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

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Brings New Warning as AI Helps Fraudsters Create More Convincing Emails, Calls, Texts and Identities

“Think before you click.”

That advice has been around for years, but artificial intelligence is making it harder to tell whether an email, text or other message comes from a legitimate source or a scammer. Bad spelling, awkward grammar and suspicious-looking email addresses once made many scams relatively easy to spot. Not anymore.

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month gets underway in October, Scottsdale Community Bank is warning consumers that artificial intelligence can now help clone voices, generate deepfake images and videos, and even fabricate identification documents that can make a scam appear to be surprisingly legitimate.

“The days of bad spelling, bad grammar and fuzzy logos are over,” said Steve Cohen, Scottsdale Community Bank’s EVP, Enterprise Risk Manager, COO and CCO. “Current AI technology has replaced many of those traditional clues with polished and personalized messages using correct spelling and grammar, voice cloning and deepfake photos or video. Consumers who assume they can tell whether or not an email, text or phone call is legitimate can quickly get into trouble if they don’t take the time to independently verify them.”

Cohen said some of the biggest threats banks and consumers face today don’t depend on sophisticated hacking. Instead, criminals often manipulate people into handing over their own money, passwords, security codes or other information through “social engineering.”

While phishing and impersonation scams aren’t new, criminals now have far more ways to make them convincing. Some use AI to mimic people or businesses, while others lure victims with fake investments, job offers, online shopping deals or romantic relationships. Identity theft, ransomware and other types of malware also add to the growing list of threats.

Scammers may also impersonate banks, themselves. Cohen said it raises a red flag when an unexpected call, text or email creates a sense of urgency, especially if it seems to be coming from someone in a position of authority or from a family member or friend. The same holds true if the sender threatens consequences unless another party acts quickly. Requests for passwords, authentication codes or money also warrant taking a closer look, as do instructions to click on a link, open an attachment, install software or purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency.

“A legitimate call from your bank will never include a request for your personal access credentials, including usernames, passwords or security authentication codes,” Cohen said. “Banks already have verified ways to contact their clients, so there is no need to provide confidential identifying information in response to an unexpected call, text or email.”

Cohen added that Scottsdale Community Bank clients can always contact a live person directly to verify the legitimacy of a call, email or other correspondence before taking action.

Consumers may also invite criminals in without realizing it. Cohen said banks often see issues resulting from reused or easily guessed passwords, unexpected email attachments and links, missed software or security updates, and using unencrypted public Wi-Fi. Trusting caller ID can also prove risky, as can sharing too much personal information online or failing to regularly review bank and credit card activity.

“Scams have become much more sophisticated, and anyone can encounter one that looks or sounds convincing,” said Scottsdale Community Bank President and CEO Neill LeCorgne. “We want people to know what to look for before something happens and, just as importantly, what to do if they realize they’ve made a mistake. A few minutes spent independently verifying a request can make a huge difference.”

Cohen said consumers who believe they’ve been victimized by a scam should take immediate action. Anyone who believes a computer or device has become compromised should disconnect it from the internet and contact the bank from another device, using a phone number from a bank statement, debit card, official website or mobile app rather than using contact information given in the suspicious message.

Consumers should also tell their banks right away if they transferred money or distributed any verification or security codes. Cohen also recommends changing potentially compromised passwords, placing fraud alerts with the three major credit bureaus and closely monitoring bank accounts and credit reports for activity they don’t recognize. Consumers can also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement.

For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Cohen recommends that consumers take these three steps to make it harder for scammers to succeed:

• Never assume a scam will be easy to spot. Be skeptical of any unexpected or unusual calls, emails and texts and independently verify requests using known, trusted contact information.
• Never share passwords, security codes or other sensitive or identifying information in response to an unexpected request.
• Slow down when a message demands immediate action. Read it carefully and independently verify anything that raises doubts before clicking a link, opening an attachment, sending money or providing information.

“Think before you click” remains simple advice, Cohen said, but advances in technology are making reminders particularly important.

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

By Raoul Zubia

Scottsdale has always been a community that thinks ahead. We protect our open spaces, invest in our neighborhoods, and understand that preserving what makes our city special requires more than promises. It requires planning and action.

That’s why I’m especially proud of last week’s Arizona Court of Appeals decision upholding Proposition 490.

As Vice Chair of Scottsdale’s Protect and Preserve Task Force, I helped develop Proposition 490 because I believed our city needed a responsible, long-term commitment to protecting our parks, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and public safety.

