Los Arcos Crossing – Global Entertainment is one of the bidders

When the McDowell Corridor Economic Revitalization Task Force was meeting late last year and into March of this year we attended as many meetings as possible to hear discussion and ideas from possible developers.

So many reports and studies have been done about that bit of corridor that somewhere, some how you would think somebody would get the picture.

As we wait to see if the City Council approves the resident driven Southern Scottsdale Community Area Plan along comes a spider and sat down beside us. Sorry, it is Halloween time and we had to do that.

Several of us sat in the City Council audience when the head of the Economic Vitality Department presented the RFP that was being put out for the Los Arcos Crossing property at 74th St. and McDowell Road. That was in the spring of this year. Knowing the issues surrounding the property and the difficult economic times we are experiencing and having so many properties stalled in mid-construction or standing vacant in foreclosure we crossed our fingers and started praying.

We have been notified that there are two bids for the property and the selection is not heartening.

Global Entertainment Corporation, based in Tempe, Arizona, was one of the presenters. We weren’t impressed then. We’re certainly not impressed now (see link at the bottom of this article).

In fact, some of us in the audience felt like the Global rep was trying to rush Scottsdale to make a decision by telling the Task Force that they were negotiating with Mesa, Arizona, for a similar project and they might not consider doing two such projects so close together.

Since the city would be taking all of the risk because the city would have to finance everything, that approach did not sit too well. When something like that happens the Scottsdale Activist staff gets busy and starts doing the research.

The biggest and most telling comments came from folks in the Prescott Valley area. Would you believe that the town leadership did not listen to those folks before they approve that project???!!! They told them that the fees that Global said they would charge for events was too high for them to be able to attend. Sure enough that is what is happening and local residents are not attending many of the events.

One funny thing we discovered is that Global Entertainment Corporation (GEC) owns the Central Hockey League, and many of the arenas they construct become homes to CHL teams…..I like hockey. But I want to know up front what the playing field is going to look like before one dime is turned over to any developer.

On we went. Yuma received a bid to do a project for an event center in their community similar to what is being proposed here. The community was so adamant that the project went to referendum and was defeated. As the City Manager in Yuma says, "…..we have moved on."

http://venueinsider.com/arena/global-entertainment-out-in-allen-tx/ 

These proposed amendments to Scottsdale’s City Charter will make our city government more efficient, more fiscally responsible, more accountable and more transparent to the citizens of Scottsdale.

Proposition 411 protects property rights by making it harder for city government to condemn private property.

Proposition 412 promotes fiscal responsibility and protects the taxpayers of Scottsdale by prohibiting the City Council from giving away taxpayer money to politically favored special interests.  It is even stricter than the state law limiting subsidies, which I applaud.

Proposition 413 streamlines the process for acting on citizen petitions while preserving the right for citizens to petition their city government and making the right of the public to comment at Council meetings a Charter provision, not just a policy.

Proposition 414 makes the Charter Officers more accountable to the citizens and to the City Council.  It also clearly defines the role of the City Treasurer as the city’s independent Chief Financial Officer.  This long-needed reform (I first proposed this reform in 2003) makes Scottsdale City government more fiscally responsible, more accountable and more transparent.

Propositions 415-417 remove obsolete language from the City Charter and make various administrative changes that add clarity to existing language regarding ordinances and resolutions. While not as momentous as propositions 411-414, propositions 415-417 will make city government more efficient, more accountable and more transparent and so are also worthy of your approval.

We want to acknowledge the effort and dedication of the diversified citizen volunteers of the Charter Review Task Force, who held 17 public meetings over an 8-month period and recommended these propositions to the Council for the ballot and to the voters for approval.

 ~Elitists Against the Tax Paying Citizens?

It is so infuriating to watch the huge majority of USA voters being led like so many sheep by the highly paid special interest PR people, who define themselves as experts in media consulting, into the voting booths. These people have nothing to lose, but the taxpayers who live in our city do.

Politicians and special interests are calling the shots, all parties. The more money you have the bigger show you can put on. The more show, the more distraction from the real facts and stark reality exists.

Our elections are the biggest freak shows ever in the world. Just look at the last city election as well as the last national election: Did we get what was touted as a new beginning or change, and hope? Did we get anyone who really cares about the city, or did we get people who literally bought the office? Think about that a little.............. We were sold a "Chamber Chick" and what appears to be a Blonde Party girl. Is that what we wanted?

Far right. Far left. Corporate America. Labor America. Baby Boomers, Gen-Xer's, The Greatest generation, and all of the " ? somethings" and all of the highly paid lobbyists.

We aren't just America OR Scottsdale anymore, the PR/media experts as well as local special interests using covert actions and tons of money have managed to divide us and just about take over the country.

We isolate and insulate ourselves by plopping down in front of the television and the computer, and let the news presenters and bloggers influence all of our thinking without actually doing some research on our own about our current critical situations city-wide, nation-wide and world-wide, all to the detriment of all peoples except for the special interests who can walk away to another place to play with the money they stole from the ignorant masses.

Arizona is a prime staging area for election hi jinks and Scottsdale has its own three ring circus and a number of complimentary freak shows all demanding our attention.

Watching the many forums for our election of three people to sit on our City Council is painful at best. The business of government is NEVER discussed. The special interests of those supporting candidates are defined and pounded forward, many times with less than half-truths being touted as the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

We have been split into so many groups we don't even recognize ourselves. We are North Scottsdale, Central Scottsdale (or the red headed stepchild), and South Scottsdale. We are Preservationists and Conservationists, or Progressives and Conservatives. We are big business, small business, taxpayer or resident.

If you are not "completely for" something, then you must be totally "against" it. If you can talk louder than someone or more frequently, then you must be correct. Really? Into what dark, foreboding hole did honesty and reality retreat?

If you attended or watched the City Council meeting this week and observed what transpired regarding the Noise Ordinance you saw a study in frustration and the extreme power of the monied special interests. No one could call it a win-win situation. A baby step, yes, but cost is going to be the determining factor as to whether it will be effective, and that is yet to be decided.

The biggest, well financed message that "Next Step Scottsdale" delivered is that that they think the city is divided North and South. The Chamber and their supporters refuse to, or will not acknowledge that there is a Chamber and special interest forced, and unnecessary divide between business and residents because if they did, their selfish, greedy, predatory causes would be mute and impotent as they should be.

You are about to be swallowed by the Monster called ambivalence and apathy as created by the tons of false and misleading information that inundates us disseminated by those who really don’t have a stake in the city or it’s residents but want your money to line their pockets as they leave our town in shambles!

