By Councilman David Smith Dear Friends… Scottsdale’s fiscal year ended June 30, so it seems timely to share a report on some Council decisions over the past few months that will affect you and your city’s livability. Your Council adopted a Balanced Budget for next year…that’s good! Unfortunately, the Budget isn’t sustainable and hasn’t been for several years. That’s because … Read More

Flamboyant boxing promoter Don King used this phrase liberally to describe his rise and that of fighters in his sted who found fame and fortune. But it can also be said about Javier Munoz.  Son of a doorman.  Raised in a “scary” housing project in Brooklyn.  Openly gay.  H.I.V. positive.  Cancer survivor.  And now playing founding father Alexander Hamilton on … Read More

*There’s been a lot of talk (and evidence) of southern Scottsdale, specifically near and along McDowell Road, being the next hot Valley neighborhood. And here’s more evidence: Mark/Taylor Residential’s new apartment community on McDowell is so successful it’s started purchasing adjacent properties for additional parking. And up the street a respected developer is putting in for-sale, contemporary-style condominiums for upwards … Read More

We didn’t start this opinions courtyard years ago to belabor Bob Littlefield, a former Scottsdale City Councilman and failed Republican candidate for the Arizona State Legislature. But his fodder has just become so rich, or rather so mendacious. His hypocrisy knows no bounds. He was for the Desert Discovery Center before he was against it. He voted for the tallest … Read More

Former 12-year Scottsdale Councilman and failed state legislative candidate Bob Littlefield sounds more like he’s running for Mayor of Detroit than Scottsdale. Everything is wrong in our fair city, his wonting bemoans.  And he alone is the guy to fix it.  He, the campaign trailing, self-professing walking combination of Bernie Sanders AND Donald Trump. We digress in noting the stunning … Read More

Containment.  Mutually Assured Destruction.  The Domino Theory. Balance of Power.  Trickle Down.  Vouchers. These are the words of famous philosophies, some more than others, thought to describe the best governance for our schools, economics and foreign affairs.  Here in Arizona a new philosophy by an unexpected voice is noteworthy.  “Gradualism” as proffered by Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Doug Little, seeks … Read More

One of the more effective Scottsdale citizen activists in recent years has been downtown business owner Bill Crawford. He’s taken on some tough fights and special interests and come out the other side.  Most notably he raised problems the surging success of bars and restaurants in the Entertainment District were having on nearby neighborhoods several years ago.  He worked with … Read More

By John McCain My Friend, Memorial Day is a time of solemn remembrance where we pause to honor the terrible sacrifice made by those who went off to war only to never return. We remember through ceremony and by celebrating the freedom they fought to defend. We must never forget what they did in our name. They were family and … Read More

With State Senator Adam Driggs retiring two seats are up for grabs in the upcoming race for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 28. That’s because a current holder of one of those seats, Kate Brophy McGee, is running to replace Driggs as is the other State Representative, Eric Meyer, a doctor. The House calls for their replacements … Read More

Friends was one of the best and most successful television comedies of all time.  No one can say it didn’t have a great run.  From Phoebe Buffay to Chandler Bing the characters became a staple of American life. Chandler, Arizona has also had a great run.  It is among Arizona’s most successful cities.  From Jay Tibshraeny to Jack Sellers it … Read More