On behalf of the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale, a collection of mostly slower-growth community leaders, Betty Janik conveyed caution about more height and development in the city, in a thoughtful, recent guest column. Click here to read. Agree or disagree with her, Janik’s respected voice is one that enriches discussions in the public square. But we take exception to Janik’s … Read More
Guest Editorial: Mesa’s Main Street Needs More R&R (Residential and Residents) And To Follow Its Own Downtown Path
By Recker McDowell — Mesa has long looked for the secret sauce for its downtown. It is easy for Mesa to look to other downtowns as the template for its long-desired success for Main Street. It is easy to look to Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe’s Mill Avenue and Gilbert Heritage District and try to aim for a restaurant, arts and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Employment Hot Spots Need More Office Space To Keep Up With Demand, To Keep Bringing Jobs
By Recker McDowell — The office market keeps getting tighter and tighter, especially in Scottsdale, Chandler and Tempe where employers and their workers want to locate. Simply put, those three are markets as well as downtown Phoenix need more new office space to keep up with demand and to keep bringing quality jobs to the region. The regional office vacancy … Read More
Guest Editorial: Why Scooters Work in Scottsdale And What They Teach Us About Consumers And Tourists
By Jessica Troy — Those electric scooters that well populate many an American and Arizona city raise concerns. The safety of riders zigging, and zagging and scooters scattered about are challenges. The critics see the injuries, the reckless riders and the perception that left-behind scooters are like the multiplying Tribbles from ‘Star Trek’. But for destinations for tourists, millennials and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale’s July 4th Celebration One of The Best in USA Thanks to WestWorld
By Recker McDowell — It’s the Fourth of July. That means picnics, parades and fireworks across the country. July 4th is not as easy to pull off in Arizona where temperatures in metro Phoenix will be 105 today. The heat can put a damper on celebrating America’s birthday here. The exception is Scottsdale. Scottsdale’s Fourth of July Celebration has a … Read More
Guest Editorial: Put Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels On Your Rising Star List, Including Potential Run For Governor
By Recker McDowell — The 2022 Arizona elections are a million political miles and Trump, AOC and Nike tweets away. But some palace intrigue and projections have already started about who might run for Arizona governor and other offices after Doug Ducey finishes his second term. One name coming up with a political future — including potentially running for governor … Read More
Guest Editorial: Doug Ducey Hits National, Social Media, Fox News Chords with 2 A.M. Tweets on Nike, Kaepernick, Betsy Ross & Goodyear Plant
By Recker McDowell — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is trending as much on Twitter, Facebook and Fox News today as U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and more than anti-Trump. U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe. Ducey took Twitter early Tuesday morning, very early, to criticize Nike over it pulling ‘Betsy Ross’ themed sneakers after it heard objections about the colonial flag from … Read More
A Wise Investment and a Square Deal
The old saying “you have to spend money to make money” is especially true when it comes to real estate. The City of Scottsdale is learning that lesson and is considering spending wisely to ensure its ability to sell off a $27 million parcel in downtown Scottsdale. Right now the land is unused. It is home to a defunct and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale One Of The Best Places in U.S. For 4th of July Celebration Showing Importance of WestWorld & Bonds To Keep It Economic Driver, Community Gem
Recker McDowell — Scottsdale ranks as one of the best places in the entire country for a Fourth of July Celebration for its community events and fireworks at WestWorld. It shows how important WestWorld and the events it hosts are for Scottsdale. A report by WalletHub ranks Scottsdale as the best place in Arizona to ring in America’s birthday and … Read More
Paradise Valley Mayor’s Report, June 2019: Town Council Works Toward Successes in First Six Months
Dear Friends and Neighbors: As Paradise Valley’s Town Council recesses for the summer, I wanted to express my thanks to everyone involved for a great first six months of this Council term. It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to serve as your Mayor for the past six months. Your Council and Town staff, with valuable public input, has … Read More