By Scottsdale Pinetop Whether it’s the current Trump administration or local city councils, those who have become disenfranchised by their government all share a common denominator: passionate advocacy. It’s that passion that has fueled new grassroots movements like Red for Ed and March for Our Lives. Unfortunately, for Scottsdale, it’s the passion behind the Desert Discovery Center that is the … Read More

Politically, Scottsdale is a red city, with the exception of bluer-collar neighborhoods in the south that tend to hue similarly. This is reflected on the Scottsdale City Council where some if not all City Councilmembers are usually Republican, and where a majority has long espoused pro-business policies, for lack of a better term. But business as usual could be in … Read More

ike any community Scottsdale must maintain and upgrade infrastructure.  But unlike most communities voters have largely rejected recent efforts to do so.  It’s a bit confounding really why such a progressive city in areas like the arts and desert preservation is falling behind on the basics. Over the past year Scottsdale City Councilwoman Virginia Korte, in particular, led an important … Read More

By Scottsdale City Councilman David Smith Today I am announcing my candidacy for a second term to represent you on the Scottsdale City Council.  I am proud of Scottsdale and passionate about participating in our city’s future. When voters elected me in 2014, many only knew me from the years I served as Scottsdale’s City Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.  … Read More

We don’t typically commend things Littlefield.  After all it’s been some 330 days sense Classless Bob Littlefield has failed to call and congratulate Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane on the latter’s landslide win last November.  Humility following political humiliation might have even been cathartic. But the sins of the husband should not flow to Bob’s wife Kathy, a Scottsdale City Councilmember. … Read More

*According to The Phoenix Business Journal U.S. Senator John McCain is working on a plan with Valley leaders to extend the Salt River’s “Rio Salado” experience and environment from Tempe to the West Valley.  If true and if successful it sure would be a lasting legacy to Arizona, and the man. *Uncertainty reigns in the lead-up to Scottsdale City Council … Read More

*After the Troon North HOA’s shellacking of a Motel 6 looking, timeshare-like development at its entrance along comes a nursing home proposal for the old Sassi restaurant site near Pinnacle Peak.  Good luck with that.  Apparently the initial community meeting was a blood bath. *Keep an eye on Scottsdale Planning Commissioner Christian Serena as a potential city council candidate in … Read More

In advance of the Iraq War and facing profound domestic opposition, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair shied away from no one, including his fiercest critic in the media.  He stood his ground and defended his position.  Whether one agreed with it at the time it showed confidence, command and leadership. We feel the same way about Scottsdale City Councilwoman Linda … Read More

Whether you like or dislike Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, and judging from his landslide re-election win in 2016 a lot of people do, it’s hard not to admire the way he leads the city with decency, integrity and class. The same can’t always be said of the respective camps vying over the fate of the Desert Discovery Center (DDC) in … Read More

*Bone-headed Branding:  With the “Desert Discovery Center” becoming such a pungent name in Scottsdale over the past year plus, proponents sought to rebrand it during their reintroduction in late July with a new name of “Desert Edge.”  Apparently the project’s pied piper didn’t get the memo.  She still lists the Desert Discovery Center in her signature line.  #Communicate *Showing they … Read More