He Chuckled Like Jabba The Hut Before He Killed Citizen Rights Avid Star Wars fans will remember Jabba The Hutt’s laughter at the beginning of Return of the Jedi. That’s the way many probably feel after reading former Scottsdale City Councilman, defeated State Legislative candidate and current Scottsdale Mayoral candidate Bob Littlefield’s recent tome. After resembling Grumpy during the early … Read More

As soon as Willard “Mitt” Romney was elected Governor of Massachusetts he began running for President.  After losing the GOP nomination in 2008 he immediately started running again.  After being the nominee in 2012 he lost a winnable general election.  Then he started calling upon his inner Adlai Stevenson (a 3-time loser for the Democratic nomination for President) and quietly … Read More

By Scottsdale City Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp There is little about City Council meetings that I cannot tolerate. I support freedom of speech and welcome people to come to the City Kiva and express their opinions about many subjects. My patience is very well established.  Fault me if you want, but enough is enough when a Satanist group, not even based … Read More

By Former Scottsdale City Councilwoman Betty Drake Scottsdale, the “West’s Most Western Town,” is a place with a long tradition of welcoming and supporting the horse community. From its earliest days, there were horse ranches, horse shows, polo, rodeo, horse communities and horse trainers, many right in the middle of residential areas. Horses are part of Scottsdale’s image and culture. Today, … Read More

Are all developer requests for rezonings good?  Of course not.  But nor are they all bad as Scottsdale’s current and former councilmembers Kathy Littlefield, Bob Littlefield and Guy Phillips often wax ineloquent. Take this article in today’s Scottsdale Republic.  The revitalization of McDowell Road has perplexed city planners and authorities for years.  But progress is finally at hand.  From SkySong … Read More

*The property currently housing The Saguaro Hotel in downtown Scottsdale may be on the market *His new Mission?  Chef extraordinaire Matt Carter is said to be joining forces with Scottsdale restaurant and bar Hall of Famer Mark Drinkwater for a new venture at Scottsdale & Lincoln *Want to live at the new Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley?  The project’s first advertisements debuted … Read More

By nearly all accounts Arizona State Senator Debbie Lesko is an impressive public servant.  She takes on tough issues like pension reform.  And she gets results.  That’s why her peers are rightfully considering her along with Steve Yarbrough and John Kavanagh to succeed Andy Biggs as the next State Senate President. She’s conservative without being crazy.  All this being said … Read More

Every day we go to work to make money or make a difference.  Those who work in our national parks, monuments and forests likely fall into the latter category.  They are there to be the custodians of God’s creativity and grace.  Getting to work at Grand Canyon National Park or the adjoining Kaibab National Forrest is the pinnacle, for many, … Read More

He was so influential and impactful while head of the Scottsdale Cultural Council he was referred to as the “8th councilman.” And judging by this recent article in the Phoenix New Times, Scottsdale needs someone like Frank Jacobson now.  Big time. We’re not as dour as the New Times.  After all, Scottsdale’s public art program remains second to no Valley … Read More

As Mitt Romney laid early plans for a 2008 presidential run he was spending a lot of time in Arizona.  To raise money.  And to pin rival John McCain down in his home state more than he would have liked. Romney sought a key endorsement:  Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  He got it.  Arizona.  Iowa.  Whatever the Romney campaign needed … Read More