We’ve heard, then confirmed very disturbing and unfortunate information this last week that it’s being said by certain upper level city people that the City Council is the enemy of the city employees.

If you will remember, Jan Dolan had her pets and is the one who wanted no emails sent to her and she did most of her communicating verbally in her office or yours so nothing could be forwarded to the media, especially the Scottsdale Activist. Some of your current managers and directors were students of the Dolan way of managing; Enough said?

Were pretty we know from where this information is emanating but that information is NOT TRUE in any manner and really doesn’t matter. The council is the best friend the city employees have today. Sure they needed to cut staff, but you can blame that on the prior administration and upper management that spent taxpayer money like drunken sailors without regard for the citizens OR the employees.

That over spending put the city in a negative cash flow situation that had to be adjusted so the budget could be balanced per law without losing any more employees than absolutely necessary. Even more jobs could have possibly been saved if the retirement payouts had been as stated by city manager John Little, not millions more than stated as the final accounting revealed.

If you do have enemies, it is a few of those managers and directors who came on board with the Manross/Dolan Administration who loved secrecy and keeping everyone in the dark. Those are most likely the same managers or directors who will not listen to the citizens or the employees and do what they want, when they want, with whatever they want, and apparently no matter the cost. They are also the ones who don’t want commissions, boards and Task Forces talking or meeting with others who are working on parts of the same project.

In addition, as most of you know, the Scottsdale Activist highly respects the rank and file employees over some management personnel or those who would malign the loyal employees of our city. That is true as long as we can validate through a number of sources that any allegations brought to us are correct.

We have had and still have many employees give us information concerning the misdeeds of a few misfits without ever tipping our hand from where the information originated. We go to great lengths to protect the employees and any managers who have come to us for help and we usually get something done that helps all employees and the good managers and directors.

Those who we felt were hurting the city and the employees were Dolan, Manross, Gray, and Robberson who are now gone. We have a few left that need to move on and we’re working on that as we write this special edition of the Scottsdale Activist. With your help, they too will be gone.

We at the Scottsdale Activist want to sincerely thank all of the Scottsdale city employees for all they do in spite of some of the problems they encounter.

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The Scottsdale Republic, Robert Leger and the Scottsdale Area Chamber took it hard on the nose through an honest and hard hitting article by Sarah Fenske of the Phoenix New Times. Let’s hope they take it to heart and change their ways; Yeah, that’s going to happen. Click the link and be sure to read all 3 pages.

With in the last week, Mike Ryan of the Scottsdale Republic, then Mike Manson of the Lane Campaign and other organizations have resigned from the Chamber and denounced the failure of the Chamber to reveal the donors to the illegal election campaign.

It still unbelievable to us that after those resignations from the Chamber, City Council members McCullagh and Klapp who are Chamber members have stubbornly refused, at least at this point, to resign their positions with the Chamber. To do so would eliminate any shadow of perceived or actual conflict of interest.

If they don’t resign their positions, we will file conflict of interest charges through the city attorney’s office on any vote or discussion that involves chamber members or chamber recommendations.

We’ve had enough questionable discussions and votes with previous council and don’t want to see any more from this council.

City Manager John Little from all appearances is verbally, both privately and publicly, rejecting and often complaining about the possibility of the appointment of a city treasurer and even went so far as to say he didn’t have a place to put a desk or computer for the Interim City Treasurers use.

The seemingly immature and obviously overt actions along with outbursts of apparent insubordination of Mr. Little cause one to strongly suspect that possibility he has something important to hide, be it his financial decisions, how he does his financial paperwork, or the moving of taxpayers money within the system by both Jan Dolan and him.

Is it true or possible;

Because of Little’s insubordinate and negative actions, aggressive attitude, and the above suggested possibilities by current and former city employees, we feel that the financial books of the city need to be audited by an independent audit firm and made public before anyone takes over any part of the control or distribution of the city’s tax dollars.

Our question to Mr. Little is very simply; "What are you hiding or afraid of John?"

Based on his negative and aggressive attitude, many are suspect of his reasoning and reluctance to accept most of the council’s decision.

As a taxpayer paying his wages, what do you think?

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There is a lot of chatter out there about the possible appointment of long time city resident David N Smith to the position of Interim City Treasurer which will be a Charter Officer position. We have been advised that Mr. Smith is highly respected and has an excellent background in financial matters. The following is an article in the Scottsdale Republic;

http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2009/09/17/20090917sr-council0917.html

City Manager John Little from all appearances is verbally, both privately and publicly, rejecting and complaining about the possibility of this appointment and even went so far as to say he didn’t have a place to put a desk or computer for the Interim City Treasurers use.

