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.

Experience Scottsdale partners with JSX on Scottsdale branded aircraft

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a Scottsdale branded plane!

On Oct. 7, an aircraft decorated with cacti-dotted mountains and a Sonoran Desert sunrise landed at Scottsdale Airport. The flight, carrying 30 passengers from Hollywood Burbank Airport, was the first of many for the Scottsdale-branded plane, part of a new, two-year partnership between Experience Scottsdale and JSX, the semi-private airline that has flown out of Scottsdale Airport since 2024.

Over the next two years, Experience Scottsdale will collaborate on initiatives reaching JSX’s 1 million regular travelers. The aircraft is one of the most visible elements of the marketing campaign, which aims to inspire travelers flying the airline’s network to experience the destination for themselves. JSX serves nine direct flight markets out of Scottsdale, including Burbank.

“One of the most effective ways we reach the luxury consumer is by partnering with premier travel brands like JSX,” said Experience Scottsdale President and CEO Rachel Sacco. “Their customer base aligns closely with the high-end travelers we’re hoping to reach, and we’re excited for this partnership that will position Scottsdale as the premier choice for a luxury escape.”

Boarding the flight were members of the media, content creators and luxury travel advisors. Scottsdale Senior Director of Tourism & Economic Development Kevin Burke and Scottsdale Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen, who serves as the council liaison for Experience Scottsdale’s board of directors, joined Sacco and Experience Scottsdale staff to educate the media and clients about the destination’s offerings, helping produce media coverage and social posts, as well as sell future Scottsdale vacations.

During a pre-flight activation at the JSX Burbank hangar, Experience Scottsdale shared information about Scottsdale while serving desert-inspired treats from Scottsdale Cookie Co. and hosting Western-themed activities, including a leather embossing station for luggage tags and passport covers.

“I felt such immense pride in our city as I saw Scottsdale so beautifully represented on the runway, and I know residents will feel the same whenever they see the plane flying to and from Scottsdale Airport,” said McAllen. “It was an honor to join Experience Scottsdale for this trip and witness firsthand how they share their enthusiasm for Scottsdale with potential visitors.”

Once boarded and upon landing, the passengers received additional Scottsdale-themed gifts and information, including candles from Scottsdale-based Light + Bark Candle Co., copies of the Scottsdale Visitor Guide and the City of Scottsdale’s Old Town Passports, and teal cowboy hats branded with Experience Scottsdale’s agave logo.

Inspired by a travel superstition, Experience Scottsdale designed a horseshoe on the doorframe of the plane. As future JSX passengers board, they will tap the horseshoe for good luck. The design includes a QR code, allowing one lucky traveler the chance to win a prize each month.

“Our partnership with Experience Scottsdale is rooted in a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience and bringing more people closer to everything the area has to offer,” said JSX President David Drabinsky. “Scottsdale has become a cornerstone of the JSX network, and together we’re making it easier than ever to visit with the speed and convenience of flying JSX directly into Scottsdale Airport. We’re thrilled to deepen our roots here and find new, creative ways to introduce even more customers to this incredible destination.”

Over the next two years, Experience Scottsdale will collaborate with JSX on additional activations, content creator trips, and flash sales. In June, JSX offered a 48-flash sale that provided customers 50% off their flight if they traveled to Scottsdale through Sept. 30. The sale resulted in over 5,100 booked flights for the summer, helping drive visitation during Scottsdale’s need period.

The ongoing partnership between Experience Scottsdale and JSX has the potential to increase visitation, support local businesses and reinforce Scottsdale’s appeal among travelers seeking premier travel service and upscale travel experiences in the years to come.

PHOENIX, AZ – Vestar, one of the leading privately held shopping center owners and operators in the western United States, has announced the promotion of Clint Marchuk to Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, effective immediately. Marchuk has been with Vestar for 12 years, joining the company in 2014 as Vice President of Acquisitions.

During his tenure, Marchuk has led the identification, evaluation and execution of shopping center acquisitions across the western United States, including the recapitalization of District at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nevada, and Orchard Town Center in Westminster, Colorado, as well as the acquisition of Scottsdale Quarter in Vestar’s home market of Arizona. He has played an integral role in the growth and evolution of Vestar’s 30-million-square-foot portfolio, overseeing more than 92 transactions totaling approximately $4.3 billion throughout his career.

“Clint has been instrumental in Vestar’s growth over the past 12 years, bringing investment expertise, strong industry relationships and proven leadership to every opportunity we pursue,” said David Larcher, president and CEO of Vestar. “This promotion reflects both the significant contributions he has made to Vestar and our confidence in his leadership as we continue to execute new investment opportunities and expand our portfolio across the western United States.”

As Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, Marchuk will continue to work in Vestar’s Phoenix headquarters, overseeing all acquisitions while assuming broader responsibility for the company’s capital markets strategy, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and capital partnerships. In his expanded role, he will work alongside Vestar’s executive leadership team to advance the company’s long-term investment strategy and support the continued growth of its portfolio.Read More

October Lineup Includes Debut of Homegrown at Alamar, Return of Avondale’s Annual Barks & Treats and Creepin’ Candy Crawl

From pets and pumpkins to local vendors and Halloween fun, Alamar is filling October with three free events that bring Avondale families, businesses and community partners together. The month-long celebration includes two returning City of Avondale favorites and the debut of Homegrown at Alamar, a new fall signature event inspired by harvest traditions and Alamar’s contemporary agrarian roots.

Homegrown at Alamar will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Hay Moon Park, where a community market, local vendors and live music will set the scene for Alamar’s newest fall tradition. The fall festivities will also include a petting zoo, barrel train ride, duck races and other family-friendly fanfare.

The new event falls between two returning City of Avondale annual favorites, with Barks & Treats kicking things off on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Creepin’ Candy Crawl following on Thursday, Oct. 29. Alamar is the founding sponsor of Barks & Treats and a major sponsor of Creepin’ Candy Crawl.

