The continuing barrage of vicious attacks against Councilmen Littlefield and Nelssen are nothing more than nonsensical acts of verbal regurgitation of massive bits of misinformation by grossly misguided people who never participate in any city-wide civic projects or other citizen organizations, never care to dig out or find the actual facts, couldn’t care less about anything but their private lives and immediate neighborhoods, or go blindly along with the costly missteps of the out of touch and totally incompetent Manross administration.

Verifiable facts are what we deal with at the Scottsdale Activist to the best of our ability.

Facts we’ll be happy to read and consider, common everyday, non-factual gossip and BS is not worth reading; give us the facts, and we’ll investigate, otherwise stifle thy hole and drift back into the dark shadows of deceit, mass misinformation, and gross mismanagement of public funds.

Littlefield and Nelssen attend almost every neighborhood meeting they can, north or south, with Jim Lane being seen at just a few. Where are the remainder of the council members during these meetings? They couldn’t care less. The 4 vote council majority already has its mandate from the "Queen Mother" or "the Wicked Witch" as more and more citizens are now calling her, and they continue along that mandated line with zero interest in what the citizens really want and desperately need or what’s REALLY best for the City of Scottsdale.

The "Majority of 4" will tell you that they can’t attend any such meetings with a lame excuse such as the "Open Meeting Law" doesn’t allow it which is a joke at best. As long as they don’t participate in a forum forming a group decision, make any decisions as a group, participate or discuss any subject as a group, or agree to any decisions as a group while not in an official city meeting, they are not in violation of the open meeting law no matter what the lame brained City attorney says. The U.S. Supreme Court would throw their ignorant, misguided, fear-mongering, and secrecy generated argument out with the dishwater without even a serious look.

We have a City Attorney who is writing what’s being deemed, by the media and all other competent observers, bogus opinions based on nothing we can see which does absolutely nothing but stifle debate between constituents and their representatives which is how the Manross Machine runs Scottsdale city government with a minimum of opposition.

Where is the open dialog guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

In Scottsdale, ladies and gentlemen, it’s DOA because of collusion between Manross, Dolan, and Robberson and their Covenant of Secrecy. If you don’t believe that, watch and listen very closely how they manipulate council decisions on a meeting to meeting basis. Listen to how they talk and discuss in one direction, then vote in a completely opposite direction a la another notorious "Flip-Flopper" Ron "McOsterman" McCullagh.

These issues should anger every citizen of Scottsdale. We have 2 strong, and sometimes a weak 3^rd council member who stand up for the people and they are called every name in the book for doing as their constituents demand.

This fully explains why it is so hard to get citizens to run for council unless they are supported by Manross and company with the money and clout they have "purchased" through favorable decisions for their friends the developers.

We should thank our lucky stars that eminently qualified citizens such as Derouin and Nesvig have the stomach and commitment to try to make Scottsdale a far better place and safer to live and do business than under the current omnidirectional administration.

Littlefield and Nelssen were attacked when they ran the last time because they represented a change for the better in the status quo. They were elected in spite of the nasty, vicious attacks by the Manross Machine.

Now Derouin and Nesvig are being attacked for the same reason while Borowsky, Klapp, and Bramoweth are rarely mentioned. Read whatever information you can find on these candidates and you will find that either they don’t have any positions, are "green" and don’t know where or what to say, are being "handled" by those who think they know how to win at any cost, or are totally aligned with the Manross Covenant of Secrecy and Unbridled Growth which includes the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.

Remember the Mayor Richard Daley Political Machine and the Chicago of old? Welcome to the Manross version of that same type of Political Machine designed strictly to fully control an unsuspecting Scottsdale constituency.

We urge all candidates to come forward with your position papers for all to see. By not doing so, you are already sending a blaring and unmistakable message as to where you stand and with whom.

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Mr. Funke has been getting hosed by the City of Scottsdale for about 10 years.

Let me express the fact that, in my opinion based on information provided to me by Mr. Funke, Funke has never asked for more, but in fact less than he needed for the sake of land value and to follow the directive of the city council prior to the condemnation of his downtown property.

This is strictly a case of Jan Dolan and her ego getting in the way of fairness, reality, and what should have been done because Mr. Funke called her on her and Frank Gray’s continuing faulty decisions.

Herein are the email messages below illustrate a perfect example of how the city staff, in this case the city attorney and city planner/zoning administrator (most probably with Dolan in constant consultation) have screwed Funke over by refusing to answer a perfectly simple but very important question.

Robberson didn’t need to come up with a legal opinion, all she had to do was quote from the City Council minutes a few years ago from the council meeting where it was approved by a vote of the council prior to the condemnation, that retail should fill ALL condemned land downtown. She also could have simply looked at the City Charter, or any of a number of city ordinances or other laws on the books that would cover the situation. A legal opinion was not asked for, or needed in this case.

For obvious reasons, mainly that the situation isn’t covered or it would be in Funke’s favor, she wouldn’t give him an appropriate simple answer to his simple question from any of the sources listed above. Research would also prove the city was in serious error on what they did by not going back to the council and following through on the original intent and direction of the condemnation process which was to use the land solely for allowing only retail on those condemned properties!

Kind of reminds you of the multi-million dollar Hualapai Water Plant scandal where we’re going to have to swallow 10+ million taxpayer dollars due to another action exposing Dolan’s incompetence doesn’t it? How about the 180 million we’ll never see from SkyBlunder, or the upcoming Los Arcos Crossing which will now ask for a subsidy to help SkyBlunder become successful: Oh excuse me, subsidy is now referred to "resident participation in success" or something just as stupid to avoid the dreaded word "subsidy".

A number of years back, this taxpaying citizen lost valuable land downtown through the condemnation process and was left with certain promises from the city to do certain things, one of which was for the city to use ALL condemned property for RETAIL USE ONLY (in council records).

Without the councils permission or legal department review of the original intent of the condemnation process for purposes of delineating legal uses, Frank Gray, the City Planner and now also the Zoning Administrator apparently, with Jan Dolan’s tacit or actual approval, took it upon himself to not only put in an expensive taxpayer funded water booster station solely for the new, high rise, privately owned condos downtown on land where retail should have gone, but also refused to make an even trade for a small piece of city land on the Horseshoe Falls parcel for a larger parcel of Funke’s nearby land so there would be retail near Horseshoe Falls. Instead, Gray wants some sort of open area for use temporarily as a public something or another, and at a later date maybe as retail should Gray so decide.

This ladies and gentlemen, is how your secretive Manross Political Machine works.

Does it set well with you? How would you like to be in Mr. Funke’s position?

Well, there’s an election coming and you’ll know what to do about it.

=======================================

From: Richard Funke

To: City Council

Subject: Proper approval of public space...sent to council

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:47:48 -0600

Could you please explain why Frank Gray can move forward with the use (public space) when the record reflects that you never formally determined what the actual use of the retail remainder? At the very least Frank needs to be on the next agenda seeking approval from you.

It is beyond obvious that the entire process was smoke and mirrors and that from the get go Frank Gray was never going to allow retail on the site. A pretty pathetic and ethically challenged process to get what he wanted. You support this kind of activity from your head planner? This demands your attention. No doubt Jan Dolan allowed what has happened.

Do nothing and I have to believe that means you approve of this process.

Again, Frank Gray needs city council approval. If not, I would appreciate, based on your Charter and Code book, why not. Approve this use if you wish but make it legal, please.

Richard A. Funke

===========================================

From: Richard F [mailto:rafunke@hotmail.com]

Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 7:53 AM

To: Robberson, Deborah

Subject: Fw: Proper approval of public space...sent to council

Dear city attorney,

Please confirm you received this request and please let me know the approximate time needed for answering my question.....

Richard A. Funke

==========================================

From: "Robberson, Deborah" drobberson@scottsdaleaz.gov

To: "Richard F" rafunke@hotmail.com

Subject: Re: Proper approval of public space...sent to council

Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 11:33:52 -0700

Mr. Funke:

I will not be directly answering the question you pose. Attorneys are limited to providing legal advice to their clients, and, therefore, I do not provide legal advice to private citizens.

Further, you have posed this question many times and in many forums, previously. I am specifically informing you that I do not accept your premise that if I "do nothing" I must be approving the process. You should not make any such inferences based on this response.

Debby Robberson

=============================================

From: Richard F [mailto:rafunke@hotmail.com]

Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 11:53 AM

To: Robberson, Deborah; RAFUNKE@HOTMAIL.COM

Subject: Re: Proper approval of public space…sent to council.

This is not legal advice !! In any event what individual within the city ranks can provide me with an answer ? Pleas do not say frank gray as he is a proven liar.

Richard A. Funke

============================================

Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 13:34:57 -0700

Richard:

This appears to me to be the precise question you raised at the City Council meeting on Tuesday; You argued that the developed could not go forward. Whether it can or cannot legally is certainly legal advice and I will not comment on that.

If you have some other question, I suggest you raise it with the City Manager.

Debby Robberson

===================================================

From: Richard F [mailto:rafunke@hotmail.com]

Sent: Fri 10/5/2007 2:19 PM

To: City Council

Subject: Re: proper approval of public space...

I thought my question was a reasonable one. I am guessing it’s going to be a circle the wagons situation but hope not.

I doubt Jan Dolan will be ready to assist in answering and Frank Gray is a proven liar so no help there.

If any of you know the answer or can direct me to the proper party who can provide an answer, I would appreciate it.....

Richard A. Funke

==============================================

Now, after reading this, how would you like to be in Mr. Funke's position?

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Some call it Neighborhood Collaborative Planning, some Village Community Planning, Scottsdale is calling it Community Area Planning, and we are late getting started.

This type of planning is what voters hoped would address changes to their neighborhoods once Scottsdale decided it was time to stop "sprawl."

Many of us have said that City Hall has been way too comfortable letting "master planned community developers" do the job of addressing growth in Scottsdale since that first development, McCormick Ranch.

We can't opt out of the Growing Smarter Legislation passed by the Arizona State Legislature in 1998. In fact, in 2000, Scottsdale voters went to the polls and voted to amend the General Plan as directed by Growing Smarter. Those amendments included requirements for "Neighborhood Area Planning" and "Character Area Planning."

An excerpt from the Growing Smarter Act states:

"The purpose of this act is to more effectively plan for the impacts of population growth by creating a more meaningful and predictable land planning process, to increase citizen involvement in the land planning process, to directly acquire and preserve additional open space areas within this state through necessary reforms to the master planning and open space conservation programs of the state land department......."

To be fair, Scottsdale has worked very hard to address preservation of open space with the creation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. A very smart and decisive effort by any means.

Unpleasant as it may have been, many Community Activists were invited by the City to help involve the community in the process in January of 1999. We were schooled on what the Growing Smarter Act was all about, why it was important for residents to understand that they were going to have to vote to amend the General Plan and why resident input was important to the quality of life that all have grown to appreciate in their neighborhoods and through out Scottsdale.

By 2000 Growing Smarter/Plus Legislation brought forth Guiding Principles that would help communities to deal with the pressures of growth and assist local, county and state governments to create those reforms.

