Do We Still Need Proposition 400?

Proposition 400 is the sort of item that has been there for as long as many of us have been in the Valley, but few of us think about it. The one-half cent sales tax has been instrumental in facilitating the growth of our area since its inception in 1986 and continuance in 2004. It will be expiring in a … Read More

In Memoriam to One of the Lions in the History of Scottsdale: Bill Schrader

All of us owe something (if not most things) to those who came before us, and the same goes for cities. The cities we know and love obviously didn’t magically appear as-is; they were founded, formed by the desires and initiative of those founders and others who came later, and evolved over time into the municipalities that we call home. … Read More

Guest Editorial: STR’s By the Numbers

By Councilmember Betty Janik We have come a long way since the 2021 Short-Term Rental Working Group (which I co-chaired) identified opportunities for Scottsdale to establish and enforce regulations to reduce nuisance short-term rentals (STR’s). All were adopted by City Council. Fast forward to July 2022, SB1168 provided additional opportunities to rein in unruly STR properties that cause disturbances in … Read More

The Hobbs Administration Finally Quells Chaos with New Hire

It has been an extremely tumultuous first 6 months of the Katie Hobbs Gubernatorial administration (get up to date here). Depending on who you ask, it could be deemed anything from rocky to disastrous, culminating in the ouster of her Chief of Staff Allie Bones. But just like how all good things must come to an end, so do all … Read More

The Photo Radar Camera Fight Comes to Scottsdale: Who’s Got It Right?

Many parts of Arizona were early adopters to photo radar cameras for traffic law enforcement. Many of you have likely received an unwelcome letter in the mail with a picture of yourself and a bill due. Speed cameras have gone up and come down, and the debate has raged much of the time. Now the debate has gotten some more … Read More

Guest Editorial: Rep. Kolodin Should Stick to Water Issues

By Ronald Sampson Ahhhh, Representative Alex Kolodin…sometimes he shows so much promise, and sometimes he clearly can’t get out of his own way, compelled to foolishness by some unknown forces, some dark angel of conspiracy that convinces him to keep pushing into an abyss. He’s gotten attention a few times this year (get up to date here), and it’s not … Read More

Supervisor Bill Gates Not Seeking Re-Election: An Unfortunate Sign of Our Times

As a Maricopa County Supervisor, Bill Gates has been one of the steadiest rocks of local governance for years. He recently announced that he won’t be seeking re-election. While he certainly has earned more free time for himself, there is something larger and more insidious at play. It is an event where I am less prone to celebrating his service … Read More

Luxury Private Resort-Like Hideaway up for Auction: See Inside the Palatial Paradise Valley Estate That Was Originally Envisioned as Family Office Before It Hits the Auction Block

The 17,000-square-foot compound-like estate has tremendous use potential and is currently listed for $20 million. Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is best known for connecting the most discriminating of buyers for the Valley’s most luxurious homes to the most sophisticated of sellers and this June Arizona’s leading luxury brokerage is proud to partner with Concierge Auctions as one of the Valley’s … Read More

Phoenix and the Growing Pains of Grappling with Homelessness

Homelessness had never been a critical issue in Arizona as it grew its way into the destination it currently is until recently. A home price spike turned into a rental cost crisis, and as hard drug use rose across the country the result has been a mix of legitimately down-on-their-luck folks combined with those lost in the grips of addiction, … Read More