PHOENIX – Attorney General Brnovich announced today that the Attorney General’s Office awarded nearly $400,000 in grants to community organizations that provide mental health treatment and services to first responders. The organizations will assist firefighters, emergency medical services, and law enforcement across the state.

Four different grants were awarded to organizations, including the United Phoenix Firefighters (two separate grants), EMPACT Suicide Prevention, and Marana Health Center. Over 2,000 first responders and first responder families are expected to be served statewide over the next year through direct treatment, mental health services, and training.Read More

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey announced today $300,000 in funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to organizations across the state that support senior citizens, the homebound and those who are medically fragile. The funding will support organizations that have provided much needed aid to vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19, by assisting with grocery shopping, meal deliveries, transportation to medical appointments, emergency errands and social interaction during a time of physical distancing.

“Arizona continues to focus on protecting public health, especially for those most at-risk like seniors and those medically vulnerable,” said Governor Ducey. “Volunteer and community organizations across the state are working day and night to provide support for those in their care through additional food deliveries, transportation and other services — and we’re proud to support their efforts. Thank you to everyone who has donated to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund so we can protect at-risk Arizonans, and to everyone who has stepped up to help others.”

Recipients of the funding include:

• Foundation for Senior Living (statewide)

• Benevilla

• Aster Aging

“We are so appreciative of this generous donation,” said Tom Egan, President and CEO of Foundation for Senior Living. “Our team has been working diligently to shift many of our programs to meal and food bag deliveries to seniors and adults with chronic health issues or disabilities. So far, we have seen our expenses increase by 25 percent and we’re anticipating the community will continue to need help throughout the summer. This donation will help offset our expenses and allow us to serve those in need.  We are so grateful to Governor Ducey and the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund!”

“We believe we are strongest when we work together,” says Joanne Thomson, President and CEO of Benevilla. “The support from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund Now will help provide much needed services to the most vulnerable population in our community. Working together we are able to help seniors with grocery shopping, emergency errands and more, we are able to provide support and friendship to caregivers who might feel overwhelmed and alone and continue to support families in our community during this time.”

“The support that Aster Aging has received from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund is truly making the difference for vulnerable older adults in the East Valley,” said Deborah Schaus, CEO of Aster Aging. “Requests for Meals on Wheels and our other basic need services have continued to grow as we strive to keep seniors safe during the pandemic.”

The AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund was established by Governor Ducey as part of the Arizona Together Initiative to provide financial support to non-profit organizations serving Arizonans most in need statewide. The AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has collected more than $8.2 million to date. Arizonans can visit ArizonaTogether.org to learn more, donate and find volunteer opportunities.

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey has announced that following a national search, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has selected Arizona for its new U.S. advanced semiconductor factory. The project will create over 1,600 new high-tech jobs and generate thousands of additional jobs in the state for suppliers and other companies within the semiconductor industry. TSMC’s total spending on this project, including capital expenditure, will be approximately $12 billion from 2021 to 2029.

“We’re incredibly proud that one of the world’s leading technology companies has chosen Arizona for this high-tech project, one with national and global significance,” said Governor Ducey. “TSMC could have picked any place in the world to build this advanced manufacturing factory. They chose Arizona for our unbeatable business climate, already thriving tech sector and ready access to an international supply chain. I’d like to thank TSMC Chairman Dr. Mark Liu for his commitment to Arizona. We are honored to be selected for this project and look forward to building a collaborative long-term relationship with TSMC. I’m very grateful to President Donald Trump for his leadership and tireless efforts to bring more manufacturing back to our shores. I’d also like to thank Secretary Ross, his team at the U.S. Department of Commerce including SelectUSA, and the Trump administration for their partnership.”

Arizona has long been a hub for the advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries. The state’s skilled workforce, strong supply chain, strategic geographic location, commitment to pro-innovation policies and unmatched quality of life have continued to drive rapid industry growth and economic momentum. This new U.S. facility will enable TSMC to provide enhanced service to customers and partners and increase its ability to attract global talent.

The facility will utilize TSMC’s 5-nanometer technology for semiconductor wafer fabrication and have the capacity to produce 20,000 wafers per month. Construction is planned to begin in 2021 with production targeted to start in 2024. The Arizona facility will be the company’s second manufacturing operation in the United States.

Several sites in the City of Phoenix are still being evaluated for the location of the factory. The Arizona Commerce Authority will continue working with TSMC, the U.S. administration, the City of Phoenix and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to finalize all aspects of the project.

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced that the Stay At Home order in Arizona will be ending on May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery. The new guidance aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and aims to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 resurgence, protect vulnerable populations, and guide the reopening of businesses with enhanced physical distancing and safety measures in place.

Arizona’s new Executive Order, which takes effect on Saturday, May 16, builds on Arizona’s comprehensive efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, including: ramping up testing availability and frequency; implementing tracking of key health metrics such as reported symptomatic cases and emergency room usage; standing up surge hospital capacity to be used as needed; expanding statewide contact tracing; bolstering supply chains for personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers and emergency responders; implementing enhanced safety protocols to protect those living and working in high-risk facilities such as nursing homes; and providing public health guidance for businesses and individuals to ensure continued physical distancing.

“Since the start of this pandemic, Arizona has taken a calm and steady approach to protecting health and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Ducey. “Today, our hospitals have capacity to provide care to those who need it; our businesses are implementing and adapting to new physical distancing measures; and data shows Arizona is headed in the right direction. It is time to move forward with the next steps of Arizona’s economic recovery — while continuing to make health and safety our number one priority. I’m grateful to all Arizonans for their partnership and cooperation during these trying times. By continuing to follow the data and recommendations of public health officials, we can continue to move forward safely and responsibly together.”

Governor Ducey also announced today an accelerated plan to test all staff and residents of long-term care facilities as well as individuals within Arizona’s prisons. As part of this plan, the Arizona Department of Health Services will partner with private-sector labs to expand testing to 147 long-term care facilities and provide antibody tests for correctional officers. Additionally, major league sports can resume limited reopening, without fans, this Saturday, May 16.

The Arizona Department of Health Services also released additional guidance for businesses and customers as more industries resume partial operations. This guidance includes:

• Pools, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation – can reopen Wednesday, May 13 (GUIDANCE)

• Gyms & Fitness Providers, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation – can reopen Wednesday, May 13 (GUIDANCE)

• Spas, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation – can reopen Wednesday, May 13 (GUIDANCE)

While never formally closed, many places of worship opted to temporarily change or suspend services in order to follow physical distancing guidelines. As they resume operations, the Arizona Department of Health Services released GUIDANCE for enhanced physical distancing and safety precautions.

View today’s Executive Order HERE.

View daily Arizona updates HERE.

In the name of helping our readers make more informed decisions and better understand the people who want to lead our city, we sent out questionnaires to all Scottsdale City Council candidates. All of the questions were the same for each except for two questions that were customized for each candidate. Mr. Littlefield declined to answer two of the questions. Here are his submissions.

Do you support the Axon development as originally proposed, including up to 1,900 residential units, or the compromise proposal of around 600 units. If not, what conditions would you require before lending your support?

No, no, there are thousands of apartments already approved nearby to Axon, they don’t need to build any more apartments.

In your opinion has the amount of apartment approvals and construction in recent years has been too little, too much or just about right?

Way too much.

In your view, is development in Scottsdale currently proceeding at the right pace, too quickly, or too slowly, and what principles would guide your votes on major development proposals?

According to our city Planning Department there are upwards of 10K apartments (depending on how you count them) approved by previous Councils that have yet to be built. No more are necessary for the foreseeable future.

The Colorado River faces a deepening crisis, with Lake Powell at historically low levels. What specific policies should Scottsdale pursue to protect its long-term water security?

If Scottsdale faces a water crisis it is because of overdevelopment. Our water department – the best in AZ – does a fine job of providing water for current businesses and residents. But even they cannot find enough new water sources to support unlimited future development. The most obvious example of what not to do is the recent action by the City Council majority to approve 1200 apartments for Axon. Even worse, that City Council majority waived Axon’s water requirements—enough for 12,000 single family homes—which will leave less water for every other Scottsdale resident.

What is your position on the boundaries of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and under what circumstances, if any, would you support changes to land currently designated as preserve? 

The voter-approved boundaries should not be tampered with. Scottsdale voters made it clear with Prop 420 they want politicians to leave the Preserve alone!

How would you approach funding police and fire services, and are there areas of the current public safety budget you would change?

We should continue funding public safety out of the general fund, The only thing I would change would be to increase pay for some PD officers to keep them competitive with other cities.