While the City Manager tries to tell us that the City is following the General Plan, that could be said to be a selective following. The City Manager has repeatedly told residents that the City will follow development/redevelopment on a project by project basis.

That philosophy flies directly in the face of Growing Smarter/Plus.

What makes this all the more confounding is that members of the Planning Commission and the DRB, don’t seem to have been involved in any discussions of Smart Growth/Plus. Nor do those members seem to be aware of the growing concerns in the community over decisions they make regarding increases in density – height, population, traffic – and diminishing open space in the mature neighborhoods, particularly as the Greenbelt sees more development on its edges.

The residents of Old Scottsdale, as our community is going to be called, have lived with change and have helped to create positive changes, including the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

We are entitled to see positive policies and procedures effectively govern the future of our mature neighborhoods business and residential, without a back of the hand from some in governance and their single minded supporters.

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We have entered an election period where change in leadership is at the top of everyone’s list of questions. Do we stay with the current administration, the status quo in Scottsdale, or do we seek reformation of the system? More often than not, citizens north and south have raised issues of discontent with our current administration.

The administration’s continual blunders have cost taxpayers ten’s of millions. Their ineptitude in just simply doing their jobs raises eyebrows and causes shaking heads. Their haphazard, ad hoc methodology for doing business in Scottsdale leaves many wondering…who bought off who this week?

Yet oddly, when push comes to shove, there are still Manross supporters who would rather live and die by her now dull sword than challenge her ever-cloudy judgment. These people would jump off a bridge if Mother Mary instructed them to do so and she’s counting on that! For the rest of the citizens, there is merely hope that change can be achieved.

Scottsdale is a great place to live if you can get beyond the disgust that a large percentage of citizens harbor for the current administration. It is easy to understand why these citizens are so upset. More than just a few have been run out of their homes by greedy city approved development projects. Neighborhoods have been overtaken by multi-story condo projects which stand vacant. Additional traffic, congestion, increased criminal activity and blight in previously well-established older neighborhoods are the results of the accommodation of personal and private agendas by our administration. To say that our leadership is apparently knee deep in corruption would be an understatement. They are literally drowning in it. If in doubt, listen to the very questionable "legal opinions" of our city attorney.

Even though our leadership will tell you all is rosy on our financial front, the truth of the matter is that Scottsdale’s financial condition, at this juncture, is bleak. We are entering tourist season, a heavily touted event where revenue will surely see substantial boost. Yet, what of the other six months when the steady stream of wide-eyed gogglers have gone home?

The current administration has not planned for Scottsdale’s future. They profess to know what Scottsdale needs, yet three years of condo conversions later, we have more than 75% vacancies across the city, and less viable revenue to speak of.

Further, they have claimed ^$3.1 billion in construction dollars south of Indian Bend Road, but the vast majority of those projects are the downtown Waterfront project and the high rise condos which aren’t selling causing instability of those and other property values in a number of areas.

Some developers have bought properties at a price which is no longer viable for development and are seeking a city subsidy (now called "citizen reinvestment in the city’s future") for the property so they can maintain their profit margins or at least get out of the project without suffering a financial blood bath! The going trend is seriously slashed selling prices on real estate in newer condo complexes, to the point of even being sold for less than the amount owed to the banks. Still, they are not selling, or even leasing.

This administration sees fit to spend a million dollars of taxpayer’s money on traffic consultants who tell us no more, and most probably less than what a committee compromised of knowledgeable citizens could provide as feedback for our transportation issues.

Our citizen tax dollars are allocated to anyone who asks for them, for anything that suits the administration, with promises included we would surmise. There is no actual plan, per se. There is no meshing of ideas or character references taken into consideration during the construction processes.

Jan Dolan’s theory that if we build, they will come, has been proven invalid. Sure people shop at some of the retail stores, but their commitment to spending is short-lived. People may Oooo and Ahhhh at the "newness" of Scottsdale’s areas, but they are NOT investing in them. If you doubt that, ask your city business owners in the Art District of downtown who are suffering.

Developers, like City officials, have ceased communication with area citizens where revitalization is commencing, yet they wonder, why is what we put here not working? The citizens can not be blamed for these inadequacies. The administration refuses to acknowledge their input. As someone earlier put it, the 3 monkey syndrome is alive and well in Scottsdale city government.

If you have to ask if our city’s leadership needs a face lift then you surely are not clued in to what Scottsdale needs in its future. Progress and growth, including height and density, is acceptable within the parameters of proper planning yet our current administration does not view planning, past next Friday, as a necessity.

Wouldn’t a plan prior to proceeding with any substantial redevelopment be a good idea? Council and administrative employees of the city serve the people, not special interests, yet time and time again, the citizens are the last to know when their area is slated for blight with accompanying major development on its heels. If the citizens generate the revenue, shouldn’t they be permitted to participate in the spending process? Our current administration encourages its citizens to "act like tourists’ to generate city revenue, but conveniently excludes them from seriously being involved or have any say in any known budgeting and spending process.

Without its citizens who love and cherish the Scottsdale tourists have returned to enjoy for decades, Scottsdale will die. All the fancy five start restaurants, upscale shops and swanky downtown condos won’t mean jack, except on a temporary basis to the fly-by-night weekend tourists for 6 months out of every year. And even then, those tourists are looking for something different than what they can get in their own overpopulated, overdeveloped communities.

Sadly, they may no longer find it in Scottsdale.

Does Scottsdale need a new set of eyes, ears and conscience? You bet it does.

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Scottsdale Transportation Commissioner Vice Chair, Kelley McCall, is right on target when she thinks that North Scottsdale is becoming inaccessible. Public transportation cannot get citizens to even doctor’s offices north of the CAP.