Concerning David N. Smiths background: We were advised by some citizens of an article (as seen below) concerning Mr. Smiths employment with AMTRAK which is printed below. We have been advised that Mr. Smith has answered the article in a letter to the city council. It appears that the dismissal of the 5 employees was simply a "house cleaning" action and possibly politically motivated. We’re sure the "vetting process" by the city will clear up or expose any problems.

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While attending the graduation for Ottawa University on Friday, September 25^th, we heard some words of wisdom attributed to an African proverb. It went,

Between now and the spring of 2011, it would behoove the residents and property owners of South Scottsdale to behave like the aforementioned mosquito.

But, first let’s be clear what that area encompasses:

Like it or not, AJ’s at Lincoln Blvd and Scottsdale Road in what we consider the north are considered being located in South Scottsdale.

If you find that uncomfortable, think what might happen if the General Plan amendments are made without your input, your concerns and your discussion.

For example, the Downtown Planning Area sits right in the middle of southern Scottsdale, like a donut hole. The fringes of that planning area meet with the fringes of the South Scottsdale Community Planning Area. The Downtown Plan was approved before the reports from the community meetings and surveys for the South Scottsdale Community Planning Area were even finished.

Will there be clashes? You bet there will be, because areas like the abandoned OrchidTree Apartments at 68^th Street and Camelback Road lie in the area that is outside of the Downtown, but could be included to allow for rezoning.

What that means is that there is a very strong possibility that whoever re-develops that sight will scrape the property and build something that could go as high as five stories right next to single family residences of mostly single story houses.

Whatever evolves from the process to create the plans for the future of South Scottsdale is not going to impact that sight, but there is something that might.

How those zoning amendments come about can be effected by language in the General Plan that relates how the city allows such changes to occur.

Yes, there are boards and commission reviews, but before that happens, staff goes through a process to review the plans to see if they meet the very basics for the type of project requesting approval. Then staff sends the project, with their comments and advice to approve the project or not approve the project, on to the Planning Commission and Development Review Board for their approval.

Any property that has a designation that allows it to be included in the Downtown Plan needs to have a very different process for approval. There needs to be a more comprehensive communication/public outreach requirement which does not depend solely on the developer. The Planning Department and Planning staff need to follow a more in depth public information process.

This same situation is brewing further South in the McDowell/Scottsdale Roads Corridors. With the "McDowell Corridor/South Scottsdale Economic Development Task Force," meeting to come up with plan for revitalization of that area, the single family essential work housing of that area will be impacted by the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning for lots from ½ acre to about 15 acres.

There are many such, now vacant, properties along both of those roads.

It is important to stay on top of changes like these and what they mean to homes and property values and our quality of life.

A survey exists for the General Plan Update and the link to the city website is as follows, cut and paste if necessary:

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/generalplan/update/2011_General_Plan_Update_Questionnaire.asp

Or you can submit your comments to:

generalplan@scottsdaleaz.gov

Or you can fill out the 2 page questionnaire below, print it out and mail it in to:

Advance Planning Services,
7506 E. Indian School Rd.,
Scottsdale AZ 85251-3918

Please return questionnaire by

December 31, 2009

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Concerning the appointment of David Smith to the position of Interim City Treasurer as suggested by Mayor Jim Lane: We were told by a number of current and former city officials that the city manager and his office in conjunction with input from HR was historically supposed to begin the investigation (vetting) process on any Charter Officer or other appointments once a person has been designated as the possible appointee.

The city council has directed city manager John Little to investigate David Smith prior to any employment contract being signed based on the council decision that David Smith be the appointee (See article within this Scottsdale Activist concerning David Smith). 

~ Misdirection

It seems that the city has lost its direction and that began under Campana and was heavily enhanced and greatly pushed away from the original goals set by the citizens and the city at large. During the Manross/Dolan regime they purposely depleted staff of all employees and appointees who knew the city’s history and discouraged the changes demanded by the Manross/Dolan Administration. Others, volunteers and employees, who were trying to maintain the positive direction the Drinkwater Administrations built by bucking the Manross/Dolan trends and directions were also dismissed.

Boards, Commissions and Task Forces were not allowed to work or communicate with each other or have combined meetings on the same projects they were all working on which would have made things go much easier with more input. The Manross/Dolan Administration literally shut off all communications within these city volunteer entities which has exacerbated the communication problem and has caused many critical or questionable issues to be hidden from the public.

