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Thank you for posting the terrorism
videos! Very informative- Here are a
couple links that people may also be
interested in- More of a "stealth
jihad" on the American education
system and our young people-
(these speakers go to grade schools,
middle schools, high schools,
colleges and other places)
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Election Alert and UpDate #2
See the Table of Contents for Information
Volume 183-10 2010 Election Issue October 17, 2010
The Scottsdale Activist will not publish allegations, libelous statements, profanity, or personal attacks without a verifiable basis. All letters, columns, pictures, or political cartoons submitted must include the authors or artists name, address, daytime phone number, and email. All personal information except the author, photographer or artists name will remain strictly confidential without being released, sold or distributed in any manner. We assume no responsibility for the contents of letters, columns, or cartoons and reserve the right to—at our discretion—edit or refuse to print any submissions or parts thereto without the need for justification. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors/artists and not necessarily the opinions of The Scottsdale Activist .
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We may not be here every week or even every month, But we have our eyes and ears open for everything important to the City of Scottsdale residents!!
When it's something Important, we'll get it to you as soon as we can!!
We feel this election is one of the most important in the history of the city and the nation and that's why we came out of our cave to prepare this Election Issue to you.
We'll call these Editions
"The Last Roundup"
for a number of reasons!
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Table of Contents Pick the Article in this Table of Contents that you wish to read, then Just Click ~Election Alerts and UpDates #2 editor@scottsdaleactivist.com
~Other Stuff of Interest ~ Information You Can Use
~ Look up Prior Editions? Click on a date to open.
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~Election Alerts and UpDates #2
We are putting out the Scottsdale Activist again by popular demand. In the 12 days since we put the Activist out for the first time in 7 months we've had 19,000 hits which means the information is getting to those who have been asking. Obviously, that information need is NOT being fulfilled by any local media organization or local publication for whatever reason.
The Scottsdale Republic’s editors just have it wrong. And to a degree I understand why; they’re journalists, not publicly elected representatives with constituents that deserve open and transparent financial account information.
Their editorial of 10/2/10 calls for the rejection of the Charter Task Force’s and the Council’s recommended charter amendment Proposition 414. This proposition does not "re-structure city government" as the Scottsdale Republic states, but it amends the Charter to ensure that the treasurer’s position is consistently maintained as a charter officer, as was intended by the founders. Prop 414 importantly ensures that the intended checks & balances in our Council-Manager form of governing are upheld and that the accountability of the treasurer’s position to the Council and therefore to the citizens remains like all the other (6) charter officer positions.
The newspaper has struggled with this idea for some time. Only when your Council was finally able to free up financial information from the control of the previous city manager, and some of the costly and damaging consequences of this corrupted system became known, did the newspaper finally acknowledged the checks and balances this newly independent and accountable treasurer’s position affords us.
The change will help to ensure that we will not have a recurrence of the retirement incentive debacle, the misrepresentation of the medical leave conversion costs and the serious mismanagement of lease capitalization and debt structure. All of which has cost the city tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer resources. Prop 414 helps your Council to stand guard and vigilant against internal bureaucratic agendas and run away government growth.
It is imperative that your elected representatives can trust and hold accountable their charter officer executive team; City Manager, City Treasurer, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Auditor and the Presiding City Judge. We must have the best possible professional advice from each of them in order to do our job and be accountable to you.
The control of the growth in government is not a political issue as was once suggested by the paper. It is truly the responsibility of your elected representatives to control constitutionally and financially the workings of your government. The greater openness and accountability this proposition affords us, would have helped to avoid for example, the kind of runaway government excesses the poor taxpayers of Bell, California were shocked to accidentally uncover. We need Council members who recognize and support this important proposition, so know where your council candidates stand on Prop 414.
The other amendment propositions included in the total seven of 411 thru 417, either further confirm or strengthen charter governing policies protecting; your property from government condemnation, the arbitrary use of taxpayer resources to subsidize private entities without reciprocal and corresponding benefits to the community and, affirming and clarifying your right to petition your government. Still further, others relate to administrative fixes to the operation of your government that will assure your elected officials are able to do the job you sent them there to do. You can see further details at
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/elections.asp .
I urge you to vote for all of the Charter amendment propositions (411-417) and specifically 414.
W.J. "Jim" Lane, Mayor
City of Scottsdale
Thanks to an inept planning department, the also inept and out of touch department of Economic Vitalization, the prior mayor and her administration, and other short sighted (or No Sighted) city people, there are no single areas where any organization can go to have an event where everyone, the business, the city, and the organization win.
We used to have Los Arcos; Gone
We used to have Rawhide; Gone
We used to have a thriving Downtown without bars; Gone, except for the drunks.
So now we have our home town Greater Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club having a social event where eating food is the main object and there is NOWHERE in Scottsdale to hold such an event anymore!