In November 2024, Scottsdale voters agreed. Proposition 490 passed with nearly 60% support.

But not everyone supported that vision. My opponent, Barry Graham, opposed Proposition 490 and worked against the measure. While we were building a plan to protect Scottsdale’s future, others were fighting an investment voters ultimately embraced.

Now, the courts have affirmed the voters’ decision.

The Arizona Court of Appeals rejected the legal challenge, determining that Proposition 490 was not subject to the referendum supermajority requirement asserted by its opponents.

This ruling is about more than a court case. It’s about respecting voters and recognizing that Scottsdale’s greatest assets don’t protect themselves.

Our parks need maintenance. Our Preserve requires stewardship. Our public safety priorities demand sustained attention. These responsibilities don’t disappear because they’re politically inconvenient.

I believe leadership means bringing people together, identifying solutions, and doing the hard work necessary to deliver results.

Proposition 490 is an example of that approach. I was proud to help build it, proud to advocate for it, and proud that Scottsdale residents supported it.

As we consider Scottsdale’s future, I hope we remember this lesson: protecting our quality of life means planning beyond the next election.

The voters spoke. The courts agreed. Now let’s keep moving Scottsdale forward.

Passed by strong majority of voters in November, 2024 to help fund the city’s Preserve, parks and public safety, Arizona Court of Appeals affirms rejection of think tank’s arguments. This is a developing story.

Lovie Smith once led the Chicago Bears to Super Bowl XLI. He later ran the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the University of Illinois and, briefly, the Houston Texans. So when his son Miles became head coach at Mesa’s Desert Ridge High School this year, and brought Dad along as a volunteer assistant, the Jaguars seemed to have hit the coaching lottery. After all, this was a program coming off an 0-10 season.

Less than one season later, both Smiths are gone. Moreover, the saga that got them there reads less like a playbook and more like a reality show pitch.

Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle

The Audible Heard Round the Valley

It started Oct. 2 against Vail Cienega. On the game’s final play, senior quarterback Gunner Brewer changed the call at the line, and his running back scored. Normally, that earns a slap on the helmet. Instead, Brewer says Miles Smith told him he had been disrespected, then cut him on Oct. 5.

In fairness to Brewer, he says his previous offensive coordinator had let him change plays. Unfortunately, that coordinator was fired at the end of September, and apparently the permission slip went with him.

A Show of Hands

On Oct. 7, the team met to discuss the dismissal. One player stood and asked who wanted Brewer back, and plenty of hands went up. A coach then reportedly said anyone who disagreed could leave. Twelve players, five of them seniors, took him up on it. As a result, all twelve were suspended for the rest of the season.

Athletic director Kevin Swann later emailed parents a gentler version. In his telling, the coach had simply invited players to share their thoughts.

Photo Credit: Football Scoop

Enter Lovie

Here’s where things get truly strange. Before the Oct. 9 game against Red Mountain, a booster reportedly walked into the locker room and photographed equipment strewn across the floor. Soon after, video surfaced of Lovie Smith confronting him and warning him never to enter that locker room again. Meanwhile, Miles could be seen holding his father back.

Keep in mind, this is a man who once matched wits with Bill Belichick. Now he was squaring off with a booster parent over a phone photo.

The Jaguars lost that night, 49-7. A week later, they fell 50-0 to Corona del Sol, a game the school refused to let the Arizona Republic cover.

Exit, Stage Left

On Oct. 19, the first day back from fall break, both Smiths resigned. Gilbert Public Schools initially said it hadn’t received anything official, though the principal confirmed the departures two days later. According to 12News, administrators now want to let some suspended players return. Brewer, however, says his high school career is over.

The Takeaway

Coaching legends are allowed to have bad weeks. Still, there’s a lesson here for every sideline, from the NFL down to Friday nights in Mesa. When a teenager’s audible produces a touchdown, the right response is a high five, not a pink slip.

By Raoul Zubia

Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas is right about one thing: Scottsdale has benefited from decades of responsible water planning. But that success should not become an excuse for complacency.

Dubauskas cites Scottsdale’s legal entitlement to 141,000 acre-feet of water annually. What she overlooks is the difference between water rights and water availability. The Colorado River is over-allocated, and legal entitlements cannot guarantee deliveries when supplies decline.