I know, I tried and couldn’t get there from here, being Camelback and Scottsdale Roads.

It is truly amazing that we’ve had to wait so long for this discussion. We are mess, friends and neighbors and some of it is not our fault. Public transportation has been an afterthought for as long as I can remember and I was riding buses when they went no further than Scottsdale Road and then we had to walk from there to, in my case, 86^th Street.

Yes, I can drive, but find myself in personal debate over the cost of gasoline, car payments and insurance, and all of the environmental issues surrounding them.

That is for another column.

Buses and connector service are critical. Buses are flexible, not confined by infrastructure to a permanent route.

As a long time bus-rider sheltered bus stops are a necessity and they do not have to be "objects de art." Attractive? Yes. Providing shelter from the sun? Absolute necessity. A place to sit while waiting? A welcome, friendly gesture.

Finally, the need for Connector service and/or Neighborhood Circulator Service is a no-brainer. Residents and visitors are all enjoying the benefits of this service.

There is little to say but, Margaret Dunn, Margaret Dunn, Margaret Dunn and trolley service, trolley service, trolley service.

Margaret Dunn and her people, office and the awesome trolley drivers, have it down. Take heed all ye who enter Scottsdale.

Would that everything in Scottsdale was as well thought out and ran as smoothly as our trolleys.

Ah, but then it’s a well run, profitable private enterprise not controlled by the "Wicked Witch" or anyone in Scottsdale City Government isn’t it.

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The time to look at what Downtown, Old Town, and Fifth Avenue and what they are, and what they are to be, has passed.

Our current City Manager, Mayor, and City Council have miserably failed our community in long range planning and redevelopment expectations.

Mayor Manross and City Manager Dolan have decided that all of Scottsdale needs to reflect the future and ignore the past. It needs to look like Kierland and Desert Ridge, the Old West flavor is passé, drab, dilapidated and needs to be demolished. The plans to refresh the existing buildings and facades were just election promises built upon whims without any intent to follow through.

I thought it was bad enough that I had to stand before the Governor’s Housing Conference and state that Scottsdale has no housing policy, now I get to stand before the world and say…..our Mayor and City Manager do not care about or for our history, short though it may be.

Project by project is the philosophy upon which they have chosen to build their legacy.

They claim to be the green building and sustainable development proponents of Scottsdale, a "world class city."

Real sustainable, green development doesn’t happen without planning. Long range planning.

Scottsdale does not have such planning in place. We have a General Plan that was always intended to "evolve" to address the "needs" of the community. The problem is we haven’t been tending to that business until this last summer under the guise that we are required to do so by the Growing Smarter Plus Act.

We do need to be working on the General Plan. We must be prepared to go to the voters with amendments in 2010.

Consider the "4333" Building. Two doors down from this building is the old Red Dog Saloon. That building was there in 1960. That was the character of the area. Unfortunately, those buildings are outside of the Old Town, Downtown and Fifth Avenue designated design areas.

The Red Dog was there first and it establishes a character representation. It has also not been protected by any one, in any part of the City.

Does that mean that the Red Dog Saloon should be demolished to make way, for example, for Mr. Bruder’s vision of what Scottsdale should look like because of our "short history" as compared with Lucerne, Switzerland?

Lucerne’s history, as Bruder stated, goes back to 800 A.D., and modern buildings exist comfortably amongst the older buildings. Thank God, somebody chose to give respect and consideration to those older buildings!

Many architects state that the buildings in Old Town and Downtown and Fifth Avenue are "shabby, unkempt and need to go."

Council members state that they have no alternatives, but to follow the General Plan, vague though it may be.

Historical Scottsdale has no champions in our current leadership, if you want to call it that. The Historical Preservation Committee is handicapped by that lack of leadership, as well.

Architects and developers should not be the sole determinants of the character and design of a community’s physical buildings. Nor should it be in the political arena. Definitely not in the political arena!

The Design Review Board is composed of architects and developers and that needs to change. There are too many issues that need to be addressed that require historic perspective while taking into consideration green building guidelines and sustainability not considered or at least discussed by the DRB.

We are way past time for a Charter Review of our Boards and Commissions. Because of the importance of redevelopment to Scottsdale, infill projects, increased density of residential and increased building heights, et al, the Design Review Board is the best place to start that Charter Review and the sooner the better.

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 ~ Special Meeting on Arizona Water

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~ Guest Editorial by Nancy Cantor

SkySong Center is many things to many people......as well we know.

Whether we like it or not, whether we supported it or not, we need to make it work because we, the taxpayers own it. Our political leaders who dumped this albatross on us have done precious little to promote this project or make it what it was advertised to be, so someone must and that someone is the city activists who are always the one’s who step up to try to fix things gone bad in Scottsdale.

We now hear from Dave Roderique that the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce has been absolutely no help filling SkySong, or supporting Los Arcos Crossing as far as filling or finding retailers for that location, or any other location in Scottsdale for that matter.

Early on the Scottsdale Coalition saw the possibility of a partnership with the businesses and programs that were going to be located at SkySong and we facilitated bringing the Scottsdale Unified School District and ASU, as well as the business partners, together.

The SkySong Education Initiative has grown out of those efforts to benefit the Coronado Complex Schools, K - 12.

On Friday, March 23, 2007, a joint meeting of all parties, including members of the Steering Committee for the Scottsdale Coalition, was held at the Fulton Center to update all as to where "SEI" is headed, since the acquisition of a planning grant from the Virginia Piper Trust in early 2006.

Amanda Burke and Dr. Gary Bitter, from ASU, received a planning grant of $20,000. As part of the process they met with members of the community prior to the first organizing meeting.

