Read the Arizona Republic or Arizona Capitol Times recently and you surely will see comprehensive coverage on the state’s “Drought Contingency Plan” or DCP. Designed to forestall projected shortages with Colorado River water allotments DCP is a desperate answer to a scary situation. As a result, its negotiation and passage has become a new model for bi-partisanship. Just last week … Read More
Well This Would Shake Up Scottsdale’s 2020 City Council Races
For some time the belief in Scottsdale political circles was that if you ever wanted to be on City Council, 2020 was the time to run. That’s because Councilwomen Suzanne Klapp and Virginia Korte would be abandoning their seats to run for Mayor since the term-limited Jim Lane cannot serve again. And that appears to be on track. But … Read More
Wonderspaces
Turning a canal into a “Waterfront.” The serial entrepreneurs in the Entertainment District. Art auctions and galleries. DC Ranch. Desert Mountain. The Coach House. One of Scottsdale’s strengths is its ability to surprise with excellence, and the unexpected. Fortunately, another such example just came to town. It’s called “Wonderspaces,” and it just opened in part of the old … Read More
Linda Milhaven Was Right
At the end of Tuesday night’s Scottsdale City Council discussion referring a solid package of important community improvements to the November 5th ballot there was applause from the good number of people in attendance. It was unusual, and refreshing to hear. It symbolized how various members of the public and council, who often disagree on issues, all came together … Read More
Well Done Scottsdale City Council
It’s shocking and sad that Scottsdale voters have not backed a meaningful bond measure to fund community infrastructure in two decades, despite public opinion polls showing residents believing the city is headed in the “right direction” rather than the “wrong track” by substantial margins. A key reason for failed bond programs past was a house divided. The City Council … Read More
Small Scottsdale Rezoning But Big Symbolism
Scottsdale is a very special city and its northern reaches have a lot to do with it. There, lower densities prevail in an almost rural environment with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve anchoring its distinct character. Recent years have seen numerous rezonings and increasing densities come to parts of the area. That’s not necessarily bad, but does it mean those … Read More
Guest Editorial: Keep Calm and Carry On
By The Happy Wanderer Downtown Scottsdale merchants have played an extremely critical role in our city’s economy for decades. The art galleries that line the streets in the Arts District attract tourists from across the world and are embedded in the fabric of Scottsdale’s culture. Though each gallery and store in the Arts District sells different wares, one thing does … Read More
Scottsdale Shouldn’t Do An Impression Of Donald Sterling
Before he proffered idiotic, racial remarks, former Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling was widely considered the worst owner in the history of sports. He didn’t pay his players. He wasn’t a winner. He was cheap. Now, we don’t mean to compare the Scottsdale City Council to Donald Sterling. After all, the city is one of the great municipal … Read More
Outlaw Dirty Money Announces Major National Endorsements
By Outlaw Dirty Money 2020 Outlaw Dirty Money today announced that two national democracy reform organizations, End Citizens United and Voters’ Right to Know, have endorsed the campaign’s 2020 ballot initiative. The endorsements come after ODM’s successful launch and a bi-partisan rollout of initial endorsements from current and former elected officials. “Arizona voters overwhelmingly support our initiative and we’re not … Read More
A Pig’s Lipstick
“I voted for the densest project in the history of our community.” That’s not a refrain you often see municipal elected officials put on re-election brochures. Yet, that would be the truth were anyone on the Paradise Valley Town Council to actually vote for the density dog that has become the proposed redevelopment of the SmokeTree Resort near Scottsdale … Read More