#LocalBuzz: Q & A With Scottsdale City Council Candidate Tom Durham

By Scottsdale Pinetop Tom Durham is one of the six top vote-getters in the recent August 4th primary who will continue on as they seek to fill three seats on the City Council on the November 3rd general election. Mr. Durham gathered 25,140 votes in the primary election, which placed him fourth on the list of six candidates. The other … Read More

David Ortega’s Evolution Or Devolution As He Seeks To Be Scottsdale’s Next Mayor?

It’s no secret we believed others leading up to Scottsdale’s August 4th primary for Mayor would have been better than David Ortega.  Yet, we and others must give credit where credit is due.  Ortega overcame opposition, doubts and now finds himself in the run-off election against former Scottsdale Councilwoman Lisa Borowsky.  If Ortega wins we want him to succeed, unlike … Read More

Community Heroes: Helping the Home-Bound

By Recker McDowell — The city of Chandler has honored Ginger Voltmer for her volunteer work  with Neighbors Who Care. The East Valley group helps connect home-bound, disabled, and older residents who live alone with supportive community volunteers. Those folks Voltmer has been volunteering with the group the past four year and has been honored with one of Chandler’s Volunteer Recognition … Read More

Guest Editorial: COVID Realities

By Recker McDowell — Arizona is seeing some improvements with the COVID-19 pandemic with fewer hospitalizations as well as patients on ventilators and in intensive care units. Let us hope the media report improvements with the pandemic with as much vigor as they chronicled the rise in cases and not just search for the next political fight to stoke. But … Read More

Guest Editorial: Bob Littlefield Reacts To Scottsdale Primary Election Results

By Bob Littlefield The final primary election results are in and unfortunately I will not be advancing to the general election. Here are the results for Mayor (red numbers indicate that candidate’s rank in the standings): In this race the top two finishers (Ortega and Borowsky) will advance to the general election. In the Council race no candidate was elected … Read More

Reflections On Arizona’s Primary Elections A Week Later

* Paradise Valley Councilwoman Julie Pace ran a campaign to make a statement.  And she did.  With a margin of victory of some 20% (and more) over her closest competitors, Pace not only was the top vote-getter but clearly positioned herself as the favorite to be the Town’s next Mayor when the popular Jerry Bien-Willner decides it’s time to pass … Read More

Guest Editorial: The Right Stuff

By Recker McDowell — Fire fighters and other first responders put their lives on their line every day to help others and to save lives. It is important they have the training, equipment, and gear to do their jobs. That includes the growing number of women working in frontline fields. The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association and Tucson Fire Fighters Association … Read More

Guest Editorial: Going Virtual For A Good Cause

By Recker McDowell — COVID-19 has decimated nonprofit and charity events and fundraising. Here is one chance to help one of the region’s leading performing arts groups. Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) will hold an 8-hour virtual telethon on Saturday, August 22nd. The event replaces the theatre’s annual fundraising gala. The virtual effort will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and at … Read More

Guest Editorial: The Arts and a Different Blue Wave

By Recker McDowell — A new venture from the renowned Pace Gallery in New York and Laurene Powell Jobs will bring new immersive art experiences to Miami. The Superblue experiences will bring new contemporary and interactive installations to a Miami neighborhood near the Rubell Museum in December.  Powell Jobs is the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs. The effort could … Read More