If "Next Step Scottsdale" isn’t driven and financed lock, stock, and barrel by the underhanded, twice convicted Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and their greed driven cronies, I’ll eat the paper it’s written upon.

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I was an impressionistic kid, growing up in the heart of Phoenix. Although I had to work most my young life, there was but one thought that held me captive; the allure of a shining city called Scottsdale.

There, everything was in color. The West was alive. Prosperity was in my grasp. Someday, I would live in Scottsdale!

I remember the day I moved here. There was an ad for a two story, three bedroom condo at Hayden and Indian School. The price? ^$450 a month! I was so excited I missed work, drove down there, and was met by a group of people mingling in the living room. I asked out loud "Who's the owner?" When a man answered back "I am", I immediately said "Sold!" and handed him the down payment. I had finally made it! Scottsdale! Indian Bend Park, McCormick R/R Park, Rawhide, Old Town, she was mine! I will never forget that feeling.

Fast forward to 2010. I am fifty years old. My wife, Cora, and I raised five children here. We moved to Cholla and Scottsdale Road, where the kids attended Sequoia, Cocopah, and Chaparral High School. I have my own successful small business, and a ¾ acre horse property, right in the middle of town! Yes, Scottsdale has been good to me.

Now there is a dark cloud descending on our town. Years of prosperity and city-envy have brought in those bandits who eagerly want to rob the stagecoach, and divide it amongst themselves.  Is it Butch Cassidy?  Billy the Kid?  No, it's those modern day robbers, Rick Kidder and the Chamber gang.  Yes, the shadow government that has permeated every city board and commission is now trying to have the majority vote on the city council.

Well, there's a new sheriff in town.  Guy Phillips.  Dedicated to preserving the city I fell in love with 30 years ago, I will fight to save our city from becoming the despot of Metropolitan Phoenix.

With your help, we can stop the Chamber and its minions from transforming our city into Height & Density Town, with Light Rail tracks in our streets and ugly wires looming overhead, while the Sonoran Desert blows away like a tumbleweed in a dust storm.

Scottsdale is our Gold Mine. We need to protect it, preserve it, and take care of it, like it has taken care of so many of us in the past. I know you feel the same way I do!

I ask you to vote for me this November, along with Bob Littlefield, because if both of us don't get elected, the Chamber will have the super majority vote, and our beautiful city will have had its last Round-up.

I ask for your vote, and thank you for your vote,

Guy Phillips
Scottsdale
City Council Candidate

http://electguy.intuitwebsites.com/

guyrphillips@gmail.com

Who IS the "Voice of Scottsdale"?

They ARE NOT affiliated in any way with the Scottsdale Activist or their staff.

The "Voice of Scottsdale" apparently refuses to answer that direct question under any condition according to those whom have openly and privately asked.

Why should anyone read them or feel they are credible at all if they refuse to identify who they are and who their sponsor(s) is?

Apparently the "Voice of Scottsdale" has forgotten Former Mayor Manross campaigning for Prop 402 in 2006......

How many other issues have they misrepresented, misquoted, or misreported?

Could it be a secret and covert arm of the twice convicted, election violation prone, predatory Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce?

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Editors Note: This article was included in the Activist to show how some outsiders want to push the Chamber into the Scottsdale city government structure come hell or high water or lots of outside money. Our understanding is that Jim Pederson is NOT a Scottsdale resident, but yet wants to reap rewards from developing projects within the city while attempting to direct city politics his direction.

recopied from http://www.rolocreative.com/ 

September 20, 2010

Scottsdale prides itself in being different from other cities, both inside and outside of AZ. However, all of the things that make it so unique aren't all good.

Economically successful communities enjoy a balance between the public and private sectors. Both share a similar vision. They also work in unison to achieve common goals that strengthen a city's fiscal future.

But Scottsdale is an exception -- because it's out of alignment.

The well-documented dust-up between Mayor Jim Lane and the local Chamber of Commerce is now entering its third year. The mayor has turned it into a vendetta that virtually all of the Valley's business community has become aware. Besides sending horrible signals to businesses that competing cities are also exploiting, the issue has inhibited Scottsdale from developing a cohesive economic plan for the future. And as long as the mayor insists on ignoring the chamber's critical role in contributing to the economic development of Scottsdale, the city will fail to maximize its economic potential.

Meanwhile, no one, including business leaders, is sure where Mayor Lane is steering Scottsdale. Even he seems unsure.

That's why the Chamber of Commerce facilitated a symposium last week where 250 opinion leaders convened to discuss the next steps that should be taken to create a vision for the city - either with or without the mayor.

Because he refused to attend, it looks like the latter.

The Best And Worst of Times

The chamber event, a follow-up to the lauded "Which Way Scottsdale?" study in 2003, attracted a group of the city's who's who. Just about everybody who is anybody with a direct stake in Scottsdale's economic development was there.

The "Next Steps" symposium covered everything from soup to nuts ... and then some. It couldn't have been any more comprehensive with panel discussions, small group sessions and plenty of opportunities for participants to speak their minds. And they weren't shy about sounding off on most of the city's shortcomings.

The symposium left no doubt that the Chamber of Commerce is the link between the business community and developing a strategic economic vision for the city.

It has been seven years since the Morrison Institute's "Which Way Scottsdale?" project. Almost everything has changed since then - especially the economy. This couldn't have been a better time to hold an economic summit ... or a worse time for the mayor of the city to be in a snit.

Reaching Out To The Region

No matter what the designated topic, the discussion usually ended up focusing on two themes: the city's lack of a coordinated economic development plan and the new isolationist policy that flows from city hall.

The symposium participants were clearly frustrated by both. But it was how Scottsdale has become isolated from other communities in the Valley during the last two years that they found the most worrisome. As people who know a bit about business, they were convinced that the city should be reaching out to other communities to create partnerships - particularly in these times of economic turmoil.

Time after time the attendees spoke about the need for Scottsdale to join the Discovery Triangle, the joint effort between Phoenix, Tempe and ASU organized to explore potential economic opportunities. They repeatedly said they are confused why the mayor and three councilpersons have rejected the invitation for the city to join the venture.

That's a good question with no good answer.

The longer the symposium lasted the more obvious it became that the opinion leaders lack confidence in the mayor and the direction he's driving the city - which, according to more than one of the participants, is backward. And that squares with the latest political survey.

Where To Now?

