By Scottsdale Pinetop Millions of people cross thousands of bridges every day and think nothing of it. Especially for big, busy cities – it’s simply a method to get people from point A to point B. But for one rural Arizona community, a new pedestrian bridge meant everything. The long-awaited, ten-year project of the Billy Creek Pedestrian Bridge along Porter … Read More

This article in the Arizona Republic doesn’t explain Scottsdale Mayor-Elect David Ortega’s unexpected and impressive victory entirely, but it does provide insight into how a left-leaning candidate won in a typically Republican city. Bottom line:  his candidacy likely would not have succeeded in another political year but he timed this mayoral candidacy well.  He also benefitted from Lisa Borowsky’s too … Read More

Unlike at least one member of the Paradise Valley Town Council that wants to hoist the densest project in the history of the community on the old Smoketree hotel property, last night the Paradise Valley Planning Commission showed sobriety in saying no. That’s what happens when a developer pays too much for the land and seeks a political subsidy in … Read More

The acrimonious and litigious relationship between the emerging Ritz-Carlton project and the Town of Paradise Valley is one of the more bizarre and unfortunate municipal dynamics in the Valley right now.    By all accounts the Ritz and its associated elements have done an impressive job constructing its hotel and residences.  The prices per square foot once seemed fanciful.  They … Read More

The results of Scottsdale’s elections are the talk of the town, and other towns.  That’s because much of the business and investment community believes the “pro-resident” majority translates into anti-business policies.  Many are now suggesting their capital will bypass Scottsdale altogether rather than navigate the political morass they believe is inevitable. As we have said before we hope everyone will … Read More

Following the 2016 Scottsdale mayoral race between Jim Lane and Bob Littlefield we chided the latter for his failure to ever call Mayor Lane and congratulate him.  No matter how disappointed or angry a losing candidate may be grace should prevail. Bob Littlefield never did call Lane.  Unfortunately, Scottsdale is back to the future as Lisa Borowsky has purportedly not … Read More

Many in the Scottsdale business community are highly disappointed by the November 3rd election results.  They are joined by a near uniform dismay from many leaders across the Valley.  “What happened in Scottsdale?” has become a familiar refrain. Such observations suggest a reversion to less than a municipal mean is inevitable.   We are hopeful when we say that we … Read More

As opposition known, and unknown, continues to grow to an unprecedented redevelopment plan proposed for the Smoketree hotel property in the Town of Paradise Valley, dubious behind the scenes activity make this an even more interesting case. The Paradise Valley Town Council currently has two members that voted against the impressive Ritz-Carlton project still coming to life, against all odds.  … Read More

Scottsdale surprised, again, with Tuesday’s election results.  Just as it did in the August primary.  Some quick observations and opinions. *The typical campaign correlation between spending and winning held true in the case of now Scottsdale City Councilwoman-Elect Tammy Caputi.  No one spent, raised or contributed more of their own money.  But it didn’t when it came to Tom Durham … Read More

By Betty Janik Candidate, Scottsdale City Council This has been an extremely difficult time for our country. Polarizing election, interference from foreign adversaries trying to hack our election, and then there is COVID.  But remember, we are a strong nation.  We value our democratic form of government.  We will persevere.  I believe that we will respond peacefully to the election … Read More