Old Town is always a centerpiece of the conversation regarding Scottsdale. What (if anything) would you do to improve it?

Marketing of Old Town has not been as effective as it should be, but over the last year pressure from merchants has forced some improvements, which give me hope for the future.

Scottsdale faces competing demands on its budget. What are your priorities for city spending, and are there areas where you would cut or redirect resources?

The only change I would make to the internal city spending would be to increase pay for some PD officers to keep them competitive with other cities. Externally, I do think we spend too much on outside contractors and that spending needs to be closely scrutinized.

What is your approach to addressing homelessness in Scottsdale, and what role should the city play in expanding access to affordable housing?

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled we can’t just remove the homeless. But cities are allowed to limit activities such as panhandling and urban camping and we should do that as much as the law allows. We should also support treatment options for those homeless with substance abuse issues.

If elected, what is the single most important thing you want to accomplish during your term, and how would you measure success?

Rein in overdevelopment.

You served three terms on the council between 2003 and 2014 and are now seeking a fourth. Scottsdale has changed considerably in the intervening decade. What have you observed about how the city has evolved since you left office, and what do you think went wrong during your absence that motivated your return? 

For years overdevelopment has taken a heavy toll on Scottsdale’s special character and high quality of life. Clogged roads, blocked views, higher taxes and overburdened infrastructure have been the legacy of the overdevelopment previous City Council majorities have approved. That is what motivates my return, reining in overdevelopment.

You founded the Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions PAC and have long been one of the most prominent voices against large-scale residential development. Given the region’s housing affordability challenges, how do you respond to those who argue that opposition to density is making the Valley less livable for working families? 

This is a completely BS argument designed by developer PR people to justify more overdevelopment.. None of the thousands of tall, dense ugly apartments built or proposed over the last 15 years has been affordable. If you really want affordable housing outlaw STRs!

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is hosting her next town hall from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road.

Mayor Borowsky is offering residents the opportunity to hear directly from a leading water law expert as potential cuts to the Central Arizona Project — a significant provider of the municipal water supply from the Colorado River — raise critical questions about Scottsdale’s long-term water future.

Mayor Borowsky represents the community of Scottsdale as a member of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association Board of Directors (AMWUA) and serves as a member of the Coalition for Protecting Arizona’s Lifeline, which is a nonpartisan alliance of Arizona leaders focused on educating, advocating and elevating the importance of long-term water security.

The town hall will be emceed by KTAR Radio Host Mike Broomhead and will feature a presentation by Rhett Larson, who serves as the Richard Morrison Professor of Water Law at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Mr. Larson also serves as general counsel for AMWUA and will provide an in-depth overview of the Colorado River and the potential impacts of looming cuts to CAP’s allocation in Scottsdale.

Residents attending the event will have the opportunity to learn about water challenges facing Scottsdale, ask questions and share feedback directly with Mayor Lisa Borowsky in an open, community-focused setting.

Of Note: Do you have any questions you would like to address? Email the mayor directly at lborowsky@scottsdaleaz.gov.

“Water is one of the most important issues facing our city and our region,” Mayor Borowsky said. “This town hall is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from an expert, ask questions and engage in a meaningful conversation about how we plan for Scottsdale’s long-term water future.”

The Granite Reef Senior Center serves as a hub for civic engagement and community programming, providing an accessible setting for residents to gather and participate in city discussions.

Photo by Arianna Grainey

Old Town Scottsdale markets itself as a premier desert destination: upscale dining, luxury resorts, high-end retail. So a 2 a.m. gunfight spilling across two locations, resulting in five arrests and an officer-involved shooting, is not exactly the brand.

On the morning of May 7, Scottsdale police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at a Circle K near Camelback Road and Miller Road. Officers found evidence that multiple rounds had been fired, many of which struck the building. About 30 minutes into the investigation, more gunfire erupted near the Maya Condominium complex east of the Circle K. One suspect, 20-year-old Christian Santiago Grant, was found hiding inside a clothes dryer at a nearby home on Miller Road. By May 9, five men had been booked on felony charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, misconduct involving weapons, and resisting arrest.

The STR Connection

Here’s where it gets complicated for the city. Neighbors at the Maya Condominiums told reporters they believe the party connected to the shooting was taking place at a short-term rental unit. That’s not a surprising conclusion given the complex’s makeup. Real estate listings for Maya openly advertise it as an Airbnb and VRBO approved complex with no restrictions on short-term rentals. According to Scottsdale political activist group Protect Scottsdale, a review of the STR density map shows the Maya complex is overwhelmingly comprised of short-term rental units: essentially a de facto hotel operating without the oversight that actual hotels face.

One visitor staying at the condos acknowledged the challenge: “I don’t know if there is something Airbnb can do or the host can do to screen the people they rent to. But it’s hard to control who is coming into an Airbnb when they rent.”

A Pattern the City Can’t Ignore

This is not an isolated incident. Old Town’s nightlife corridor has seen a series of violent incidents in recent years, and the concentration of unregulated short-term rentals in the immediate area is increasingly part of the conversation. STRs with no residency accountability, rotating guests, and party-friendly proximity to bars create conditions that permanent residents and long-term tenants don’t. Arizona state law significantly limits what cities can do to regulate STRs: Scottsdale has pushed for more authority at the legislature with limited success.

The Maya shooting gives that debate new urgency. Five felony arrests and a man shot by police is not a rounding error. It is a public safety argument with a very specific address.

 

By Bob Littlefield

Dear Friends: As you may have heard a Superior Court Judge has ruled against TAAAZE in our lawsuit against the controversial “Axon Law.” While this result is disappointing, we are considering our options for appealing this bad decision. Plenty of issues over the years have been approved in Superior Court only to have them overturned later at the Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court. A second lawsuit, challenging Scottsdale’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Axon to proceed with its massive apartment complex, is still pending and will be heard in Superior Court June 5th. Among other things, the MOU sidesteps traditional water supply requirements during a time of drought and grants Axon unprecedented rights to police its own construction rather than have city staff do so as has been the case for every other development in the city’s history since inception. One major lesson this controversy has taught us is it matters more than ever who you elect to City Council! The whole reason we are in this mess is because in 2024 four Councilmembers (Whitehead and lame ducks Janik, Durham and Ortega) went back on their campaign promises to be resident-friendly and approved the largest apartment complex ever proposed in the entire state, despite massive opposition from Scottsdale residents! Whitehead (who is running for re-election in the upcoming city election) has actually voted for the Axon apartments twice and has become their chief cheerleader and lobbyist at City Hall. No wonder she received a $5,000 contribution from an Axon executive early in the campaign! That’s why, if you want to preserve Scottsdale’s special character and high quality of life you should support me in the upcoming city election. For twelve years I served on the City Council and have a documented record of fighting overdevelopment. In the last ten years as a private citizen, I have been involved in every major resident-driven battle to preserve Scottsdale’s special character and high quality of life. Bottom line, I am the proven commodity you can trust to stay true to my resident-friendly promises once I get in office!You can find out more about how you can help me stop overdevelopment in Scottsdale on my web page at https://www.boblittlefield.com/help.html. Thank you for your support. Former Councilman Bob Littlefield

 

Photo Credit: BBC

It’s easy to think that terrorism is some far-away problem that will never come home to roost locally. But a recent development shows that that is not the case, and is a good reminder that many of our friends locally are also under a cloud of threat and potential danger.

Federal prosecutors last week unsealed charges against Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a 32-year-old Iraqi national and alleged commander of Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed terrorist organization. He was arrested in Turkey and extradited to New York to face felony terrorism charges. Scottsdale was on his target list.

Al-Saadi allegedly sought to coordinate attacks on Jewish institutions in New York, Los Angeles, and Scottsdale this spring. He provided an undercover FBI agent with photos and maps of the targeted locations and asked whether it was possible to set all three on fire simultaneously, agreeing on a $10,000 cryptocurrency payment with $3,000 already sent as a down payment. The FBI arrested him before any attack was carried out. That is not a reason to move on quickly.

What Was Being Targeted

Scottsdale’s Jewish community is not a footnote. It is a foundational part of this city’s civic identity. The Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus opened in 2002 on 30 acres at Sweetwater and Scottsdale Roads, built through private philanthropy and community vision. The Valley of the Sun JCC anchors that campus. It serves as an athletic, social, and cultural hub open to all visitors, regardless of faith or background. That openness is precisely the point. This is not a closed enclave. It is a gathering place.

