Unlike some of its union counterparts, the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association leads with quiet dignity. It was the first contributor to the successful campaign in November to update and enhance the city’s infrastructure. It annually hosts an impressive charity dinner each September that raises money for important causes and inspires attendees with amazing speakers. Its members are obviously on the … Read More

Anyone with children likely knows the movie “Rise Of The Guardians.” It’s the tale of our holiday heroes (Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, etc.) banding together to defeat darkness threatening happiness in the world. Awhile back we wrote a piece entitled after the movie mentioned above, discussing the role activists have played over the past many years to shape Scottsdale.  It … Read More

By Recker McDowell — We are all seeing the destructive path the COVID-19 pandemic has carved through the economy with record unemployment claims, shutdown businesses, a full stop for tourism as well as scores of layoffs and furloughs. All the business closures are resulting in significant temporary job cuts across Arizona and the country. But there are jobs out in … Read More

Scottsdale city government isn’t the only thing being paralyzed by a pandemic.  So are political campaigns. Traditional ways of electioneering and fundraising have been upended.  Precise messaging is going to matter more than ever, especially with the contest to be Scottsdale’s next Mayor taking shape.  We’ll know on Monday who is in and who is out.  That’s when candidate petitions … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The Coronavirus threatens 19.8 million jobs nationwide by July and could take the U.S. unemployment rate up to 15.6 percent, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Close to 396,000 jobs could be impacted in Arizona and the state unemployment rate could hit to 15.4 percent with layoffs, job cuts and furloughs. Arizona’s unemployment rate was 4.5 … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Our communities need the spirits of compassion and kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic as the spirits of fear and worry grip our health care system, politics and economy. There is no better place to start than with seniors. Seniors are among those most at risk from the Coronavirus. Fear of the virus can challenge seniors who … Read More

By Virginia Korte — Many Scottsdale citizens are asking why we don’t have a ‘Stay at Home’ rule during this time of the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Doug Ducey, our Governor, issued an Executive Order on March 23 prohibiting cities from enacting any regulation that restricts any person from “performing any function designated by either the Governor, the Director of … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The Coronavirus and its economic impacts are having unprecedented impacts on small businesses, entrepreneurs and independent contractors. Businesses are closed. Jobs are jeopardized. Key industries including tourism and restaurants are being pushed to the brink. The federal economic stimulus program has help for impacted businesses and workers. There are also resources and programs at the state … Read More