Nor have I argued that Advanced Water Purification is our only solution. Conservation, groundwater management, water banking, and diversified supplies all have important roles. AWP deserves serious consideration as part of that broader strategy, with transparent accounting of its costs and benefits.

Our stored reserves are valuable precisely because they protect us during shortages. They are not a permanent substitute for renewable supplies.

Scottsdale has long been a leader in water management. Protecting that legacy requires acknowledging future risks, examining the evidence, and making responsible investments before a crisis forces our hand.

By Raoul Zubia

Residents are tired of the antics. They just want leaders who will solve problems. 

Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Barry Graham have spent this election telling Scottsdale residents who to fear. Their latest attack on me is long on accusations, short on facts, and completely devoid of the leadership our city deserves. These are accusations that were dismantled and disproven numerous times over the course of the past three months. But they don’t care; to them, repeating lies is a pastime.

I am the water candidate: Planning for future shortages isn’t a hoax. It’s responsible leadership. Scottsdale’s current water security doesn’t eliminate the need to prepare for tomorrow. I support conservation, water recycling, and protecting our aquifers. That’s why I’ve challenged efforts to delay investments in our water future. Denying future risks won’t make them disappear. Posting videos with Rob Schneider isn’t a solution. 

On neighborhoods: I support stronger short-term rental enforcement, greater local control, and development that respects existing neighborhoods. I’ve appeared on several news programs, making my policy clear, and it has been on my website since day 1. My work helping vulnerable families through the Paiute Neighborhood Center reflects a lifetime of community service. Turning that service into a scare tactic is shameful.

On spending and public safety: I believe taxpayer dollars should deliver results: safe streets, reliable infrastructure, strong emergency services, and responsible investments that prevent more expensive problems down the road. Supporting police and firefighters while addressing homelessness and mental health isn’t an ideological agenda. It’s practical governance. I am proud to be supported by police and fire.

On special interests and Axon: I’ve never hidden my support for bringing quality jobs to Scottsdale while demanding responsible development. I’ve also publicly rejected unsolicited endorsements. I’ve consistently supported keeping good-paying jobs in Scottsdale while insisting that any development respect neighborhood concerns, water resources, and appropriate density. Supporting economic opportunity is not a blank check for developers. I do not want more Axon apartments. Only one candidate in this race has voted for MORE APARTMENTS – that’s Barry Graham.

Here’s the real difference in this election: My opponents see disagreement as disloyalty and compromise as weakness. I see both as part of responsible leadership.

I’m a lifelong Scottsdale resident and a proud Coronado High School graduate. I’ve served this community long before seeking elected office, and I’ll continue serving it regardless of political labels. Scottsdale doesn’t belong to developers, political organizations, or any three-person voting bloc. It belongs to its residents.

We deserve a City Council focused on solving problems, protecting neighborhoods, securing our water future, and treating people with respect.

Enough with the fear, division, and political theater. Let’s put Scottsdale first.

By Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita

A simple theme has emerged in this City Council election: We choose Scottsdale residents, while Raoul Zubia consistently chooses special interests.

That difference is obvious on the water security issue. The city’s water experts say our supply is secure. We believe it must still be conserved, recycled, banked, and — most importantly — not given away to high-density developers. Zubia chooses fear instead, pushing a discredited water hoax after he lobbied the Council for thousands of apartments.

By Ronald Sampson

Scottsdale has always sold itself as two cities in one. By day, it’s a quiet, well-kept place to raise a family or retire within sight of the McDowells. By night, however, Old Town becomes one of the Southwest’s busiest party districts, complete with bachelorette crawls and valet lines around the block. For years, city leaders have promised that both identities could live side by side. Lately, the evidence suggests that balance has gotten out of whack.

Consider two stories from a single week in October. In one, police say a man opened fire on an apartment building after neighbors refused his cocaine. In the other, a car tied to a street racing investigation smashed through a gate at Scottsdale Airport and into a private jet.

A Cocaine Offer, a Hammer and 10 Rounds

Police say Samuel Sedgwick, 49, walked uninvited into a neighbor’s unit near Miller and Osborn roads on the morning of Oct. 15. According to court documents, he offered cocaine, called the refusal offensive to his culture and began beating a resident. A second occupant then struck him with a hammer to stop the attack. Afterward, police say Sedgwick went home, noticed a chipped tooth and pedaled back on a bicycle with a 9mm handgun. He allegedly fired 10 rounds, and one bullet tore into a neighboring apartment whose resident wasn’t home. Notably, he admitted to officers that prior felonies barred him from owning a gun.