Members of ASU from the Colleges of Education, Technology, Environmental and Science programs and the AME (Arts, Media and Engineering) programs, and staff from the Vice Presidents Office, along with district staff from Scottsdale Unified School District and staff from Coronado High School, Supai Middle School, Hohokam Elementary School, Tonalea Elementary School, Yavapai Elementary School and Pima Elementary School began planning and implementing programs.

A telephone survey conducted by ASU's Bruce Merrill last fall, through out southern Scottsdale neighborhoods, helped the team to focus their efforts and prepare projects those students and teachers are participating in already.

The following is taken from the Executive Summary for the SkySong Education Initiative:

Arizona State University is advancing the vision of the New American University - a university that assumes responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of its community. Core to this vision is ASU's connection with the communities of Arizona.

To further advance this vision and meet community needs, ASU is proposing the development of an innovative educational initiative that will leverage the physical proximity of the ASU/Scottsdale Innovative Center (SkySong) and its resources to benefit the neighborhoods of southern Scottsdale and the K-12 education community.

Through SkySong, ASU can offer a unique opportunity for collaboration between the tenants for the center, local schools and the community to advance math, science and technology education that will help ensure the creation of a globally competitive workforce.

In developing the framework for the SkySong Education Initiative, ASU conducted a community assessment to make certain the project will meet actual needs and interests of the community and their children.

We found strong support for the establishment of an initiative that would promote technology, entrepreneurship, and arts and sciences. With these needs in mind, ASU, in partnership with the Scottsdale Unified School District, has conceptualized four programs that will facilitate the translation of the innovation at SkySong to the education system: a professional development teaching lab, an entrepreneurship effort, a media corner focused on cultural creativity, and activities and space rooted in technology for learning.

Through this effort, ASU will:

The Scottsdale Coalition takes pride in where we live, and in knowing the respect our community has for education, as well as the need for all of our children to be well prepared with a comprehensive education for whatever they choose to do in life.

We look forward to continuing the promotion and support for this valuable partnership, no matter the non-committal stance of the city and the total lack of support by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.

Nancy Cantor
Co-Chair Scottsdale Coalition
COGS Board Member
42 year Scottsdale Resident

 ~Letters to the Editor ~

I love elections, particularly City of Scottsdale elections. Not. Not. Not.

It never fails that someone in this City turns important elections into a single issue, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Anyone who wants to talk about anything else is automatically opposed to the Preserve and its future.

Talking about the General Plan and the need to address guidelines for increased residential and commercial development, particularly as they impact the existing mature neighborhoods, forget about it.

It is only because the residents of the mature neighborhoods supported the creation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and agreed to be taxed to create it, that it exists to begin with. And we did that knowing that it would curtail sprawl and eventually bring about the need for increasing residential and commercial density in the mature southern neighborhoods.

The problem is our leadership was so bent on reveling in the glory of the Preserve, that they forgot that the long range planning is missing for the rest of Scottsdale. We are bogged down in traffic issues, finding open space to keep neighborhoods livable, and dealing with sewers, water lines,  density, and building heights.

Well, pardon us for thinking we need to put the time, dollars and effort into doing that for the preservation of our neighborhoods, and that it might take attention away from the glories of the Preserve.

M. Wadovsky
Scottsdale, AZ

An Open Letter to the Scottsdale City Council: 

Once again we have a developer who made a mistake in his chosen line of work.  He knew exactly what the zoning laws were; he knew exactly what the building height restrictions were and he knew exactly where the city streets were located.   

Armed with this knowledge he invested in a piece of property with the expectation of making a profit.  But now he sees that he made a poor investment.  Now he expects that the City Council will bail him out just as it bailed out Steve Ellman.  He would have the Council rule that the zoning laws do not apply to him; he would have the Council rule that the building height restrictions apply to other people but not to him. 

He could have invested in property that had the zoning and height restrictions that he wanted for his venture.  But those properties were much more expensive than the property he purchased.  And now he seeks a windfall.  He expects the Council to give him that which he did not pay for and, not only that, but to "invest" taxpayer’s money in his venture. 

He also expects the Council to give him an exclusive right to purchase a piece of taxpayer-owned land without his having to bid for it on the open market.  Talk about chutzpa!  This guy really takes the cake. 

Hopefully the Scottsdale City Council will reject his self-serving pleadings rather than set off another firestorm in our once-peaceful city. 

Jack C. McVickers
Scottsdale
jmcv3@cox.net

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Maybe someone should tell the activist critics that while they were not looking, the City of Scottsdale was accepting non-compete contracts for retailers that do business in Fashion Square that keep many of the businesses we want from operating in the southern neighborhoods.

That is what activists have been fighting to overcome to bring back the economic base to those neighborhoods.

And where, by the way, has the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce been in all of this?

Stone cold silent !

Robert C. Geist
Scottsdale

 ~ North No Longer "Manross Territory"

We were turned on to your publication by a neighbor of ours in North Scottsdale. After reading numerous back issues of the weekly print, we have begun to get answers to our years of questions concerning Scottsdale.

Your tell it like it is with style and accurate detail (we checked on a few things by the way) really shed some light on why stupid decisions are made in our city. Not many of us will come right out and say that the staff and leaders of our city lack good judgment, but the truth be known, they can’t do the job at hand with any degree of efficiency.

The North Scottsdale few who still support Mary Manross are barking up the wrong tree. Her backing has seriously dwindled over the last few years. The "chosen" few who write those dreadful letters to the editor in the Republic newspaper are her personal friends and have been asked to write in. The rest of us are appalled by this. We know that she blows a lot of hot air and holds herself out as someone of great importance. She just cares about the votes and her legacy, not really the people up here.