“Fall at Alamar is about making time for special moments that bring a community closer,” said Eric Tune, Senior Vice President of Brookfield Residential, Alamar’s Masterplan Developer. “Homegrown at Alamar gives local businesses, families and organizations a new way to connect, while Barks & Treats and Creepin’ Candy Crawl continue traditions people look forward to each year. We invite everyone to join us, enjoy time outdoors and experience the welcoming spirit of Alamar.”

Barks & Treats begins the monthly festivities from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Alamar Park. The event includes pet caricatures, crafts, a photo booth and a festive pet costume contest. Local partners will also offer vaccinations, microchips, nail trims and a little pampering for four-legged family members.

Homegrown at Alamar follows from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Hay Moon Park, where local vendors, live music and family-friendly activities for all ages will help kick off a new Alamar fall tradition inspired by the harvest season. The event offers residents and visitors a chance to discover area businesses, meet local organizations and share a lively Saturday morning outside alongside friends and neighbors.

Alamar will close out the month with the Creepin’ Candy Crawl from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Alamar Park. Families can explore a trick-or-treat trail hosted by local partners and organizations, along with face painting, creepy crafts, food trucks and a costume contest for youth and adults.

All three events are complimentary and open to the public, giving kids, adults and even four-legged family members plenty of ways to come together and recreate throughout October. Together, they also offer visitors a taste of everyday life at Alamar, where parks and outdoor gathering places give neighbors plenty of reasons to gather and enjoy time outside. Visitors can also make a day of each event by exploring Alamar and touring more than 18 model homes by 6 builders.

Brookfield Residential, Lennar, Pulte Homes, Richmond American and Taylor Morrison are currently building within Alamar, with new homes starting from the high-$300s. DRB Homes will make its debut Oct. 24, completing the builder lineup for the community’s newest phase of development.

As Alamar’s masterplan developer, Brookfield Residential oversees the broader vision for the Avondale master-planned community while also serving as a home builder within the community. In addition to bringing almost 700 new single-family homes to Avondale, Alamar’s newest phase also features seven new thoughtfully designed parks with custom art installations. This new phase will also serve as the future home of Estrella Vista Academy, a state-of-the-art high school set to open near Alamar Boulevard and Dysart Road and serve up to 2,400 students.

For more information about Alamar, upcoming events and available homes, visit www.liveatAlamar.com. For more about Brookfield Residential, visit BrookfieldResidentialLand.com.

A major work by Colombian artist Olga de Amaral will head to the auction block at the Larsen Fall Art Auction in Scottsdale Oct. 17, giving collectors a chance to bid on a $400,000-$600,000 work by an artist whose profile and prices have climbed dramatically over the past two years.

Olga de Amaral, “Moon Basket 15,” 1988

Larsen Gallery will offer de Amaral’s 1988 “Moon Basket 15” during its Fall Art Auction, where it will headline a notable group of Latin American works by Jesús Rafael Soto, Oswaldo Vigas and Roberto Matta.

Measuring 64 inches by 32 inches, “Moon Basket 15” combines acrylic, gold leaf and gesso on silk and linen. A private Paradise Valley, Arizona, collection acquired the work from Bentley Tomlinson Gallery in Scottsdale in 1992 and has held it ever since.

The sale comes at a remarkable point in de Amaral’s career. Her auction record was $698,500 in May 2024, and then rose to $1.17 million by May 2025. By November 2025, “Pueblo H” had sold for $3.12 million at Christie’s in New York, setting another auction record for the artist.

Major art institutions have also turned considerable attention toward her work. Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain presented de Amaral’s first major European retrospective from October 2024 through March 2025, bringing together about 80 works spanning more than six decades. The exhibition later traveled to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami. Her work also belongs to collections including Tate Modern, the Museum of Modern Art, the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Born in Bogotá in 1932, de Amaral has spent decades working outside the traditional boundaries of textile art. She incorporates materials like linen, cotton, gesso, gold leaf and palladium into her work, intermingling weaving, painting and sculpture.

“There’s an enormous amount of attention on Olga de Amaral right now, and for good reason,” said Larsen Gallery’s Mary Holford. “She’s spent decades creating work that is unmistakably her own, and to have ‘Moon Basket 15’ in this auction alongside Soto, Vigas and Matta gives us an incredible group of Latin American artists represented in the same sale.”

Among those works is Jesús Rafael Soto’s “Variantes Vertical,” created in 1998 and estimated at $100,000-$200,000. Made from painted wood with metal mounting hardware, the three-dimensional work measures 40.5 inches by 40.25 inches by 6.75 inches deep. The Venezuelan artist moved to Paris in 1950, where he became part of the city’s avant-garde art scene and explored movement, space and perception in his work.

Jesús Rafael Soto, “Variantes Vertical,” 1998

Larsen will also offer two works by Venezuelan artist Oswaldo Vigas. His 1976 oil on canvas “Grupo Azul” measures 56.5 inches by 45 inches and carries an estimate of $130,000-$180,000. His 1985 oil on canvas “Duende Azul” measures 72.5 inches by 51 inches. Vigas’s career spanned more than six decades, with pre-Columbian imagery and European modernism influencing his paintings, prints and ceramics.

Roberto Matta, Untitled, 1995

Chilean artist Roberto Matta also joins the lineup with an untitled 1995 oil on canvas measuring 53.5 inches by 79 inches that could fetch $70,000-$100,000. Matta worked in Europe and the United States, with Surrealism and his interest in the subconscious influencing his often-dreamlike work.

Together, the de Amaral, Soto, Vigas and Matta works give Latin American art a significant presence in the 21st installment of the biannual Larsen Art Auction. The Oct. 17 sale includes 440 lots spanning contemporary, modern, Southwestern, Native American and Latin American art, with paintings, limited-edition prints and sculptures ranging in value from several hundred dollars well into six figures.

The auction comes as Larsen continues to attract collectors and consignors across Arizona and well beyond. The 35-year-old Larsen Gallery has generated more than $25 million in lifetime auction sales, with its April 2026 sale drawing buyers from more than 40 states and 20 countries.

Award-winning auctioneer Jason Brooks keeps the bidding lively throughout the day with quick humor and plenty of crowd interaction.

