By Recker McDowell — To mask or not to mask. That is a question for many when they venture out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective and cloth masks will be a question for workplaces, schools, sporting events and other settings as the economy and life emerge from the Coronavirus and ‘shelter in place’ orders. The pandemic has seen mixed and … Read More

By Suzanne Klapp — Having served on the Scottsdale City Council for nearly 12 years, and having worked hands-on during the Great Recession with Mayor Jim Lane, it is very clear to me that our current city budget will be affected by a rapid revenue decline due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  And, unfortunately, the city’s preliminary 2020-2021 … Read More

By Recker McDowell — There are more than 1,200 reported cases and 48 deaths from COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. That is more cases than 8 U.S. states including Alaska and North Dakota. There are also more cases than Pima County. The 48 Navajo Nation deaths from the Coronavirus are more than 13 states including Nebraska and South Dakota. The … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The city of Tempe and Desert Financial Credit Union have launched a new $1 million microloan program to help small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program aims to help Tempe small businesses with between 5 and 50 employees with loans to help them meet payroll, pay rent and suppliers. This is what Scottsdale … Read More

Cleator.  Oatman.  Jerome. They are among the more famous Arizona ghost towns.  And they are what Old Town Scottsdale and many other downtowns are starting to resemble as the government shuts down so many wonderful, legally operating businesses.  Government can’t seize private property without compensation but apparently can do so to your life’s work and dreams, save for a survival … Read More

Due yesterday for the year’s first quarter, the campaign contribution and expenditure reports for Scottsdale mayoral and city council candidates provide fresh insights into how the various campaigns are doing.  Here are some key observations: The year-end campaign finance reports for 2019 showed Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp with a commanding lead over fellow Councilwoman Virginia Korte in the mayoral race.  The … Read More

Few other areas are booming in Arizona more than the Desert Ridge area in North Phoenix.  Few locales are more desirable in the state than North Scottsdale. What do both have in common? Transfer stations for recycling and waste.  It’s not the sexiest part of any city or neighborhood, but they are necessary infrastructure to reduce rates, pollution and the distance trucks … Read More

By U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock — The accumulating death toll from Covid-19 can be seen minute-by-minute on cable news channels.  But there’s another death toll few seem to care much about: the number of poverty-related deaths being set in motion by deliberately plunging millions of Americans into poverty and despair. In the first three weeks since governors began shutting down … Read More

Near the end of Americano!, a just completed, box-office record setting original musical at The Phoenix Theatre Company, the hero, Antonio Valdovinos, is told just before the finale that he is the “face of the New America.” The musical was based on the true story of Valdovinos who was inspired by the events of 9/11 to serve in the Marines. … Read More