A Chase That Ended on a Runway

Two days later, Phoenix’s Street Racing Taskforce tried to pull over a black Dodge Challenger on SR 51. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly fled, and a GPS tracker let police follow the car into Scottsdale. At the airport, police say the Challenger rammed a detective’s car, broke through a locked gate and nearly hit several planes. Eventually, it crashed through a hangar door and into an unoccupied jet. Two suspects ran before officers caught them, and the FBI is now investigating the breach.

Photo Credit: KNN News

Where the Balance Broke

Admittedly, neither incident happened on a bar patio. Still, both point to the same problem. Scottsdale has leaned hard into its anything-goes nightlife brand, and that reputation travels well beyond Old Town. It attracts people who treat the city as a playground rather than a home. Meanwhile, residents who chose Scottsdale for its calm absorb the fallout, from bullets in their carports to fleeing drivers on a city runway.

To be fair, credit belongs where it’s due. Scottsdale officers arrested Sedgwick within minutes of the shooting. Yet a fast response is not the same thing as prevention.

Restoring the Equilibrium

Fixing this doesn’t require shutting down Old Town. Rather, it means City Council must treat public safety as the foundation of the brand, not an afterthought. That starts with an honest look at staffing, late-night enforcement and whether nightlife growth has outpaced the city’s ability to police it. Scottsdale can be both a great place to live and a great place to party. When those goals collide, though, residents should win every time.

By Councilman Barry Graham

Whether it hails from Minnesota or Mesa greatness is powerful and worth recognizing.

Watch the ad from Minnesota Secretary of State Candidate Tad Jude here.

By María Hernández

Ed Hermes. Photo Credit: Axios

Phoenix City Council candidate Ed Hermes wants voters to trust his judgment. But recent reporting raises troubling questions about his independence and consistency.

According to Axios, Hermes is a partner at Snell & Wilmer, a law firm with 13 registered city lobbyists and more than 260 clients. His firm represents interests that regularly intersect with city business, including legal disputes involving water policy and data centers.

Hermes says he’ll recuse himself when necessary. But District 4 needs a full-time advocate, not a councilmember who may have to sit out important decisions because of his employer’s business interests.

That is especially concerning as Phoenix confronts serious challenges involving water security, growth, and infrastructure. Residents deserve to know whose interests will come first.

His political record raises additional questions.

The Arizona Republic revealed that Hermes previously supported overturning Roe v. Wade and opposed abortion exceptions for rape and incest. Now he presents himself as a champion of reproductive freedom.

People can evolve, but such a significant reversal deserves more than campaign assurances.

These aren’t minor disagreements. They go directly to whether voters can trust Hermes to put his constituents ahead of professional obligations and political convenience.

District 4 deserves independent, consistent leadership. Before asking for our votes, Ed Hermes needs to provide some straight answers.

News release from Mayor Borowsky’s office

After pushing for months for a comprehensive examination of Scottsdale’s water resources, Mayor Lisa Borowsky says the city now has a clear picture of its water future and must move aggressively to protect it.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20 Scottsdale City Council received an extensive work study examining the city’s current water portfolio, conservation programs, drought planning, and potential new water supplies.

Mayor Borowsky brought forward the idea for the comprehensive water work study and advocated for it for several months leading up to the Oct. 20 presentation. Mayor Borowsky serves on the Board of Directors at the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, which earlier today voted to move forward with a regional messaging campaign focused on educating the public on statewide water conservation opportunities.

Furthermore, Mayor Borowsky is a member of the Coalition for Protecting Arizona’s Lifeline, which is nonpartisan alliance of leaders at the Central Arizona Project focused on educating, advocating, and elevating the importance of long-term water security and economic resilience in our state.

The work study presentation held this past Tuesday at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., examined projects ranging from additional reclaimed and advanced purified water infrastructure to the Harquahala Valley and Bartlett Dam expansion.

“This was about getting everything on the table and having an honest, comprehensive discussion about where Scottsdale stands today and what we need to do to secure our water future,” Mayor Lisa Borowsky said. “We cannot wait for the next shortage declaration or crisis to start thinking about conservation and new supplies. We need to get ahead of the problem.”

The discussion comes as Scottsdale remains heavily reliant on Colorado River water. The city has rights to 81,271 acre-feet through the Central Arizona Project, while the presentation outlined a potential 2027 CAP supply of 67,455 acre-feet, representing a 17% reduction from the city’s allocation.