We apparently still have factions within the city both elected, appointed, and employed, who still adhere to the Manross/Dolan manipulations and doctrines which consider public input as nothing more than a nuisance and nonproductive, therefore not to be taken into consideration.

Citizens suggested serious offenders include Paul Porell of the Transportation Department, Malcolm Hankins of Code Enforcement, and Kiera Wauwie of the Planning Department. There are others who are trying to get the city back on track financially and otherwise by attempting to get the public involved again and return to operating under the rules of Arms Length negotiations, transactions and associations, with solid cooperation when dealing with citizens, local groups, associations, and power brokers.

~ Supporting Manross/Dolan Doctrine Lucrative?

A number of city employees, directors, managers, and appointees who supported the Manross/Dolan Administration have reportedly found the Manross/Dolan Doctrine to be very lucrative personally and politically, so asking for a true change in city government can only be achieved by eliminating these people from their city employment or any association with the city government.

We need to have everyone in city government, elected and otherwise, step back and reassess who we are and where we are going as a city, and who they associate with socially and publicly. If we continue on the current path as suggested by those who were indoctrinated by, still adhere to, and support the failed Manross/Dolan Doctrines, we will see Scottsdale continue to slide downhill as just another example of a bland but densely populated, over built average city living in mediocrity with higher taxes but without anything considered world class.

We need to figuratively yank this city back to the basics of solid, functional, financially sound, and honest but innovative governance. It worked for 45 years and we find no need to continue on the current path of destruction when we had and could have again the success we enjoyed for 45 years.

A prime example of the Manross/Dolan Doctrine mentality is city manager John Little telling the Scottsdale Republic that the city has a 6.6 million dollar budget surplus when in reality the city is still running a deficit of a few million dollars even with the Federal Stimulus Funds infusion to the city treasury!

In our mind, John Little's statement is less than honest and nothing more than a serious misrepresentation of fact and a ploy to make him look good which is disingenuous at best because the infused money has already been allocated to offset part of the current budget deficit which he helped create.

How many more examples of this behavior can be attributed to John Little? It would seem that Little has tried to rally support for himself from city employees who really don’t know what is emerging as the real John Little.

We need to turn this city around and take it back to basics as expressed above. Are you council members going to be a solid part of this process, or do you disagree with our assessment concerning the direction needed for this city?

~Chamber Members Resignations

Mike Ryan of the Scottsdale Republic and now Mike Manson of the Lane for Mayor campaign have resigned all positions they held with the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and publicly denounced the decision of the Chamber to file an appeal and refusing to name the donors to the illegal campaign activities.

Are Council persons Ron McCullagh and Suzanne Klapp going to follow suit to eliminate any publicly perceived support by both council members of the Chambers actions? We feel continued support of the Chamber is not in the best interest of the city or the Council members.

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~Living in the Land of Oz

~Money to Burn in Traffic Chat

Okay Ozites this is my last post on this issue as it appears there is not one commissioner who will do what is right and drag it back for review and denial and I doubt the council is even recognizing the issues here.

On a quick flashback of this issue we pointed out numerous issues with the process and policy issues the most glaring ones that the council should have noted and taken exception to was;

How did the Granite Reef project ever make it to a commission agenda when policy states that the "petitions" had to be turned in too the city and then verified by the city. This takes place before it can even make it to an agenda, so try to figure out that issue and tell me that we also had an issue regarding process.
 

The 86^th street project never met the criteria for the placement of two "pedestrian islands" and we continue to point out those three houses that do have a driveway to the street still do not give the "required" 50% street frontage. In light of already knowing this the Chair of the Oz Transportation Commission tells the council he has seen people there once and used the exact same line we knew the city would have used about the park being on one side of the street. We also questioned what side of the street the cars were parked on as if they are not crossing the street and stepping over a sidewalk, what were we doing putting raised pedestrian crosswalks over the street for?

To prove our point, we sent pictures of the park to the commissioners and council and they were taken at various times of the day for a roughly one week period.

Look at the pictures posted and tell me if you think that we should be wasting $50,000 of transportation tax revenues on "problems" such as this when streets, curbs, and gutters are falling apart and have been since Dolan arrived and Paul Porell became involved.

The Aerial photo below shows the street they want to spend ^$50,000 to install speed bumps or traffic tables, the other pictures show that there is no traffic or park use to speak of to justify the speed bumps or speed tables. I have pictures from every critical use hours of the day, 7 days a week to back up my claim that here goes another ^$50,000 thrown down the drain for no good reason.

We already know that you have figured out the policy and process problems and we cannot say as much for the council.

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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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~ 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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