Collectors can now view available lots, and the Larsen Fall Art Auction begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, with live, telephone, absentee and online bidding available throughout the event.

For more about the Larsen Art Auction, visit LarsenArtAuction.com or follow developments on Facebook, X or Instagram.

By Mary Hamway

In 1980 the Arizona Legislature gave citizens a powerful say in how their local governments grow and spend monies, and that is a very good thing. On your ballot in the upcoming election, Proposition 426 asks you to permanently increase Paradise Valley’s annual expenditure limitation by roughly $20 million. This is more than a 40% increase over the current budget in spending capacity! I am recommending a NO vote on Proposition 426. This is not a vote against infrastructure, public safety, responsible municipal services or hiring staff. It is a vote in support of fiscal discipline.

The Town says Proposition 426 would not raise taxes. This is true because we don’t have a local tax to raise, but more importantly, it misleads the voter and misses the point completely. A spending limit exists for a reason: to impose fiscal discipline and force elected officials to establish priorities. The expenditure limit is not the enemy of good government, but is one of the safeguards that helps make good government accountable. 

Each year the state automatically adjusts the expenditure limitation to address inflation, a growing population, and if requested, when adding new services. However, Paradise Valley hasn’t added any new services and our population changes less than 1% each year, so why the need to spend an additional $20 million dollars annually? The Town’s FY2027 budget identifies substantial financial resources, and before increasing the expenditure limitation, the Town should demonstrate why other financing mechanisms cannot adequately address its needs.

There is a second proposition on the ballot, Prop 427, which creates a Capital Projects Accumulation Fund that I am encouraging residents to vote YES on. This is a separate account, funded by surplus revenues and used specifically for capital projects such as sewer repairs, storm water management, infrastructure improvements and public safety facilities and equipment. And, it is exempt from the expenditure limitation. 

Before granting future councils substantially more spending capacity, voters need a compelling explanation of why existing tools are insufficient.

Please join me in voting No on Proposition 426 and Yes on Proposition 427.  

Mary Hamway is a former Paradise Valley Town Councilwoman

By Councilman Barry Graham

Every election, City Council candidates tout their resumes and make promises. However, I’m running for reelection on my record of putting taxpayers first and being accountable to residents.

That helped me earn the endorsement of Scottsdale police officers and firefighters.

For four years I have stood up for you against special interests. I have preserved our city’s character, protected your water, defended our neighborhoods, supported public safety, and carefully scrutinized how the city spends your tax dollars.

Standing up for residents means voting against high-density apartment projects that threaten our water, worsen traffic and impact our quality of life — including Axon’s 1,900-apartment development. I also voted to crack down on short-term rental bad actors and to fully-fund public safety that has resulted in historically low crime rates.

I have used my CPA skills to expose $150 million in cost overruns, leading to real reforms that are saving taxpayers millions of dollars. We stopped funding ideological experiments such as road diets and city-run homeless shelters, allowing us to make record investments in our water security and to restore funding for roads and public safety.

Being accountable to you instead of special interests has made me the target of record dark money attacks from apartment developers. It was worth voting to protect our city’s water, especially knowing that high-density apartments use seven times the water of single-family homes on the same size land.

Tourism and sales-tax collections are at record highs, and home values are rising faster than in surrounding communities.

I grew up in North Scottsdale. My wife and I are raising our sons in South Scottsdale. When reelected, I will keep putting residents from every neighborhood first.

My record proves I kept my word to you. That is why I ask for your vote.

By Vanessa Rogers

Before the greenbelt had a name, Scottsdale had Eldorado Park. Nearly 60 years after it opened as the city’s first community park, the city is inviting residents to help decide what comes next. Scottsdale has set aside $780,000 this fiscal year for the first phase of design. That work builds on a master plan for Eldorado and Vista del Camino parks shaped by community input.

The stakes are real, because Eldorado Park is far more than a patch of grass. Along Miller Road, it holds a community center, an aquatic center, a skatepark, fishing lakes, ball fields and shaded ramadas. For many south Scottsdale families, it is the neighborhood living room.

Photo Credit: City of Scottsdale

Where the Greenbelt Began

Decades ago, federal planners wanted a concrete ditch to carry floodwater through the Indian Bend Wash. Scottsdale said no. Instead, voters approved a bond in 1973, and the city turned a flood hazard into 11 miles of parks, lakes, paths and golf courses. The city formally dedicated the $54 million project in 1985, nearly two decades after the first park in the wash was built.

Today that greenbelt is a national model of citizen initiative. Eldorado was part of the story from the beginning.

Aging Bones

Sixty years is a long time for any park. In fact, the city acknowledges that infrastructure along this stretch of the wash is aging. Crews are currently repairing lakes and irrigation, which has limited access to the north lake and ballfields. Meanwhile, the Parks and Recreation Commission received a design update in September.

In other words, this is not a cosmetic refresh. It is the moment to decide how a well-loved park serves the next generation.

Photo Credit: Phoenix with Kids

What Residents Should Ask For

Shade should come first. Arizona summers keep getting longer, and pools and ball fields are only as good as the hours people can use them. Next, protect what works. The lakes, the skatepark and the community center draw steady crowds for a reason. Finally, keep it a neighborhood park. Not every corner needs programming, and open grass has value too.

There is also a fairness question. North Scottsdale gets much of the attention, from the Preserve to new resorts. South Scottsdale was home to the city’s first community park, and it deserves first-class reinvestment.

Show Up

Scottsdale’s best public spaces came from residents who refused to accept a bad plan. The greenbelt is proof. So watch for the city’s outreach opportunities, then take the survey, attend the meetings and bring your neighbors.

Eldorado Park gave south Scottsdale its backyard. Now residents get to help draw its next 60 years.

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is hosting her next community Town Hall at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the DC Ranch Homestead continuing her commitment to meeting residents where they are and providing opportunities for direct, open dialogue on issues affecting Scottsdale.

The DC Ranch Homestead is at 18600 N 98th St. in north Scottsdale.

