By Paula Sturgeon & Mike Norton Last year Scottsdale politics was dominated by the “Desert Discovery Center” debate. We were on opposite sides of that debate, sometimes taking direct swipes at each other on social media.  But we are putting those differences aside now, this year, for something all of us should be able to agree on: improving our parks, senior … Read More

By Staff Report We know Cindy and Meghan McCain are not backing President Donald Trump’s reelection bid. But Cindy McCain said yesterday she’s also not backing Former Vice President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential bid. “Joe Biden is a wonderful man and dear friend of the McCain family. However, I have no intention of getting involved in presidential politics,” Cindy McCain … Read More

Last week Arizona Governor Doug Ducey helped announce online real estate giant Zillow’s decision to add many more employees and 25,000 square feet of more office space in the Galleria Corporate Center. Click here to read the full story. One a moribund shopping center the Galleria has re-emerged in recent years as a notable hub of technology workers.  It’s been a … Read More

Read the Arizona Republic or Arizona Capitol Times recently and you surely will see comprehensive coverage on the state’s “Drought Contingency Plan” or DCP.  Designed to forestall projected shortages with Colorado River water allotments DCP is a desperate answer to a scary situation.  As a result, its negotiation and passage has become a new model for bi-partisanship.  Just last week … Read More

For some time the belief in Scottsdale political circles was that if you ever wanted to be on City Council, 2020 was the time to run.   That’s because Councilwomen Suzanne Klapp and Virginia Korte would be abandoning their seats to run for Mayor since the term-limited Jim Lane cannot serve again.  And that appears to be on track.  But … Read More

Turning a canal into a “Waterfront.” The serial entrepreneurs in the Entertainment District.  Art auctions and galleries.  DC Ranch.  Desert Mountain.  The Coach House.   One of Scottsdale’s strengths is its ability to surprise with excellence, and the unexpected.   Fortunately, another such example just came to town.  It’s called “Wonderspaces,” and it just opened in part of the old … Read More

At the end of Tuesday night’s Scottsdale City Council discussion referring a solid package of important community improvements to the November 5th ballot there was applause from the good number of people in attendance.   It was unusual, and refreshing to hear.  It symbolized how various members of the public and council, who often disagree on issues, all came together … Read More

It’s shocking and sad that Scottsdale voters have not backed a meaningful bond measure to fund community infrastructure in two decades, despite public opinion polls showing residents believing the city is headed in the “right direction” rather than the “wrong track” by substantial margins.   A key reason for failed bond programs past was a house divided.  The City Council … Read More

Scottsdale is a very special city and its northern reaches have a lot to do with it.  There, lower densities prevail in an almost rural environment with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve anchoring its distinct character.   Recent years have seen numerous rezonings and increasing densities come to parts of the area.  That’s not necessarily bad, but does it mean those … Read More