Where is it being held? Desert Ridge Market Place at Tatum and Loop 101. All of the sales tax dollars go to Phoenix, the profits go to Phoenix businesses, but oh yeah, any donations go to the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club. The donations are a great thing, but giving all the profits and sales tax dollars to Phoenix is really stupid, but sadly far too typical of today’s inept, out of touch Scottsdale city government and council majority!
When will our city council, city planners, etc get their heads out of their butts and look at reality! A tourist destination like Rawhide or something like it could be put on the 80 acres at West World as it should have been when Rawhide decided to sell the land it was located upon; DUH!!!
Let’s get your heads out of your butt’s council and staff and start working for the citizens, not the developers, builders, etc.
PLEASE!!! VOTE FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CHAMBER, BUSINESSES WHO SUPPORT THE CHAMBER, OR THE BUILDER/DEVELOPERS WHO ARE TEARING OUR CITY TO SMITHEREENS WITH OVER POPULATION, DENSITY, HEIGHT, AND WORSE THAN POOR PLANNING .
~Open Letter to City Management
To: RKeagy@Scottsdaleaz.Gov ; drichert@scottsdaleaz.gov ; CityCouncil@scottsdaleaz.gov
Subject: An open letter to Mr. Riechert and Mr. Keagy regarding Southern Scottsdale and Code Enforcement
From: f8713@aol.com
CC: cogsaz@cox.net ; Azsonnie@cox.net ; nancycantor5@gmail.com; Dap0804@aol.com ; fixscottsdale@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2010 07:00:06 -0400
Dear Gentlemen,
Since I was one of the leading pesky residents a number of years ago who started the revolution against the way that code enforcement worked in this city I am at a loss for words as to how and why we have allowed this department to fall back into the same problems we thought we had finally fixed in regards to our property maintenance codes and going from reactive to proactive?
I have been noting the continual decline in enforcement in this southern section of the city and point to numerous violations that have been sitting for months and months with no action being taken by code enforcement officers. Not only no enforcement but a reality that there is not even a presence of the officers any longer in the community.
Tell me Mr. Keagy why it is that a pontoon boat that has been parked on Dianna between Granite Reef and 87th Street has been sitting on the road for nearly 4 months now and never cited?
Why is it that on Granite Reef right next to the Senior Center where code enforcement parks its vehicles they pass a house that has 6 dead palm trees right there along the road that have never been cited?
Why have numerous other violations like dead yards and overgrown yards, storage on front porches, vehicles with flat tires and parked on the streets for more than three days and obviously not running, along with the front yard parking been being ignored by code enforcement?
I don’t want to hear the excuses that Malcolm always uses nor do I want to hear from him, I want a response from you and the city manager as to what has happened to code enforcement.
While you’re at it can you explain why all of these sign locations have not been removed?
Thomas and Hayden at the Shell gas station
68th and Thomas
Thomas Road at the SRP canal (O'Hearn signs
behind the SRP fence)
All the vacant car dealer lots along McDowell
SE corner of Eldorado Park at McDowell
Next to Discount tires along Scottsdale Road
All the signs in the right of way Chaparral and Pima (new spot)
I look forward to hearing your excuses before I start sending the usual photos to back up my claims of your inept manager of this department. Maybe since this department has become such a failure again and since we are in the middle of trying to figure out how and where to cut costs we should just consider getting rid of this entire department and out source the services to some company.
Respectfully,
Michael Merrill
f8713@aol.com
~ Citizen Comments on Merrill’s Letter
Editors Note: The city has not responded to this addition to Merrill’s letter so I assume they want a full expose printed in the Activist.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen;
This continuing problem is really getting very old and costly folks!!
Could it be that this is an ongoing problem that is tied directly to the inept city legal department that seemingly refuses to enforce any of the NOV's that are due for fines or more stringent actions to be carried out in a prudent time frame? Is the Carriage Hills plant situation another prime example of the lack of legal action and a complete failure to follow the city laws and ordinances (but changed dramatically with out public hearings) by Don Hadder and Daryl Workman as approved by David Richert and the City Attorney? Or could it be the covert influence of the dreaded "Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid" of Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Korte and Rick Kidder?
How about the (wasn’t it 5?) handheld license plate scanners which the code department lost one, and the fact that no-one knows how to use them and is why the only handed out about 20 tickets in a year because only one inspector knows how to use the unit.
5K a piece and we are minus one already.. Taxpayer money folks....
How about sending me a complete list of all NOV's that are past the required time for legal action as starters? We know there are dozens of them. How about a list of habitual offenders who have not been properly prosecuted?
Why are certain employees within the code enforcement department and other departments still employed when they have been caught failing to perform their jobs efficiently while watching hours of local network TV on city time, as well as another employee being caught working on a side job using city equipment in a city facility while on city time?