The event marks the fourth installment in Mayor Borowsky’s Town Hall series, an initiative launched as part of her campaign promise to remain accessible and responsive to Scottsdale residents.

Held on Veterans Day, the event will bring together residents from DC Ranch and surrounding neighborhoods for a candid discussion about Scottsdale’s future, public safety, water stewardship, economic development, quality-of-life issues and other topics important to the community.

“One of the commitments I made to Scottsdale voters was that I would be available, accessible and accountable,” Mayor Borowsky said. “These Town Halls are an opportunity for residents to have direct conversations with their mayor, ask questions and help shape the future of our city. I look forward to continuing that dialogue with the DC Ranch community on Veterans Day.

The mayor’s Town Hall series reflects her administration’s ongoing commitment to transparency, civic engagement and responsive local government. Residents are encouraged to attend, learn about current city initiatives and participate in a community conversation about Scottsdale’s opportunities and challenges.

By Alexander Lomax

Photo Credit: Arizona PBS

Scottsdale has 85 cameras photographing license plates at intersections across the city. Until recently, few residents knew they existed. Now, thanks to Mayor Lisa Borowsky, they’re the hottest issue at City Hall. This week, the council held a public hearing on the Flock system after Borowsky pushed it onto the agenda. Meanwhile, city leaders have promised an independent audit of how police use it.

The timing certainly seems to be concerted. Chandler, Tempe and Cave Creek have all dropped Flock amid privacy worries and possible misuse. Closer to home, council candidates are already taking sides, with two seats on the November ballot.

How a Camera Contract Became a Campaign Issue

Few local issues scramble the usual coalitions like this one. Libertarian-minded conservatives distrust government tracking. Progressives worry about where the data could end up, including federal immigration enforcement. As a result, Flock unites voters who agree on almost nothing else.

The candidates reflect that tension. Incumbent Solange Whitehead says Flock failed to meet the privacy expectations the city set. Barry Graham, also seeking reelection, shares concerns about abuse elsewhere but says he knows of no misuse here. That gap gives voters a genuine choice, which is rarer than it should be in council races.

The Case for the Cameras

Photo Credit: AZPM News

Police make a serious argument. Assistant Chief Chris Watson told the council the system helps find missing people, identify violent offenders and recover stolen cars. Moreover, the department says Scottsdale’s cameras don’t use facial recognition. Data is kept for 185 days, and searches require a legitimate criminal justice purpose. Chief Joe LeDuc has said flatly that the city would be less safe without it.

The Case Against

Still, Borowsky raises the deeper question. Courts have long tolerated occasional observation of public roads. However, cameras running around the clock and logging every passing car are something different. In fact, she warned that any system this powerful invites abuse. Chandler learned that lesson when an audit flagged unexplained activity by an employee. The price tag matters too, at more than $281,000 a year.

Our Take

The answer isn’t blind trust or a reflexive ban. Instead, Scottsdale should complete the independent audit before the council revisits Flock on Dec. 1. It should also cut retention well below six months and publish search logs on a regular schedule. Criminal penalties for misuse, already floated by city staff, belong on the books. If Flock can’t live within those limits, the council should decline to renew in 2027.

Safety matters. So does the freedom to drive to work without becoming a data point. Borowsky deserves credit for forcing this conversation into the open. Now voters get to finish it.

By Bob Littlefield

Dear Friends,

As it has been for the last 25 years the main issue in this election is stopping overdevelopment. Overdevelopment has taken a heavy toll on Scottsdale’s special character and high quality of life. Clogged roads, blocked views, higher taxes, overburdened infrastructure and now threats to our water supply have been the legacy of the overdevelopment previous City Council majorities have approved.

There is plenty of evidence residents want overdevelopment stopped. Almost 27,000 Scottsdale citizens signed our petition to refer the awful Axon apartment project to the ballot. Reliable polls show 70% of Scottsdale citizens want overdevelopment halted. Most telling, in the latest city elections candidates who supported overdevelopment were thrown out of office.

So why has overdevelopment persisted? Because many candidates were elected to Council on a platform of opposing overdevelopment, but when they got into office, they stabbed voters in the back by voting to approve thousands of water-guzzling, traffic-clogging view-blocking apartments!

That is exactly what will happen if Zubia is elected to Council.  He has previously been a proponent of massive overdevelopment but has realized that position will not get him elected in 2026. So, he now claims to oppose more development in Scottsdale.

Don’t believe it, because if you look at what Zubia does as opposed to what he says you see his sudden conversion to opposing overdevelopment is not real:

• He took a $5,000 campaign contribution from an Axon executive just days after he proclaimed there was no money from Axon in his campaign war chest. He also took an $8,000 contribution from the REALTORS of Arizona PAC.
• He continues to not only support but to applaud the Axon apartment approval which, among other outrages, waived Axon’s water requirements—enough for 12,000 single family homes—which will leave less water for every other Scottsdale resident.
• He literally blames Scottsdale citizens for, in his words, forcing Axon to go to the legislature to negate citizens’ legal petition to put this development on the ballot! Clearly, he thinks Axon’s interests are more important than the interests of Scottsdale residents! 
• His major supporters consist mostly of former Councilmembers who between them have approved literally thousands of new apartments!

Bottom line, if you elect Zubia to the City Council he will support the interests of developers over the interests of you, the citizens of Scottsdale.

Zubia also claims that electing him will protect Scottsdale’s water future. Again, don’t believe him. His claims regarding our water supply are nothing more than election-season fearmongering and spin! The truth is Zubia and his development-loving buddies are the real threat to Scottsdale’s water security. Our water department – the best in AZ – does a fine job of providing water for current businesses and residents. But even they cannot magically find enough new water sources to support unlimited future development, which is what we will get if Zubia is elected to the City Council.

But the biggest threat to Scottsdale’s special character and high quality of life is low voter turnout! Right now, voter turnout in this election is looking to be low. Please don’t let your voice on the future of Scottsdale be silent – make sure you turn in your ballot in time for it to be counted. If your vote isn’t counted the bad actors will win by default, and our beautiful city and our residents will suffer for it. 

