By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas As Chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, I have the privilege of working closely with Scottsdale’s Police and Fire Departments. Nothing compares to the thrill of saying “yes” to rare opportunities that let me witness—and even participate in—the rigorous training for our first responders. Last week, I joined Scottsdale Fire Department recruits for their first live … Read More
Recent Political Sighting Demonstrates Both the Best and Worst of Scottsdale
By Ronald Sampson Scottsdale is a city that prides itself on a certain standard — of beauty, of civic engagement, of community. So when a single photograph taken at a San Francisco Giants spring training game manages to capture both what is right and what is deeply wrong about local politics, it’s worth pausing to reflect on both. The image … Read More
Guest Editorial: Results – Old Town Scottdale
By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Your Old Town Scottsdale is a beautiful and uniquely charming area that represents Scottsdale’s western heritage, while also welcoming locals and visitors to enjoy our modern amenities. Last week’s Western Week showed that Old Town is an important part of our past and our future. Unfortunately, it has languished too long without the attention of the city or … Read More
Guest Editorial: A Giant Step Backwards for Scottsdale
By Betty Janik At the last Scottsdale Council meeting of 2025, the Bloc majority consisting of Council Members Graham, Dubauskas, Kwasman, and Littlefield, voted to make significant changes to public comment guidelines. These changes include: Elimination of public comment at the beginning of Council Meetings. Reduction of public comment to one session at the END of the meeting. Increase the … Read More
Guest Editorial: Treating Your Money As If It Were Our Own
By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Dear Friends, In business and in our personal lives, we seek the best deal – the biggest bang for our bucks. And, we shake our heads at cushy government contracts. This week, Scottsdale City Council faced that exact situation. We are working to revitalize our Old Town area. And one aspect of it is a $1.3M … Read More
Dubauskas: Final Axon Update
By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas You elect us to make tough votes. You elect us to protect Scottsdale and keep Scottsdale special. You elect us to fight for your constitutional rights. You did not elect us to make excuses or to bow to corporate interests. Over the past year, you have sent us thousands of emails, asking, begging, pleading with Council to side with … Read More
Together, we raised $29,602 for the Scottsdale Food Bank!
By Councilmember Jan Dubauskas We live in an incredibly generous community! Together, we raised $29,602 to upgrade the new Scottsdale Food Bank box truck! With generous donations from Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association, Honor Health, and Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, we will retro-fit our new box truck with a refrigerated box that will allow the Food Bank to collect and … Read More
Will the Scottsdale City Council Listen to the Voters or Spit in Their Faces?
Today, the Scottsdale City Council will be at a crossroads with a critical vote; it will decide if it will proceed with litigation against newly-created state law that stole our ability to determine our own fates. You may remember how Axon decided to circumvent your desire and the desires of the over 25,000 voters who wanted to bring their apartment … Read More
Guest Editorial: Dubauskas Beats Lawfare
By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Dear Friends, We are winning! Last week, the AZ Bar dismissed a frivolous complaint made against my license to practice law in the state of Arizona. Yes – incredibly, lawfare has come to Scottsdale City Council – and WE WON! The AZ Bar found that I acted in “good faith.” Your conservative majority is extremely effective and has accomplished … Read More
Scottsdale Budget Concerns: Political Theater or Fiscal Reality?
By Ronald Sampson It has been quite the turbulent first half of the first year for Scottsdale’s new mayor and newest iteration of city council, and somehow the hits keep coming for this crew, with the latest point of contention being fiscal. Scottsdale’s 2025-26 budget has sparked significant controversy despite its superficial appearance of fiscal responsibility. While city officials tout … Read More