Aren't the standards of Scottsdale higher than that, or did that all go away with the Dolan, Little, Manross administrations?
My question is very simple folks: who's paying whom, through whatever means, not to enforce the NOV's? Could it be groups like Tri-Advocates? Could it be HOA's that are out of control and who haven't enforced their own HOA and city regulations which could cost their unknowing property owners hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply? Maybe it's a simple case of City Attorney Bruce Washburn being totally out of touch with reality? basically inept? or could he being very in touch with those who don't want enforcement for a plethora of reasons and is following their lead?
This city needs a severe restructuring where department directors and managers are retained, hired and evaluated based on the job requirements/qualifications pre-Dolan/Manross which are far more stringent and detailed then those used now. The manager of the Code Enforcement group used to require a 4 year degree. The current manager doesn't even have an "AA" degree, nor does a manager or 2 of other departments.
Maybe it's time the Scottsdale Activist did an all out expose on some city departments and department managers and directors that are not doing their jobs beginning with the Code Enforcement department, followed by Planning, the city manager, the city water (both waste and drinking) and the city legal department. We have plenty of verified inside information we can release, we had just hoped that things would get better with the new administration so we wouldn't have to release that information; it hasn't.
Maybe we'll start by posting this response to the letter above from long time, very wise citizen Mike Merrill.............
Anyone in the city care to respond with facts and a time based action plan before we go forward with the Scottsdale Activist expose???
Respectfully,
George Knowlton
480-326-2475
fixscottsdale@gmail.com
~City’s Answer to Merrill’s Letter
Hello again Mike,
While I appreciate your and other’s personal views of our service, I have to disagree with your characterization of the Code Enforcement office. I have summarized some factual points about Code Enforcement activities in the area south of Indian Bend since July 1, 2010.
Overview of Code Enforcement Activity (past 3 months)
Percentage of Inspector Initiated (pro-active) Cases:
70.14%
Number of non-permitted signs removed:
640
Number of Inspections Performed:
More than 5,400
Editors note: Where a "case" used to be one property address no matter the number of violations for that property, we’re told now that there are between 5 and 10 different sections of the NOV which are counted as "cases" on one single property. Does that mean that in reality, there are only 50 to 60 properties inspected with a inspector staff of up to 15 inspectors???
Specific Reported Complaints:
As noted, cases have been opened for each location and each has an action or pending action. Many of the reported signs are located on private property and not subject to removal, but staff did identify several locations where signs were illegally placed and they have been removed.
Sign Complaints:
· Thomas and Hayden (Shell Gas Station): Case# 192259 Opened: The setback for Thomas Rd. is 14’ south of the inside sidewalk edge, and on Hayden it is 18’ west of the inside sidewalk edge. All campaign postings at this location are currently in compliance.
· Thomas at Canal (behind fence): Case# 192260 opened: The setback is 29’ north of the side walk. The inspector called the property owner and informed him of the violation. The property owner stated that he will have the two signs removed.
· NE McDowell and 77th (private property near Eldorado Park): Case# 192254 opened: The setback is 14’ north of the inside sidewalk edge on McDowell Rd. and 16’ west of the sidewalk edge on 77th St. All campaign signs at this location are currently in compliance.
· 2323 N. Scottsdale Road (Vacant Parcel North of Discount Tire): Case #192255 opened and inspector removed 5 campaign signs recently placed in error within the right-of-way.
· 6802/6850 E. McDowell (Vacant Toyota Dealership): Case #s 192250/52 opened and inspector removed 5 campaign signs recently placed in error within the right-of-way.
· 6910 E. McDowell (Vacant Infinity Dealership): Case # 192261 opened and inspector removed several signs
· 68th/Thomas: Case #192262 Opened and inspector removed several signs.
On Street parking: (What is the wait period for SPD to take action and how soon is it turned over to SPD by code? That time frame wasn’t given was it?)
The transient nature of vehicle parking violations will always present questionable stored vehicles on streets. Code staff continues to address these issues in a supportive role aiding the police. The recommended action for anyone interested in maintaining their neighborhood free of these conditions is to report them to our office or the police as soon as possible. We still pursue parking violations on streets proactively and in response to complaints, but not as one of our highest priorities. See additional vacant property and abatement figures below.
8614 Dianna- Case # 192194 opened: Inspector posted the boat / trailer with an intent to tow and marked the roadway. The case is referred to Scottsdale Police for additional action.
Property Maintenance:
8355 Palm-North of the Sr. Center: Inspector contacted the resident of the property and issued notice to remove the small 3-5' palm trees that were planted and did not survive.
This owner’s effort to improve their landscape is evident. The palm trees simply did not survive. We will of course work with the property owner towards compliance.