You can find a list of early vote center locations and hours at https://elections.maricopa.gov/voting/where-to-vote.html.

Former Councilman Bob Littlefield

By Raoul Zubia

Scottsdale is a community we share and a future we shape together. I am deeply concerned about the direction of our city council. Cutting vital water resources and trading solutions for political infighting is not what residents should accept from their leaders.

That is why I am running: That means securing our water, investing in public safety, protecting our neighborhoods and the preserve, ensuring responsible growth, reining in short-term rentals, and protecting personal data. Perhaps most importantly, you deserve a council that listens to you. 

With only two seats open, the choice is clear. More division and chaos or a return to common-sense leadership. I’m running against two extreme candidates who offer more of the same.

I’m a proud lifelong Scottsdale resident, and public service is about who you stand up for. Residents are tired of the drama and of feeling unheard. You deserve leaders who listen first, keep open minds, and solve problems the right way.

Through more than 25 years in banking and decades of community service, I have learned how to get things done. I have stood up for long-term investment in our water infrastructure. I helped lead efforts to protect our preserve and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt and to revitalize our parks, all while lowering your taxes.

I have served as chair of the Human Services Commission, vice chair of the Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force, and president of Partners for Paiute. I serve on the EVIT, Charro and SUSD Foundations and the Parada Del Sol Committee.

I’m proud to have the support of police, fire, former mayors and council members, CAP Water Board members, including former Attorney General Terry Goddard and current Councilmembers Solange Whitehead and Vice Mayor Maryann McCallen.

Please vote only for me by Nov. 3 to help secure common-sense leadership.

Following months of calls for greater transparency, oversight and accountability regarding Scottsdale’s use of Flock’s Automated License Plate Reader (“ALPR”) technology, Mayor Lisa Borowsky secured unanimous support Tuesday night from the Scottsdale City Council to move forward with a formal ordinance establishing new measures and strengthening guardrails for the city’s use of the controversial system.

Scottsdale City Council directed city staff to draft an ordinance which will proactively govern Scottsdale’s use of ALPR technology provided by Flock, including penalties for misuse, independent audits, enhanced training requirements, limits on system access, data retention reviews, and additional transparency measures.

The draft ordinance is expected to return to Scottsdale City Council by Tuesday, Dec. 1.

“Public safety and our residents’ right to privacy should never be viewed as competing priorities,” Mayor Borowsky said following the Oct. 6 public hearing. “I will always prioritize and emphasize both. Last night’s unanimous vote sends a clear message that Scottsdale is committed to ensuring this technology is used responsibly, transparently and with meaningful, strict safeguards that protect the public’s trust.”

Mayor Borowsky has consistently pushed for stronger oversight of the technology and is asking that the forthcoming ordinance include additional protections beyond those already directed by the City Council.

Those recommendations include:

• Establishing a pathway for regular independent third-party audits of the system.
• Reducing Scottsdale Police Department data retention to 30 days.
• Significantly limiting the number of users authorized to access the system.
• Requiring supervisory approval before every entry into the ALPR database.
• Restricting routine access to trained police detectives and other specifically authorized personnel.

“Technology can be a valuable tool in helping law enforcement solve crimes and protect neighborhoods, but that authority must come with strict accountability,” Mayor Borowsky said. “The strongest public safety programs are the ones that are transparent, narrowly tailored and subject to rigorous oversight.”

Scottsdale City Council’s direction also calls for annual audits, reviews of alternative vendors, consideration of additional access restrictions, enhanced training requirements and development of a public-facing transparency portal detailing law enforcement technologies used by the city.

Mayor Borowsky says Scottsdale now has an opportunity to establish a model for responsible use of public safety technology that balances legitimate investigative needs with residents’ expectations for privacy and civil liberties.

“For months, residents have asked important questions about how this technology is being used and what safeguards are in place,” Mayor Borowsky said. “This ordinance is our opportunity to put strict protections into law, increase transparency and ensure Scottsdale has some of the strongest accountability standards in Arizona.”

Motion approved unanimously by Scottsdale City Council

The motion directs the City Manager, City Attorney, City Auditor and other appropriate city staff to:

• Draft a formal ALPR ordinance governing Scottsdale’s use of Automated License Plate Reader technology, including criminal penalties for misuse.
• Conduct independent audits, including an initial audit followed by annual reviews by the City Auditor.
• Evaluate alternative ALPR vendors and provide options that offer greater city control over data ownership, privacy, security and data sharing.
• Review Scottsdale’s contract with Flock Safety and report on termination provisions, costs, data disposition requirements and transition options.
• Develop a vendor transition plan to ensure public safety capabilities remain in place if the city changes providers.
• Prepare for a future transition from Flock Safety, with city leadership directed not to include funding for the contract in the proposed FY 2027-28 budget.
• Explore creating a public technology transparency webpage identifying law enforcement technologies used by the city.
• Consider limiting the number of city employees with access to ALPR technology and data.
• Prohibit federal access to Scottsdale’s ALPR data, except when required by law, such as through a valid subpoena or warrant.
• Require annual training and signed attestations for all authorized users, along with annual policy reviews.
• Review the current data-retention schedule and pursue a shorter retention period if appropriate.
• Return with additional recommendations staff believes would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability

Bruce Arians and Pat Murphy are Arizona legends.

Arians received his first full-time head coaching job at the age of 60 and promptly turned the Cardinals into Super Bowl contenders. He had two unofficial mantras: “No Risk It, No Biscuit” and “Win or Lose We Booze.” He remains the gold standard of Cardinals head coaches, a man whose personality, style and immense popularity gave him much-needed power and leverage within the organization. That’s how he made a difference.

Read the full article from Arizona Sports here.

By Vanessa Rogers

By Marco L. Sánchez

By Vanessa Rogers

Scottsdale voters got their first side-by-side look at the council race this week as three candidates are competing for two seats. Early voting begins next week. The first of two debates touched on water, tourism, short-term rentals and public safety.

Water Takes Center Stage

Raoul Zubia, a lifelong Scottsdale resident, called water the top issue he hears from voters. He said he is running to “secure our water.” He also said he wants City Hall to be calmer and more focused on residents.

