Dear Paradise Valley Residents, I encourage you to vote YES on Propositions 426 and 427 this November. Arizona’s expenditure limitation system was created nearly 50 years ago and limits how much of its own local revenue a town can spend based primarily on population growth and inflation. While well-intentioned, the formula can create unintended consequences. Our town has the financial resources to … Read More
Old Town Farmers Market Move – A Success!
By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Scottsdale’s treasured Old Town Farmers Market has a vibrant new home at City Hall – and the results are better than anyone expected! The expanded site now offers seating, shade from trees and solar canopies, and more space for vendors and families. On opening day Oct. 3, the market drew an estimated 2,700 visitors—about 1,000 more … Read More
Judge me on my record, not my opponents’ accusations.
By Raoul Zubia Christian Serena’s op-ed is a list of things I didn’t do. I didn’t write SB 1543, lobby for it, or vote on it. Every contribution to my campaign is publicly disclosed, and no one gets my vote for a check. I can’t control who funds Better Together or how it spends. Voters deserve consistency. My opponents have … Read More
Vouchers Aren’t Going Anywhere. Scottsdale Unified Has to Compete or Keep Shrinking
by Ronald Sampson Scottsdale Unified’s governing board voted 3-2 Tuesday to close Copper Ridge K-8 and Laguna Prep. Roughly 900 students will change schools. It is the district’s second round of closures in as many years, after Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon shut down earlier this year. As we wrote just days before the vote, the district keeps losing families … Read More
Proposition 426: A Familiar Practice, Complementary to Proposition 427
By Paradise Valley Town Councilmember Christine Labelle Arizona’s expenditure limitation is an artificial spending ceiling established almost 50 years ago. It relies on population and inflation, not changing demands or available revenues. Paradise Valley’s population is steady, but infrastructure, public safety, and service demands have grown. Proposition 426 is proven and nothing new. More than 90% of Arizona municipalities have … Read More
A Question of Fiscal Discipline
By Mary Hamway In 1980 the Arizona Legislature gave citizens a powerful say in how their local governments grow and spend monies, and that is a very good thing. On your ballot in the upcoming election, Proposition 426 asks you to permanently increase Paradise Valley’s annual expenditure limitation by roughly $20 million. This is more than a 40% increase over … Read More
Guest Editorial: Choose a proven record, not a resume
By Councilman Barry Graham Every election, City Council candidates tout their resumes and make promises. However, I’m running for reelection on my record of putting taxpayers first and being accountable to residents. That helped me earn the endorsement of Scottsdale police officers and firefighters. For four years I have stood up for you against special interests. I have preserved our … Read More
Eldorado Park Gave South Scottsdale Its Backyard. Now Residents Get to Shape What Comes Next
By Vanessa Rogers Before the greenbelt had a name, Scottsdale had Eldorado Park. Nearly 60 years after it opened as the city’s first community park, the city is inviting residents to help decide what comes next. Scottsdale has set aside $780,000 this fiscal year for the first phase of design. That work builds on a master plan for Eldorado and … Read More
Mayor Lisa Borowsky to host Town Hall at DC Ranch Homestead on Veterans Day
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is hosting her next community Town Hall at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the DC Ranch Homestead continuing her commitment to meeting residents where they are and providing opportunities for direct, open dialogue on issues affecting Scottsdale. The DC Ranch Homestead is at 18600 N 98th St. in north Scottsdale. The event marks the fourth … Read More
Scottsdale’s Flock Fight Is Really About Who Watches the Watchers
By Alexander Lomax Scottsdale has 85 cameras photographing license plates at intersections across the city. Until recently, few residents knew they existed. Now, thanks to Mayor Lisa Borowsky, they’re the hottest issue at City Hall. This week, the council held a public hearing on the Flock system after Borowsky pushed it onto the agenda. Meanwhile, city leaders have promised an … Read More