Scottsdale Mayoral Candidate David Ortega Can’t Hide From His Opposition To The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, The City’s Greatest Achievement

(SCOTTSDALE) The greatest achievement in Scottsdale’s history is the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It was made possible by leadership and sacrifice. And now one of the loudest voices that tried to stand in the way is running for Mayor. In 2004, David Ortega, running for Mayor for the first time in a race he would eventually lose in a landslide, led … Read More

Companies, Sports Teams Flocking To COVID Combating HealthyVerify Certification

(SCOTTSDALE) — HealthyVerify Certification — a new health care collaboration that includes doctors, infectious disease and public health experts from the Barrow Neurological Institute — continues to add prominent clients including real estate firm Offerpad, the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds spring training ballpark, Phoenix Rising FC soccer team, City of Goodyear and other major companies and employers as they … Read More

Guy Phillips: On Lessons From Mask Rally Controversy and Reelection Bid

By Recker McDowell — Scottsdale City Councilman Guy Phillips found himself in the international spotlight after he said ‘I Can’t Breathe’ at a June 24th rally against new COVID-19 mask mandates. ‘I Can’t Breathe’ were the last words of George Floyd before he died in Minneapolis Police custody. Phillips apologized for the comments, but critics made a push for him … Read More

Food Banks Need Volunteers as COVID-19 Increases Demand But Restricts Groups

By Recker McDowell — The social and economic impacts of COVID-19 have increased community demand at food banks across the country. St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and other food banks across Arizona are also challenged. Jerry Brown, director of media relations at St. Mary’s, said demand for emergency food boxes and other help tripled when COVID-19 started, and scores … Read More

Great Job Phoenix for a Great Need in the City

By Robert Lyles (President, Greenlight Communities) — Last month, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved an incredibly important new affordable housing initiative. With Phoenix being the nation’s fastest growing city, and housing costs outpacing wages, the need for attainable rental housing has never been more urgent.  The City’s new initiative is a positive step in accommodating the housing needs of … Read More

Andrea Alley — Next Generation Leader in Scottsdale

By Recker McDowell — Andrea Alley is one of Scottsdale’s next generation of leaders and advocates impacting the city’s path on key issues. Alley first got engaged in Scottsdale politics and community affairs during the 2016 vote on the Desert Discovery Center. Alley, who lives in southern Scottsdale, then got involved in the redevelopment of Papago Plaza. She was also … Read More

John Little: Think Cleaner. Think Better. Think Solar

By John Little — Solar energy isn’t just about saving the world. It’s also about saving money, creating living wage jobs, cutting air pollution, and putting a strong public face on the clean and wholesome brand of our city. Over the last 50 years, hundreds of Arizonans have stepped up to advocate strongly for solar energy. Despite their herculean efforts … Read More

The SCOTT Perspective

By Don Henninger — The sounds of silence often can be damaging. That point comes to light after recent events in Scottsdale have presented an image to the national and international media that does not reflect the values embraced by the majority of community and business leaders in the city. Some of those images have harmed the city’s reputation, and … Read More

Lost

It was the landmark ABC show a few years back.  And it clearly describes landlord lobbyist David Ortega’s quinquennial-like standing for Scottsdale Mayor. There are many reasons Ortega will never be Mayor of Scottsdale. But the latest may be our favorite and take the cake. Despite Ortega’s campaign resembling one Rip Van Winkle might have run, he actually did get … Read More