Before the start of the chamber conference, one of the participants (who shall remain nameless) contacted Mayor Lane and personally appealed to him to attend the event. No dice. The mayor was dug in - like an ostrich with his head in the sand.

It's difficult to say where things go from here.

The Morrison Institute, who facilitated the symposium, is off to write a report on what they heard about where business leaders want the city to go. The Chamber of Commerce and the business community are likely headed in one direction and the mayor in another.

Jim Pederson, the successful shopping center developer, may have offered the most insight into what comes next. As a member of the last panel of the day, he clearly sensed the mounting frustration that filled the ballroom after almost seven hours of brainstorming sessions.

Without hesitation, Pederson told the opinion leaders that if they wanted to change the direction the city is headed, they could do something about it. He reminded them: "There's an election on November 2nd."

That's when voters can take a step in the right direction.

http://www.rolocreative.com/ 

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The one consistent theme of my eight years on the Scottsdale City Council is that I have always voted for the residents against the special interests who want to enrich themselves at the expense of Scottsdale’s special quality of life.  Whether they were trying to steal your tax dollars with subsidies or destroy your neighborhoods with sub-standard development I stood up against them to support you.  That is why I am asking for your vote to re-elect me to the Scottsdale City Council.  I have proven that I will stand up for you, and you can count on me to do so for another four years.

When I first ran for City Council I promised to protect Downtown business owners from condemnation and oppose taxpayer subsidies.  I have kept those promises. 

I also promised to keep our city budget fat free and fight wasteful spending.  Last year, with my leadership, Scottsdale not only passed a balanced budget (with no gimmicks), we also actually cut city spending by at least $63M, reduced city personnel by 10%, lowered the property tax rate, and held the line on water rate increases. We accomplished this without cutting core services (we did not close any libraries or take any police, fire or code enforcement officers off the streets) and without compromising the city's reserves and contingency funds. Bottom line, we have made Scottsdale city government smaller and more efficient.

Whether it was the hideous Hanover project in South Scottsdale or the General-Plan-busting text amendments in North Scottsdale, I have stood with the residents against bad projects that would diminish their quality of life.  I have done this all over the city.

I have also worked to make Scottsdale city government more transparent and accountable.  I have consistently voted to cut secret Executive Sessions and to make official documents open to the press and public.  As Chairman of the Audit Committee I have produced hard-hitting, meaningful audits of city government.

Please vote for Bob Littlefield on November 2^nd or by early ballot.

Bob Littlefield
Scottsdale City Councilman
602-228-9145 mobile
www.boblittlefield.com

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"If you're a Scottsdale resident that cares about the history, values and unique vision of our city then the ONLY candidate with a proven record of listening to, respecting and speaking out for the citizens is Bob Littlefield. From where I sit in Tony's chair, its clear to me that we need Bob's voice and vote at City Hall, now, more than ever."

Councilwoman Marg Nelssen
Scottsdale

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The citizens of Scottsdale finally got their watered down, weak version of a noise ordnance after several years of struggling to get the right to the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of private property. It could be better, but it’s a start and the nose of the camel is in the tent. The best part of the ordinance and the part the Mayor and Councilperson Borowsky fought passionately against is: It is not complaint driven.

This means that the burden of enforcement is not on the ordinary citizen. The noise problem is an unintended consequence of the no smoking ordinance. After smokers were prohibited from lighting up in bars, bar owners got the bright idea to move the party outside, thus skirting the law and allowing bad behavior anyway. Along with the party came the music. Then the wholesale approval of any bar, any place, anytime in downtown Scottsdale resulted in a nightmare for anyone living in or next to downtown Scottsdale.

As the following correspondence will show; the agony continues:

After The Council meeting on Tuesday, September 27, 2009 I wrote: I would like to personally thank the members of the Scottsdale City Council who stood up for the residents of Scottsdale and the non-entertainment business community. The five to two vote in favor of a non-complaint driven noise ordnance clearly demonstrates these council members have the best interest of the citizens of Scottsdale as their priority. Those two who did not support the ordinance march to the beat of a different drummer. How sad that our Mayor fought and voted against an ordinance that protects the quality of life for the people who live and vote in Scottsdale.

By Wednesday after the news broke that we had a problem with the passage of the ordinance I wrote: How is it possible that you, staff and the city attorney could have "overlooked" the funding mechanism for the noise ordinance?

Wednesday afternoon I smelled a rat and wrote: Don't even think of reneging on the noise ordnance. How is it possible that Raun Keagy, staff and the city attorney could have "overlooked" the funding mechanism for the noise ordinance? It's easy to groups facts together and draw the conclusion that this "oversight" will create "wiggle room" for the opposition to attempt to derail the noise ordnance. Don't underestimate the level of resolve in the community for resolution to the noise issue.

After I received an explanation from Raun Keagy on Wednesday, I wrote: Thank you for your response. Your explanation is better than the one I read in the news paper. After observing the way (Mayor) Jim Lane intensely fought the ordinance combined with the knowledge of the shenanigans he has pulled while in office, I have justified cause for concern regarding the continuance of the process needed for funding of the ordinance. Additionally, (Councilwoman) Lisa Borowsky, who also intensely fought the ordinance, is extremely conflicted on the matter, and in my opinion has sufficient motivation to exploit any flaw in the process. The combination of the two individuals and the industry behind them are indeed a potential threat to the process. Notice was given. Those of us who have worked hard on this ordinance have reason to feel threatened.

Hopefully, you are correct in your prediction of how the matter will play out. We will hope for the best and plan for the worst.

What’s next? Hopefully the council will follow through next Tuesday, October 5th and vote to fund the ordinance as it is written. But we can’t take it for granted. There is risk that (Mayor) Lane and (Councilwoman) Borowsky will attempt to hold up passage of the funding by attempting to withhold the non-complaint driven aspect of the ordinance.

Don’t let them do it. Keep your eyes on Borowsky and Lane. Write the Mayor and Council and demand that they secure our noise ordinance. If possible, you need to be at the meeting.

Bill Crawford
Scottsdale

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 ~COGS Corner

Good morning, Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS) and COGS E-Newsletter guests:

Today we celebrate the hundreds of residents and small business owners who are directly responsible for the passage last night of this city's first excessive noise protection ordinance. 

COGS members walked their neighborhoods in July and August in 110 F heat to gather signatures.  Residents spoke at their HOA meetings to inform others of the exclusion of their Downtown residency and to question WHY?  The public attended the COGS meeting with the city speaker and provided their passionate input on the problems in their immediate neighborhood.  HUNDREDS  signed the petition in support of this city's first Excessive Noise Ordinance that is not citizen complaint driven but uses the existing code enforcement and police officers to ACT on their own. 