As you know, the priorities in Code Enforcement are continually evolving to reflect the desires of the community. Not surprisingly we have devoted a considerable amount of staff time towards the removal of non-permitted signs from the public right-of-way—in fact, more than 3,500 non-permitted signs have been removed since the beginning of the year and we appreciate it when locations are brought to our attention for inspection.
Another top priority for Code Enforcement is the need to stay pro-active on the maintenance and abatement of vacant / foreclosed properties. Over the past several years we have seen a dramatic increase in these types of issues and we will continue to devote significant staff resources to combat the trend.
Here are the statistics:
· Between FY 07/08 and FY 08/09 the number of abatements increased by 385%- from 13 abatements to 63 abatements
· Between FY 08/09 and FY 09/10 the number of abatements increased by 100% from 63 abatements to 126 abatements
· Between FY 07/08 and FY 09/10 (three years), the number of abatements increased by 869%
· In FY 08/09 the City contracted 47 pool drains. In FY 09/10 this number increased to 81 pools.
· In FY 08/09 the City boarded 4 properties. In FY 09/10 the city boarded 8 properties.
· In FY 08/09 the City cleared weeds/landscape at 6 properties. In FY 09/10 26 properties were abated for weeds/landscape violations.
Mike, thanks again for your note, Code Enforcement shares a goal common with our residents: the preservation of our neighborhoods and community… and we absolutely rely on you and others to report violations that we may not yet have seen. This is the type of collaborative approach that has served us well since we made the conscience decision to move from a reactive to a pro-active approach and I appreciate your continued involvement and contribution to our community. As always, I am happy to meet with you to talk about how we can better work together.
Raun
Code Enforcement
~How about the NOV’s at Patterson Ranch for trail blockings on the existing and established trails? Staff informs us they need to allow the blockers their chance to abandon but we think Code Enforcement should be citing immediately to force compliance with the city codes and ordinances.
~Does this mean we should expect for the code department to "lose" some of those $1,100 noise meters too? Gentlemen, you have gained another activist!
~Are you trying to tell me that these people supposedly drive our city streets and cannot see obvious violations? PLEASE!!! Fire them all and let the citizens do the work and we’d clean up the city in a few weeks, especially if we bypassed the stupid city legal department.
~ I live in the north and am totally disgusted with the way staff sold out all of the residents other than the Carriage Hills subdivision. Who did Carriage Hills pay off? How dare they without a public hearing? Now we have the city manager trying to double or triple the density and add too many commercial areas when they wouldn’t let Henry Becker open an assisted living home to care for his mother. I’ll bet big money that Becker will sue the pants off this stupid city legal department, planning, and any other department he fells screwed him over then allowed stuff all over the north.
~ A couple of years ago, I used to see marked Code trucks sitting at an office in Papago Plaza at Scottsdale and McDowell for hours. When you looked in the windows, all they were doing was laughing and BS’ing. And we’re paying for that? No wonder the citizens are really pissy. How about when you see a number of Planning Dept vehicles parked for more that 30 minutes? Same issue, we the tax payers are being robbed.
~ What happened to the monthly sweeps that used the entire inspector staff to successfully run an entire area that were used prior to Hankins to sweep one area a month and issue violations as needed. They worked. Hankins has ruined the department with Keagy’s approval. Does Hankins ever leave the office? Why is he still working for the city? He wouldn’t make a pimple on a good inspectors Butt.
~ I live in Carriage Hills and I can tell you that NOTHING has been done by the city to correct the violations that are obvious and against even the new city code such as it is. Lantana and Bougainvillea are still there as are many other unauthorized plants and trees. Why?? Why isn’t the 20 foot limit and removal of all citrus being enforced? What is code enforcement waiting for? Are they waiting for another payoff or something? I cannot believe this incompetent city staff, city legal department, and council can be considered to have any credibility at all anymore.
~Amazing! When we had 5 inspectors, we got far more work done than we do now and the city isn’t any larger. HOA’s take care of much of the newer areas, except for that one up north, Carriage Hills I think, So why are things not being done? Why can I drive down a MAIN city street like Hayden, Indian School, Scottsdale Road, etc and see a bunch of violations? With the facts as they obviously are, God only knows what’s happening on the residential streets.
~Why should we have to call on problems, especially reoccurring one? Seems that some people are able to talk CE into backing off while others are stuck with expensive options which have stringent time limits and no other options. Boy, that sure sounds fair to me, doesn’t it to you taxpayer? Yeah, Right.
Other comments
~After reading the Activist Update "What Does $28,749 X 3 Buy During an Election??" (in this edition below), I’m hopefully the people will not be fooled by the onslaught of slick mailers and other expensive ads from the special interest candidates, who now have $60,000 apiece to play with because of the above "donations"! If you want to save the city, Vote for the candidates who are not sponsored by the Chamber, developers, or those who are trying to buy a position or are interested in buying a city contract. The only 2 I know that are not "on the take" in some manner are Littlefield and Phillips. I’m only voting for 2 for council, the Activist said we don’t have to vote for 3, I checked it out and they are correct.