A Community With Deep Roots

Arizona’s Jewish community has contributed civic leadership disproportionate to its size since at least the early 1940s. Congregation Beth Israel, incorporated in 1920, built the Valley’s first Jewish synagogue, a structure now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is not a community that arrived recently. It built this region alongside everyone else.

What This Moment Requires

FBI Director Kash Patel described Al-Saadi as a “high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism.” Scottsdale should understand what that means locally: a senior figure in a foreign terrorist apparatus chose this city as a target. Antisemitism is not an abstraction in 2026. It has a mailing address, and last week that address was here. Scottsdale’s Jewish community deserves more than relief that the plot failed. It deserves a city that says, loudly, that it stands with them.

By Betty Janik

It is common knowledge that Colorado River water supply has been shrinking for over two decades and there will be significant cuts to Scottsdale’s water in the near future.  Fortunately, over the years, we have accumulated a reserve supply by banking unused CAP water. This will guide us through the next few years depending on the depth of the cuts and the success of conservation. However, now is the time to look beyond the next few years and into the future water supply for Scottsdale. Scottsdale Water has been forward looking for years. We are the regional leader in Advanced Purified Recycled Water (APRW), also known as Pure Water.  The path forward was outlined in 2024 in our Water Strategic Plan and the 5-year CIP 2025-2030.  This holds a key to replacing the diminishing supply of CAP water.  It is cost effective, it is our water, and will be it available sooner than other major projects (Rudy Fischer CAP Board Maricopa and Sarah Porter, Director Kyl Center for Water Policy). It should be our first priority. However, all projects need to be considered and a robust water portfolio is essential.

In a surprise move, the line item for APRW was removed from proposed CIP 2026 along with a reduction in spending for other water projects and a significant staff reduction in the water department.  We are at an inflection point for a secure water future.  Scottsdale should be making water policy a priority and not diminishing it with delays and lack of funding.  Scottsdale’s success has been to keep politics out of our water policy.  This feels like we have crossed a line.  Several Council members have made disparaging, emotionally charged remarks about the pure water program in order to sway public opinion against it.  I suggest they study some water chemistry and speak from a position of knowledge, not emotion.

Scottsdale’s APRW is among the most sophisticated water facilities in the world. Return the needed funding now and keep building on this resilient source of water.

Betty Janik

Former Scottsdale Councilwoman

Sonoran Sage

By Betty Janik

It is common knowledge that Colorado River water supply has been shrinking for over two decades and there will be significant cuts to Scottsdale’s water in the near future.  Fortunately, over the years, we have accumulated a reserve supply by banking unused CAP water. This will guide us through the next few years depending on the depth of the cuts and the success of conservation. However, now is the time to look beyond the next few years and into the future water supply for Scottsdale. Scottsdale Water has been forward looking for years. We are the regional leader in Advanced Purified Recycled Water (APRW), also known as Pure Water.  The path forward was outlined in 2024 in our Water Strategic Plan and the 5-year CIP 2025-2030.  This holds a key to replacing the diminishing supply of CAP water.  It is cost effective, it is our water, and will be it available sooner than other major projects (Rudy Fischer CAP Board Maricopa and Sarah Porter, Director Kyl Center for Water Policy). It should be our first priority. However, all projects need to be considered and a robust water portfolio is essential.

In a surprise move, the line item for APRW was removed from proposed CIP 2026 along with a reduction in spending for other water projects and a significant staff reduction in the water department.  We are at an inflection point for a secure water future.  Scottsdale should be making water policy a priority and not diminishing it with delays and lack of funding.  Scottsdale’s success has been to keep politics out of our water policy.  This feels like we have crossed a line.  Several Council members have made disparaging, emotionally charged remarks about the pure water program in order to sway public opinion against it.  I suggest they study some water chemistry and speak from a position of knowledge, not emotion.

Scottsdale’s APRW is among the most sophisticated water facilities in the world. Return the needed funding now and keep building on this resilient source of water.

Betty Janik

Former Scottsdale Councilwoman

Sonoran Sage

By Thyra Ryden-Diaz, Scottsdale Water Interim Senior Director

Interim Senior Director of Water Resources

If you follow water news in the Southwest, you’ve likely noticed a shift in tone in recent months. While the headlines remain serious, the conversation is becoming more balanced. Alongside concerns about drought and Colorado River reductions, there is growing recognition of the planning, investments, and regional cooperation helping stabilize the system.

That broader context matters.

For Scottsdale residents, the key message remains unchanged: Scottsdale’s water supply is reliable, secure, and actively managed.

The Southwest still faces significant long-term water challenges. The Colorado River remains under stress, negotiations over future operating rules continue, and communities across the region must adapt to hotter and drier conditions. Those realities are not going away.

But Arizona—and Scottsdale specifically—have not stood still.

Scottsdale’s water system was designed around diversification, long-range planning, and drought preparedness. Water delivered to homes and businesses comes from multiple sources, including the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project, the Salt and Verde River system, groundwater reserves, and recycled water used for irrigation, non-potable demands, and groundwater replenishment.

That diversified portfolio is one of the reasons Scottsdale remains resilient during periods of regional shortage.

Regional discussions are also increasingly focused on collaboration and adaptation rather than solely emergency response. States across the Lower Basin continue working toward agreements that address long-term imbalances on the Colorado River while protecting essential municipal supplies. At the same time, Arizona communities are expanding conservation efforts, investing in infrastructure improvements, and identifying additional storage opportunities.

Scottsdale is part of that effort.

The city continues investing in infrastructure, conservation, advanced water treatment, aquifer replenishment, and long-term planning initiatives designed to strengthen reliability for future generations. These investments are not reactions to a single drought year—they reflect decades of proactive planning.

Residents may still hear terms like “shortage declarations” or “Tier reductions.” These are important regional management tools, but they do not mean Scottsdale is running out of water or that residential service is at risk. Arizona’s water management framework was intentionally designed to protect municipal reliability while promoting conservation and responsible resource management.

That distinction is often lost in the headlines.

Water management in the Southwest remains complex, involving multiple states, tribal nations, Mexico, federal agencies, and local providers working toward long-term sustainability. Difficult conversations and important decisions will continue.

But uncertainty does not mean instability.

The commitment of Scottsdale Water is to continue communicating clearly, factually, and transparently about both the challenges and the progress being made.

Residents deserve honesty about the realities facing the Colorado River. They also deserve confidence in knowing their local water utility has planned for these conditions for decades.

Water in the Southwest is evolving. Scottsdale is evolving with it.

And every day, Scottsdale Water remains focused on protecting the long-term reliability of one of our community’s most essential resources.

Thyra Ryden-Diaz is Scottsdale’s interim senior director of Water Resources and has spent more than two decades helping deliver critical water infrastructure projects for the Scottsdale community.

As a reminder, we sent out a similar questionnaire to every candidate for Scottsdale city council. Their submissions are being posted in the order of being received. All of the questions were the same except for the last two, which were customized to each candidate.

Do you support the Axon development as originally proposed, including up to 1,900 residential units, or the compromise proposal of around 600 units. If not, what conditions would you require before lending your support?

We have a local success story in Axon, a company that could have gone anywhere but chose to invest right here.

The tragedy of this situation is that it was entirely avoidable. By blocking the referendum and refusing to let the people actually weigh in at the ballot box, the council majority chose a path of friction over a path of democratic resolution. That move created more harm than good; it fractured the community and effectively forced the company’s hand.

When local governance stalls and prevents the voters from having their say, you shouldn’t be surprised when stakeholders look to the legislature for a path forward. If the council had simply trusted the residents to vote, we wouldn’t be dealing with state-level intervention today. We need a framework that respects local voices while ensuring we don’t push away the very innovators who put us on the map. I am troubled by candidates and councilmembers who continue to poke Axon in the eye to score political points when, at the end of the day, the company is creating jobs that boost the local economy. 

In your opinion, has the amount of apartment approvals and construction in recent years been too little, too much or just about right?

As Scottsdale approaches its physical limits, our strategy must shift from outward expansion to value-driven revitalization. Our future depends on stewardship, ensuring every new development strengthens our community and brand without overextending our finite resources.

Our housing approach should focus on sustainable density by encouraging “middle housing” that provides options for the essential workforce who support our city, without relying on disruptive high-rise development. We should also prioritize transforming aging shopping centers into mixed-use hubs that reflect Scottsdale’s character while making better use of existing land.

At the same time, heat mitigation must be treated as critical infrastructure. Extreme heat directly impacts livability and tourism, so we need a strong Heat Mitigation Plan that expands urban tree canopy and requires cooling strategies like shade structures and cool pavement in new development.

