We’d been hearing good things about new Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Denise Birdwell. Like her moxy and focus on the destination, not the journey. This stands in marked contrast to the recently departed David Peterson who etiolated the district. And when this became apparent even to him Peterson bailed on his fellow bureaucrats, actually blaming two women on the … Read More
Shop Until Their Brains Drop
What morons. In this Age of Trump let’s dispense with editorial etiquette. We’re talking about the grumblings over Scottsdale Fashion Square’s redevelopment plans. Excuse us? The beloved mall is facing an onslaught from online shopping. Barney’s is departing in a couple of months. Drive by 68th and Camelback and the Dillard’s parking lot. It looks like a ghost town. Restaurants … Read More
Proven conservative leadership
By David Gowan When I was first elected to Arizona House of Representatives, it didn’t take long for my principles to collide head on with the broken political status quo. You see, this was back in 2009. Governor Napolitano had just left office, and my class of newly-elected conservative colleagues and I were eager to get to work on scaling … Read More
No Steroids In Scottsdale
The momentum in downtowns Tempe and Phoenix is undeniable. It represents good news for every Valley resident. But let’s be honest. What’s taking place in those two city centers is a little like watching Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa awhile back, not Willie Mays. In Tempe, local taxpayers have forked over huge sums to create Town Lake. After a slow … Read More
Open Minds. Closed Streets
It’s not often the former stomping grounds of drug lord Pablo Escobar are invoked for municipal inspiration. Then again, Bogota, Colombia is not infamous like it was two decades ago. Today, a renaissance is occurring. There can be found remarkable ideas Scottsdale and other Valley cities should adopt. It’s a Sunday tradition in Bogota to close many city streets from … Read More
Odds & Ends To The Week
*Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu starts his congressional race in a commanding position on the GOP side but his campaign has been a comedy of errors since announcing. *No truth to the rumor that Jeb Bush is looking at Brock Landers, otherwise known as former Congressman Ben Quayle for Vice President. Keep those Bush-Quayle signs in the closet. *Few elected … Read More
Kudos To Scottsdale Mayor Lane’s Innovative State of The City Approach
The Scottsdale Center for the Arts is a fine facility. But for years it served as a dungeon for the Mayors of Scottsdale State of the City. Few attended the dimly lit serenade. Leave it to a reformer like current Mayor Jim Lane to change the approach. His upcoming address on February 25th is timely to remind all, how he … Read More
Phoning Home For Freedom
Once upon a time Jay Lawrence was the 1-900 voice of Arizona freedom, rocking KTAR late nights for liberty lovers. Now, he’s a member of the State House of Representatives. Once upon a time Jill Norgaard was doing something else. Now, she’s a rising Republican star in the same House of Representatives. One of the first things lawmakers learn is … Read More
My Next Steps
By Marco Rubio On Saturday night at the debate, I dropped the ball. I want you to know that will never happen again. We are heading to South Carolina, Nevada and beyond. Make no mistake: We are going to win this nomination. Throughout my life, I’ve known tough times. In New Hampshire last night, I told the story of how … Read More
Scottsdale’s Best Politician
It would be easy to recognize Mayor Jim Lane for such a distinction. Ethics. Reforms. Results. Well-regarded by his peers. An overwhelming favorite to be re-elected for a final term later this year. And there are others that could be duly considered. But the distinction goes to someone whose name identification isn’t as high but respect from all is never … Read More