Axon Spent Big in Scottsdale and Lost Anyway: Dissecting a Failure

By Alexander Lomax Scottsdale voters just handed Axon a lesson in the limits of money. By unofficial results, Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Barry Graham won the two open council seats. Raoul Zubia finished third. For the company and its allies, that was the worst case scenario, and it happened anyway. The Warning Signs Were There We saw this coming. In June, … Read More

Solange Whitehead Shows What Grace in Politics Looks Like

By Ronald Sampson A Gracious Note in a Rough Week Scottsdale just finished one of the more contentious council cycles in recent memory. There were attack ads, super PAC spending, a viral toilet-to-tap video and a debate where candidates traded barbs on stage. So when Councilwoman Solange Whitehead took to Facebook after Election Day, one could have reasonably expected more … Read More

Guest Editorial: Keep Scottsdale on the Resident-Friendly Path

By Councilman Barry Graham Today, Scottsdale residents choose whether we keep heading in a resident-friendly direction or get dragged backward to the days when ideology ran rampant, roads stagnated, and developers called the shots at the expense of your water security and quality of life. I’ve kept my word: High-density projects that change the character of Scottsdale got a firm … Read More

Guest Editorial: We Choose Residents. Zubia Chooses Special Interests.

By Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita A simple theme has emerged in this City Council election: We choose Scottsdale residents, while Raoul Zubia consistently chooses special interests. That difference is obvious on the water security issue. The city’s water experts say our supply is secure. We believe it must still be conserved, recycled, banked, and — most importantly — not … Read More

Op-Ed: We need Michelle Ugenti-Rita on City Council, she’s the real deal.

By Ashley Earle As a 41-year-old Scottsdale native, wife, homeschool mom of three children, and small-business owner alongside my husband, I understand how much the decisions made at City Hall affect our families, our neighborhoods, and our community’s future. I want leaders who understand those responsibilities and have the experience to make sound decisions. That is why I am enthusiastically … Read More

Guest Editorial: Don’t Let South Scottsdale Become North Tempe.

By Councilman Barry Graham I grew up in North Scottsdale, and now my wife and I are raising our sons in South Scottsdale. So I have a unique perspective on a situation that happened recently. Last Monday, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, Raoul Zubia and I sat on the same stage at the Arizona Republic Scottsdale City Council Candidate Forum. Michelle noted that … Read More

Scottsdale Council Forum Recap: Water, Growth and a Few Sharp Elbows

By Vanessa Rogers The Arizona Republic hosted a Scottsdale City Council forum that gave voters their clearest side-by-side look yet. On stage were Barry Graham, Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Raoul Zubia. The policy differences were real. However, the differences in tone may be what voters remember most. Opening Statements Set the Tone Graham opened on water. He said Scottsdale’s supply is … Read More