Since it’s never too early to pontificate and prognosticate about politics, we thought we’d get a jump on a way too early look at possible successors to popular Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane.  Due to the city’s three term limit for mayors Lane, who won in a landslide over Bob Littlefield in November, 2016, is ineligible to run again. The odds … Read More

Muhammad Ali was a great boxer.  But like many, he didn’t know when it was time to do something else.  A case in point was his 1980 bout against heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.  It was just sad, so much so that Holmes actually took it easy on Ali, not wanting to further impugn a legend. Former Arizona Attorney General Grant … Read More

One of those is honored at Tatum & Lincoln.  There proudly and rightfully stands a statue of former U.S. Senator and 1964 Republican Presidential nominee Barry Goldwater.  The Town of Paradise Valley’s wise decision to transform a challenging one-acre parcel at its busiest intersection into Goldwater Park will stand for all time as among its wisest decisions. But why stop … Read More

When first elected to the Scottsdale City Council in 2012, Guy Phillips did so as a Tea Party, pissing vinegar, rage against City Hall voice. And throughout much of his first term he did little to dissuade the notion, twice leading opposition to the city’s bond requests for community infrastructure improvements and routinely voting against business and developers. There were … Read More

The old saying that politics makes strange bedfellows is becoming less relevant these days as conflict replaces consensus. There is a notable exception in Scottsdale. Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane’s call for a hybrid district system has found an unlikely ally in John Greco, a frequent Lane critic. For months Lane has been advocating for reform in the way Scottsdale elects … Read More

In 2011 Auburn played Oregon for the college football national championship.  The game might have been occurred in Glendale but Scottsdale was the city overrun with events, tourists and shoppers.  At Scottsdale Fashion Square.  Along the Arizona Canal where ESPN staged.  And on an empty lot next to Olive & Ivy that was the site of concerts, special events, college … Read More

It was a great movie, La La Land that is.  But it’s not a place we desire to see members of Scottsdale’s governing body go. In the past we’ve been great fans of David Smith.  Business experience.  Financial acumen . Good person.  A balanced understanding of those things that made for Scottsdale’s uniqueness. Who wouldn’t want someone like that in … Read More

On May 6th the race for the Kentucky Derby resumes.  For two of the most exciting minutes in sports jockeying will abound during the run for the roses. But in Paradise Valley a different kind of race has already begun, almost two full years ahead of when Mayor Michael Collins will pass the baton to his successor.   That’s because … Read More

On January 7, 2014, we raised the question of why, in this age of Phoenix political correctness, Mayor Stanton wasn’t staying true to his roots, and fighting to rename Squaw Peak Drive.  Here’s a link. Well, it looks like he’s finally found time.  And stirred up a lot of controversy based on this recent front page article in the Arizona … Read More

To orchestrate an amazing comeback in the Super Bowl, as Tom Brady did, one doesn’t acquiesce to the rote.  Quarterbacks have to call new plays on the spot, based on the information and defense they are seeing. In Scottsdale, our quarterbacks are the City Council.  And some time ago they made a decision to deconstruct the “Big Tent” at WestWorld … Read More