~My O my Oh MY! So glad the Activist exposed the candidates Ecton, Milhaven, and Robbins who have accepted the $29,000 each from S/W Ambulance. Political favors anyone? That just made up my mind who NOT to vote for. Gee, that leaves only Phillips and Littlefield who are apparently the only documented "honest" ones in the bunch. Ecton is a has-been and the other 3 are factual takers of favors (which is legal unless they vote for anything concerning those who made the contributions). O’Hearn has nothing to show except for a serious flip-flop on city subsidies when he was a council member concerning Los Arcos and WalMart. Scottsdale is going in the toilet if anyone but Phillips and Littlefield are elected.
~How the hell did we ever get stuck with David Richert as city manager? Yes we needed to get rid of John Little, but Richert? Come on folks! I worked in the department he was over in Phoenix and he’s a dud with no ability to lead unless there is something in it for him; like tying Scottsdale to Phoenix with light rail, the Discovery Triangle, etc. Do I need to go on with more? He never made a decision his developer friends didn’t like; try City North. He’s going to do the same thing to Scottsdale. The citizens are no way as stupid as the council on this one.
~ I was voting for Milhaven, Ecton, and Robbins until I saw your expose on the huge amount of money they received from South West Ambulance. I have also met with Guy Phillips and have found him to be an extremely knowledgeable about Scottsdale and I was impressed with his passion about saving Scottsdale from the Developers and the Chamber without damaging any of our income generating potential. Mr. Editor, I know that Mr. Phillips doesn’t have the deep pockets, chamber support, Recommendations from the Scottsdale Republic, or that of the developers so would you be so kind as to put his letter header in your next edition?
I think you can see that he is what he says he is; down home honest and dedicated to making Scottsdale all it can be. Thank you in advance. Oh yes, I will be voting for only Bob Littlefield and Guy Phillips and will vote for all Charter changes in the upcoming election. Thank you and your staff so much for coming back to educate the voters and the residents as to what is REALLY going on in our city, we sure can't get it from the Republic.
~ We would like to sincerely like to thank the staff of the Scottsdale Activist for spending their time keeping us informed of what's going on in this city that we don't know about. What is this city coming to? Everyone needs to get out and vote to help clean up the mess this city is currently experiencing.
~ It would seem to me that if Milhaven, Robbins and Ecton were honest, they would have refused the donations from Southwest Ambulance. Kind of says something about their character doesn't it???
Well Ozites here we are again in the midst of dealing with the council majority of Numbskulls.
Why do they earn the titles of Numskulls? That is because of the numerous moves they make as they Kow-tow to the city departments that are just out to screw over the original areas of Scottsdale and now even the newer sections of Scottsdale (namely you non-listeners and non-believers up North).
Since most of the South, if not all of the South has had it with trying to fight city hall and make them understand the meaning of community, community values, and what the community wants, trust me when I say that I understand why so many have just thrown up their hands in disgust and exasperation and have said "screw it" and no longer participate!
Why is it that attendance for any meeting the city holds for input on "anything" are attended by about 10 people anymore?
Because residents have again just said flat out, "screw it"!
I mean really, I do understand why this has happened and it is not a true disconnect with wanting to participate in the process. It is the fact that no matter how hard or how much we participate in the process, staff always comes back to the council with crap we never stated we wanted or worse yet with what the staffs own version of what "they think" we said. Of course our council will fall all over themselves with anything that a developer and staff come to them with because they are all in someone’s pockets in some manner or just plain inept and ignorant.
Let’s take a quick look at the past starting from the most recent follies.
- Infill Incentive – AKA the city development and planning department’s new chic wording for redevelopment zone. Here we have so many changes with expedited planning approval which in all cases has led to failures in providing the necessary checks and balances in development. Think I am kidding? Then ask all those folks up North whose homes flood or cannot get to their houses or even out of them after a rain.
Ask all the taxpayers, businesses, and residential areas that are continually being torn up time and time again for necessary updates to water, sewer, and other utilities because we have approved projects with new heights, densities, land uses not compatible with the existing infrastructure.
- The Solis project that has not even scratched the surface of being built and in reality never will be no matter what the market does. Instead the council went against residents with the most stupid of logic regarding the substation issue that it just smacked the face of residents and their outrage of being ignored as to community, community values, and community meaning.
- The Hanover Project which still sits with nothing being built and I think the Developer may have even gone under, and now leaving the project dead forever and a blighted area with the once revenue generating Village Inn shuttered along with the hotel behind it. This was a project where the council in their Kow-Towing to the developers and the city planning and development department fell all over themselves to destroy a character area plan and approve something that would have never taken off and would have become the next Albatross of the Downtown. Come to think of it, what will it really mean for the Southern Scottsdale Character area plan if the council can just ignore a character area plan at a whim? And you wonder why we all have thrown our hands up and said "screw it"?
