By Councilwoman Betty Janik The new year brings with it a sense of renewal and a belief that we will continue to improve as individuals and as members of a community. The City of Scottsdale is no exception. Building on regulations passed in 2022, we will strive to implement these new rules in 2023. Near the end of last year, … Read More
The Countdown is Over in the Rio Verde Foothills: Cooler Heads Didn’t Prevail
The potential consequences of water security in a high growth area that also happens to be in a desert have been looming over the valley for quite some time, and Ground Zero for that looming crisis has been the Rio Verde Foothills on the outskirts of Scottsdale. We have written about this crisis previously, and while the question was up … Read More
Guest Editorial: Year in Review
By Councilwoman Tammy Caputi Councilwoman Caputi here, wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Here’s a look back at 2022 accomplishments: Most importantly, we’ve managed our finances exceptionally well in the midst of an historically high level of economic uncertainty. Despite record high inflation, a crisis in the supply chain, and labor shortages, Scottsdale has improved our balance sheet by increasing … Read More
Unfortunate Requests for More Unnecessary Density in Scottsdale
By Ronald Sampson There has been a concerted shift away from the development hey-days of the past in Scottsdale, when it felt as though any interesting and well-financed idea conceived by developers would make its way through the city council with relative ease. More recently traffic, crowds (i.e. population density) and construction have made activists out of everyday people, and … Read More
Demand Pull: Jobs are Bringing More Housing to Phoenix, What Can Scottsdale Learn?
We’re not shy about the need for more housing options in the valley; in the words of that oddball New York political candidate a number of years back, “the rent is too damn high”, but one could also lump home prices in that bucket as well. And as we like to remind you, the best way to reduce those is … Read More
Pilot Fish
Barrett-Jackson is one of not only Scottsdale’s but Arizona’s best home grown success stories. It broadcasts around the world bringing people by the thousands to a bucket list special event. It has been so successful, like a large whale swimming the seas, that it has even spawned a cottage of copy cat and pilot fish events that do little but suck … Read More
The Spirit of the Holidays is Alive and Well in Scottsdale
The holidays can often bring out the best of us, as our collective spirits look towards giving back and making the lives of others just a bit better, if only for a short time. And while politics often brings out the worst of us, when the latter can be used to bring light to the lives of others, then we … Read More
A Monumental Sustainability Vote Wraps Up a Productive Year in Scottsdale
By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Scottsdale’s leadership in conservation is many generations long and this year has been no exception. Our City Council protected a wildlife corridor, added new parks and planted hundreds of trees, and continued a tradition of excellence with the passage of the 2021 International Green Construction, Energy Conservation, and Residential building codes. Which is a big deal … Read More
Scottsdale with Green Building Mandates? Is This the Scottsdale We Want?
Photo Credit: Rose Law GroupAhhhh, Scottsdale: the city of beautiful people, great nightlife, fantastic golf and leisure, and…strict environmental building codes. Wait, what? Yes, it is true: Scottsdale will become the first city in the state to mandate new “green building codes” to ensure more environmentally friendly materials are used, energy efficiency is emphasized, and water usage is reduced. These … Read More
Guest Editorial: Celebrating Victories
By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead