A Positive Development Comes at a Risk

It has long been spoken about on this blog and in other places the degree to which the unfettered development growth days are over with in Scottsdale. Instead, today’s ethos is leadership that requests a significantly higher bar for developers to hurdle over in order to earn a blessing from the council dais, and an engaged and active citizenry that … Read More

Councilwoman Betty Janik Announces She Will Not Run for Re-election

Dear Scottsdale Resident, I will not be running for a second term on Scottsdale City Council. Time waits for no one.  At this stage in my life, I want to spend more time with family and friends.  I also believe it is time for older baby boomers, such as myself, to yield governance to younger people.  Future development, sustainability, and … Read More

DMB Development’s Unfortunate Request for More Density in One Scottsdale Project

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

Scottsdale as a Destination for…Artists? Here’s Why We Agree

We are not at all shy about singing the praises of Scottsdale; be it as an ideal place to vacation, retire, or to get a little wild on a Saturday night. But a recent article from Smithsonian Magazine turned our heads, not just because of the source but also because it prompted us to think about the city in a … Read More

Guest Editorial: Salute to An Unsung Hero

By Councilwoman Betty Janik After thirty years of service, Greg Bestgen, Human Services Director, recently retired from the City of Scottsdale.  He is leaving behind a legacy of compassion toward the less fortunate. Greg changed the way our city interacts with individuals in need. During his tenure, he established a robust outreach program for the homeless.  He paired with faith-based … Read More

She’s In: Linda Milhaven Jumps Into Scottsdale Mayoral Race

She’s In Former Scottsdale City Councilwoman Linda Milhaven earlier this week filed the paperwork to officially enter the 2024 race against Mayor David Ortega. Lisa Borowsky, also a former Scottsdale City Councilwoman and Ortega’s final foe in 2020, has left little doubt that she also intends to run. Even more interesting is yet another former — thrice elected Mayor Jim … Read More

Wait…What? Scottsdale’s Treasurer Says That We Need to Spend More Money?

Here at the Arizona Progress & Gazette, we largely consider ourselves to be principled conservatives; not always in the traditional political sense but in the pragmatic way. Unnecessary bureaucracy is to be avoided like the plague, and all government spending should be with a purpose and providing value. After all, plenty of other municipalities fail at these two principles, and … Read More

STRs Persist as Issue in Scottsdale, Will It Become an Election Hot-Button Again?

Short-term rentals (STRs) turned into a considerable campaign issue in 2020 as out-of-control parties became an issue in many Scottsdale neighborhoods, angering many constituents and igniting calls for change. It became one of the platform points for Dave Ortega’s successful run for Mayor that year, and while some changes have been made, it’s increasingly evident that it is still a … Read More