Dear Friends: In last week’s newsletter I described how those of us who are fighting to protect Scottsdale’s special character and high quality have a new enemy, state government! Over the last few years our legislature and governor have passed legislation that, among other outrages, attempts to cancel the Axon apartment referendum, forces so-called “Accessory Dwelling Units” on Scottsdale, forces Scottsdale to … Read More
Guest Editorial: Bad Policy Decisions Prevented!
By Betty Janik In 2021, General Plan 2035 was approved by Scottsdale citizens, the first one in 20 years after previous unsuccessful attempts. This was accomplished with contributions from numerous citizens and visionary council members. The current Council wanted to make significant changes to GP 2035 and classify them as a minor amendment – which would only require four votes … Read More
Shots Fired Yet Again: Barry Graham Strikes the Best Kind of Blow Against Axon
by Alexander Lomax I’ll be honest: I’m not always a fan of Scottsdale Councilman Barry Graham. I’ve been critical of him before and will continue to do so when it’s warranted. But I’m also fair and will give credit where it’s due, and I will always give credit to a good judo move in politics. Judo seems like a pretty … Read More
Press Release: Mayor Lisa Borowsky commends volunteers for outreach to Old Town Scottsdale merchants
Community volunteers help deliver mayor’s personal message of gratitude and partnership Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky today expressed heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated volunteers who helped prepare and distribute a personal letter to merchants and proprietors in Old Town Scottsdale. The letter, signed by Mayor Borowsky, recognizes the vital role local businesses play in shaping the city’s historic core and invites … Read More
Guest Editorial: WestWorld is the cornerstone of Scottsdale’s equestrian legacy & tourism economy
By Mayor Lisa Borowsky WestWorld of Scottsdale is more than just a venue — it’s the beating heart of our city’s vibrant equestrian community and a significant driver of our local economy. As a lifelong Scottsdale resident, equestrian and horse show competitor, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact the equestrian industry and, in particular, this facility has on our local … Read More
Is Freedom of Speech Next on the Chopping Block for Scottsdale?
By Betty Janik The first 6 months of the new Scottsdale City Council have been tumultuous with no end in sight. With a shift in the majority, expectations were for smooth sailing ahead. Instead, we have witnessed internal power struggles, jealousy, and even legal charges filed with the county attorney by council members against each other. Unfortunately, this is consistent … 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
Chaos with the Arizona Democratic Party Comes to a Head: The Chairman is Ousted
It has been a brutally bad half year for the new Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party (ADP), Robert Branscomb. He has faced a near-total party revolt as all statewide elected officials came out and publicly criticized him after he broke the unwritten rule of airing dirty laundry (read our last piece here). Well that was not about to be … Read More
An AP&G Exclusive: An Interview with Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne
Superintendent, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with us. Education is always a hot-button subject in our state and so it’s an honor to get to hear from the person at the very top of our educational system. You’ve had a long career in Arizona public service; what first motivated you … Read More
Lisa Borowsky Keeps Being Snubbed by Republicans. What’s Up with That?
By Ronald Sampson We are officially past the halfway point of the first year of Lisa Borowsky’s time as the Mayor of Scottsdale, which is enough time to reflect on how things have been going. The verdict? It’s been tough…very tough. But the obstacles haven’t come from where one would think. The obstacles are internal ones. The latest obstacle came … Read More