By Councilwoman Betty Janik I urge you to re-elect Mayor Dave Ortega for a second term on Scottsdale City Council. Much has been accomplished in his first term. He was instrumental in passing the General Plan, he has been the regional leader in controlling short term rentals, he has kept city finances in the black while increasing reserves and reducing … Read More
Guest Editorial: Happy 30th Birthday Sweet Lady
By Councilwoman Betty Janik Our beloved McDowell Sonoran Preserve turns 30 years old on October 3, 2024. I applaud the vision of our city leaders who recognized the value of the McDowells and preserved it for posterity. I applaud the wisdom of our citizenry who supported the land acquisition with their vote and dollars. The Preserve has grown to over … Read More
Guest Editorial: Prop 490 No Longer in Limbo
By Councilwoman Betty Janik Prop 490, the sales tax measure to protect and preserve open space, will be on the November Ballot. It has been a tortuous path. The Goldwater Institute filed suit late in the game on behalf of Mayor Lane, Yvonne Cahill, and Susan Wood to block it from the November ballot alleging misleading information. The lower court … Read More
Guest Editorial: My Picks for the Scottsdale Primary
By Councilwoman Betty Janik Over the past several months, Scottsdale residents have had the opportunity to assess the agendas and goals of the candidates for City Council. For me, the ideal candidate has actively participated in civic engagement, respects and listens to all voices, builds consensus with diverse groups, and does not shy away from compromise. The candidate has strong … Read More
Don’t Let the Door Hit You…
We have spoken at length about Axon’s unwanted attempts to shoehorn a staggering nearly 2,000 apartments into North Scottsdale; about the apparent bait-and-switch that it pulled with both the city and the Arizona State Land Department, and its aggressive dismissal of the concerns of the area (get up to date here). Well Axon recently announced its quarterly financial results, and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Trash Talk, It’s In the Bin
By Councilwoman Betty Janik In the summer of 2022, Scottsdale initiated the Old Town Scottsdale Recycling and Old Town Alley Refresh Campaign. Commissioner Andrew Scheck and I were founding members of the committee that included Scottsdale’s Solid Waste (SW) and Code Enforcement (CE) Departments. The goal was to provide recycle opportunities for businesses, beautify business alleys, and enhance sustainability in … Read More
BOMBSHELL REPORT: What is the REAL Axon?
You are probably aware of the complete mess that Axon put itself in recently with its outrageous plan to dramatically alter zoning laws in order to put up some 2,000 apartments in an area that doesn’t want them and can’t support them (get up to date here). While on its face this attempt is bad enough, a recent bombshell report … Read More
Councilwoman Betty Janik Announces She Will Not Run for Re-election
Dear Scottsdale Resident, I will not be running for a second term on Scottsdale City Council. Time waits for no one. At this stage in my life, I want to spend more time with family and friends. I also believe it is time for older baby boomers, such as myself, to yield governance to younger people. Future development, sustainability, and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Salute to An Unsung Hero
By Councilwoman Betty Janik After thirty years of service, Greg Bestgen, Human Services Director, recently retired from the City of Scottsdale. He is leaving behind a legacy of compassion toward the less fortunate. Greg changed the way our city interacts with individuals in need. During his tenure, he established a robust outreach program for the homeless. He paired with faith-based … Read More
Guest Editorial: Thanksgiving Appreciation
By Councilwoman Betty Janik To Our Scottsdale Community, Thanksgiving is time to reflect on all the things for which we are grateful. I am grateful for the wonderful staff, hundreds of dedicated volunteers, and our thoughtful citizens. We all work together to make Scottsdale a model of excellence. It is truly a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family, … Read More