Our North Scottsdale group is looking to support Jim Derouin for Mayor. We know that the banter that has been printed in the Republic newspaper is just that and holds no value for us when choosing someone who could get in and actually do the job.

The fact that Mr. Derouin worked on the Ethics Committee and is an attorney who can see right through the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Staff’s rhetoric is a big plus for us. We would like Mr. Derouin to schedule some gatherings up in this area so that our neighbors can meet him. He will find much support for change here, even though the ramblings in the paper from the select few may say otherwise.

Thank you for a great publication.

Carol Giordan
Scottsdale

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 ~ Huge Water Bill

Last month, my wife and I, who are both elderly retired residents, received a City of Scottsdale water bill of over ^$500 for one month. The City claimed that we used 151,000 gallons of water during that month! We have a modest home on one acre property in mid-town Scottsdale and have water conservative landscaping.

For two weeks of that last month, our yard watering system was completely shut off so that a contractor could revamp it. At no time was it excessively watering the yard, dripping uncontrollably, or were there any leaks with landscape mechanisms or any other plumbing in the house.

I contacted the City of Scottsdale about my extraordinary bill. I received a voicemail from someone named Lance in the Utility Billing department who stated that a City representative had come back out and reread my meter and yes, that was the amount of water used and the cost of my bill! He also stated that more often than not, a higher bill was due to increased watering for landscaping. If that was the case, shouldn’t my bill have been substantially LOWER? My landscape watering was shut off for two solid weeks! I have also learned that the water department was allowed a substantial increase in rates for Scottsdale residents.

Why didn't Lance offer to have someone check the meter for calibration? Why didn't he offer to send someone out to explain or possibly help us check where our problem might be? Where is the personal service that the Pre-Dolan Scottsdale used to pride itself on?

The Lance-guy who left the message acted like he just didn’t care! He spoke quickly and had a spiel down pat as if he’d given it dozens if not hundreds of times. Perhaps he was reading from the Dolan manual of How –To.

Nice PR, City of Scottsdale!!!!! Then again, I have come to expect nothing less than the very least from them.

Tom Visco
Resident

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Well as some may have guessed I drug my butt down to the Three Ring Circus we call the City Kiva on Tuesday to see the response of our illustrious leaders regarding the "4333" building. What was funny was how many people stopped to tell me how much they love reading Oz and that it was pretty much a dead on description of our fearless leaders and their actions.

Hell, even the attorney for the applicant stopped to tell me how much he enjoys reading this article and that I show no mercy.

Most people wanted to know if I was going to speak that night and the reply was, "Why bother, I already know how this is going to go and there is no changing the vote which I called as a 5-2 vote for the project." It will probably be sometime before I go to the "Circus," again as I pretty much can figure out the vote before it happens and need not waste 4 hours of my time listening to the drivel.

Well as you may have already learned, the supposed leaders of the City granted what is now being called "the new look of Downtown" by approving the "4333" building. Now mind you I have never thought I would run into a group of supposed leaders who were so ignorant, bone headed, and totally out of touch with how they make themselves look as this crew of moronic imbeciles.

Let’s review:

Okay, give me a second to breath and do my meditation before my head explodes!

Okay, it is now Thursday and it was a long meditation, but let’s review, again.

The Council pulled this back after receiving letters from past Council members, long time Downtown business owners, community leaders, merchants, and residents.

What transpired between the meetings was that not one damned thing changed in the design. Buckaroo Betty got cold feet or must have fallen out of the saddle and hit her head on a horse turd. Jim Lane, well, let’s just take a second and really discuss Beanie Boy, here is a man who is absolutely clueless. Okay got that done.

Of course our illustrious Queen Mother, better known to the citizens of the Emerald City as the Wicked Witch, said she had no problem with it, while in the original meeting could not, ON CAMERA, find a single good thing to say about the design. Then she votes to approve it and then adds to the stupidity of how this will not affect Downtown and how we are doing a bang up job not encroaching on the deeper historic district.

Even funnier is how this person (of nearly what, an eternity in holding office in Oz) even looked at the slide show from the Planning Bastards!

Did anyone who watched note that not once did they ever show the close up architecture of the surrounding buildings, and I mean surrounding, other than the pictures they showed of the corridors and pointed to NORTH of the canal bank, better known as the Overpriced Irrigation Ditch of Oz, where it quickly tries to wash away the non umpa lumpa chunks (the stench when they get stuck huh)?

Did anyone notice that there was not one close up shot of buildings other than the Bungalow, a Fredrick Unger property?

Did anyone notice just how damned quiet the Flatulating Butthead (Ecton) and the Flaming (A%$#%&%) (Ron) were in the meeting?

Did anyone notice that the only people who stood up for the larger majority of those "dreaded activist" were Airport Bob and Sir Tony?

Could it be that during that lull in activity the City may have been quietly threatened with a lawsuit for yet another city screw up which cost the developer a rebuttal argument during the first call to bring it back to council? On the wind of employee chat we understand that this is exactly what happened and it is being kept under wraps because of the upcoming election.

I can only surmise the Wizard of Oz and the General of Law dropped this issue in one of the executive sessions and told them that if you vote to deny we will get sued over another City screw up.

I find it hard to believe that Beanie Boy Jim would not have taken an opportunity to call the Mayor out so he could run with another one under the belt, but since it was in executive session he could not use it.

Since Buckaroo Betty, who voted against the Earl Condos, was happy with just losing the palm trees when she stated all the other problems that were never even addressed it can only lead to one conclusion: COVER UP!