We should also invest in active transportation and better connections to places like the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, improving mobility and quality of life. By managing growth thoughtfully, we can ensure a water-secure, heat-resilient, and fiscally sustainable future for Scottsdale. 

But the throughline for me in all of this is protecting local control. I am worried about one-size-fits-all measures coming down from our state legislature. The rights of municipal governments to make decisions for their own jurisdictions should not be infringed upon. I believe that is something people of all political stripes can agree on.

When we talk about the pace of development, there’s a natural temptation to reach for simple labels like “too fast” or “too slow.” But the reality is more nuanced. I believe the question isn’t whether we’re moving fast or slow, it’s whether we’re moving with the right level of intentionality.

The pace itself is less important than the purpose behind it. We shouldn’t be measuring our success by the number of cranes in the sky, but by how well each project serves the long-term health of our community.

When a major proposal comes before the Council, my vote will be guided by three core principles:

• Infrastructure First: Can our roads and water systems support this before the first resident moves in?
• Character Alignment: Does this respect the unique soul of Scottsdale, or is it a generic design that could be anywhere?
• Net-Positive Benefit: Does the project offer a tangible win for current residents?

The goal isn’t to hit the gas or the brakes; it’s to make sure we’re steering in the right direction. We need to be smart and responsible about development, ensuring Scottsdale remains as livable as it is dynamic.

The Colorado River faces a deepening crisis, with Lake Powell at historically low levels. What specific policies should Scottsdale pursue to protect its long-term water security?

Water resiliency in Scottsdale has to be approached with both urgency and discipline. This isn’t about choosing one solution, it’s about building a balanced, reliable portfolio. 

First, I would prioritize expanding advanced water treatment, including direct potable reuse. That’s a long-term investment in local control and drought resilience, and it positions Scottsdale to make the most of every drop we already have. 

Second, aquifer banking remains essential. It’s one of the most effective ways to store water in good years, so we’re better prepared for the difficult ones. That kind of forward planning is what stability looks like in the desert. At the same time, we shouldn’t overlook community-facing efforts. Incentives like turf removal rebates are cost-effective, scalable, and help residents be part of the solution while reducing overall demand. 

The key is integration. Supply, storage, and conservation all have to work together. My approach would be to invest in long-term infrastructure, maintain strong reserves, and empower residents, so Scottsdale remains water-secure for decades to come. Currently, we have council members who are playing games by moving important projects like the Bartlett Dam into the operational budget instead of the CIP budget, which means they can deprioritize it. We need to get serious about water issues and think ahead responsibly. 

What is your position on the boundaries of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and under what circumstances, if any, would you support changes to land currently designated as preserve?

When we talk about the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, we’re talking about more than just a map or a set of legal descriptions. We’re talking about a covenant. It’s a promise we’ve made to our kids and their kids that some things are so fundamental to our identity that they aren’t for sale.

What my experience taught me during my service as Vice Chair of the Protect and Preserve Task Force is that the community didn’t just stumble into this, they chose it. They chose to invest in a legacy of stewardship that sets Scottsdale apart.

That’s why I want to be clear on this: I do not support changes to land currently designated as a preserve. In governance, there’s always a temptation to look for the “short-term fix” by chipping away at the long-term good. But “in perpetuity” has to mean exactly what it says. Our job isn’t to renegotiate the boundaries our predecessors worked so hard to establish; our job is to honor that trust and pass it on, undiminished, to the next generation.

How would you approach funding police and fire services, and are there areas of the current public safety budget you would change?

Public safety and quality of life are the foundation of everything we want to achieve as a city. If people don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods, nothing else works the way it should.

Police and fire departments must have the staffing, competitive pay, and modern resources they need to serve effectively. That starts with strong recruitment and retention, along with investing in the tools and data needed to address issues before they escalate.

We also need a proactive approach to neighborhood quality of life. That means being consistent and responsive on traffic safety and code enforcement, because small issues can quickly become bigger problems if ignored.

Public safety isn’t just about response; it’s about prevention. Strong partnerships between the city and residents are essential. Just as important is clear accountability and communication, so residents know how resources are used and where to turn for help. I have stated publicly that I think pay increases for first responders should be considered. 

Old Town is always a centerpiece of the conversation regarding Scottsdale. What (if anything) would you do to improve it?

Old Town Scottsdale works because it feels authentic. It brings together the best of Scottsdale’s identity: Southwestern character, arts and culture, great restaurants, local businesses, nightlife, and a walkable experience that attracts both residents and visitors. Whether someone is visiting Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, attending Parada del Sol, or spending the afternoon near Scottsdale Stadium, Old Town is central to Scottsdale’s economy and sense of place.

The challenge now is making thoughtful improvements without losing what makes it special. That means addressing practical issues like parking, traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and transportation options, especially during busy seasons. It also means investing in shade, cooling infrastructure, and walkability so Old Town remains comfortable year-round.

At the same time, we should continue supporting local businesses, public art, and reinvestment in aging properties while maintaining strong public safety and cleanliness standards. The goal should be evolution, not overdevelopment.

Scottsdale faces competing demands on its budget. What are your priorities for city spending and are there areas where you would cut or redirect resources?

When we think about a city budget, we aren’t just looking at a ledger of numbers; we’re looking at a statement of values. In a place like Scottsdale, the challenge is maintaining that world-class quality of life while ensuring we are prepared for the decades ahead.

My priority is centered on resilient infrastructure. This means investing in sophisticated water management to secure our desert future and modernizing our transportation grid to reduce congestion. We also have a fundamental obligation to public safety; ensuring our first responders have the technology and training they need is non-negotiable.

Regarding redirects, we should be auditing departmental silos to find efficiencies, shifting resources toward data-driven sustainability initiatives that lower long-term operational costs. Making sure every dollar spent today is actually an investment that buys us a more affordable, livable tomorrow.

What is your approach to addressing homelessness in Scottsdale, and what role should the city play in expanding access to affordable housing?

When we talk about the challenges facing our streets, we have to move past the idea that this is just a housing problem or just a law enforcement problem. It’s a human problem that requires a sophisticated, multi-layered response. We need to focus our energy and our resources on the delivery of services and education that actually move the needle for people in crisis.

The goal isn’t just to provide a roof; it’s to provide a ladder. That means prioritizing wraparound services, from mental health support to addiction recovery, and doubling down on workforce development and education. If we aren’t giving people the tools to sustain themselves, we’re just managing a crisis instead of solving it.

My support for any large-scale development would be conditioned on a partnership that integrates these social “on ramps.” We need to see a commitment to facilities that offer job training and real-time social work. By focusing on the root causes and equipping people with the skills to re-enter the workforce, we aren’t just getting people off the street, we’re bringing them back into the heart of our community.

If elected, what is the single most important thing you want to accomplish during your term, and how would you measure success?

If I’m elected, the most important thing I want to accomplish is restoring focus, stability, and trust in how Scottsdale is governed.

When I talk with residents, I hear a consistent desire to get back to basics and ensure City Hall is focused on the fundamentals that shape daily life. That means supporting a strong local economy, keeping taxes reasonable, securing our water, and making sure our police and fire departments have the staffing and resources they need to keep the community safe.

It also means being intentional about preservation. Our parks, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, our neighborhoods, and the character of Scottsdale are the result of long-term choices, and they require the same level of care going forward.

I would measure success in clear, practical terms. Are residents reporting greater trust in city government? Are public safety response times improving and staffing levels stable? Is our local economy strong, resilient, and diversified? Are we maintaining infrastructure and protecting open space as we grow?

Just as important is how we lead. Success also means a city where disagreement is handled respectfully, leadership is calm and practical, and decisions are consistently grounded in results, accountability, and service to the public.

What is your favorite thing about the city?

My favorite thing about Scottsdale is that it feels like a collection of distinct communities that still come together as one city.

I have lived here my entire life, and I’ve seen Scottsdale grow from a small desert town of about 10,000 people into the vibrant city it is today. That growth has been remarkable, but what stands out most to me is that each part of the city still holds its own identity and story.

In South Scottsdale, mid-century homes reflect our roots, while SkySong represents innovation and the future. Old Town connects us to our western heritage and shared history. 

Central Scottsdale offers stability for families, supported by world-class healthcare at places like Mayo Clinic and HonorHealth. The Airpark drives opportunity and economic strength. 

And in the north, the desert landscape and dark skies remind us of the natural beauty that first made people want to live here.

What I love most is that balance. Scottsdale works because progress and preservation exist side by side, and every neighborhood contributes to the larger story of the city.