- Sky Song, AKA Sky Flounder, Sky Diaper, Sky Loser, the Tree Farm, or as we have heard recently "The Big Sucking Sound of the South". Here is a project that touted vision in so many areas and what we ended up with was Soviet Era housing buildings.
Apartments that were never allowed in the lease as residential were a no-no.
The contract required retail is non-existent as of yet and in violation of the development agreement with the "citizens of the city". The development agreement called for retail on all bottom floors of the buildings and with the first two buildings being built, there is absolutely no retail on any bottom floor or anywhere else on the property for that matter.
Trust me when I say we could name a number of other issues like the Main Street Project which was a failure and the home of Councilman Ecton. Or we could mention the project that the Mayor got blasted about that never even got off the ground which was a former friend of his as the developer and I cannot touch the name of it right now but it was a condo project along Scottsdale Road and I think Earl that had so many amendments to development standards it created its own new zoning language.
Maybe the X–lofts will ring a bell for some as they have been trying to discount those suckers for a few years now and still can’t move them. They are ugly as a dirty mud fence and totally vacant and unkempt.
The newest folly we in the South and Downtown can expect will be the decision of whether we should build another tax sucking convention style project by a developer that already has such a failed past (See last weeks Activist http://www.scottsdaleactivist.com/#Global Enter ) it is not even funny or a project with residential and retail in it.
Get ready to buy tickets to a Chamber of Scottsdale "Which way now again Scottsdale" convention in our new highly subsidized, light rail studded, ASU Sky Flounder touted convention center folks because the pattern will repeat itself and residents will once again throw their hands in the air and just say "screw it!"
Let’s talk election hoopla for a second Ozites as I was quite amused by the Oz Repugnant’s article claiming the dissatisfaction of a recent campaign advertisement that did nothing but speak the truth about certain candidates running for the city council.
What I found funny was that the rag stated that it is yet another negative advertisement in yet another city election cycle.
Wait, back the Oz train up a second and explain to me since when it is a negative campaign if it is stating the truth???
Didn’t Ned O’Hearn vote to give a subsidy to Wal-Mart, the world largest retailer to the tune of something like 36 million taxpayers dollars when he was the council member who prior to the Wal-Mart project, was adamant that the city shouldn’t give subsidies???? Oh yes he did and it is on the record.
O’Hearn was also employed by a company back that which also touted Wal-Mart being one of their customers and I know for a fact that it was the truth because I exposed it and asked the city attorney to declare a conflict of interest and we all know how that turned out. So my question is where was the lie and was it wrong to bring the truth out to the public in that advertisement, as well as how is that a negative ad???
Millhaven is another fine choice to be running of at the mouth. Did anyone catch her response to the rag????
I guess she thinks it was okay to ask the council to subsidize the Arts Center ticket losses while they were doing remodeling work (which again was being done with taxpayer money) and I am not sure how that became the taxpayers problem that we had to pay for the loss of ticket sales. So in reality the ad again spoke nothing but the truth and again I wonder how that could be considered negative and why Linda the Light Rail Queen is so bent out of shape.
Oh yes folks let’s not forget that Linda Milhaven is a large supporter of light rail and has some crazy wild idea that the community would support spending yet millions upon millions more of taxpayers’ money for a useless venture that will shutter businesses, create condemnation issues, and resolve residents and taxpayers millions more per year to pay for maintenance issues. Even though it’s on record through public pressure that any rail system within the city MUST be approved by the voters, she thinks she can change that!
As for Mr. Ecton he had no comment because he already knew that what was stated in the ad was the truth so what could he say? Better off to be silent instead of acting like idiots like the other two did. Isn’t Wayne Ecton the one who tried every avenue available to stop the now deceased Richard Funke from building the historical "Charles Miller Square" at Goldwater and 1st St in downtown? It will be finished by Richard’s son Ben.
Please Ozites!!! Get a clue about who you are voting for and for once in your lives do a little research on the Numbskulls you keep electing into office!
Finally let’s take a second and chat about code enforcement in this city since we already know that there is nothing that can be done regarding planning and development and that nightmare situation.
As you can note by the e-mail exchange that I am going to assume got posted in this edition you can see that things in this department have again slipped to the lowest levels in probably 7 years and that Raun Keagy is now trying to dazzle us with his numbers and percentages.
I mean really Ozites just how stupid does he think the residents who have been watching code enforcement for the last 8 years are?
How stupid is the council to again just sit there on their hands and not do anything about the repeated slip in the supposed "outstanding services" that we are supposedly known for?