Someone was afraid to be the fourth vote here folks, and I believe the wind in this issue.

I nearly fell out of my chair tonight when I got a call from another City activist telling me they just got a call taking a political poll for the upcoming election and my name was mentioned!

Well, let’s just back the freaking boat way the hell up here! (Feeling a little safer now days and we put a floating metal flap on the exhaust and don’t make me explain that since we have children taking civics lessons here now?)

Okay, the last 2 election seasons have carried rumors that I was running, and trust me on the fact I have been approached by many people to run over that space of time, I am indeed thinking about running if we can not come up with at least one or two more good candidates.

I am just wondering how my name came up in this poll and who it is that I worry so much since my friend never asked who was conducting the poll. I guess that since I am being considered as a contender for a seat on the Oz Three Ring Circus, and my name is appearing in polls, I will list my opinions under the "possible candidates section," or the "forced to run," or even, "let’s see who I can scare the hell out of by running," page?

Feel free to e-mail the editor with any specific questions you may have.

Now, if any of you believe any of this other than the true part which was the Poll, then you have spent too much time in Oz and have come down with the Oz dreaded disease Roundabout Psychosis.

The definition of "Opinion" as defined by Webster’s reads as follows, "a belief not based on certainty, but on what seems true or probable." The reason for this definition is due to the usual crappola we tend to get from our favorite "opinion editor" of the Oz Repugnant. Consider the meaning of "opinion" for a moment and then think about most of the opinions of that "editor".

"A belief not based on certainty and only what seems to be true or probable." Remember that the editor also selects the letters that are sent to him for print and holds the power to toss yours in the can, or to mount what appears to be more support for his position than there may actually be for an issue or a candidate.

As you read the pages of the Oz Repugnant keep in mind the meaning of "opinion" as it is defined, a belief not based on certainty, and remember the issue of the words pro establishment and articles and letters that may run more often than opposition letters based on the editors belief.

In the beginning salvos of the upcoming election I look forward to providing between 10 and 15 thousand residents with an alternative to an opinion based on "a belief not based on certainty" with a belief based on facts and documentation.

Okay Ozites, do any of you remember the proclamation by the Wicked Witch, in all her pre-election glory, stating that she was now taking over the Barrett-Jackson Auction discussions after the Wizard blew chunks all over the issue and got caught by another "learning curve"?

Well, she, too, must be doing a bang up job as we understand that Barrett-Jackson is now scaling down the auction in Scottsdale, has backed out of renting space from the State for parking and handing it over to another auction, and starting a new auction in a yet to be disclosed location!

I mean really Oz, how much better can it really get in the Emerald City under the present leadership and management? Personally, I can’t wait to hear her platform on how she is going to fix our tourism. Lord Help the Emerald City of Oz if we re-elect her.

While spending time at the Circus this week my ears perked up as I heard a person speaking during public comment telling the Council how they should not shun the Los Arcos Crossing plan for a city subsidy. I noted that I have never seen this person speaking to the Council before.

When the gentlemen finished his speech I noted he was already heading for the door and decided I would walk out with him to ask him a few questions. Then I noted that the pasty little ghost popped up from a seat and began walking with him along with another person I had never seen before.

It dawned on me at that time that Lisa Haskell finally brought her group to a Council meeting and they totaled a whole 3 people, including her.

Since we are all now aware that Lisa is a shill for a past Chamber President and another political big wig that may run for Congress, we now know she is shilling for a developer’s attorney and makes this a most interesting issue to be used later in the election period, don’t ya think?

I noted a "Shout and Spout" last week that thanked me for cleaning up my language as this person lets her kids read this website for their civics lessons and I wanted to say KUDOS to you, whoever you were. We need more kids involved in the politics for our future and not the biased and misleading main media outlets versions of politics.

However, I wanted to let this person also know that I have not changed any and the thanks should probably be directed to the 2 editors of this web site who look over my column and change it, along with the legal department who ^&&%$#% me when I make a comment they may find not quite appropriate.

Keep letting your kids read and I am sure the editorial and legal staff will keep it clean. Un-edited versions may be obtained from the editors.

VOTE MERRILL FOR COUNCIL

Michael Merrill
F8713@aol.com

 ~Do You Dress for the Corner Office or the Mail Room?

By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com writer

Note to self: When interviewing with Diane Danielson, showing up in torn denim attire is a no-no. 

Now the CEO of www.DowntownWomensClub.com , a networking site for female professionals, Danielson describes how one job candidate learned this lesson the hard way: "I worked at a 125-year-old conservative Boston commercial real estate firm. I still remember one job candidate for a graphic design position who I didn't even let open her mouth as I sent her packing for wearing a ripped denim miniskirt. Clearly she didn't do her homework or research on the firm." 

Sound harsh? Sandy Dumont, an image consultant for the Virginia-based consulting firm The Image Architect, would beg to differ.  "The way you look and dress announces the outcome other people can expect from you. It also announces how you feel about yourself," she says.  After all, it is this philosophy that is the reason businesses like The Career Wardrobe, Wings for Success and MenzFit exist.  These non-profit organizations provide free professional clothing to low-income men and women with the aim of helping them advance into the workforce with a refined appearance and renewed confidence.

Although qualifications and experience are still vital, employers may be right to consider professional appearance when hiring employees.  University studies indicate that people are more productive when they are dressed professionally.  For Renay Picard, vice president of marketing for Basho Strategies, appearance is critical to a person's chance of getting hired. "How a person chooses to present himself/herself...speaks volumes about who they will be as an employee in my organization," she says.  "A professional appearance tells your interviewer(s) that you are an individual who cares about who you are, what you can produce and that you pay attention to the details." 

