We are fans of the Arizona Republic. We also came into being due to their retreat from robust, community-oriented editorial content. Today, the Arizona Republic’s editorialists awoke from their frequent hibernation on matters local, reminding us how they can be wrong, not Wright. Essentially, the Republic chastised the Arcadia neighborhood for its substantial opposition to a developer’s plan to commercialize … Read More
Keeping Scottsdale Special: Special Treatment For Special Places
About a decade ago far north Scottsdale saw Rawhide relocate to the Gila River Indian Community. The property now houses a Sprouts, strip center and nursing home. The venerable Scottsdale watering hole Greasewood Flat is set to be replaced this year with houses, as is Pinnacle Peak Patio. And while its special nature can be questioned The Borgata was certainly … Read More
Saluting The Spring Training Hall of Famers
Today, Hall of Fame funny man Will Ferrell is creatively making his way around the Cactus League to showcase a great cause. That he is here at all, able to move so conveniently from one stadium to another, reminds us all of one of the Valley’s most notable achievements. The economic impact from spring training is staggering. Just ask most … Read More
Arizona Democrats Have A New Slogan: You’re Too Dumb
A Philosophy Enshrined In Opposition To Financial, School & Healthcare Choice Prospective 2016 GOP nominees for President get asked it a lot. What does your party stand for? Ronald Reagan Redux. Freedom. American exceptionalism. Liberty. Those are a few of the familiar refrains. It’s not quite clear what Hillary Clinton and the Democrats stand for. But here in Arizona it … Read More
A Better Fate For South Scottsdale
Since the closing of Los Arcos Mall some 15 years ago and a number of automobile dealerships more recently, Scottsdale’s primary political sport has been hand wringing about the future of McDowell Road. An arena for the Phoenix Coyotes, SkySong, large new apartment projects, light rail, a New York City-like “High-Line” trail. There has been no shortage of ideas big … Read More
Real Tax Reform
By Scottsdale City Councilman David Smith Dear Friends… This Tuesday evening, February 24, the Scottsdale City council will debate the first real tax reform in recent memory. A workshop has been scheduled to discuss the proposal I made last month to eliminate the sales tax imposed on retail sales of food for home consumption. Scottsdale’s food tax collections amount to $11 million … Read More
Democratic Hypocrisy: Mesnard Right. McCune Davis Wrong.
Republicans are evil. Single handedly they are responsible for squeezing the middle class. This is the constant Democratic Party refrain. Except in Arizona, apparently. Here, the donkeys are skewering the middle class via their opposition to HB 2611. On this issue they are being led by nanny state sycophant Debbie McCune Davis. Once upon a time she led a proper … Read More
Solar Homes Sell Faster And For Higher Prices; Real Data Undermines Utility-Sponsored Rhetoric; Proves More Regulation Not Needed
An analysis of Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) residential sales data for the past six months show that homes with solar actually sell faster and at much higher prices than homes without solar. Through the end of 2014, homes with either owned or leased solar systems outpaced sales of non-solar homes significantly. Contrary to what proponents of APS-backed SB1465 … Read More
Rooting For The Republic
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio once did a campaign television commercial where he threw copies of the Arizona Republic in the trash. While a congressional candidate over a decade ago current Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio ripped the Valley’s paper of record similarly in direct mail. Others, most notably conservative blogs, cheer daily its hoped for demise. Don’t count us … Read More
The Inevitable Fall Of Arizona Public Service
A good man used to say “all politics is local.” Whether true or not there’s no doubt it’s cyclical. Today, Arizona Public Service (APS) is feeling pretty good about itself. Attempting to foil innovation and more energy choice is its new way of doing business. After all, the company effectively owned, in the political sense that is, immediate past Arizona … Read More