Thank you to those of you who stepped up to the City Council public microphone and in a respectful and dynamic manner supported its passage.  When you see speakers Linda Zaruches (Marquessa), Pat Lamer (Arcadia East) Valerie Bennett (Villa Monterey) and Tony Hamati (Brava Bistro) thank them.  Thanks to  Bill Crawford (Basic Training), Pat Lamer, Jim and Valerie Bennett, Jude Nau (Best Western Sun Dial Hotel) , Linda Zaruches and Sonnie Kirtley who participated since 2009 in draft meetings with city staff, police, and other "stakeholders". 

And we cannot fail to thank all of you who sent e mails of support to council members---one even was sent from New York! 

THE RESULTS:  Even the afternoon of the council meeting we were in danger of losing ANY noise ordinance.  Some council members wanted to just-start-over and try for a stronger and more inclusive text.  Others wanted to support the entertainment district owners and weaken it to where it is now--make your 1 am phone call or there is NO complaint.    Councilman Ron McCullagh moved and Councilman Ecton seconded to approve the original option that has spent the past 4 months in the public open houses, published on the city website and presented at COGS and HOA meetings.  It passed by a vote of 5 to 2.  Mayor Jim Lane and Councilwoman Lisa Borowsky (brother Todd is a part owner in a downtown bar-nightclub group) voted "no".  

The following is a quote from a COGS member received by e mail this morning:

Our final thank you is to the five council members who supported the citizens (alphabetically): Wayne Ecton, Suzanne Klapp, Bob Littlefield, Ron McCullagh and Marg Nelssen. Councilman McCullagh pointed out that the Entertainment District brings in approximately $450,000 per year in sales revenue and cost this city more than $8,000,000 to create and maintain the separate Downtown police district. He supports a stronger noise ordinance similar to Tempe with coverage of all forms of excessive noise and protection for everyone.  Councilwoman Klapp was silent until the vote.  Councilman Littlefield also prefers a stronger ordinance but supported the residents which is his usual position. Wayne Ecton had authored the final ordinance text in June and supported it last night. Councilwoman Nelssen made some insightful observations about the political forces at work and the needs of the residents.  She also supports a much stronger ordinance but provided her Yes vote to enact controls now rather than to begin the drafting process again.

For the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale Board of Directors, Sonnie Kirtley, Chairperson    website: http://www.cogsaz.net    email: cogsaz@cox.net

Annual dues are $10.   Mail to COGS  3370 North Hayden Rd  #123-766, Scottsdale,AZ 85251

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We are a strange people. We complain about government and then go right back out and elect the same clowns to office. The following is taken from a resent poll of Arizona voters done by the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University. If nothing else it will give you something to scratch your head about.

September 20, 2010

Arizona’s electorate – regardless of political party registration – is dissatisfied with state government and its leadership, according to results of a recent Morrison Institute-Knowledge Networks Poll.

Two-thirds, or 68 percent, of voters disapprove of the way the Legislature is handling the state budget and taxes. Just 32 percent approve. While Democrats (76 percent) and independents (67 percent) are more disenchanted with the Legislature, the majority of Republicans (61 percent) also are critical of the GOP-dominated Legislature, which has made major cuts in programs to balance the state budget.

"Even among Republicans, whose party dominates Arizona government, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the way that state government is operated," said David Daugherty, director of research at Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University. "Dissatisfaction with Arizona government appears to be consistent with voter dissatisfaction around the country."

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, released Sept. 9, portrayed a general unhappiness with elected officials in Washington, D.C. According to the nationwide sampling, 56 percent of all voters – Democrats, Republicans and independents – said it was time to make a change in their congressional district and give someone else a chance to represent them.

It should be noted that dissatisfaction among Arizona’s electorate is not new. A July 2009 poll for Arizona Indicators, a collaborative online data project managed by Morrison Institute, found that 66 percent of Arizona voters surveyed disapproved of how the Legislature was dealing with the state budget and tax issues at that time. The percentage of dissatisfied voters, however, has increased, the new Morrison Institute-Knowledge Networks Poll shows.

Details of the poll and other survey results can be found at www.arizonaindicators.org and morrisoninstitute.asu.edu and http://asunews.asu.edu/20100916_morrisonpoll 

Two-thirds of all voters believe the Legislature has "the wrong priorities," including a substantial portion from each political party. Surprisingly, the percentage only slightly dips among polled Republicans with 63% saying the Legislature has "the wrong priorities."

Voters are, for the most part, dissatisfied with how state tax dollars are allocated. Nearly three-quarters of Arizona voters – Republicans, Democrats and independents – agree with the statement about "a poor return on investment." Interestingly, the total percentage of those dissatisfied with the ROI mirrors that of Republican respondents

To varying degrees, Republicans, Democrats and independents agree there is too much partisan conflict at the Arizona State Capitol. The total percentage of Arizona voters who believe there is excess partisanship is 74%. Democrats (83%) feel particularly strongly on this issue, followed by independents (75%) and Republicans (61%).

The Legislature, governor and other top state leaders pride themselves on their conservative politics, but nearly six in 10 Republicans said they would prefer more moderate elected officials. In fact, the vast majority of Arizona voters (67%) – regardless of party – share that sentiment.

While half of Republican voters are dissatisfied with "the way things are going in Arizona government," an even larger percentage of Democrats (80%) and independents (62%) indicate dissatisfaction. Voter dissatisfaction with local community government, while slightly less widespread than dissatisfaction with state government, is still high; two-thirds give local governments a negative review.

While nearly everyone believes "state government programs should be maintained to deal with important problems," more than three-quarters also say "government programs are run inefficiently." Do we need them? Yes. Are they managed well? No.

Findings in the survey are a statewide representative sample based on the responses of 614 Arizonans interviewed between July 16 and Aug. 6, as part of the Arizona Indicators Panel. Results reflect a plus-or-minus 4 percentage point level of accuracy.

Percentages are rounded.

The survey was conducted using the web-enabled KnowledgePanel®, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. population. Initially, participants are chosen scientifically by a random selection of telephone numbers and residential addresses. Persons in selected households are then invited by telephone or by mail to participate in the web-enabled KnowledgePanel®. For those who agree to participate, but do not already have Internet access, Knowledge Networks provides at no cost a laptop and ISP connection. People who already have computers and Internet service are permitted to participate using their own equipment. Panelists then receive unique log-in information for accessing surveys online, and then are sent e-mails throughout each month inviting them to participate in research. More technical information is available at:

http://www.knowledgenetworks.com/ganp/reviewer-info.html  .