I forget some times that our council is not populated with the brightest tools in the shed as one of their recent screw ups was to think about outsourcing the solid waste department. You know, the guys who have consistently turned in green pools, illegal dumping in alleys, and doing a great job in the south at keeping the alley ways clear and clean for the last 8 years since we talked to them about the issue.
I am not sure how many times we have to try to beat this through the councils head but if you cannot clean up the areas that need to be cleaned up and you cannot maintain those levels of service, than you are never going to be able to revitalize an area and it is going to do nothing more than work against the economic health of an area. I have to say this is not a rocket science issue here council members. Here you all are again screwing around with the real progress that is needed to attract more of whatever it is that you are trying to attract, namely retail and jobs, not more density and height which is sitting vacant all over Scottsdale.
All of us who have been involved in this issue for the last 8 years know just how bad code is sucking wind in doing their jobs so it appears that we are going to have to return to the old method of slide shows during the council meetings so "everyone" can get a peek at the reality of the issue. I’ll give them a slight break knowing full well that the city legal department has no clue and won’t prosecute NOV’s even when they are flagrant for some unknown reason.
Feel free to send me your photos in your area along with an address so I can make sure it is not one that code has already started a ticket on and I will add them to the photo show that will be coming up in a near future council meeting.
Maybe we can help the council understand that this lack of one of our supposed great services also has an effect on our property values and who knows, maybe, with any luck they might understand that. Stranger things have been known to happen you know, it just never really happens in the Kiva.
Michael Merrill
~StandDown Fairgrounds Volunteers Still Needed
If you have already signed up to volunteer at the Arizona State Fair on behalf of Arizona StandDown, we appreciate your support and you will be contacted ahead of your volunteer day to be sure you have all the information you need.
If you haven't yet signed up to support Arizona StandDown through volunteering at the Arizona State Fair, we still have plenty of days where we need your support. Below you will find a list of the days that we still need additional volunteers to meet our 13 person/day minimum requirement.
Remember, when you sign up for one 5-hour shift, it is the same as donating $53.35 to Arizona StandDown to pay for space and supplies that will be employed for homeless veterans from February 4-6, 2011 at the 10th Annual Arizona StandDown. Please go to and register to volunteer today!
Best Regards and thank you,
Brad Bridwell
Arizona StandDown Coordinator
In case you are not familiar with it, "Maggie's Place" is a charity that provides temporary houses of hospitality for expectant women who wish to achieve their goals in a dignified atmosphere. Beginning in downtown Phoenix in 2000 with accommodations for eight expectant mothers, Maggie’s Place doubled its capacity in 2002. It has since expanded and now has facilities in Tempe for six moms and in Glendale for seven moms. It has also spread out-of-state to provide facilities in Spokane for seven moms and in Cleveland for nine.
As a resident of Arizona there is a wonderful way you can help support Maggie's Place and reduce your state income tax liability. Arizona has a unique law that enables people to donate to qualifying charitable organizations that assist the working poor and, in return, get a 100% dollar for dollar tax credit (up to $400 per couple or $200 per person). Maggie's Place qualifies for the" Working Poor Tax Credit". This does NOT replace your donations to private and public schools (those are additional tax credits of which you may also take advantage). It is not a tax deduction, it is a dollar for dollar tax credit for your Arizona state income tax. In addition to the Arizona credit, you may still show your contribution as a charitable deduction on your Federal Tax form. Besides feeling great about helping to transform the lives of pregnant women and new mothers, you are also reducing your state and federal taxes. Donate up to $400 by December 31st and reduce your taxes by approximately $450 on April 15th. Now that is an offer you can’t refuse!
Forms for tax preparation time and a simple FAQ page are available at the Arizona Department of Revenue web site:
www.azdor.gov/TaxCredits/CharitableTaxCredit.aspx
You can mail your donation to:
Maggie’s Place
PO Box 1102
Phoenix. AZ 85001
You may also donate safely online at www.maggiesplace.org (click on the "support us" link).
SCOTTSDALE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER CONDEMNATION OF PRIVATE WATER COMPANY
Our Coalition exists to help protect private property rights and prevent misuse of eminent domain. It's time to stand up and fight for what we believe!
On Oct. 19, the Scottsdale City Council will consider whether or not to proceed with using government's power of eminent domain to take over a private water system owned by Arizona American Water. We need to send a clear and distinct message to Council that the voters, residents and taxpayers of Scottsdale oppose this misuse of eminent domain.
A takeover of Arizona American Water will increase water rates, taxes or both for Scottsdale residents. At a time when the City faces a $28 million deficit and cuts in City services, some Council Members are considering an eminent domain action that would raise costs to residents. Just last week, a PEW poll showed 77% of Arizonans prefer cuts in services rather than tax increases. Some Members of Council seem to think cutting services while raising taxes and fees is acceptable. What are they thinking? They need to hear from you!