For Ms. Borowsky, the Oct. 20 presentation was not intended to be the end of the conversation. She is calling for the city to examine additional conservation measures, including:

• At the request of Mayor Borowsky — and supported by her City Council colleagues — the City Attorney’s Office is developing a large-water-user ordinance designed to address significant water consumption and encourage greater efficiency for new development projects.
• Expansion of smart-water-meter technology to help identify opportunities to reduce water waste, including unnecessary irrigation during periods of rain.
• Exploration of hot-water recirculation systems to reduce potable water wasted while residents wait for hot water to reach faucets and showers.
• Updating Scottsdale’s rainwater harvesting ordinance to encourage greater capture and productive use of rainfall.

Those proposals would complement conservation initiatives already under way, Mayor Borowsky contends pointing out Scottsdale reported that its WaterSmart portal provides customers with hourly-use information, personalized data, and leak alerts. Numbers show leak-detection efforts prevented 35 million gallons in losses in 2025 and resulted in 6,271 leak alerts to customers.

The city also approved 346 conservation rebates totaling $628,233 in fiscal year 2025-26, including programs for grass removal, irrigation controllers, smart-home water-monitoring devices and commercial water-management technology.Read More

By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas

Amish Shah is a slight favorite to win Arizona’s 1st Congressional District on Nov. 3, with analysts saying Democrats hold the edge. If he does, Republicans will start hunting for a 2028 challenger almost immediately.

Amish Shah. Photo Credit: Arizona Republic

Nobody has declared anything. Still, Jay Feely’s primary win and a deep bench of local officeholders make for an interesting shortlist. As far as public reporting shows, most of these names have not been floated.

The Rematch Option

Jay Feely. The former NFL kicker is the Trump-endorsed 2026 nominee and won his primary with about half the vote. He has name recognition and money. A close loss could invite a rematch, though 2028 turnout will look different.

The Scottsdale Bench

Lisa Borowsky. The Republican-affiliated mayor beat David Ortega with 54% in 2024 and has a citywide win to her name. However, her seat is also on the 2028 ballot, so she would have to choose.

Jan Dubauskas. The at-large councilwoman is an attorney and former insurance executive who ran for state senate in 2022. Her council seat is also up in 2028.

Adam Kwasman. The councilman is a former state representative who ran for this seat’s predecessor in 2014. He finished third. He faces the same 2028 timing problem.

Christian Serena. The Scottsdale native and wealth advisor became a household name as the lone Planning Commission vote against Axon’s mega-apartment complex plans. He stood on principle and drew the company’s fire for it. Residents have not forgotten, and that goodwill could be political currency. 

Phoenix and County Hall

Jim Waring. The Phoenix councilman has represented northeast Phoenix, part of CD1, since 2011. He is a former state senator who lost a 2010 congressional primary.

Tom Galvin. The county supervisor chaired the board in 2025. He said last fall he is not interested in Congress. Politicians change their minds, though, and his seat is also up in 2028.

Matt Gress. The state representative and former Ducey budget director has survived a swing district. He did face July questions about out-of-state lobbying work, which he says is a non-issue.

The Statehouse Set

Alexander Kolodin. The Scottsdale-area state representative is the GOP nominee for secretary of state. If that bid falls short in November, he becomes a free agent.

Joseph Chaplik. The former Scottsdale state representative and Freedom Caucus member finished second in the primary with 35.7%. He already has a base.

Gina Swoboda. The former state party chair first announced for this seat before switching to secretary of state. She lost that primary to Kolodin but remains a Trump favorite.

Veterans and Wildcards

David Schweikert. The longtime congressman lost the governor’s primary badly and is not seeking re-election. Name ID is his, but a comeback looks unlikely.

John Trobough. The outlier. The former tech CEO took 14.5% in his first race and pledged at least $1 million of his own money. Every cycle seems to produce a wealthy outsider, and 2028 will likely deliver another.

The seat is sure to stay a top target. After Nov. 3, watch who starts showing up at Scottsdale events.

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead

Scottsdale Councilmembers Barry Graham and Jan Dubauskas’ comments at this week’s Council meeting on water made one thing clear: they either do not understand – or they do not want the public to understand – the truth about Scottsdale’s water challenges.  

After nearly two years of their blocking public meetings on water, we finally held a water work-study session. What should have been an honest discussion about preparing for reduced Colorado River supplies became something else entirely.