We all know we have schools in Scottsdale that could use some help. That being said, so do the taxpayers.

A comment from a proponent said

"Your property taxes just went down so an increase in property taxes will make them the same as last year so it won’t hurt you at all."

My answer was very simple: If we all have to learn to do with less, so do the schools.

When state employees, including the Department of Public Safety, State Fire and Medical Services are losing their performance pay AND are taking at least one furlough day a month PLUS an increase in the cost of benefits, I would think that adding any more tax burden to tax payers would be a slap in the face to the taxpayers just to satisfy any school district’s bloated needs.

It should be noted here that the teachers kept their performance pay and don’t have any furlough days.

Hopefully, the economy will improve and the School Bonds can then be reconsidered in 2 years. In the meantime, the schools need to reduce their spending like everyone has had to do. I’m sure they can cut back the employees, especially in the Administrative offices and a few other non-teaching areas. Every school I have ever been or where my kids or grandkids attend, every single school district is top heavy in the administration offices of the schools.

Isn’t it time that they cut back their spending like the rest of us have to do?

State laws require that the city must review their Charters every ten (10) years.

As prescribed by law, we had a Charter Review Committee staffed with some very educated, well versed, and excellent city residents including lawyers in private practice who took the Charter apart and put it back together again. They did an excellent job in redefining the needs of the city and in reducing the power of any single entity within city government who was seen to be too controlling or not being as responsive or careful with their spending as required.

Some within the city government are angry because they will lose some of their power.

That’s called "Oh Well", they shouldn’t have had that kind of power in the first place and they need to be reined in so that city government again becomes a team effort instead of a place for Prima Dona’s to rule the roost as we’ve had for most of the last decade.

As with the national scene, it is very obvious that the Elitists (chamber, developers, power brokers, plus some seemingly bought and paid for politicians) of Scottsdale are again trying to dominate (buy) the election so they can continue to slowly ruin the city we know and love at the expense of the taxpayers and property owners who don’t have the money or means to counter their continual attacks…… or do we?

The Scottsdale Area Chamber is the driving force behind the takeover of city government and they haven’t stopped even though they have been convicted twice in court for illegal election actions and abuses.

The Chamber membership is secret but is reported to be mainly large non-city owned corporations and businesses with a little smattering of small Scottsdale businesses mixed in.

It’s also reported that over 50% of their membership is actually in Phoenix (Kierland Commons and others on the Phoenix side of Scottsdale Road) which means that the "Area" part of their name is correct and also very telling if you think about it.

That said, it makes you wonder why they are so interested in the Discovery Triangle, light rail, and the annexation of part of Papago Park? DUH!!!

It’s the Chamber Elitists against the citizens and taxpayers. Who do want to have control of the growth of our city?

The only candidates we see from our investigations that have shown they will independently uphold and regrow the uniqueness and financial independence of Scottsdale are:

Councilman Bob Littlefield

Bob is the only councilman who stays on top of citizen issues is by always attending every citizen organization meeting and other meetings where the non-elitists learn what the masses would like to see from their city government.

Bob will talk to any citizen on the phone or meet with them if asked. Can you say that about most other council people?

Bob is adamantly against any type of rail system or overhead wires on Scottsdale Road and will fight continually, long and hard to stop those plans which are strongly supported by the Chamber and their cronies, Klapp, Ecton, Borowsky, and possibly McCullagh. Borowsky keeps all her contact information under wraps and can only be found out on the town some evenings except for the council meetings which she is required attend. We predict she will run for mayor in 2012. Any one want to bet? Better yet, can she buy the mayors office like she (or Daddy?) bought the council seat?

We never know where Mayor Lane will vote anymore, it seems he has succumbed to drinking the Kool Aide and has seemingly turned against those who put him in office who sadly now see Lane as Queen Mary 2 or Queen Mary Lite.

Guy Phillips

Is a quiet, down to earth all around nice guy with the ability and deep desire to act independently from any organized political group or local organization to make sure Scottsdale returns to the economic giant it once was by turning away the out of city and out of state vultures who blow into town, ask for subsidies, build garish buildings, then leave town with the money not caring what happens after they are gone.

Guy is adamantly against light rail of any kind on any of our city streets, believes strongly in protecting the Preserve, and feels that there needs to be a much stronger move to build the small business community with or without the help of the tainted Chamber and their cronies.

Guy has lived in the valley all of his life and with his family in Scottsdale for the last 20 years with his children attending Scottsdale schools.

Guy owns a successful small business in Scottsdale and knows how to budget, make good economic decisions, and find out what’s really going on in areas where problems exist.

Guy is not supported by city elitists, developers, big money, or anyone affiliated with the Chamber or their big money members because he feels they are the one’s who are tearing apart his beloved Scottsdale.

Guy is just an ordinary, hard working citizen like you and me who has decided that, even though he doesn’t have a lot of money to "buy" the council seat like a few others have done, and will attempt to do again in this election, the citizens will hopefully see through the faux statements and hollow promises the others will make in their plethora of ad’s, mailers, etc. to gain your support.

Bob and Guy are the only Candidate’s who will help keep the Chamber and their cronies somewhat under control if elected until the next election in 2012 when we can throw out the rest of the bad apples.

Described by many as a city Elitist and a member of the local power broker crew. Linda served on the Executive Board of the Scottsdale Chamber, was the chairperson of the Cultural Council whose budget really needs to be audited for irregularities. The Cultural Council has apparently never been audited and it is some taxpayer money they are operating under.

Do you really think Linda can be an independent council person with her direct connections to the Chamber, city power brokers, and other city Elitists?

Described by many as a city Elitist, but a nice man. Served as a council person for one term.

Do you really think Ned can be an independent council person with his connections to the Chamber, the city power brokers, and being a local real estate broker?

Described by many as a nice guy, but also a city Elitist. Served as a council person for one term under Mayor Campana, a Chamber member, life member and past president of the Scottsdale Charros, and local multi business owner.

Do you really think Dennis can be an independent council person with his positive opinion and membership in the Chamber, as a licensed attorney, multiple business owner, and member of the Arizona Bar Association?

Wayne has been a Chamber dooby since day one. He has never seen a chamber idea he didn’t like. We can see him voting for light rail and refusing to let the voters make that decision should push come to shove, even though that has been legally determined to be the direction the council would have to go to approve Light Rail.

