*On January 8th new Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson takes over from interim one Brian Biesemeyer.  It’s the best municipal trade since the Phoenix Suns absconded Charles Barkley from the Philadelphia 76ers.  Biesemeyer found bureaucracy to be bucolic.  That Scottsdale continued to succeed despite his management speaks to just how special a place it is.  Thompson has an energy, expertise … Read More

Bt Rachel Sacco This year marks Experience Scottsdale’s 30th anniversary, and we are kicking off a yearlong celebration hallmarking three decades of promoting travel and tourism in Scottsdale. We wanted to start that celebration with a sincere thank you to our members, partners, stakeholders and supporters. Thank you for being a part of the Experience Scottsdale story – whether you … Read More

By Scottsdale City Councilmember Virginia Korte As 2016 is winding down and with Christmas less than one week away, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and also a Happy New Year.  I hope you, your family and friends have a safe and peaceful holiday season. Soon the City Council will return to work — so I want to … Read More

The songs.  The homecomings.  The Proms.  The friendships.  The cheerleading.  The college pursuits.  The first loves.  The buddies in the locker room.  The playoffs. There are certain things we never forget about high school.  Yet, in the case of Notre Dame Prep football players were robbed this year of memories that go with playing in the playoffs due to the … Read More

Well, it certainly took the Scottsdale City Council long enough, but they appear to have found a terrific City Manager. Former Casa Grande City Manager Jim Thompson is the chosen one, after three rounds and eighteen months of interviews. The community will soon come to appreciate the erudite Thompson for his energy and purpose. He’s not one to belabor the … Read More

*Bob Littlefield still hasn’t called Jim Lane to congratulate him on the Scottsdale Mayor’s race.  And they’ve been together at events.  #Classless *Are the Democrats going to produce any sacrificial lamb to run against Doug Ducey in 2018?  Or just pass altogether? *A big light rail fight could be coming to Chandler, Arizona *Soon, Cave Creek Mayor Vince Francia will … Read More

Their monkey wrench gang vitriol and antics are almost enough to get even us to reverse our opposition to the Desert Discovery Center.  Almost.   But what can’t be denied is how swiftly the “NO DDC” group’s political stock has fallen since November 8th.   They went all in for Bob Littlefield in his challenge to Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane.  He got … Read More

*Dan Schweiker may take another run for the Scottsdale City Council in 2018.  All three incumbents – Linda Milhaven, David Smith and Kathy Littlefield – are suggesting they will run too. *As the Scottsdale City Manager saga turns . . .  it appears that new candidates will be interviewed in early December with a decision possible December 8th. *If lobbyist Jim … Read More

In Scottsdale even winners apparently whine too. After the Scottsdale Mayor’s “Laneslide” victory Tuesday night and subject council election results the Arizona Republic and Parker Leavitt properly interviewed candidates for a story. Expectedly Bob Littlefield didn’t congratulate Lane on a race well run. Indeed, he still to this day hasn’t had the class to call with congratulations.  Littlefield carped about … Read More

Part I:  City Manager Search A key rule in life and business is when something isn’t working don’t keep doing the same thing.  Change course.  That’s certainly in order now that the Scottsdale City Council has again failed to reach consensus on a new City Manager, which is long overdue. It’s confounding that the apparent direction from council is to … Read More