Incumbent Barry Graham, who also grew up in Scottsdale, agreed that water security is a high priority. However, the two men framed it differently. Graham said the supply is secure today but could be at risk if the city keeps giving it away to large apartment developers.

Development and Neighborhoods

Graham highlighted his record of protecting neighborhoods and his opposition to short-term rentals. He described his approach to growth as stopping harmful overdevelopment. Zubia, for his part, returned to his call for a council that puts citizens first.

Both messages are easy to understand. Voters will decide which one matches the city they want.

The Empty Podium

Organizers invited the third candidate, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, to the debate. They said she was unable to attend. As a result, voters heard from only two of the three contenders.

Her positions will need another venue. A second debate is set for Oct. 19, and attendance requires advance registration through the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Whether all three candidates share a stage then remains to be seen.

A Lighter Moment

The evening was not entirely serious. Candidates fielded questions about their favorite animals, and Zubia picked the Labrador retriever. He has two at home. Graham went with zebras.

Karaoke came up as well. Zubia admitted he does not sing, though he offered “Celebrate” as his pick. Graham went with “Sweet Caroline.” Fortunately for everyone, nobody had to perform.

What Comes Next

With ballots about to go out, there is still time to do homework. Watch the second debate, read candidate materials, and compare answers on water and development. In a race this close to home, every voter has a say.

By Betty Janik

Scottsdale needs leaders with experience, common sense, and a genuine commitment to our community. Raoul Zubia brings all three. His record of service, leadership, and collaboration makes him the right choice for Scottsdale City Council.

Raoul has served numerous Scottsdale philanthropic organizations, including the EVIT, Charro, and SUSD Foundations and Partners for Paiute. He also serves on the Parada del Sol Committee and announces for the parade, reflecting his commitment to the traditions that make Scottsdale special.

His public service includes serving as Vice Chair of the Human Services Commission, which advises the City Council on programs supporting housing, seniors, and youth. He also served as Vice Chair of the Protect and Preserve Task Force, helping develop the financial strategy behind Proposition 490. The measure passed in every Scottsdale precinct and provides 30 years of funding to protect and maintain our open spaces and quality of life.  Conversely, Barry Grahan voted against 490, but he is now taking credit for the improvements to open space paid for by this measure.

Raoul’s leadership has earned meaningful recognition. He is the recipient of Scottsdale Leadership’s prestigious Frank Hodges Achievement Award and was inducted into the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce has also recognized his business leadership and commitment to a vibrant, prosperous community.

Perhaps most telling is the breadth of support Raoul has earned. His coalition includes current and former Scottsdale leaders, water experts, the Scottsdale Firefighters Association, and Arizona’s Fraternal Order of Police.

That broad support reflects what Raoul brings to public service: the ability to listen, work with others, and put Scottsdale first.

He is a gentleman with good judgment and common sense—qualities we need on the Council. I believe his election will bring a collaborative voice and a renewed focus on what is best for our citizens and our city.

Betty Janik
Former Scottsdale Councilwoman
Sonoran Sage

By Raoul Zubia

With early voting beginning this week, I believe Scottsdale voters face a clear choice about our city’s future — and nowhere is that choice more important than water.

At last week’s City Council debate, I made water security the centerpiece of my campaign because it is the number one concern I hear from residents across Scottsdale.

I’m running to make sure we secure our water.

Scottsdale receives roughly 70% of its water from the Colorado River, leaving our city especially exposed as drought and declining reservoir levels create growing uncertainty across the West.

For decades, Scottsdale has been a leader in water conservation and recycling. We pioneered advanced water recycling and built a system designed to protect our quality of life for generations. We should be building on that legacy, not retreating from it.

My opponent Barry Graham has voted against critical water investments while arguing Scottsdale’s water remains secure and concerns about drought are overstated. At last week’s debate, he tried to justify those votes by suggesting additional water investments would simply enable more development.

That is a false choice. And I was glad to see the Arizona Republic fact-check Graham.

I have consistently said Scottsdale should not overdevelop. We must grow responsibly. But protecting our water supply is not about giving developers a blank check. It is about protecting the residents and businesses that are already here.

We can defend Scottsdale’s character and invest in the infrastructure necessary to secure our future.

That is why I am proud to have support from current and former Scottsdale leaders, water experts, firefighters, police officers and Preserve advocates who understand what is at stake.

Three candidates are running for two seats, but on water the choice is clear.

Scottsdale has spent decades preparing for an uncertain water future.

I’m running to make sure we don’t turn back now.

By Alexander Lomax

The fight over Axon’s Scottsdale headquarters has entered another round, and it’s still a fair question who is winning. Last week, a group of residents filed an appeal seeking to overturn the state law that blocked a public vote on the project. Their argument is simple. Lawmakers cannot erase a constitutional right to challenge a decision at the ballot box.

This fight has swung back and forth. Each side has taken a round. SB1543 is where the momentum shifted.

Round One Went to the Residents

Ordinary neighbors started this. They gathered roughly 27,000 signatures to put the project before voters. That is no small feat, and it was exactly how the referendum process is supposed to work.

Round Two Went to the Bully

Then the Legislature stepped in. SB1543 arrived, reporting indicates Axon lobbied for it, and Gov. Katie Hobbs signed it. The planned election vanished. In effect, the signatures were collected and then set aside.

Round Three Went to the State

Residents went to court next. A trial judge ruled that the law’s population thresholds apply to cities likely to attract international headquarters. In other words, the statute reaches beyond Axon’s own case. That reasoning led him to conclude it was not unconstitutional.

Opponents obviously see it differently. They contend the law was a direct response to their referendum campaign. The timing, they say, tells the story.

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

Now the Appeals Court

Round four is the one that matters. The appeal puts the question squarely before a higher court. If a statute can wipe out a referendum after the signatures are in, then the right to vote carries an asterisk.

Appeals typically move slowly, so patience will be required. However, the stakes are bigger than one company or one campus. Any city could face a similar play from a well-connected employer. Meanwhile, every voter in Scottsdale has an interest in the answer.