Tell us about the best restaurant, bar, shop or spot that not enough people know about.

One of the things I love most about Old Town Scottsdale is that it still feels personal. The places people return to are not just businesses; they become part of the rhythm of community life.

If I’m going out for steak, I’ll head to Frasher’s Tavern. For Italian, I’ve always enjoyed Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen and Bar. My favorite overall spot is AZ/88 because it captures so much of what makes Scottsdale unique: local character, energy, and a sense of place that feels timeless.

If I want live music, I’ll stop by Old Town Tavern, and Porter’s Western Saloon is one of those places where friends naturally gather and conversations just happen.

Those places matter because they reflect the kind of Scottsdale people want to preserve,  welcoming, authentic, and connected to the community.

You ran for this seat in 2022 and came up short. What have you done in the time since through your work on the Human Services Commission, Partners for Paiute and other roles that you believe better prepares you for the council, and what did you learn from that first campaign?

Coming up short in 2022 was humbling, but it was also instructive. What I learned is that while a campaign is about the vision you pitch, true leadership is about the work you do when the cameras aren’t rolling. It’s about whether you’re willing to put in the miles to understand the mechanics of the community you serve.

Since then, I haven’t been on the sidelines; I’ve been in the arena. Serving as Vice Chair of the Protect and Preserve Task Force reminded me that our desert is a sacred trust. My time with the Charro and SUSD Foundations reinforced that our schools and traditions are the heartbeat of our future. As President of Partners for Paiute and Chairman of the Human Services Commission, I’ve looked into the eyes of neighbors facing real crises.

I’ve built the “intellectual muscle” to understand how this city actually functions. Scottsdale doesn’t need more friction; it needs a bridge-builder. I’m returning with a seasoned perspective, ready to turn those lessons into the results our residents deserve.

You are a lifelong south Scottsdale resident at a time when that part of the city often feels overshadowed by development debates centered on north Scottsdale. What are the two or three most pressing needs specific to south Scottsdale that you would champion from day one on the council?

I love living in South Scottsdale because it has a character and sense of community that you cannot manufacture. It is diverse, established, and deeply connected to Scottsdale’s history. But too often, conversations about the city’s future focus almost entirely on growth in North Scottsdale, while the needs of South Scottsdale are treated as secondary.

From day one, I would focus on three priorities. First, we need renewed investment in infrastructure. Many of our roads, sidewalks, lighting systems, and drainage areas are aging, and residents deserve the same level of attention and upkeep as every other part of the city.

Second, public safety and neighborhood quality of life have to remain front and center, from code enforcement and homelessness impacts to keeping parks and neighborhoods clean and safe.

And third, we need revitalization that benefits existing residents, not displacement. South Scottsdale deserves reinvestment that strengthens local businesses and modernizes older corridors while preserving the character that makes this community special.

By Linda Milhaven

As Councilman Barry Graham is pursuing his re-election campaign, it seems that he may be creating a bogie man out of recycled water so he can make promises to save us from it. At the same time, he is boasting that he cut expenses but is not acknowledging the impacts of the cuts and delays in spending. That is political gamesmanship, not prudent public policy.

Yesterday morning Graham sent an email attempting to correct “misinformation” about water. He tells only part of the story.

PROJECTS TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET

Graham talks about what’s in the water budget but doesn’t explain why projects were taken out of the budget. You can find the list of the removed projects attached below.

COLORADO RIVER ALLOCATION CUTS

Graham claims there are “no cuts to residents’ water supply in the proposed . . . budget”. I am not sure what he means by this. Is the city not planning for cuts?

The Colorado River management rules expire this year, 2026. Arizona proposes that our share be cut by 28% but Colorado and other northern states want us to take a bigger cut. Negotiations continue.

Whatever the cuts will be, it will be significant for us since Scottsdale gets 70% of our water from the Colorado River.

The city has planned for this eventuality for decades and the Water Strategic Plan has several solutions to fill the gap. Even Graham acknowledges that there is no one solution and we need to pursue all options. That is why it is confusing that important projects are being removed or delayed.

PURE WATER

Advanced Purified Recycled Water (also known as Pure Water) is the largest project taken from the plan, $67.7M. It presents the greatest and most immediate opportunity to replace the cuts. It builds on our existing recycling capacity, can deliver water sooner than other projects, provides a renewable source, and is cost efficient.

Scottsdale has been recharging recycled ultra-purified water into the drinking water aquifer for more than 30 years. We have the most sophisticated recycled water facilities in the world and deliver water quality that exceeds the quality of bottled water. Other cities recognize the value of this additional water source and are actively pursuing Pure Water as a long-term water source.

During high demand periods, we take the water out of the aquifer, treat it and mix in our drinking water. Scottsdale is not sending the highly purified water directly into the drinking water today but continues to work with the State to finalize next steps. Additional investments will be needed to meet the State’s new safety standards.

We should be moving forward today with engineering design to make the necessary improvements but there is no money in the budget to move forward with this work this year or next.

You can learn more about recycled water on the city’s website through a link at the bottom of this email.

GRAHAM’S POLICY POSITION ON WATER

Graham has gone on record expressing concerns with Pure Water. He uses alliterative, derogatory slang to refer to Pure Water, undermining public confidence in this option.

Last Tuesday, he suggested we should wait and see what other cities do. To a resident group, late last year, he said it should be the last option we pursue.

Graham makes statements about our water security and recycled water that are either false or misleading. He either doesn’t understand or fails to acknowledge that:

All water is recycled.

Groundwater in the aquifer includes recycled wastewater.

Groundwater in the aquifer is finite and not renewable.

Pump capacity is inadequate to meet future demands to pull the water out of the ground sufficient to make up for the cuts. (Four Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Wells approved several years ago are still not operational. Why?)

Colorado River water includes sewage dumped by upstream communities that we treat and put directly into our drinking water today

Cuts in our Colorado River water allocation will far exceed any surplus that we have today.

Scottsdale water meets or exceeds all safety standards.

Budgets reflect policy and the proposed budget redefines our water policy. Last Tuesday, Graham said “this is a budget conversation, this is not a policy conversation”. It is both.

IN SUMMARY

Slow walking water projects is a policy decision. Since cuts to our Colorado River allocation are imminent and since proposed projects will take years to deliver water from new sources, we must move forward without delay.

We are ahead of the game with recycled water; we should not be waiting for others to catch up.

Councilman Graham, you end your email saying “we can’t take our water security for granted. It’s crucial that we all remain vigilant about our future water supply.” I agree AND actions speak louder than words.

Restore the water capital investments to the budget, ensure that rate increases are adequate to cover cost increases and long-term capital needs and move forward, without delay, to approve the engineering design for Pure Water.

A Setback For Voters’ Rights.

Superior Court Judge Upholds “Axon Law” With Second Case Challenging Scottsdale Approval Set For June 5th.

Opponents  Likely To Appeal.
Axon Law Shields Controversial Zoning Decisions, Such As A Giant Apartment Complex In Scottsdale, From The Voters.

(Scottsdale, Ariz.)  Opponents almost certainly will appeal now that a Maricopa County Superior Court judge has upheld Senate Bill 1543 also known as the “Axon Law.”

This legislation makes it impossible to challenge certain rezoning decisions at the ballot box such as Axon’s rezoning request to build nearly 1,900 apartments near Hayden and the 101 in north Scottsdale.

In December 2024 TAAAZE (Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions) submitted nearly 27 thousand signatures to challenge a previous lame duck council decision to approve Taser manufacturer Axon’s rezoning request to build nearly 1,900 apartments in north Scottsdale.

Axon then convinced the Arizona Legislature and the Governor to void constitutional rights and pass the Axon Bill that prevents some zoning issues, such as Axon’s, from going to the ballot box.

Though raising several questions about the bill, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Herrod determined the Arizona Constitution’s ban on so-called “special legislation,” does not apply to the Axon Bill.

TAAAZE Chairman and former Scottsdale City Councilman Bob Littlefield said, “Neighborhoods and voting rights are at stake and that’s why we are looking at all our options including an appeal. Axon’s lawyers and lobbyists may have won this round, but the fight is not over, especially with our second case pending against the November 2025 city approval set to be heard in early June. Plenty of issues over the years have been approved in Superior Court only to have them overturned later at the Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court.”

A second lawsuit, challenging Scottsdale’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Axon to proceed with its massive apartment complex, is still pending and will be heard in Superior Court June 5^th. Among other things, the MOU sidesteps traditional water supply requirements during a time of drought and grants Axon unprecedented rights to police its own construction rather than have city staff do so as has been the case for every other development in the city’s history since inception.