Ecton tried desperately through many cagey covert actions within city departments to stop Richard Funke (now deceased) from putting together the only authentic historic city block in the immediate downtown area which is being called "Charles Miller Square" at the corner of 1st Ave and Goldwater Blvd. It has 6 original restored city founders homes including the original homes of Charles Miller, and 2 original homes of the Paul’s Hardware family. The homes have been restored to their original condition and are a huge historic asset to our city.

Richard refused to build another "ugly tower" which he said the downtown didn’t need even though he could have made more than an additional million dollars or more by building a tower.

Sadly, Richard passed away from cancer before he could finish his dream. His son Ben is trying very hard to continue in his dad’s footsteps and we’ll all be ecstatic when "Charles Miller Square" is completed and open for business.

Wayne Ecton has also publicly admitted on the record that he shut off the water to an African town until they capitulated with the demands of ALCOA when he was one of the honchos for ALCOA.

Hasn’t Wayne been around long enough and caused enough heartaches and headaches for city residents and taxpayers?

Based upon his checkered history as a city councilman, do you really think Wayne can be an independent council person with his close association and agreement with the Chamber and other city power brokers? Why would we want to re-elect someone who did everything in his power to stop a historic city block from being built or shut off the water to a small African town?

Have you ever wondered why most important city meetings where many major decisions are determined are held during work hours for the vast majority of the city taxpayers and the working class with the exception of the city council meetings?

Have you ever wondered why the Chamber representatives, lobbyists, and the representatives and lawyers of and for the developers are allowed to meet one on one with some commission, board, and council members with out any recording or written record of the meetings?

Isn’t it time those meetings were recorded for future reference? After all, the discussions involve the well being and future of our city and it’s residents don’t they?

Isn’t it time those meetings were held after 6pm so the working class can attend and give their vocal input, being that most paper input is ignored if even read at all?

Isn’t it interesting that most of the advisory boards and commissions that don’t make those decisions meet in the evenings?

Shouldn’t it be required that ALL decision making boards and commissions meet at a time where the working class can attend and be involved instead of only hearing the decision when it goes in front of the council?

How many times have you, or have heard of someone, meeting with the city manager or another city official, getting a answer from them that makes sense and is agreeable only to feel the proverbial smoke up the butt syndrome when it come forward publicly?

It’s time that lobbyists and all others that meet with city officials of any level on city property or in any official status, have a recorded transcript of that meeting so it can be referred back to if necessary.

Folks, we have been snookered too many times and it time the bright light of honesty was placed squarely in front of each and every meeting when it concerns any and all building, code or zoning changes, or any other issue that will change a specific way the city is operated.

Have you ever wondered why the Council has "Morning Breakfasts" during working hours for most city residents?

Could it be that those breakfasts are for the privileged class, elitists, lobbyists, developers, lawyers, and other professional people who either do business with, or want something from the city………… and the taxpayers are paying for them?

Wouldn’t it make more sense to have a cocktail party sans the booze where everyone pays a nominal entry fee to pay for the snacks?

Guess what…… the movers and shakers of the city wouldn’t attend because they couldn’t do what they would normally do without the prying eyes of the taxpayers around!!

Many of us have watched in total amazement and disbelief as the city traffic department brain trust has screwed the pooch on far too many projects and occasions.

Infrastructure:

For a number of years, we have been complaining about the condition of the residential sidewalks, streets, gutters and curbs in the older areas of the city, many over 60 years old. After doing some investigation we found that the city has only (1) ONE 2 man crew that does this repair work city-wide! Yet we see all kinds of work being done on other streets which it’s claimed are busier therefore are deemed more important.

The work on Indian School Road is one of many examples. Why was so much money spent on secondary lighting and medians when the overhead lighting was very adequate for lighting the roadway? Why was a fancy median installed which wasn’t needed or shouldn’t have been a priority in the current state of our economy? Why couldn’t that money been spent on the basic infrastructure of our sidewalks, curbs, gutters and streets?

Street Safety Striping:

We also fought long and hard to have the department restripe a residential collector street that runs adjacent to an elementary school. The street had been striped for decades, but then we had a new "Brain Trust" take over and they denied that the stripe ever existed. That was until we showed them the drain grate in front of the school showing where it had been painted over in yellow many times. We finally got our street striping, but not the needed protection for the school kids, at least not yet.

The Hayden Wall:

Then we have the new "wall" on the east side of Hayden south of Indian School Rd where the cable system used to be. What a farce the new wall is and it doesn’t meet the recommended safety levels due a city of our caliber, speed of the roadway, and more importantly the needs as expressed by the neighborhood.

The neighbors are very angry in the manner in which the wall was built and finished compared to how they were told it would be done. It was supposed to be higher, have some stamped or embedded decoration, and it was to protect the homes. Our understanding is that an environmentalist expert designed the wall, not an engineer trained and certified in traffic control and containment.

The nationally recommended structure for a wall of that design dictates that it be built in the form of an internationally approved "Jersey Wall" which eliminates most damage to vehicles and the structure itself while protecting other assets as required.

The current wall they have constructed isn’t high enough, has a tendency to pull vehicles into it instead of safely pushing them away because of the straight vertical wall on the traffic side and a 3" x 3" rough concrete out facing lip on the top. The wall is too short to keep high profile vehicle from climbing over it and into the frontage road and maybe even a home. In addition, although promised, the ends of the wall do not stop invading vehicles. They in fact catapult them into the homes because of the sloped beginning of the wall at each end constructed of solid concrete.

There should have been either a deflection wall or 8" x 9’ concrete and rebar filled posts placed 3 or 4 feet apart, buried 5 or 6 feet into the ground in the curve of the street entry to contain any errant vehicles from slamming into homes along Hayden. The current wall is poorly designed as far as safety is concerned which now makes the homes far more vulnerable than they were with the cables. Aesthetically, it’s just a flat, dumb, ugly and expensive but useless wall.

Street Resurfacing:

In the airpark area, there are a lot of streets being resurfaced. That’s all good and fine except better than 50% of the buildings in a number of the areas involved are vacant which means the traffic is minimal on those streets. So much for planned and reviewed frugal spending of the taxpayers dollars.

How many southern neighborhood residential streets have been resurfaced in the last 15 years? How many cracked, broken, or missing sidewalks, curbs, or gutters have been replaced ever? Allowing those items to remain in such continuing deteriorated condition allows rain and other water to permeate under those structures which negatively affects the condition of the utility systems under those structures as well as the basic roadbed itself.

