By Councilwoman Julie Pace The beginning of the New Year is the time for both reflection and goal-setting. In Paradise Valley, we are so fortunate to live in a unique community that preserves our special quality of life, committed to public safety, operates in a fiscally responsible manner and has gorgeous iconic mountains to protect and enjoy. There are challenges … Read More
Paradise Valley’s Long Nightmare is Over: Paul Dembow is Out
In the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice”. It took 12 years worth of arc, but Paradise Valley finally found its justice in the form of a thorough electoral spanking. After three terms as Town Councilman, Paul Dembow lost his bid for a fourth term, and … Read More
Sparks are Starting to Fly in Paradise Valley Race as Accusations Fly
Things certainly seem to be heating up in the race for Paradise Valley Mayor between incumbent Jerry Bien-Willner and current Councilmember Julie Pace. As we get towards the finish line (there will not be a run-off after the August 2nd race) things have gotten a bit testy, with significant accusations from Pace and shots back from Bien-Willner. The current ruckus … Read More
Guest Editorial: Preserving Paradise Valley – Thank You PV Team to Stop Pacaso
By Councilmember Julie Pace Thank you PV Team to Stop Pacaso It was a large group effort involving various stakeholders to stop Pacaso, which is a company looking to develop and promote timeshares in Paradise Valley. Thank you to Town council candidate Christine Labelle for being the first person to inform the community about Pacaso timeshares and for taking the … Read More
We Have a Race for Paradise Valley Mayor: Pace vs Bien-Willner
Paradise Valley politics have often been relatively similar to the nature of the town itself; a bit sleepy, not too much excitement happening (save a cross being stolen), just how its residents prefer. But that may be changing this year, as not only will we have competitive Town Council races, but it also looks like we will have a Mayoral … Read More
A Paradise Valley Town Leadership Program? Councilmember Pace Brings Up an Interesting Idea
Our more politically ambitious or aware readers probably know of various civic and public affairs leadership groups in the Valley; Valley Leadership is perhaps the most prominent one, Greater Phoenix Leadership is another. These are groups dedicated to showing our region’s most bright and ambitious future leaders the ropes of what leadership actually looks like within the machinations of local … Read More
In Women’s History Month, Women Lead the Scottsdale City Council – How Arizona is Ahead of the Curve
March is Women’s History Month, and while there are plenty more publications and writers who can give a better homage to it and do it more justice, we at the Arizona Progress Gazette see a proper opportunity to highlight women leading here in our neck of the woods: in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and in Arizona. In Scottsdale, this is highlighted … Read More
Guest Editorial: Update on Proposal to Reduce Setbacks Is Tabled For Now; 20 New Code Changes on Horizon
By Councilmember Julie Pace Thanks to residents for voicing your opposition to the Mayor and Councilmember Dembow’s aggressive campaign to reduce the setback requirement for view and combination fence locations from 20 feet to 10 feet in front yards along 15 miles of streets in Paradise Valley. Our Town’s Planning Commission unanimously (7 to 0) opposed the setback reduction proposal. … Read More
A PV Shake-up – A Mayoral Battle and New Entrant for City Council Race is Making Waves in Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley politics haven’t always been the most exciting, but recent events demonstrate that 2022 will be different, as new entrants for Mayor and City Council will likely mix things up significantly. Councilmember Julie Pace recently submitted paperwork to run for Mayor in what will certainly be a closely watched battle against incumbent Jerry Bien-Willner. The two have had a … Read More