There is an old football saying: you can tell a lot about a team’s character when the game gets hard. Jay Feely, the former Arizona Cardinals kicker turned congressional candidate, just showed voters who he is when things got hard. It is not a flattering picture.

Feely’s campaign recently attacked primary opponent Joseph Chaplik over missed votes during his final weeks in the Arizona Legislature. The implication was clear: Chaplik was derelict in his duties, absent without cause, running from his responsibilities.

There was a cause. Chaplik was at the out-of-state bedside of his dying mother…and then at her funeral.

The Attack That Should Never Have Been Thrown

Photo Source: Arizona Mirror

Chaplik has since made clear that his absences coincided with his mother’s final days and death. He was there for her when she needed him most. Any candidate with a shred of human decency would have known that before launching a political attack based on vote records; and if they found out after, they would have immediately apologized.

A mass text message response from the Chaplik campaign

Feely has done neither.

This is the kind of political play that gives campaigns a bad name. Feely entered this race with considerable advantages: Trump’s endorsement, name recognition, and the fundraising that comes with both. He did not need to go low. He chose to.

Wide Right

In 2003, Feely famously missed a potential game-winning field goal for the Cardinals in overtime. It was a tough moment, but football is a game and those things happen. This is different. Attacking a grieving son for missing votes to be with his dying mother is not a missed kick; it is a kick in the wrong direction entirely.

Jay Feely. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Feely has positioned himself as a values-driven candidate, a family man shaped by faith and community service. That framing rings hollow when his campaign is weaponizing a man’s grief for political points.

What Voters Should Take From This

CD-1 is one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country. The Republican primary winner will face a serious Democratic challenger in November. Voters deserve to know what kind of representative they are sending to Washington.

Chaplik has genuine legislative experience in this district. Feely has a Trump endorsement and a television career. Based on this episode, he also has a serious character question to answer.

Caputi

Tammy Caputi announced today that her campaign for State Representative in Legislative District 4 has officially earned the endorsement of EMILY’s List, one of the nation’s most influential organizations dedicated to electing Women.

The endorsement comes as Caputi continues building momentum in one of Arizona’s most competitive legislative districts, centered on a message of pragmatic leadership, accountability, and delivering real results for Arizona families.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of EMILY’s List,” said Tammy Caputi. “The people of Legislative District 4 deserve leaders who are focused on solving problems, protecting fundamental freedoms, and working across differences to move our community forward. Right now, our community needs an elected official who will lead as a pragmatic leader — someone focused on results instead of political theater.”

Caputi, a businesswoman and community advocate, is running to ensure Arizona families have a healthy and stable economy, protect public safety, strengthen public education, and promote practical solutions that help communities thrive. Her campaign is centered on bringing pragmatic, results-oriented leadership to the Arizona Legislature and focusing on the everyday issues that directly impact working families and local businesses.

In announcing the endorsement, EMILY’s List highlighted Caputi’s commitment to protecting healthcare access and bringing experienced, solutions-oriented leadership to the Arizona Legislature.

Legislative District 4 remains one of the most closely watched races in Arizona, with control of the Legislature expected to come down to a handful of highly competitive districts.

“Arizona families are tired of extremism and constant political chaos,” Caputi added. “They want steady leadership, common sense, and elected officials willing to put the community first. That’s exactly the kind of representative I intend to be.”

By Ronald Sampson

Scottsdale has real issues to navigate: water supply pressures, development tensions, a competitive city budget cycle, and an ongoing power struggle on the City Council that has consumed far too much oxygen for far too long. What the city does not need is a recall effort driven by a failed candidate settling ideological scores, and setting one of the most dangerous potential precedents in the meantime..

And yet, here we are, with a recall effort against Jan Dubauskas.

Who Is Behind This?

A political action committee called Conservatives of Greater Scottsdale filed a recall petition against Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas on May 5. The petition was authored by Dan Ishac, a retired actuary who ran for Scottsdale City Council in 2022 and finished dead last with roughly 9% of the vote. Voters have already rendered a verdict on Ishac’s political judgment. He is now asking them to render a different verdict on someone else’s. But more than that? Dan Ishac has never been a Republican as far as we know, so the name of the group itself is misleading, and probably purposely so.

Dan Ishac. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The stated grievances are a laundry list of ideological disagreements: a parking garage vote, a criminal complaint Dubauskas allegedly helped file against the mayor, a city manager hire, council procedural rules. These are legitimate policy debates. They are not recall-worthy conduct. They are the ordinary stuff of a divided council working through genuine disagreements.

A Dangerous Precedent

Recall provisions exist for a reason: to remove officials who have engaged in genuine misconduct, corruption, or a fundamental betrayal of public trust. They are not meant to be a do-over mechanism for losing candidates or a tool for factions that simply dislike how an elected official votes.

If ideological differences and council bloc politics clear the bar for recall, that bar is on the ground. Mayor Lisa Borowsky has been on the other side of those 4-3 votes repeatedly. So has Councilmember Maryann McAllen. By Ishac’s own logic, either of them could be recalled tomorrow by a well-funded PAC with a grievance list and 120 days to collect signatures. And there’s an excellent chance that both of those elected officials would lose in a yes-or-no race.

This is a classic scenario where the law of unintended consequences is likely to rear its ugly head. A rubicon crossed, a precedent set. If we don’t like you, we will try to recall you. 

That is not civic accountability. That is civic chaos.

Voters Already Decided

Dubauskas did not just win her seat in 2024. She was the only council candidate to win outright in the primary, clearing a majority without needing a runoff. Scottsdale voters made a clear choice. A last-place finisher from a different election cycle does not get to unilaterally override that outcome because he disagrees with her votes.

Recall the recall effort. Because if Dubauskas is fair game then Borowsky and McAllen are too, which would be about as inappropriate as the current recall effort.

I’ll tell you why.  Because she runs her campaign the same way she governs; effectively, with fiscal discipline and a vision for Scottsdale’s future.  Unlike other office holders and candidates, she doesn’t take advice from just a small group of advisors but listens and learns from everyone she encounters.

Solange wants to do what is best for our community.  She’s leading the effort to ensure that Scottsdale has a secure water supply far into the future.  She also fought to protect our McDowell Sonoran Preserve and helped pass Prop 490.  That initiative will revitalize our 44 city parks, protect and maintain our Preserve and support our Firefighters’ efforts to prevent wildfires.

Another area critical to Scottsdale’s health is our economic strategy.  Government does not create jobs but creates the environment which encourages solid companies to invest here and provide good paying jobs for our citizens.  That’s why Solange worked so hard to reach a fair compromise to retain Axon and thousands of jobs.  This company has created tools used by more than 1,800 law enforcement agencies and more than 100 countries.  Solange will never play politics with public safety or people’s paychecks.  That is why she earned the Police endorsement, while the other incumbent did not.

More than 400 contributors have joined her campaign thus far. That includes a very recent donation from an Axon executive who oversees employees whose jobs she saved. This was not pre-planned nor solicited, just someone who believes in her work and donated to her online. Solange also overwhelmingly led the field in signatures to qualify for the ballot and did not pay for them to be collected, unlike several other candidates.

Solange is a true community leader willing to go to the mat to retain our wonderful quality of life.  This explains her widespread support.  She has done an amazing job representing residents!  That is why I am supporting her re-election like so many others in Scottsdale.

Mary Manross    Former Mayor

No, this is not a joke. Kari Lake, who was appointed to head the Voice of America only to then be told to gut it, is being given another much more unusual consolation prize: the Ambassadorship to Jamaica.

Strangely enough, in Trump’s first term he also appointed an Arizonan to the Jamaica ambassadorship: Don Tapia.

This announcement may not be a joke, but our projection of how she will look and sound one year later IS a joke. Nothing says Jamaica like Kari Lake. Bob Marley once said “Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing’s gonna be alright”. Well, we sure hope Bob is right this time.

Behold: Rasta Kari. Cool runnings, Kari.

Scottsdale carries a certain reputation: wealthy, white, politically conservative. But the city is more diverse than that shorthand suggests, and this June, a significant new cultural event will make that case on the public square.

The Arizona NAACP State Conference is launching Scottsdale Juneteenth 2026, a two-event series designed to establish a lasting annual tradition of community celebration and civic engagement. The initiative has the backing of Mayor Lisa Borowsky and positions Scottsdale’s most prominent public venues as its home base.

Two Events, Two Tones

The series opens on June 13 with the Scottsdale Juneteenth Freedom Festival at the Civic Center outdoor area. Organizers expect between 2,000 and 4,000 attendees, with live performances, more than 50 vendors and family programming throughout the day.