Indian Bend Wash:

In 1980, the voters approved a bond to build a bridge over the Indian Bend Wash. We finally got our bridge in 2009, almost 20 years later. In addition, the bridge that was initially designed and approved by the public wasn’t built. It was supposed to mirror the bridge over the wash at Scottsdale Road with the same style lighting, some observation points over the wash, and other amenities the public had asked to have and had approved.

What we got was a Plain-Jane bridge without the matching amenities along the bridge at Scottsdale Road nor the amenities we were told would be built. Instead we got the garish gargoyles……… go figure.

Does the bridge do the job? Sure, but it’s not up to the much higher standards Scottsdale is known for requiring and expecting.

Conclusion:

We need to remove the current management and team leaders of engineering team in the City Traffic and Transportation department for failing to act in the best interest of the citizens. They refuse to listen to the citizens unless forced to do so and they frankly are very upset if a citizen knows more than they do.

Instead of listening to the knowledgeable citizens, they’ll tell you they "go by the book". In actuality, the "book" they use is very flexible and is not written in stone. It’s written with the understanding that reasonable additions or actions can be made based on a number of situations, or mitigating circumstances.

The real problem is that the super ego driven engineering staff doesn’t want to be bothered with the ideas and extensive knowledge provided by the citizens and taxpayers of Scottsdale because the staff is sure that they are the "Expert Brain Trust" and shouldn’t be questioned by a mere taxpayer or citizen.

If you live in an area governed by an HOA it would be wise to make sure that contact information held by the city is current, and you just might want to sign yourself up, too.

If you don’t live in an HOA there is a way to sign yourself and your neighborhood.

Ok, Southern Scottsdale residents have been comfortable in their ruts for a number of years, not being cursed with too many development projects, but those days are over.

This is where Scottsdale must address economic revitalization and growth. Right next door, a block down the street, may be two blocks, but it will come and it will change your neighborhood.

The Downtown Infill Incentive District, though used only in the Downtown Planning Area, does impact the residential neighborhoods on the fringes of Downtown; those that lie in the Southern Scottsdale Community Planning Area. The Neighborhood Notification was abysmal at best and many residents outside of the Downtown have been blindsided many times.

The Downtown Planning Area was approved in July 2009 and the Southern Scottsdale Community Planning Area goes before Council this October. September 28 is the Noise Ordinance.

There are public notification requirements that have been in place for years and years as Scottsdale was growing and developing and depending on large parcels of open space and master planned communities for growth.

Letting the residents know what is taking place in their neighborhood is critical. So, the Scottsdale Activist is taking this space to include information on how and why you can stay informed.

We can’t do it all for you, but we can make it a bit easier. The following is taken from the city’s website:

Neighborhood Notification Program

In response to requests by Scottsdale citizens for updates on current participation opportunities, the City has created the Neighborhood Notification Program to help identify and obtain contact information for neighborhoods, enabling information to be provided directly to neighborhood leaders and groups.

By listing your group, the Neighborhood Notification Program becomes a vital tool in enhancing communication between your neighborhood and the City; and more importantly, between you and your neighbors.

By listing your neighborhood, you, or a designated neighborhood contact, will receive direct, accurate and timely information about government open houses, community meetings and survey requests affecting your neighborhood. With this information, you and other neighbors can participate effectively in providing input to the City on projects and issues from a neighborhood perspective.

In order to list your neighborhood, you and other nearby residents should sit down together and complete the following five simple steps:

Here are just a few examples of the many services available to all Scottsdale neighborhoods:

What's Happening in My Neighborhood?

Several city departments joined forces and combined resources to provide a snapshot view of most activity that typically occurs in a neighborhood, providing real-time information about construction activity, development requests, building permits, code enforcement notices and crime activity for the last 6 months.  Search results can be viewed as a list or on a map.

The city council, through Mayor Lane, city manager David Richert and Planners Don Hadder and Daryl Workman, approved most of what the HOA wanted over the adamant protests of most residents and protectors of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve of the northern Scottsdale area. All of this apparently because of a company called Tri-Advocates, who just happen to have one of the principles living in the subdivision and it's said have an "in" with the city for some unknown reason.

In addition it is claimed that favors were due and are now paid, but of course we cannot prove that one way or the other because neither Tri-Advocates or Dave Froehlich, nor the board of the Carriage Hills HOA will discuss the situation with us or anyone else but their confidants.

Can you pronounce, then say Elitists and Favoritism!!

The sad thing is that they trampled the entire Preserve protection provisions by allowing plants that shouldn't be included and are not on even the latest approved list.

The HOA grossly mislead their property owners into thinking everything had been taken care of when in fact there are still many plants, trees, and shrubs that are NOT allowed and are still in the subdivision which need to be removed, such Italian Cypress still there, Pine trees still there, Mexican fan palms and Queen palms, all still there. Oleanders, still there , rosemary still there. No removal of the non-complying lantana, (the 90 or so lantana recently put in along 90th way) they are all still there as are bougainvillea, citrus trees, any non-native tree over 20' in height or other non-native plants.

Reason: Code enforcement has it's hands tied by an inept city legal department who refuses to allow fines to be levied against the violators who are obviously not in compliance.

Gee, could the city staff be in cahoots with Tri-Advocates or the HOA president and board? Great question isn't it?

The HOA president said he'll get all plants approved if he can no matter how long it takes to make the process work for him.

Can you again pronounce, then say Elitists and Favoritism!!

In the meantime, all other violators in the entire city are held to very strict rules and stiff fines.

What's wrong with this picture?

The city has set aside Saturday, October 9^th as the day to recycle your unwanted electronic equipment (computers, hard drives, printers, other computer electronic accessories as well as TV’s, VHS or DVD players, etc).

You can drop off you electronics between 7:30am and 2pm at the city’s Corporate Yard located at 9191 E San Salvador Drive, which is east of 90^th Street and south off Via Linda.

Well Ozites, it has been some amount of time since we last chatted, but in reality nothing has really changed other than many of my fears of what the future held for the city from the last election have come true.

Let’s make it clear from the start; I am going to be honestly truthful with my personal opinion of things and also without the editors editing (but I know he will), quite blunt.

North Scottsdale voters are and have been the biggest problem in this city because the reality is they may think they are the elite but have their heads so far up their butts that even in the event we got them to line up in front of a power pole with a tow truck winch, we could still not pull their heads out of their butts to save their lives in understanding anything about how they have voted over the last ten years.

