Guest Editorial: Negotiating Scottsdale’s Prosperity: A Tale of Two Projects

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead On the surface, Avala Scottsdale (Modus Companies) and Old Town’s AC Marriott Hotel (PEG) don’t appear related. But both followed a similar path—and show what happens when a Council negotiates hard and delivers prosperity for all in Scottsdale. Both projects are in highly desirable locations—though in Scottsdale, that’s every site. Avala, a single-story, net-zero energy rental … Read More

Guest Editorial: Who’s Bad For Business?

By Larry Heath With two Scottsdale City Council debates behind us, I have a few questions: Councilman Barry Graham: Is it true that you’re consulting your phone during City Council votes? If so, are you “fighting for residents” as your tagline suggests, or relying upon someone texting you, and your personal prejudices? Is it also true you’re suppressing time for … Read More

Q1 Money Race: Whitehead Leads the 2026 Scottsdale City Council Field

By Alexander Lomax The first campaign finance reports of the 2026 Scottsdale City Council election cycle are in, covering January 1 through March 31. Eight candidates are chasing three seats currently held by Solange Whitehead, Barry Graham, and term-limited Kathy Littlefield. The numbers tell a story of incumbency advantage, an early frontrunner, and a field where the financial gaps are … Read More

Guest Editorial: $100k Grant – Thank You Senator Werner!

By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Amazing news! We received an incredible $100,000 grant for the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park!! This historic grant was made possible by Senator Carine Werner – a strong champion for Scottsdale. In the spring of 2025, Senator Werner reached out to me and asked if the city had any needs she could help with? City Manager Caton and I quickly … Read More

Top Events Ask City of Scottsdale To Deny Residential Density Increases Next To WestWorld

Dear Mr. Caton: Here we go again, unfortunately. For over a decade this group has organized to oppose inappropriate development proposals, especially residential ones, proximate to WestWorld. The premise is no different than what countless cities do when protecting other major economic assets, especially airports. In the case of WestWorld a recent city commissioned economic impact report showed the annual … Read More

ParkingGate Reaches its Conclusion with a Resounding Yes Vote. Perhaps We Can Argue About Something More Important Now

By Alexander Lomax Scottsdale’s great parking garage drama has finally ended. After weeks of petitions, protests, and enough civic outrage to fill several farmers markets, the Scottsdale City Council voted 5-2 last Tuesday night to approve the construction contract for the Brown Avenue parking structure in Old Town. Construction could begin as early as this summer, with the city eyeing … Read More

The Axon Vote: What Councilwoman Whitehead Said vs. What She Did

By Michelle Ugenti-Rita Scottsdale Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Cannot Be Trusted    With the election just three months away, Scottsdale voters deserve to know which candidates can be trusted to, say what they do and do what they say. Councilwoman Solange Whitehead is running for re-election, and her record on one of the most consequential development decisions in our city raises serious concerns about whether … Read More

Tammy Caputi Raises Over $100K in Just Three Weeks, Leads LD 4 Field in Fundraising

Now that all campaign finance reports have been filed and the numbers are public, Tammy Caputi has emerged as the clear fundraising leader in the Legislative District 4 House race. Caputi announced that her campaign raised over $100,000 in the most recent reporting quarter, the highest total in the field, despite entering the race with just three weeks remaining before … Read More