Photo Credit: Scottsdale Progress

The second event is the Faith and Family Freedom Awards Breakfast, set for June 19 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. It will function as a gospel-style service and awards ceremony recognizing community “Unsung Heroes,” with keynote remarks from elected officials and faith leaders.

Together, the two events are meant to balance celebration with historical reflection: one civic and formal, one festive and community-centered.

The Team Behind It

The initiative is led by Arizona NAACP State Conference President Sarah Tyree, an Army combat veteran and social worker with more than two decades of community experience. Vice President Andre Miller, also a veteran, brings a background in faith-based community outreach. Youth and College Advisor Fallon Jones leads civic programs focused on developing young Arizona leaders.

Sarah Tyree. Photo Credit: Arizona Charter Schools Association

Organizers are targeting $200,000 in sponsorship to fund both the events and downstream programs: leadership institutes, scholarships and civic mentorship. Sponsorship tiers run from $1,500 to $50,000.

Why This Matters for Scottsdale

The stereotype of Scottsdale as a monoculture has always been somewhat overstated. The city’s Latino population is growing, its arts and cultural institutions are genuinely world-class, and civic leadership has increasingly leaned into inclusion as a civic value.

A major, professionally produced Juneteenth celebration anchored at the Civic Center is a meaningful step. If the inaugural series succeeds, it becomes an annual fixture, not just an event.

Councilmember Solange Whitehead

As a reminder, we sent out a similar questionnaire to every candidate for Scottsdale city council. Their submissions are being posted in the order of being received. All of the questions were the same except for the last two, which were customized to each candidate.

1. Do you support the Axon development as originally proposed, including up to 1,900 residential units, or the compromise proposal of around 600 units. If not, what conditions would you require before lending your support?

After working with residents to ensure lower apartment counts, for sale condominiums and significant community investments, I voted to keep the Axon World Headquarters in Scottsdale. Axon keeps resident taxes low, provides extraordinary support to our police department, and attracts top tech talent to Scottsdale. Axon’s new campus will establish Scottsdale as the global destination for law enforcement, research, training, and conferences adding a very important new tourism sector to the economy.  Axon is required to meet the 100-year water supply like all development. They are setting a new standard for carefully monitored self certification which saves taxpayer monies. Axon will be better for the neighborhood than an already allowed 24/7 warehouse operation.

2. In your opinion has the amount of apartment approvals and construction in recent years has been too little, too much or just about right?

In the 2010’s Council’s approval of large apartment complexes and dramatic height allowances along the 101 and in Old Town undermined Scottsdale’s brand.  Much of what residents see going up today are the result of these approvals.

Beginning with my first term in 2019, I made fundamental changes to multifamily approvals lowering heights, adding public open spaces, and improved value and livability with more trees and pedestrian infrastructure.  We approved a suite of new building codes to conserve water, reduce urban heat, improve the quality of new construction, and lower utility bill for future residents.

With a previous Council, I updated the voter-approved General Plan and Old Town Character Area Plan to further protect residential neighborhoods and Scottsdale’s character. I’ve also successfully helped defeat a number of State legislature bills that would have allowed by-right apartment zoning in Scottsdale.

 I don’t anticipate any applications for large apartment complexes.  Instead, development is transitioning to  smaller ‘middle housing’ communities.

3. In your view, is development in Scottsdale currently proceeding at the right pace, too quickly, or too slowly, and what principles would guide your votes on major development proposals?

It has slowed to a more correct pace. Through ordinance changes and the adoption of new character area plans and building codes, development proposals today protect neighborhoods, conserve our natural resources, improve our walkability, and respect Scottsdale’s character. 

4. The Colorado River faces a deepening crisis, with Lake Powell at historically low levels. What specific policies should Scottsdale pursue to protect its long-term water security?

For decades, Scottsdale has invested in and led the nation in recycled water treatment and conservation. In 2024, my colleagues and I adopted a Scottsdale Water Strategic Plan that – if followed – will keep water flowing and affordable in Scottsdale. 

Scottsdale and Arizona have a history and the know-how to overcome today’s water challenges.  Sufficient and disciplined investment in maintaining water infrastructure is needed along with rebates, ordinances and sufficient staffing levels that assist businesses and residents conserve water and save money. Finally, Scottsdale Water’s investment in four Strategic Plan projects will diversify our water portfolio and provide cost effective and drought-proof water for the future. 

5. What is your position on the boundaries of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and under what circumstances, if any, would you support changes to land currently designated as preserve?

After careful research by two Council appointed citizen groups- the McDowell Mountains Task Force in 1992 and the Desert Preservation Task Force in 1997, the citizens of Scottsdale voted to create the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and set the boundaries. Their tax dollars have permanently protected 30,000 acres, the largest urban Preserve in the nation. We need to respect those votes and focus on properly caring for this land.

As a former Preserve Commissioner and passionate protector of the Preserve, I will oppose any efforts to remove land or add inappropriate uses on it! Our Preserve, along with the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, are Scottsdale’s crown jewels.

6. How would you approach funding police and fire services, and are there areas of the current public safety budget you would change?

I have updated a host of financial policies to keep Scottsdale financially secure. Including new policies for Police and Fire personnel.

Public safety, as a priority, needs to be funded and that has been my strength.  I led two successful ballot initiatives hat have delivered for public safety: the 2019 bonds and Proposition 490 (Protect and Preserve). As a result, I have ensured that police and fire have the equipment, staffing-levels, and pay they deserve.  Scottsdale has also been able to add an ambulance service, a police ranger unit, and build police and fire training facilities. 

I am proudly endorsed by the Police Officers of Scottsdale Association (POSA) – the only incumbent to earn this endorsement.  The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association has not yet made endorsements. I earned the endorsements of both in 2022.

7. Old Town is always a centerpiece of the conversation regarding Scottsdale. What (if anything) would you do to improve it?

Our voter-ratified General Plan 2035 and Council revised and adopted Old Town Character Area Plan in 2024 were written to protect the character and history of Scottsdale’s Old Town. The Character Area plan substantially reduced allowable bonus heights, added public open space and robust landscaping, and shade.  My negotiations have increased walkability, minimized barriers for smaller developments, and protected historic buildings. 

I also led the successful effort to re-locate the Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market to its new location at City Hall—after a Council majority voted to proceed with the parking garage and without a parking study.

I also have worked to enable Old Town businesses to thrive and strongly oppose efforts by some on Council to use bureaucracy as a means to shut down small businesses including the long-standing Old Town Tavern.

8. Scottsdale faces competing demands on its budget. What are your priorities for city spending, and are there areas where you would cut or redirect resources?

When tax dollars are spent on taxpayer priorities, those dollars deliver prosperity—and I’ve spent eight years delivering on this. On my watch, I have funded infrastructure, doubled the city’s financial reserves, paid down the ballooning public safety pension funds $150 million, secured 30-years of dedicated funding to reinvest in our parks and mitigate wildfires in the Preserve and NAOS, maintained Scottsdale AAA bond rating, and lowered residents’ tax rates.

9. What is your approach to addressing homelessness in Scottsdale, and what role should the city play in expanding access to affordable housing?

Preventing homelessness is the most cost-effective and morally-appropriate first choice.  As little as $100 per month added cost can lead to homelessness. Since 2020, I have volunteered at one of the city’s many food programs. These and utility- and rent- assist programs help keep people housed. 

Scottsdale police and human services staff are trained to identify and assist those experiencing homelessness and help transition these people into housing and find employment.  Several successful bridge programs have been cut since 2025.  I’d like to see these grant-funded programs come back.

Housing, in the right places, is critical for our workforce.  Strategic approvals of multifamily projects near employment and transportation and negotiating codes that deliver lower utility costs and a nice place to live does lower the overall cost of living.  I also negotiated the first apartment complex with workforce housing-designated units. 

I’m very focused on making home ownership in Scottsdale more accessible.  Short Term Rental operators were outcompeting our residents while adding to the City’s operational costs.  As a Council, we passed some of the strictest STR ordinances and enforcement.  Finally, we’re seeing some of those homes convert to long-term rentals or simply for sale.  I’ve also successfully negotiated for condo and townhomes approvals, versus apartments.

On the legal side, the City of Scottsdale participated in a US Supreme Court case that upheld our right to prohibit non-recreational camping.  Scottsdale needs to help those experiencing homelessness but not allow our parks to become encampments.

10. If elected, what is the single most important thing you want to accomplish during your term, and how would you measure success?