Underdogs do not always win. They do, however, deserve their day in front of a court that takes the Constitution seriously. For now, the best we can do is hope that voting and constitutional rights prevail over the bully in the next round.

Acclaimed $300 Million Museum Square Project In Old Town Scottsdale Seeks Millions in Damages Over Fruitless, Untimely, Frivolous, and Failed Litigation

Developers say neighboring HOA’s spurious legal challenges have stalled the Old Town Scottsdale project despite previous court defeats and unpaid legal fees to Museum Square

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) The developers of the anticipated Museum Square in Old Town Scottsdale, ARC Scottsdale Holdings, on September 21^st filed a complaint accusing a neighboring condominium association and several of its leaders of abusing the legal process, spreading falsehoods, and needlessly stalling the $300 million mixed-use development designed to enhance part of the Scottsdale Arts District around 2nd Street and Marshall Way. Pending evaluation and confirmation by expert witnesses, damages against the HOA could be many millions of dollars. The HOA has lost a series of lawsuits and already owes unpaid legal fees, costs, and interest to Museum Square.

Museum Square would transform a former city transit site into a vibrant anchor for Scottsdale’s Arts District, with plans for five buildings, including a luxury hotel, upscale condominiums and apartments, and public open spaces. The project received the permits needed to begin construction and was unanimously approved by the Scottsdale City Council over six years ago.

The Gateway at Main St. Plaza Scottsdale Condominium Association previously sued the City of Scottsdale and the developers in an attempt to undo a 2019 termination of development restrictions. The court dismissed all four counts, denied the Association’s motion for reconsideration and awarded the developer more than a hundred thousand dollars in attorneys’ fees and costs, plus interest.

The new complaint of ARC against the Gateway HOA states: “The Association used the 2025 Lawsuit to accomplish an improper use, namely, to coerce ARC into conveying an unearned and untimely ‘economic benefit’ on the Association.”

ARC Scottsdale Holdings filed the new lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court against the Gateway association residents, Terry and Beth Rogers, and Daniel and Jane Doe Conroy. The complaint alleges abuse of process, interference with business opportunities, injurious falsehood and wrongful institution of civil proceedings. It also seeks declaratory relief.

According to the complaint, the Association joined the City of Scottsdale in an agreement terminating seven sets of development restrictions in 2019, clearing the way for Museum Square before ARC purchased the property in 2022. Yet six years later, the HOA sued to reverse that agreement, despite allegedly receiving a warning from an independent law firm that its claims were weak and unlikely to succeed, not to mention the period for making such claims had already passed and were time barred.

The court dismissed all four counts of the HOA’s lawsuit without allowing the HOA to amend its claims. It also rejected the Association’s request for reconsideration and ordered it to pay ARC legal fees and costs, plus interest.Read More

By Ronald Sampson

Scottsdale Unified’s board votes Tuesday on closing more schools. Days earlier, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office found the district violated the open meeting law while drawing up the options. Four weeks later, voters will decide whether to hand the same district $375 million through a bond.

A Decade of Losing

The enrollment trend is not subtle. According to AZ Free News, SUSD has lost roughly 6,000 students since 2010. Over that stretch, it had closed only one school. Figures differ by source and time frame, but every one points down.

Charter and private schools have taken many of those families. A 2019 analysis found that charters inside district boundaries added about 6,200 students over nine years. Meanwhile, SUSD lost nearly 3,800. In a market this competitive, the district keeps coming up short.

Closing Is Not a Strategy

Each closure option would save roughly $2.6 million to $2.7 million. That is real money. However, shrinking the footprint does not win back a single student.

The district’s answer to losing is to close the building and move on. Phase I shuttered Pima and Echo Canyon. Phase II could close more, and district leaders have said additional rounds may follow if enrollment keeps falling. Yet the public record shows little in the way of a plan to compete. Where are the signature programs, the enrollment targets, and the campaign to win families back?

District leaders say they will invest in thriving schools. Fair enough, but voters have not been shown what that means for retention.

Then Comes the Ask

On Nov. 3, voters will see a $375 million bond. That is 63% larger than the $229 million bond approved in 2016. According to ABC15, it would cost owners of a $600,000 home about $157 a year. The money would go to repairs, security, technology, and cooling systems at more than two dozen schools, with no new construction.

The ballot will also ask for authority to sell, lease, or exchange district property. Moreover, the district has not said what it will do with the campuses it closes. Taxpayers are being asked to fund upgrades while the district shrinks its own map.

The Real Referendum

Capital needs are legitimate, and aging buildings do not fix themselves. Still, a $375 million request deserves a harder question than “is this school old?”

Before voters sign the check, they should demand a plan. How do they intend to compete in this new scholastic ecosphere? How will the district stop the bleeding? What happens to closed campuses? And why should a process the county says broke the law earn their trust?

By Raoul Zubia

Residents do deserve the facts. That is exactly why I objected to Barry Graham’s inaccurate characterization of The Residence at Paiute as a “homeless shelter next to schools.” The Arizona Republic just fact checked Barry’s claims, Barry please read the Arizona Republic.

Despite his insulting suggestion that as a leader for Paiute, I didn’t read the documentation, the federal funding agreement used the technical term “non-congregate shelter.” But that does not turn the project Scottsdale designed into the kind of homeless shelter Barry’s rhetoric suggests. And he knows that. 

The City described The Residence at Paiute as a separately funded project of up to 28 affordable housing units. City materials stated those studio and two-bedroom units would serve seniors and people with disabilities, with several units dedicated to case-managed, temporary bridge housing for parents with children working toward stable, independent housing in Scottsdale.

 https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning/projectsummary/unrelated_documents/NAC_03272024_Item%201_Binder.pdf

Barry has also conveniently conflated two separate projects. The 2019 bond project was for replacing aging buildings at Paiute. The Residence at Paiute was a separately funded housing project proposed as a second story on the new building. No bond financing was going to be used for the housing component. Period. That distinction was made explicitly in the city’s public materials. Barry knows that. 

