, More Offices

The residential pipeline is just as busy. Four projects in the works, including a 232-unit building at Fifth and Goldwater, would add more than 500 homes to Old Town. In addition, George Oliver’s Arbor Old Town will bring more than 300,000 square feet of Class A office space to the area. The city is spending too, committing more than $42 million to Old Town this year.

Then There’s the Garage

Of course, all those new arrivals need somewhere to park. That brings us to the expansion at First Street and Brown Avenue, Old Town’s most divisive project.

Photo Credit: Scottsdale Progress

Construction began in late June and is now in its heaviest phase. Crews are craning precast panels into place overnight, and Second Street is closed through Nov. 16. The city expects the garage to be finished in summer 2027.

Mayor Lisa Borowsky remains a fierce critic, worried that closures during peak season will hurt nearby merchants. That fear has precedent: Mission owner Brian Raab says the lot’s original construction dragged on so long it put the restaurant’s previous owner out of business.

Our Take: Net Positive, If the City Delivers

Still, we think the garage will ultimately help more than it hurts. Sixty-seven percent of voters approved the 2019 bond, which set aside roughly $20 million for Old Town parking. More importantly, the deals above change the math. A luxury hotel, a destination barbecue joint, a supper club and hundreds of new homes all mean more cars downtown.

The construction pain is real, however, and the city owns it. It should keep closures as short as possible and steer some of its Old Town marketing budget toward the businesses living next to the cranes. Once the garage opens, it should be cheap, easy to find and well signed. If the city does all that, today’s eyesore becomes the infrastructure Old Town’s next chapter depends on.

By Terry Babb

By Steve Tyrrell

A recent TV ad paid for by a super PAC in support of Jay Feely intentionally distorts Amish Shah’s record on sex offenders and public safety.  Feely’s campaign is desperate and cares not about the truth but I do:

So here are the facts:

Dr. Amish Shah is an emergency room physician and former team physician for the NFL’s New York Jets.  He knows a thing or two about healthcare.

Dr. Amish Shah did not vote to let convicted child molesters back into our schools.  Never happened! 

Dr Shah was and is a staunch supporter of Kayleigh’s Law which made it a class 1 misdemeanor for a convicted abuser to contact their victims.

Dr. Shah is a public safety champion who is now endorsed by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Law Enforcement Association and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Arizona. Both associations know his record of support for law enforcement, his ability to work across the aisle to get things done and have stated so publicly.

Dr Shah supported pro-law enforcement bills, including measures to lower the threshold for a felony fentanyl trafficking charge.

Dr Shah supported salary increases for Arizona Department of Public Safety officers and voted for State Budgets that included more than $200 million for border security, specialized law enforcement operations, drug task forces and local police grants.    

Dr. Shah clearly supported a 2019 law that extended the statute of limitations for child sexual assault survivors to file civil suits against their abusers as well as any institutions that enabled such abuse, including schools.

My vote goes to Amish Shah because he has earned it and encourage other independent -minded voters to do the same. 

Steve Tyrrell, Scottsdale Voter

By John Ainley

By Dan Bastian

Christian Serena’s recent opinion piece urged voters to back Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita. It was presented as the view of a former planning commissioner and concerned resident. While he is entitled to his opinion, Mr. Serena did not mention that he is chair of Barry Graham’s campaign. That is not a minor omission. A campaign chair supporting his own candidate is making a campaign case, and the label should say so lest readers believe it is an objective opinion. This paper should adopt a standing policy requiring disclosure of opinion piece authors when writing about their own candidates.

As for his actual commentary, Mr. Serena scrutinizes who funds his candidate’s opponent, urging readers to “follow the money” and weigh who stands to benefit. By that standard, readers deserve to know that the author, himself, has a direct stake in the outcome. He also fails to disclose the developers and business owners supporting his own candidate. This is important given Mr. Graham’s promises not to accept money from developers and because it creates a potential conflict of interest in future Council matters, conflicts that apparently Mr. Serena believes are only a concern for the opposition. Further, Mr. Graham’s being found guilty of ethics violations, the ongoing investigation by the State Attorney General into potential violations of Open Meeting Laws (as recently reported in the media), open complaints about his campaign finance reporting, his misuse of police and County Attorney resources against residents and Mayor Borowsky, and his incessant falsehoods are far more important for voters to consider.

I certainly will not be voting for Barry Graham (or Michelle Ugenti Rita) because character matters.

Dan Ishac
Resident and Former Council Candidate