Graham, Dubauskas and the City’s interim water director made some bold, inaccurate statements about “Scottsdale water abundance”. Let’s look at the facts.

The Colorado River is overallocated.  That means, cities like Scottsdale have legal entitlements to water quantities that the river can no longer supply.  

Scottsdale is over-reliant on the Central Arizona Project delivered Colorado River water. It’s seventy-one percent of our water.

 Scottsdale has no secret, unlimited stash of extra water underground.

Steeper cuts to our supply of CAP water are coming.  Scottsdale’s job is to conservatively prepare for the worst-case scenario, while working diligently to deliver the best. But this Council majority has us going in the opposite direction:

• Water use is rising.
• Water fund balances have sharply declined from $222 million to a projected $80 million.
• An unprecedented number of water technical, policy, and operations staff have left.
• Ratepayers are funding one-time groundwater purchases while Advanced Water Purification (AWP), a renewable, cost-effective water source, remains defunded.

Now let’s unpack their bold claims; claims that do not “hold water”:

Scottsdale has and will continue to have a 141,000 acre feet (AF) annual water supply.

This is not true.  Scottsdale’s previous 100-year Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) which ended December 2025 was based on the likelihood that Scottsdale would have access to this amount of water during normal times.

These are not normal times.  Today’s drought is not speculation.  The river’s hydrology, not legal water entitlements or past DAWS, dictate our access to water.  

Scottsdale has a 50,000+ AF annual water surplus? No!

Scottsdale has approximately 280,000 AF of water stored in its aquifer today. It took years to build that reserve and it represents about four years of water at current usage.

And there will be no future CAP surplus to replace water extracted. This is not a renewable water source, it’s an emergency “piggy bank”.

Scottsdale’s Advanced Water Purification (AWP) will cost $6,900–$8,400 per acre-foot. Really?

That figure is so far above estimates for comparable projects that it appears to be a political talking point instead of a fact-based estimate.

Advanced Water Purification (AWP) has long been recognized as the cost-effective, renewable water source. Scottsdale’s Water Campus has been treating recycled wastewater to drinking-water quality for years. New ADEQ requirements call for additional investments to allow purified water to be blended directly into our drinking water supply—but Scottsdale is not starting from scratch.

New treatment facilities being built from the ground up are estimating costs of roughly $1,000–$2,500 per acre-foot. Given our infrastructure, costs should be substantially lower.

Scottsdale is in a strong position today because decades of past elected Scottsdale leaders adopted sound water policy and made necessary investments. Our adopted Water Strategic Plan charts a path to a diverse water portfolio that keeps water safe, secure, and affordable.

Yet this Council majority continues to override that plan—at residents’ expense.

Our generation must protect the Colorado River and our own water future. It won’t be free or easy, but we can achieve both. Scottsdale water is too important to sacrifice for political agendas. We need a City Council that will put science, sound policy, and our residents first.

By Former SRP Executive Tony Moya

I spent decades at SRP working alongside colleagues to deliver water and power to the people of Arizona. The lesson from that work is simple: you plan for shortages before they arrive.

Scottsdale is now bracing for a 17% cut to its Colorado River supply as soon as January. City officials say residents won’t feel it right away because the city isn’t using its full allocation. 

I hope that holds. But the same reporting says new supply could cost anywhere from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars, and one councilmember admits rates may rise.

Scottsdale gets about 70% of its water from the Colorado River, more than any other city its size or larger in Arizona or California. Yet the council, thanks to Barry Graham, passed a budget that left out $233 million for water projects, including recycling. 

Nothing is budgeted for advanced water purification; a program Scottsdale ran for more than 20 years. Councilman Graham, do you have any idea what doing nothing will cost?

Now Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita are citing remarks from Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas and the city manager as proof they’ve been right all along. That’s hardly confirmation. A city manager reporting to a council on an agenda the council set is staff reporting back to its bosses, not an independent verdict.

Graham and Ugenti-Rita owe voters honesty about the choices they made.

That’s why I’m supporting Raoul Zubia. He has made water his focus, and he listens to the people who study it. Experts have warned Arizona for years about what’s coming.

Scottsdale needs leaders who will put real money behind new supply, conservation, and recycling now, while there is still time and choice.

Voters must choose Raoul Zubia.

Heroes & Hops to feature a firefighter-brewed beer, food specials and fundraising for Scottsdale Firefighter Charities

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) Scottsdale firefighters are trying their hand at something a little different. Brewing beer.