Another thing to remember is that as an employee, the way you dress reflects not just you, but your company as well.  Danielson admits that appearance plays a big factor when considering who she asks to accompany her to client meetings.  With all other things being equal, she says, it often comes down to choosing which employee is dressed the most appropriately. 

Although it can be argued that appearance should be a non-issue and workers should be evaluated solely on performance, Dumont defends the idea behind keeping business attire professional.  "Employees grumble that they don't want to be bothered with wearing ties or nylons again, but employees are hired for the 'comfort' of customers, not for their own comfort," Dumont says.

Danielson has one rule on wardrobe: "Dress for the position you want, not the position you have."  Despite this popular belief, however, building a professional work wardrobe doesn't have to be complicated or cost a fortune. Simply stick to classic pieces that won't go out of style and gradually add separates to build around these pieces.* 

Start with the following basics:

Suit:  Every professional man or woman needs at least one traditional, well-tailored suit in a classic color.  Women who choose a skirt suit should also have a pair of pants as a coordinating piece.

Button-down shirts:  Classic white is a must because it looks good with anything, but buy a few in different colors that match your suit.

Shoes: Women should invest in black leather pumps and walking shoes, such as a good, comfortable pair of loafers or ballet flats in leather.  Men should have at least one pair of black leather shoes and a black leather belt to wear with them. 

Accessories: Women should accessorize with a few pieces of jewelry and a good leather tote bag, and men should wear a watch and have either a black or brown leather wallet.

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~ Information You Can Use

Just click on the logos below to go to these websites.

Send our Brave Troops "Something from Home", Click on  Links below.

Gathering of  Eagles Website was launched 2/9/07. Click on the Logo above for more information on how they are protecting America's Memorials.

~ UPDATE!! A "Must See" for All Americans

Every American should check out all of these websites to learn more about what the American population is about to have to deal with.

This is NOT for Children.

I don't normally allow anything but Scottsdale information in the Scottsdale Activist but after receiving many emails about this and viewing it, I think that it's imperative that every adult at least look at what's offered here if for  nothing more than their own education and to have everyone stop and think about the future of our country. Click on the link below,

 www.obsessionthemovie.com

If you don't have Adobe Flash, install it from the bottom of the page that comes up after you click on the link above. You should be able to view all available links within the main page.

The website below is of great interest as seen from a Lebanese point of view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8fa9yKQeTY

The website below gives some history of Terrorist attacks:

http://patriotfiles.org/civilizationcalls.htm

This website tell you what REALLY happened:

http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened

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~ Arizona Tax Revolt

~ Prop 13 Arizona

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~ View Past City Council Meetings

We can now access the city council meetings by clicking on the following link:

If you have any problems, check your firewall and other safety features which could block access to the city site.

~Continuing Light Rail Information

The Scottsdale Citizens Transportation Study Committee invites you to view their website for more questions and answers at  www.norailforscottsdale.com .

================================================================

Simply click on the links below to get all the information you'll ever need concerning Light Rail.

     Goldwater Institute Report

     American Dream Coalition

    The Public Purpose

If you have any questions about light rail, send them to editor@scottsdaleactivist.com and we'll get the answers to you as soon as we can.

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~ For Continuing Information on Photo Radar,
Click on the Logo below.

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 ~Are Red-Light Cameras Fair to Drivers?

These modern-day robocops make ticketing easier and can be huge moneymakers for local governments. But critics question their accuracy and fret over privacy issues.

Click on the link below , then scroll down to read the article:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/AreRedLightCamerasFairToDrivers.aspx

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The Scottsdale Activist is very pleased to announce an effort on the behalf of the residents and taxpayers of the city of Scottsdale to promote open, honest and accountable city government. The Scottsdale Legal Defense Fund (SLDF) has been created to take legal action to hold the City accountable when its actions are contrary to state law, the City Charter, City ordinances or the public interest.

The most necessary ingredient to make the SLDF work will be confidential contributions from concerned Scottsdale citizens who are willing to help their community.  By contributing, we can change the way City Hall does business and insure that our tax dollars will be spent wisely.

No funds from the SLDF will or can be used for any political purpose.

Contributions shall be kept confidential as permissible by law and can be made in any Washington Mutual Bank to account number 3114165786 for the Scottsdale Legal Defense Fund. Branch locations are listed below. Contributions are not tax deductible.

The SLDF has retained the law firm of Miller LaSota & Peters, PLC, in connection with the patently illegal action taken by the Mayor and Council appointing the most recent Scottsdale City Attorney, while ignoring the residency requirement of the Scottsdale City Charter even though the new City Attorney’s contract (according to Scottsdale Republic reporter Laurie Roberts) requires that she reside in Scottsdale.  The City Council action was based on a legal opinion which was reportedly rendered during a closed door Executive Session of the City Council by a subordinate to the then acting City Attorney, who was subsequently appointed to the City Attorney position by a vote during a public City Council meeting. The opinion has been requested as a public document under state law, but the City has not yet provided it. The SLDF will take other appropriate legal actions based on the conduct of the Mayor and Council.

Washington Mutual Bank Locations at which contributions to the SLDF can be made are:

72^nd & Shea                    7337 E. Shea Blvd #120                480-609-8524
Hayden & Chaparral     7908 E. Chaparral # C-113            480-949-0069
Horizon                            14854 N Frank Lloyd Wright         480-614-6660
Scottsdale Ranch          10155 E. Via Linda Blvd #131       480-767-2060
Kierland Village              6501 E. Greenway Pkwy #133     480-315-2905

There are many other branches throughout the Valley.