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/docs/default-source/scottsdaleaz/capital-improvement/paiute-neighborhood-center/paiute-neighborhood-center—upcoming-projects-%28fact-sheet%29.pdf

And this wasn’t a proposal for rows of shelter beds or a regional congregate homeless facility. It was a residential project with individual studio and two-bedroom units. The city’s capital plan described the proposed residents as homeless seniors, single-parent families in bridge housing, and seniors at or below 60 percent of area median income. And Barry knows that. 

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/docs/default-source/scottsdaleaz/finance/budget-reports/fy-2024-25-volume-3-capital-improvement-plan.pdf

Barry can disagree with the project. He did. He voted against the two measures dealing with its housing component while supporting the separate funding for replacement of the aging Paiute buildings. But disagreement doesn’t justify describing 28 apartments for seniors, people with disabilities, and families receiving case-managed bridge housing simply as a “homeless shelter next to schools.” That’s just irresponsible. The city’s own documents provide a much more complete description of what was proposed. Again, Barry knows all of this.

https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/cityclerk/DocumentViewer/Show/53dda456-5633-42f1-924d-ab4940da63d2?

My opponent has already shown he’ll lean into disinformation if it suits him. We’ve seen Barry and his running mate do it on water. It’s no surprise he’s twisting himself in knots on this issue after I called him out.

I supported The Residence at Paiute because I believe Scottsdale should help seniors and families facing housing instability remain part of the community they call home. Barry opposed it. That’s a legitimate policy disagreement, and voters can decide which approach they prefer. But we should have that debate based on the entire record, not the most alarming phrase someone can pull from a federal funding agreement and jam into a short video on social media. 

By Nicole M.

By Steve Colombo

We long-time Scottsdale residents chose to make the city our home. Simply being born here fails to make a candidate qualified. 

Years of drought and Colorado River cuts have made water a pivotal election issue. Only Mr. Graham and Ms. Ugenti-Rita have proven results on this topic. Raoul Zubia can only be judged by his campaign promises and with whom he surrounds himself (high density developers and their shady out-of-state PACs, and realtor groups with vested interests— spending record amounts). 

Supply and demand are fundamentals of economics. Both require attention and Barry and Michelle are focused on them: increasing our supply of water while managing and limiting its growing demand by, for example, limiting the overburden of more high-density housing. Again Mr. Zubia has failed to address these issues or simply does not understand. Either makes him unqualified to steward our limited resources. 

As Mayor Herb Drinkwater supported managed growth and the integrity of our city, Michelle and Barry have earned my vote. Mayor Drinkwater’s statue outside City Hall made my decision to vote for both very simple. Under Mayor Drinkwater’s leadership Scottsdale was named “America’s Most Livable City.” It still is. I vote to keep it this way. 

By Steve Colombo: 35 year Scottsdale resident and Managing Principal of SolarPowerFx, LLC

By Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart

My office is aware that 3,126 early ballots for the 2026 General Election were mailed six days before the scheduled mailing date. Both the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and the vendor have issued statements regarding the early mailing. 

According to the Recorder’s office, “The correct ballots were mailed to the correct voters.” No voters were negatively impacted. 

My office is reviewing background information to better understand the process and clarify the Board of Supervisors’ responsibilities related to vendor procurement and contract oversight. Understanding why the ballots were mailed ahead of schedule will help identify any needed improvements to the mailing process through the vendor. 

Once the review is complete, I intend to request a public discussion of the findings to clarify the situation and explain what steps Maricopa County is taking to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future. My goal is to provide clear information, accountability, and a reliable process for Maricopa County voters. 

By Scottsdale City Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas

Dear Friends – An exciting update – as you know, my son Trevor is a Scottsdale Firefighter. He and his crew rescued a great horned owl from a resident’s home yesterday! (Video here)

Over the course of the last week, we took the opportunity to reflect on Scottsdale’s incredible police and fire departments. We celebrated excellence, technical expertise, and a heart for service.

The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association honored Rey Igliane as Scottsdale’s Firefighter Of The Year for his bravery, his high quality customer service to residents, and his commitment to mentoring new firefighters. It was such a pleasure to honor Rey!

The Exchange Club of Scottsdale honored Scottsdale Police Officer Keith English as Police Officer Of The Year for his dedicated service, for staying focused on the mission, and for his incredible mentorship within the department. To my delight, Rey Igliane’s service was celebrated again as well.

Congratulations Rey & Keith – Scottsdale is blessed to have you!

Trevor and the crew at Fire Station 608 safely rescued this great horned owl from a resident’s chimney and set the owl free. Great job, team!

It was a real pleasure to honor Firefighter Rey Igliane and Officer Keith English for their outstanding service to Scottsdale. Our sincere thanks and gratitude for these incredible professionals. Scottsdale is better because of them

By Barry Graham

It is difficult to believe Raoul Zubia would purposely mislead voters about events at the Paiute Neighborhood Center. But while Raoul is entitled to his opinion, I believe residents deserve to know the facts about the effort to locate a homeless shelter on the center’s campus.

Raoul took issue with my recent video in which I asked that we protect Paiute from outside agendas — including a homeless shelter next to schools.

I used the word “shelter” because the contract did. Section 2.0 of Contract 2023-130-COS said the parties would add “non-congregate shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County,” on a second floor of “28 affordable rental and non-congregate shelter units.”

Nearly half of the $16 million for the project was federal or county-administered federal money. Those dollars come with HUD rules, a Maricopa Human Services referral pipeline, and without a “Scottsdale-Only” lock on the door. City staff wrote that the program was for homeless individuals with or without children — not only local parents with children — from anywhere across Maricopa County.

Voters in the 2019 bonds approved $11 million to replace aging buildings at Paiute. They were not asked to approve shelter beds. Staff later proposed combining the repairs with a housing floor. That was a change of purpose that Raoul lobbied for.

Parents of children on that campus and residents in Southwest Village ask for certainty — not a regional intake program looming over the children’s site.

When speaking about or voting on contracts without reading them, it risks misinforming residents and can have unintended consequences.

Respectfully,
Barry Graham