Members of Scottsdale Firefighters Local 5050 have teamed up with Fate Brewing to create a special beer that will make its debut Sunday, Nov. 8, at Heroes & Hops, a community event and fundraiser at Fate Brewing, 1312 N. Scottsdale Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The firefighters worked alongside Fate’s brewers to create the beer, with $1 from every pint sold benefiting Scottsdale Firefighter Charities.

The event, hosted by Local 5050, will feature food specials, fire truck photo opportunities and plenty of opportunities to spend time with Scottsdale firefighters outside the fire station. Pipes & Drums will open the festivities.

Scottsdale Firefighters Association President Sasha Weller said the event is another way for firefighters to connect with the community they serve.

“We spend a lot of time responding to calls and helping people when they need us most. This is a chance to get together under much better circumstances,” said Weller. “We appreciate Fate Brewing working with our firefighters to create something special. We hope people will come out, have some fun and help us raise money for a good cause.”

The event comes just weeks after Scottsdale Firefighter Charities raised a record $100,000-plus at its 27th annual Behind the Flames dinner, held Sept. 27 at Mastro’s City Hall. The money supports firefighters and their families as well as organizations helping Scottsdale youth, seniors and others in need. The dinner also honored Firefighter of the Year Rey Igliane and four community members with C.A.R.E. Awards.

Heroes & Hops continues that charitable effort, although in a decidedly more casual setting.

And you don’t have to be a firefighter or even a beer drinker to attend. The event is open to everyone, including families with children. Stop by for lunch, meet some of Scottsdale’s firefighters, enjoy the afternoon and support a good cause. For more information on Scottsdale Fire Fighters Charities, go to their Facebook Page. 

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From Michelle Ugenti-Rita’s Facebook account

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is applauding the Scottsdale City Council’s unanimous direction to move forward with developing standards for future data centers — with a focus on protecting the city’s water resources, neighborhoods and infrastructure.

Scottsdale City Council unanimously gave direction at last night’s work study directing the City Attorney’s Office to examine the municipality’s existing regulatory framework and potential policy considerations for data centers.

“Technology is evolving rapidly, and Scottsdale needs to be prepared before the next major proposal arrives at City Hall,” Mayor Borowsky said following the unanimous approval of her proposal.

“I appreciate the unanimous support of my council colleagues to take a thoughtful look at this issue now. We can welcome innovation and economic investment while making certain those opportunities align with Scottsdale’s long-term responsibility to our residents and our resources.”

A key priority for Mayor Borowsky is water.

Mayor Borowsky, who serves on the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association Board of Directors, says she wants future development standards to encourage the most efficient use of Scottsdale’s water resources, including examining cooling systems that recirculate water and other technologies that can reduce overall consumption.

“In the desert, every serious conversation about major development has to include water,” Mayor Borowsky points out. “If a proposed data center requires significant water for cooling, we should expect that facility to demonstrate that it is using water as efficiently and responsibly as possible. We need to look closely at technologies and systems that can recirculate cooling water and minimize unnecessary consumption.”

Scottsdale Zoning Administrator Erin Perrault gave the Oct. 20 work study presentation illustrating how water demand can vary dramatically between facilities. She points out that Scottsdale has two existing data centers:

• The first facility is at 8521 E. Princess Drive and is approximately 74,000 square feet, has electrical capacity of more than 5.8 megawatts and uses approximately 55,000 gallons of water per day.
• A second facility at 7499 E. Paradise Lane is approximately 99,000 square feet, has electrical capacity of more than 11 megawatts and uses approximately 3,500 gallons per day.

Scottsdale does not define or regulate a “data center,” according to city code, Ms. Perrault explained at the work study discussion.

Such facilities fall under the broader “Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services” land-use classification and are permitted by right in Industrial Park and Light Employment districts.

Noise and neighborhood compatibility are also priorities for Mayor Borowsky as data centers can include cooling equipment and backup generators, while Scottsdale’s existing standards governing setbacks, buffering, equipment screening and noise were not developed specifically for data centers.

“Scottsdale residents should not have their quality of life diminished by the constant operation of industrial equipment,” Mayor Borowsky said. “We need standards that carefully consider where these facilities are located, how equipment is positioned and screened, and how noise is mitigated so our neighborhoods are protected.”

Mayor Borowsky says that she wants the city to have a clear understanding of the electrical requirements associated with any future data center proposal.