Please contact Mayor Jim Lane and Members of Council this week to let them know you oppose this misuse of eminent domain. Tell your neighbors that their water bills, taxes or both will rise if the Scottsdale City Council goes forward to take over Arizona American Water.
I strongly believe a majority of Scottsdale residents oppose what some Members of Council want to do. Please, now is the time to let your voice be heard! Thank you for supporting private property rights.
Ray Torres
Chairman of the Board
ORANGE Coalition
~ On the Lighter Side
While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really? I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven..."
So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell...
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.
"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
The devil smiles at him and says,
"Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted.."
Please remember to Vote wisely on November 2, 2010
Spread the StupidityOnly in America ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
Only in America .....do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
Only in America ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
Only in America ..........do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight..
Only in America .....do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
EVER WONDER ...
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why can't
women put on mascara with their mouth closed?Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?
Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
I like this one!!!
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe,
why do they call the airport the terminal?
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the
stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe
even a chuckle)...in other words, send it to everyone. We all need to
smile every once in a while.
~What Does $28,749 X 3 Buy During an Election??
Per the Scottsdale City Clerks office:
Today (Thursday, October 7th), three (Corporate) Independent Expenditure Notification forms were filed in this office by SW General Inc. DBA Southwest Ambulance. Each notification reports independent expenditures in support of the following candidates:
Wayne Ecton, $28,749.18;
Dennis Robbins, $28,749.18;
Linda Milhaven, $28,749.17.
Southwest Ambulance has not yet registered with this office; however, under state statute, they have five days to file their registration form. We are working to get these notification forms on the web and will have them posted as soon as possible.
Funny thing: These same candidates are supported and most probably have received campaign donations from our infamous Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce?
Could it be that the city’s contract for PMT Ambulance Company is coming due for reconsideration or rebid?
Could it be that Southwest Ambulance is desperately trying to buy their way into getting the contract themselves?
Isn’t this a Huge
RED flag as to what Southwest's REAL intent is?Why vote for those candidates who receive these kinds of "Donations" from those who appear to be trying to buy a process?
Doesn't this smack loudly of underhanded, backroom deals?
How do these candidates Sleep at night??
This just verifies that the "The Rubber Stamp Council" article in this edition of the Scottsdale Activist is 1000% on target!
Should Southwest Ambulance or any agent of Southwest Ambulance try to bid on the contract, Ecton, Robbins, and Milhaven if elected,
MUST recuse themselves from ANY vote which pertains to ANY EMT, Ambulance, or Medical Response contract based upon their acceptance of $28,749.18 from Southwest Ambulance to each of the Ecton, Robbins, and Milhaven campaigns.Important, very revealing, and negative information such as this makes Unencumbered Candidates like Councilman Bob Littlefield and Candidate Guy Phillips the best candidates for the job in the eyes of many!
~Global Entertainment has Serious Problems???
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.
When we found the information early last Spring regarding the problems with the Tim’s Toyota Event (multipurpose) Center along with the lawsuit filed by Allstate Insurance (financed the bond needed for development) claiming that the plaintiffs did not provide full disclosure, our gut clinched big time. According to the Yuma Sun article, Allstate also "alleges that the 5,000-seat events center failed to break even from an operational standpoint and didn't meet the projected number of special events and paying attendance. As a result, the center fell "far short" of the revenue needed to pay the debt service on the bonds."
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."
We strongly suggest that we citizens, the council, and the city legal department keep an critical eye on some of these defendants named in the Allstate lawsuit;
Robert W. Baird & Co.;
M.L. Stern & Co.;
Edward Jones LP;
Prescott Valley Signature Entertainment;
Global Entertainment Corp.;
Fain Signature Group;
Kutak Rock;
Stinson, Morrison, Hecker;
TL Hocking & Associates;
Thomas L. Hocking;
W. James Treliving, and
Richard Kozuback. –
And let’s hope they don’t turn up here in Scottsdale.
http://venueinsider.com/arena/global-entertainment-out-in-allen-tx/
~Vote YES on Propositions 411 through 417.
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.
We strongly urge City voters to vote YES on Propositions 411 thru 417 to fix some of the problems we currently have with departments and managers having too much power to act by themselves to spend taxpayers money without council having more than one person making the pitch to spend.
~ 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,
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
~ View Past City Council Meetings
We can now access the city council meetings by clicking on the following link:
http://scottsdale.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3If 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.
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.
~ Find Great Gas Prices
Hello All,
This seems to work well. Click on the link below to Check it out. Helpful hint! Just plug in your zip code and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your zip code area. It's updated every evening.
Be a good neighbor and pass this along.
The Scottsdale Activist is published, and edited in Scottsdale AZ ~ 480-326-2475