Deliver a headline in 2027 that reads, “Scottsdale Thrives; Unimpacted by Reductions in its allotment of Colorado River water”

11. What is your favorite thing about the city?

The people, the open spaces, and wildlife and how I get to enjoy all three every day.

12. Tell us about the best restaurant, bar, shop or spot that not enough people know about.

Coffee is my favorite meal.  I love locally owned Inner Circle Café as well as Lil’ Snitch at Pinnacle Peak and Pima.  I buy my produce at Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market and frequently shop at Sphinx Date Co. and Old Town’s many shops.

13. You are seeking a third and final term, and your record includes passage of Proposition 420 protecting the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the 2019 bond. What do you consider the most important unfinished business from your time on the council, and why does completing it require another term?

Securing Scottsdale’s water future; ensuring proper implementation of the Prop 490 monies starting with reinvestment in the oldest parks in the Indian Bend Wash; protecting our Preserve and ensuring completion of the vital Rio Verde Wildlife Crossing; controlling the short-term rental problems and protecting our neighborhoods; ensuring the viability of Old Town and always, always supporting our public safety partners. I also think that it’s critical we respect our residents and return Public Comment to the beginning of our Council meetings.

14. You have been one of the council’s most consistent voices on conservation and sustainability. Given the severity of the Colorado River water crisis, do you believe the current council has done enough to prepare Scottsdale for a future with significantly less water, and what would you push to do differently in a third term?

Arizona’s water success story is based in bi-partisan, data-driven policies.  The potential for a secure water future is outlined in the Strategic Plan and 70% of our residents surveyed support these priorities.  Not surprisingly, water is a top concern of Scottsdale and Arizona residents. 

Political interference undermines our reputation, economy, and will end up increasing costs for residents.  Sowing distrust in Scottsdale’s state-of-the art water treatment campus is the antithesis of leadership.

Scottsdale and Arizona’s environment is our economy.  We have the resources to reduce urban heat and conserve more land in order to keep tourists coming, air clean, and maintain the healthy lifestyle we enjoy every day.  Since 2025, the Council set Scottsdale back.  I plan to restore this focus and deliver results.     

Democratic congressional candidate Marlene Galán-Woods announced this week that Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has endorsed her campaign for the state’s First Congressional District seat.

Galán-Woods called Fontes a “tireless defender of democracy” who has been on the front lines fighting for election integrity. The endorsement carries particular weight given the two have a working history: Galán-Woods served as campaign chair for Fontes’s 2022 secretary of state run, when Arizona Republicans were actively spreading disinformation about election outcomes.

The Fontes endorsement adds to an already notable list of Democratic validators for Galán-Woods, who has also secured backing from Attorney General Kris Mayes and former Governor Janet Napolitano.

AZ-01 is shaping up as one of the more competitive congressional races in the country, with incumbent David Schweikert having stepped aside to run for governor. Galán-Woods, a former broadcast journalist and widow of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, lost a crowded 2024 primary by fewer than 1,800 votes and is running again with a more organized and better-funded operation.

She has framed the Fontes endorsement as validation of her commitment to accountability: the secretary of state’s office has been at the center of Arizona’s ongoing battles over election administration, and his support signals confidence that Galán-Woods would carry that work into Congress.

By Mary Manross, Former Scottsdale Mayor and Chairwoman for Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC
and Carla, Preserve Pioneer and Campaign Coordinator for Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC

In most campaigns there are winners and losers. Not when it comes to the passage of Propositions 490 and 491 in Scottsdale which happened on November 5th. We believe everyone in Scottsdale wins.

Proposition 490 will help revitalize and maintain Scottsdale’s parks, beginning with the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, and will provide ongoing care and protection for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  It will provide funding to prevent and fight fires in and around the Preserve, and funds for increased police rangers for the parks and the Preserve.

Almost sixty years ago Scottsdale had the wisdom and foresight to create the Greenbelt and, thirty years ago, to create the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They are two of Scottsdale’s greatest decisions and treasures. That wisdom and foresight are still with us today as evidenced by this vote.

Proposition 490 contains legal safeguards to ensure the money is properly spent. And we think these safeguards, and the benefits of the measure will win over many who voted no and maybe even some critics. Now that the voters of Scottsdale have spoken overwhelmingly in support of Proposition 490, we look forward to working with the new Mayor and Council to see that it is implemented properly and responsibly.Read More

By Carla (Carla), Preserve Pioneer

This year Scottsdale was fortunate when it came to wildfires. Next year we might not be so lucky.

As every summer gets hotter and drier, nature and human caused fires are a fact of life in Scottsdale and our Preserve. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of our Firefighters  – plus a little luck with wind direction  – we have avoided a catastrophic fire this year.

But next year, unless Propositions 490 & 491 pass, we won’t have as many tools to help prevent fires.

Year round our Fire Department does excellent outreach work with developments in Northern Scottsdale to address not planting invasive species and removing fire loads. They also work with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to get grants which provide for wildfire prevention. Specifically invasive plant removal and preventative measures along our Preserve boundary and major roadways.

But Scottsdale did NOT get a grant to fund this work in 2025!

Proposition 490 would add Fire Department funding to provide quicker response times; increased Fire prevention programs; a second Technical Rescue Team; and additional resources to better protect you and your neighborhoods.

Proposition 491 – which is not a tax increase or budget override  – would allow Scottsdale to spend the money it already collects on programs and services that residents want and need. Without its passage, city services will face cutbacks, including in public safety.

Please join the Firefighters, who dedicate their lives to protecting you,  in voting YES-YES on Props 490 and 491. It’s critical to Scottsdale’s safety and future quality of life.

Carla (Carla), Preserve Pioneer

Data Orbital, in conjunction with AZ Free News, is pleased to announce the results of its latest statewide, live caller survey of likely General Election Voters. The survey was conducted from September 7th 2024 – September 9th 2024. The survey measured support for candidates in Arizona’s Presidential contest. This survey was sponsored by AZ Free News.

For President, the Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris trails Republican former President Donald Trump by a slim 46.0% to 46.2% margin. 7.7% reported as being undecided or refused the question.

Speaking with AZ Free News about the Presidential race, George Khalaf, President of Data Orbital, stated “That 7.7% undecided number, I would say, is going to be one of two things: 1.) Either individuals that are saying that they are likely to vote but don’t end up voting or 2.) People that really are truly undecided. But I would be shocked if the true undecided number is in the high single digits”. Khalaf goes on to explain, “I would guess that right now, the true percentage of people that are undecided is maybe one or two percent, if that. This is a high-profile race and so most people have made up their minds. But I think a portion of people that are undecided likely will not end up making a decision on November 5th”.

By Jeanne Beasley
Candidate for Scottsdale School Board

As students return to school this week, let’s consider what we can do to help support and strengthen our local public schools. I am running for a seat on the Scottsdale Unified School Board on November 5, alongside Gretchen Jacobs and Drew Hassler, to serve our community positively.

We are parents, professionals, and community leaders who have had students in our Scottsdale schools and believe that strong communities should have strong public schools. Families shouldn’t have to look elsewhere for the excellent academic opportunities and well-rounded extracurricular experiences they desire for their children.

Our campaign, “Just Be Honest,” will bring a new era of transparency, accountability, and integrity to SUSD. Our mission is to ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students, families, and teachers.Read More

With just five days remaining until Arizona’s 2024 primary election, let’s take a closer look at how Republicans and Democrats are performing across the state.

Focusing first on the Republicans, a total of 1,156,580 GOP ballots have been requested. Of these, 1,089,498 are from registered Republicans and 67,082 from Independents. These numbers surpass the total requests from both 2020 and 2022, which were 1,035,288 and 1,059,348, respectively. Currently, Republicans have a 32.7% ballot return rate, while Independents have a 49.2% return rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 33.7%.

At this stage in the election, GOP ballot returns across the state are ahead of 2022 but are behind 2020. In 2020, returns at this time were 426,571, compared to 375,714 in 2022. So far in 2024, a total of 389,458 GOP ballots have been returned.

Now looking at the Democratic side, total ballot requests stand at 1,063,267, with 1,008,909 from Democrats and 54,358 from Independents. This exceeds the totals from both 2020, which had 1,044,288 requests, and 2022, which had 1,041,271 requests. Democrats are returning their ballots at a 29.4% rate, while Independents are returning at a 48.9% rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 30.4%

At this stage in the cycle, Democratic returns are lagging behind both 2020 and 2022. In 2020, Democratic returns were 439,383, and in 2022 they were 368,745. Both figures are notably higher than the current returns in 2024, which stand at 322,984.