“We need to understand exactly what these projects will demand from our infrastructure before approvals are granted,” Mayor Borowsky said. “That means looking closely at at the infrastructure burdens and how they could affect Scottsdale. Those questions need to be answered on the front end.”

Under the City Council’s direction, staff will continue evaluating possible policy approaches and return to City Hall with recommendations.

“This is about getting ahead of an emerging issue rather than reacting to it later,” Mayor Borowsky said. “Scottsdale should remain a place where innovation can succeed, but innovation must be compatible with responsible water stewardship, reliable infrastructure and the quality of life our residents expect. Setting clear expectations now gives residents, developers and the city greater certainty going forward.”

By Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board Member Amy Carney

Across Arizona, public school districts are facing declining enrollment and difficult financial decisions. But how districts respond to these challenges matters.

Consider two neighboring districts: Mesa Public Schools and Scottsdale Unified School District.

Mesa has adapted by redesigning smaller schools, sharing resources, creating specialized academic programs, welcoming Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) families, and leasing unused campus space. Administrative restructuring has also generated approximately $3.75 million in annual savings.

Meanwhile, Scottsdale Unified has approved the closure of four neighborhood schools within the past year. I voted against both rounds because I believe we should exhaust creative alternatives before closing schools.

Arizona’s educational landscape has changed. Families have more choices than ever, and school districts must adapt rather than fight that reality. Instead of blaming school choice for declining enrollment, we must choose to compete.

Only approximately 55% of school-aged children living within Scottsdale Unified boundaries attend our district schools. That should concern every district leader. We must understand what families want and provide the academic programs and learning environments that make our schools their first choice.

Last October, I requested a proactive Long Range Planning and Boundary Board Advisory Committee to examine enrollment, facilities, and sustainable solutions. Unfortunately, the board majority did not support that approach.

Mesa demonstrates that districts can rethink traditional models, develop partnerships, and better utilize taxpayer-funded facilities before considering closures.

This commitment to proactive planning and exploring alternatives before closing schools is one reason I am seeking re-election to the SUSD board alongside Jeanne Beasley. We share priorities of academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and finding innovative ways to strengthen Scottsdale Unified.

Our responsibility is not simply to manage declining enrollment. It is to give families compelling reasons to choose our public schools again.

Most of us have a Symphony Hall memory. Maybe it was a school field trip, a holiday pops concert, or a date night that went better than expected. For nearly 80 years, the Phoenix Symphony has quietly scored the life of this Valley. Now, it is about to go silent.

On Tuesday, the orchestra announced it will suspend operations after its November 1 performance. Its 66 full-time musicians face unpaid layoffs the very next day. Board chairman Mo Stein called it the most difficult decision the board has ever faced. No return date has been set.

Photo Credit: Visit Phoenix

A Cruel Irony

Perhaps the thing that stings most is that this season was positioned as a new beginning. Music director designate Paolo Bortolameolli only opened his first season on October 9. Moreover, revenue has grown more than 50% since 2023, so audiences were coming back. Yet the orchestra still carries over $2.8 million in debt, and donations this year simply fell short.

How Does This Happen Here?

Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in America. Semiconductor fabs are rising in the north Valley. Corporate relocations keep rolling in. Meanwhile, Chase Field is lined up for a half-billion-dollar facelift. So how does a booming region let its flagship orchestra run out of cash?

There are a few likely culprits. First, most gifts to the symphony’s $60 million endowment campaign are restricted, so they cannot cover payroll. Second, Phoenix is a city of transplants. Many newcomers still write their biggest checks to institutions back in Chicago or Minneapolis. Finally, costs keep climbing while ticket prices can only stretch so far.

Not Just a Phoenix Problem

In fact, this is happening elsewhere too. Just last month, the Nashville Symphony suspended its season over a $10 million deficit. Within a week, Oracle pledged $10 million and the season was reinstated.

The lead shouldn’t be buried in that case: Nashville found its rescuer fast. Phoenix has not, at least not yet.

Photo Credit: KTAR

Someone Needs to Step Up

A great city is not measured only by its ribbon cuttings. It is measured by what it chooses to keep. Right now, a 79-year-old institution is asking that question of all of us.

The companies betting billions on Arizona’s future should be the first to answer. So should the civic leaders who love to call this a world-class region. November 1 is eleven days away. After that, the hall goes quiet, and we will all have to live with the silence.

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

By Joe Romack

By Ashley Earle