PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey announced today that Turf Paradise Race Course owner Jerry Simms has personally donated $1 million to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund, established to provide financial support to organizations providing essential aid to those affected by COVID-19. Turf Paradise also recently donated $25,000 worth of food to St. Mary’s Food Bank. “Businesses throughout the state have done tremendous … Read More
Breaking News: Scottsdale Activist Targets Incumbent Councilman, Mayoral Aspirant
By Recker McDowell — Scottsdale’s Independent Ethics Panel has instructed City Councilman Guy Phillips to answer questions related to a complaint filed against him by activist Mike Norton. A new order issued today by the Ethics Panel requires Phillips to answer questions related to whether money that went into a GoFundMe account last year amounted to a financial gift that … Read More
Talking Without Speaking
It’s a notable line from Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence,” one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The lyrics say something. They are memorable, unlike anything former Scottsdale City Councilman and mayoral aspirant David Ortega writes. His latest missive, as it appeared in the Scottsdale Independent, is below. Can anyone share what it means? How it leads? How … Read More
Guest Editorial: Wear A Mask To Protect Others Not Because the Government Mandates
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
Suzanne Klapp: A Band-Aid Won’t Stop Scottsdale’s Hemorrhaging Budget
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
Guest Editorial: COVID-19 Wave on Navajo Nation Compels a Call for Immediate Action, Investments
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
Guest Editorial: Tempe Helps Small Businesses, Scottsdale Helps The Super Bowl
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
Props To Diego Pops
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
Guest Editorial: Digging Into the Scottsdale Races for Mayor and City Council
By Recker McDowell — New campaign fundraising numbers in Scottsdale show advantages for Virginia Korte and Suzanne Klapp in the mayoral race and some financial strength for City Council candidates Tammy Caputi, John Little and Bill Crawford. Candidates have filed first quarter 2020 campaign finance reports with the city of Scottsdale. In the race for mayor, Korte raised $95,071 in … Read More
Recent Scottsdale Campaign Contribution Report Revelations
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