Real estate developers are often cast with the black hats. But aren’t they the people who build the homes we live in? Their bulldozers, political maneuvering and redevelopment plans are often contrasted with concerned neighbors, small business owners and the preverbal local townsfolk. It’s the stuff of old ‘Murder She Wrote’ and ‘Scooby-Doo’ episodes. But developers are not actually the … Read More
Guest Editorial: Mesa Should Look to Scottsdale’s SkySong As It Tries to Parlay New ASU Center
By Recker McDowell — Arizona State University and the city of Mesa recently broke ground on a new $73.5 million technology center aimed at sparking more development in the Main Street area. ASU will house artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality and 3-D printing and technology program at the new ASU @ Mesa City Center development. Mesa leaders hope the … Read More
Guest Editorial: Welcome to Phoenix, A City of Innovation and Entrepreneurs Now Hail a Taxi
By Recker McDowell — Phoenix and the state of Arizona have worked hard to craft images of being pro-business, pro-innovation and pro-entrepreneur especially compared to higher cost and higher tax competitors such as California, Seattle and Chicago. So, it is disconcerting to see the city of Phoenix’s fight with Uber and Lyft over higher rideshare fees at Phoenix Sky Harbor … Read More
Guest Editorial: One of Arizona’s Annual Rites
By Recker McDowell — The Arizona Legislature is back in session. That means the annual ritual of media coverage of conservative bills cast as detrimental to Arizona’s image. You probably have already seen stories on bills from Republican lawmakers related to limiting sex education curriculums, guns and the posting police officers at polling places on election days. These types of … Read More
Real Estate Developers, Dealmakers Bankrolling Suzanne Klapp’s War Chest Highlights The Early Scottsdale 2020 Contribution Reports
Scottsdale City Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp has the early financial advantage in the 2020 race for Scottsdale Mayor. Scottsdale City Councilwoman Virginia Korte who is also running for mayor as well as candidates for three council seats up for election this year are still ramping up their fundraising efforts, it appears. That is according to fourth quarter campaign reports filed with … Read More
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s Statement on Phoenix’s Higher Fees on Uber, Lyft Rides at Sky Harbor Airport
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced January 16 he believes the City of Phoenix violated the Arizona Constitution when it imposed new rideshare fees for companies operating at Sky Harbor. “The Phoenix City Council is placing its policy preferences above the rights of the people to whom the government must always answer,” Brnovich said. “Arizona voters clearly spoke when they … Read More
Virginia Korte: ‘I Am Officially Running For Mayor’
By Virginia Korte — Today I am announcing I am officially running for mayor. For the past year I have met with many residents, community leaders and business owners for their input about running for mayor. Their encouragement factored heavily into my decision. So, I want to thank them for their time and opinions. I believe with strong leadership I … Read More
Guest Editorial: Barrett-Jackson Is Key To Scottsdale’s Tourism And Brand; Let’s Not Jeopardize That
By Recker McDowell — Barrett-Jackson 2020 is in full swing in Scottsdale with more 1,950 luxury and vintage cars on the auction block. Barrett-Jackson is one of the signature events for Scottsdale. The auction puts Scottsdale in an international spotlight and feeds into the city’s tourism and economic brand. Barrett-Jackson is the king of Scottsdale’s car auction, helping attract tourists … Read More
Billionaire Boys Club: Bloomberg and Steyer Bet on Arizona, Will Show 2020 Elections Path
By Recker McDowell — If you watched the NFL playoffs or posted on social media this weekend you probably have probably seen ads for Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer. The two billionaires are putting a focus on Arizona in their Democratic presidential bids. They hope Arizona — where moderate Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won a U.S. Senate in 2018 — is … Read More
Auerbach Is Back. Repeat Candidate. Repeat Offender
Michael Auerbach is returning to the political stage. Despite being pummeled when he ran for a council seat in 2014, Auerbach, who is a member of the Scottsdale Parks Commission, has formed an exploratory committee to seek one of two open seats on the Scottsdale City Council in the August primary. His past, besides an abysmal political showing, raises a … Read More