Feeling like a bit like famed DJ Casey Kasem we received a nice request from Scottsdale City Council candidate Betty Janik to repost this piece. As campaign dialogue begins to deteriorate Betty reminds us that it doesn’t always have to be that way, and hasn’t. Thank you for the productive thoughts Betty.  Rise of The Guardians Every community has its … Read More

What a difference between nearby jurisdictions. The Town of Paradise Valley’s Mayor is being unopposed on the 2020 ballot.  And there is only one challenger to three incumbents seeking re-election to the Town Council. And when it comes to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors two have no challengers at all.  The other three have meaningless, other party opposition that … Read More

By Larry Heath I received an email from Bob Littlefield recently exclaiming that he was officially on the ballot for Mayor of Scottsdale.  To me, it felt like the shark from Jaws about to swallow the City.  Although that looks strangely entertaining on a movie poster, do we really want Bob and his wife, Kathy Littlefield, to devour 20 percent … Read More

Unlike some of its union counterparts, the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association leads with quiet dignity. It was the first contributor to the successful campaign in November to update and enhance the city’s infrastructure. It annually hosts an impressive charity dinner each September that raises money for important causes and inspires attendees with amazing speakers. Its members are obviously on the … Read More

Anyone with children likely knows the movie “Rise Of The Guardians.” It’s the tale of our holiday heroes (Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, etc.) banding together to defeat darkness threatening happiness in the world. Awhile back we wrote a piece entitled after the movie mentioned above, discussing the role activists have played over the past many years to shape Scottsdale.  It … Read More

By Recker McDowell — We are all seeing the destructive path the COVID-19 pandemic has carved through the economy with record unemployment claims, shutdown businesses, a full stop for tourism as well as scores of layoffs and furloughs. All the business closures are resulting in significant temporary job cuts across Arizona and the country. But there are jobs out in … Read More

Scottsdale city government isn’t the only thing being paralyzed by a pandemic.  So are political campaigns. Traditional ways of electioneering and fundraising have been upended.  Precise messaging is going to matter more than ever, especially with the contest to be Scottsdale’s next Mayor taking shape.  We’ll know on Monday who is in and who is out.  That’s when candidate petitions … Read More