But yet get this; we have been telling them for the last 5 years that the cow dung is getting ready to hit the fan development wise in their area like the council, chamber, and developers have tried to do in the south.

And now they are whining and screaming about commercial development coming into their areas and how they are so disappointed with certain council members and the city staff…

Boooo Hooo!

You kept voting these rats into office you dummies and now you want to start crying the blues?????? The south tried to warn you about these things a number of years ago but you, thinking we were stupid and knew nothing, never paid attention as to what was going on, so all I can say to you now is "maybe you can pull your heads out of your butts and vote with some common sense" but since we don’t have anyone running for office that we can trust other than Littlefield and Phillips, you are all screwed yet again!

Really , lets look at what is running for election for a second!

Millhaven or whatever the heck her name is; a well known Scottsdale chamber crony who supports light rail right up Scottsdale Road, now says she supports joining David Roderique our out of touch past economic general manager in his venture for the "Discovery Triangle" as quoted in the rag of a paper we have called the Scottsdale Repugnant. She also made some comments in the same rag like she had a clue as to what the heck is going on in the South (NO WAY) and her ideals (ultra lame as they are) for the corridor of McDowell and Scottsdale.

Dennis Robbins is the next subject and you have to wonder yet again why another Chamber patsy like him would even think about running for office again, yes again since he was totally useless the last time he had a 4 year stint as a "public leader"?

Ned O’Hearn, here is another lost cause and it is amazing how he could even think about letting the past Mayor, Queen Mary send out e-mails saying that they should support this person for office again. Excuse me Ned, but did you not endorse 36 million in taxpayer money for the world’s largest (Wal-Mart) retailer to set up shop at the old Los Arcos site with limited liability if the store fronts went dark for up to 5 years???? Yeah right, you’re just the person I want back in office making decisions for us tax payers.

Wayne Ecton; now here is another piece of work and here is a clue for you jokers up north who have no clue how to vote.

VOTE NO ON ECTON!!!!!!!!!!!!! He’s been screwing you over since day one!!

Guy Phillips is really a very nice and involved resident and local business owner. He has made the public effort to even come and chat with some of us and I give him credit for coming straight out and saying he was against light rail and a number of other city council and staff follies. (He is meeting with a number of citizens over the last weeks so that he can get the real opinions from the citizens to whom Lane, some council members, Richert and many other staffers refuse to listen).

I just wish I had the chance to revote on our Mayor so that I could push a drive for a write-in candidate who at least had some huevos.

I would talk about code enforcement in the city but again that is another useless conversation as boards, commissions, task forces and even those pesky residents have made it clear time and time again that code enforcement under the management of Malcolm the "I don’t have a clue what the heck I am doing" Hankins.

I mean let’s face it, the department is seemingly non existent in the community anymore as we have reverted back to where residents started nearly 10 years ago because of the lame city legal department and inept city attorney who stops every attempt to fine a citizen for any valid infraction.

So what does are great all-knowing city manager do about this issue? Nothing!

What does Raun Keagy do about the issue since he has been placed back in charge of the department? Nothing!

What does our glorious council of elected chamber clones do about the problem? Nothing!

What do the people running for office say about the problem? Nothing, except for Littlefield and Phillips who call the situation deplorable and unacceptable!

One of the main points that have been made in numerous articles and studies regarding redeveloping the mature areas of the city as well as downtown has been making them clean and safe.

The police department has done a great job with making them safer but what happened to the other part of the puzzle is what I would like to know, and just who plans on fixing the problems again???

If the management "Brain Trust" can’t fix the issue than fire their sorry butts and save the taxpayers the money of useless employment!

Let’s try talking about the Planning and Development office and that office of employment where everything they do contradicts whatever another portion of that department might be working on.

Here is a perfect example of the stupidity that rules in this city and why the entire council other than Bob needs to go!

The Southern Scottsdale Character area plan speaks volumes about what community members have talked to staff about and is a "decent" piece of work that has finally came out of the planning department.

However the other issues the council is getting ready to pass such as the text amendment for the R1-7 zoning areas which makes up 90% of the residential areas in the south completely slaps the character area plan in the face with stupidity and counter production.

Quickly here is the issue; the city council sent the amendment back to the boards for three reasons.

These are the educated result from the planning department and Connie Padian, the queen in charge of this department?

Here is the kicker and the sticking point as to why it never passed the first time. In order to protect the community character from enclosures like this photo shot.

The solution brought forward was this;   

This is the protections that have been afforded to property owners because this useless group of inept Neanderthal planners never even brought the issue to the charter review commission for discussion.

They also never took the advice of another council member who made it clear that we restrict designs all the time and that we already have legal language that could be applied to require a type of design review.

The thought of what is being proposed even goes against the Southern Scottsdale Character area plan.

Problem is that these bunch of Nimnals in office will pass this because they have no clue what they are doing, what is going on, and really don’t give a flying hill of beans about you, your home, your community, and your property values, just the chamber and the guys with the money.

Reality is that because once the voters who vote in this city vote in people like Ned "I love to give taxpayer money for WalMarts" and "I love light rail" no matter who says what Milhaven says, along with I want to be elected again Robbins; we will be screwed even more.

Couple that with "I have no clue what the hell I am doing" Ecton with "I paid 80K for 30K city council position" Borowsky, and "I am just flat out community ignorant but kiss the chamber" Klapp, and we can just continue to piss away everything in this city for the next 10 years.

Finally, and with such great respect, I would like to mention that guy we have for a Mayor who is so developmentally ignorant. I think he thinks the Eiffel Tower is a pizza joint after a number of decisions and comments he’s made of late.

Here is one of the continuing problems in this city as to why we cannot move forward as the mayor is the ball-less wonder I thought he would be in these issues and has no clue as to anything about how to redevelop anything including his receding hairline.

Face it "true Ozites", we are screwed and it is time to pack up the house and move the hell out of Dodge because there is no way we can out vote the ignorant who keep voting these idiots into office and this city is toast.

There are just so many development problems, community problems, and redevelopment problems that this city just keeps throwing one stupid plan after another into the pot that continually contradicts the general plan and even the community majority opinions that it would take another 20 years and people in office with a clue that it is not even worth arguing with these Nimnals anymore.

I was thinking it might be time to move on, which I’m sure the self-centered staffers, managers and most council members would love to hear, but that won’t be until I aggravate them even more and yet again by quoting state, county, and city law after law after law to upset their pathetically ignorant apple carts during televised council meetings…....

Michael Merrill

Scottsdale

~ 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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