By Alexander Lomax A New PAC, a Familiar Playbook A political action committee called Better Together has spent more than $250,000 attacking three Scottsdale City Council candidates, and Scottsdale voters still don’t know who is paying for it. The committee filed with the state on June 5. Its first campaign finance report isn’t due until July 15, well after most … Read More
Scottsdale City Council advances Mayor Borowsky’s large water user ordinance initiative
From the Office of Mayor Lisa Borowsky Scottsdale is taking a significant step toward strengthening long-term water stewardship as the Scottsdale City Council unanimously directed the city manager and city attorney to agendize a work study session on the potential creation of a large water user ordinance. The proposed ordinance initiative, championed by Mayor Lisa Borowsky, is being developed in … Read More
Second Ethics Complaint Against Kathy Littlefield Dismissed. The Bigger Question Is Who Keeps Filing Them
By Ronald Sampson A Complaint That Never Had Legs An independent hearing officer has dismissed the second ethics complaint filed against Scottsdale Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield over her votes on Axon’s headquarters campus. Local activist Dan Ishac argued Littlefield should have recused herself because her husband, Bob Littlefield, chairs TAAAZE, the group fighting Axon’s apartment plans. Hearing Officer Robert Donfeld ruled … Read More
When a Data Center’s Promise Dries Up (and What It Means for Arizona)
By Alexander Lomax A cautionary tale is unfolding in California’s Imperial Valley, and it has direct implications for Arizona. Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing promised its planned AI data center would avoid drawing from the Colorado River. The developer said the project would rely on reclaimed and recycled water from local cities, not supplies from the drought-stressed river. That pledge has … Read More
Koa Peat Comes Home: the Phoenix Suns Draft a Local Legend
The Phoenix Suns made a move Thursday night that felt less like a draft pick and less like a homecoming. Koa Peat, the Chandler-raised forward who starred at the University of Arizona, is staying in Arizona. This time, he’s wearing orange and purple. The Suns traded into the first round to land the 19-year-old Peat, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward with … Read More
Tourism promotion delivers strong return, strengthens Scottsdale’s reputation
From Experience Scottsdale A recent study confirms that strategic tourism promotion is not only driving visitation to Scottsdale but also strengthening the city’s reputation and generating significant economic benefits for residents. The City of Scottsdale and Experience Scottsdale commissioned leading tourism research firm Longwoods International to evaluate the effectiveness of Experience Scottsdale’s marketing efforts. The study found that for every … Read More
Toilets, Taps, Tasers, Tempers. Axon and Water Recycling Dominate Scottsdale Candidates Forum
By Miller Shea Moderated by Taylor Seely of The Arizona Republic, the June 19th candidate’s forum at the Kiva brought together seven candidates competing for seats on the council: Bob Littlefield, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, Barry Graham, Solange Whitehead, Crystal Carroll, Ethan Knowlden, and Raoul Zubia. Eric Sloan did not attend. Littlefield, Ugenti-Rita, and Graham made it clear they will oppose Axon’s … Read More
Scottsdale at 75: A Diamond Forged in Desert Light
Seventy-five years ago this June, a patch of sun-baked Arizona scrubland with 2,032 souls and barely a half-square mile to its name became an official municipality. Nobody could have predicted what it would become. That is the Scottsdale story: humble origins giving way to something genuinely extraordinary. The area’s bedrock dates back 1.8 billion years, and Indigenous peoples called it … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale Apartments QnA
By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Protecting Scottsdale’s Character My job is to protect Scottsdale—not to cast meaningless “no” votes for political theater. My record of stopping bad development is unmatched. Just as importantly, I’ve negotiated better projects and helped transform blighted, crime-attracting properties into vibrant destinations. I’ve also changed rules and improved the baseline for development: Adopted building codes that reduce … Read More
Scottsdale’s Water Security Began Decades Ago
By Thyra Ryden-Diaz, PE, MPA – Scottsdale Water Interim Senior Director Recent discussion surrounding Scottsdale’s purchase of additional Long-Term Storage Credits prompted understandable questions about the City’s long-term water strategy. Water is one of our most valuable resources, and Scottsdale has planned for decades to assure the supply. The most important thing residents should know is this: the City Council … Read More