Scottsdale’s first mayoral debate earlier this week was a mundane affair.  But it did reinforce a central tenant in the race:  there are two lanes to the November run-off. Gaining an outright win in August is highly improbable for any candidate.  That means two will move on to an election in November. How is this likely to take shape? Think … Read More

By James Derouin — The Scottsdale City Council did the wrong thing when it accepted the Independent Ethics Panel report in the Guy Phillips’ matter.  That is because the report created two immense loopholes in the City’s Ethics Code, thereby creating new vehicles for “dark money” for Councilmembers and Council candidates as well. The Panel was applying an ordinance that … Read More

The just concluded Scottsdale mayoral debate, the campaign’s first, was hosted by the community’s Chuck Todd, Independent Newspapers’ Terrance Thornton. Here are the highlights: *Former City Councilman David Ortega’s “State of the Union” backdrop gets best Zoom look.  Bob Littlefield gets the worst for looking like he was playing a DJ in a dorm room. *Ortega’s parroting of Littlefield’s anti-City … Read More

While on the Scottsdale City Council Bob Littlefield and David Ortega voted for the Scottsdale Waterfront and two buildings there with 150’ heights. Scottsdale City Councilman Guy Phillips voted for the same heights at Scottsdale Fashion Square and the proposed Museum Square. Scottsdale City Councilwomen Kathy Littlefield and Solange Whitehead also supported 150’ heights for Museum Square. We think all … Read More

Twenty-five years ago, a newly naturalized American citizen wrote: “You who have been born in America, I wish I could make you understand what it is like not to be an American — not to have been an American all your life — and then suddenly, with the words of a man in flowing robes, to be one, for that … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Restaurants are fighting for survival amidst COVID-19. They need all the help they can get to avoid closing permanently and adding to the more than 39 million jobs already lost to the pandemic. The city of Chandler is doing its part by transforming a downtown park into a beer garden and picnic area where diners picking … Read More

One of the strengths of the tony Town of Paradise Valley is that it micromanages everything about hotels and non-residential uses.  The approach helps ensure a commitment to quality with volunteers at commission and council levels that rarely let something improper or poor fall through the cracks. And, one of the bad things about the Town of Paradise Valley is … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Scottsdale ranks as one of the top cities in the country for ‘staycations’. WalletHub ranked U.S. cities for their recreational amenities (parking, hiking) as well as factors such as homes with pools. Scottsdale ranked 7th best nationally on the list. Plano, Texas near Dallas was first. Local vacations and attracting tourists from California, other Western states … Read More

There are many tragedies from the pandemic.  Cancelation of high school graduations and all of the smiles and memories that come with them is certainly one of them. That pomp and circumstance is something none of us forget, our entire lives. While some school districts have not yet thrown in the towel it seems that so many have.  That’s a … Read More