in the East Ballroom of Chaparral Suites Resort,
5001 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Contact: Becky Fenger (602) 955-1930

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…… in Scottsdale. Tuesday, 9-19-06. On the 9pm news tonight, it was reported that light rail for Scottsdale was planned to go from Tempe to at least Downtown Scottsdale according to the map they showed with the story they ran.

Hmmmm, I immediately called someone whom I know is serving on the Scottsdale Transportation Committee and they were dumbfounded, then extremely angry because no one on that committee has said anything about using light rail, let alone light rail to ASU, or all the way to Downtown Scottsdale, or on up to "One Scottsdale" at SR 101.

You can bet your ultra sweet "Bippy" that there will be some hot and accusatory conversations with the Transportation Director Mary O’Connor over this news flash. We have always known that Queen Mary, her power broker buddies, and DRB & Associates would love light rail to go all the way from Tempe to "One Scottsdale" at Scottsdale Road and the 101 Freeway, but we didn’t know they were discussing it openly enough for TV news to pick it up and run with it.

We’re HAPPY to say that light rail doesn’t have one chance in 250,000 of even going as far as SkyFizzle if the outrage expressed by scores of citizens means anything at all.

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By Jon Caldara, for the Boulder Daily Camera

Trolleys kill.

It was fun to watch RTD go into anaphylactic shock this week when the Independence Institute released a study that merely publicized federal data. Unfortunately that data showed that Denver not only had the most deadly light-rail system in the nation, but the most energy-inefficient.

Randal O'Toole, who compiled the data for the report "Great Rail Disasters"  has an impressive record as an environmentalist. He has never commuted to work by car, but instead pedals or takes transit. He's worked for green groups ranging from Sierra Club to Colorado Open Space, and has been largely credited for reducing the amount of national forest land that gets harvested for lumber by several-fold. But don't hold that against him.

It has been his environmentalism that has brought him to crunch numbers on government-monopoly transit.

Nationwide, government transit systems have been having a hard time. No transit system carries more than 11 percent of travel. And outside of New York City, no system carries more than 5 percent of travel. RTD carries only around 2 percent. (And at rush hour over 4 percent, weeeee!)

As The Onion satirically reports, "98 percent of Americans support the use of mass transit by others."

As RTD works for your permission to impose a 67-percent tax increase this fall, they fear light shining on the myths of rail. That's the reason RTD called an immediate press conference after this report was released to call the Independence Institute "liars." Not "wrong," but "liars."

The report, which was simultaneously released by 12 other think tanks around the country, details data for America's two-dozen rail systems. Collectively, the transit systems with rail lost 33,000 transit commuters during the 1990s, according to the Census Bureau and the National Transit Data Base. By contrast, the two-dozen largest cities with bus-only systems gained 27,000 during the same time.

Let's do a little myth-busting. Today, we'll take on "light rail is safe," and "light rail is energy-efficient," since RTD is the worst at these. We'll take on "it's cost-effective, reduces traffic, solves air pollution, fast, good for the economy and land use, yada yada" as we get closer to tax-hike time.

Data show, by per-passenger mile, RTD's rail is the most deadly. RTD immediately complained that a couple of those deaths were suicides (just like in the other cities that report data) and that they haven't killed anyone lately. They claim they only kill people when they open a new rail line.

The problem is when an automobile hits another automobile, it's a fair fight, but when a light rail hits a car, it's like a scene from "Terminator."

Turns out overall that buses are much, much safer than light rail, and cars even safer than buses.

Here are the boring stats for fatalities nationally, per billion passenger miles, from the National Transit Data Base: 3.9 for urban interstate highways, 4.3 for transit buses, 11.3 for commuter rail and 14.8 for light rail.

RTD's light rail fatality rate is a startling 38.9 per billion passenger miles. If the suicides alleged by RTD aren't included, then RTD's rate is about 27, still double the national average. That's nine times more than the national average for highways.

Rail is also energy inefficient because so few ride it. I know, I know, "I was on it once and it was packed." But most of the time it runs nearly empty. The average ridership for RTD's rail is only 15 people per car. The national average is a stellar 24.

Energy consumption is measured by BTUs (British Thermal Units) per passenger mile. Here are those boring stats nationally: 3,500 for passenger cars, 4,800 for buses and 4,100 for light rail. According to the numbers submitted to the Federal Transit Administration, RTD's rail uses 9,886 BTU.

RTD now claims they reported the wrong numbers to the FTA.

The state Legislature will consider a bill requiring the state auditor to review RTD. I remember the state audit done a decade ago. RTD doesn't strongly object to the idea, so long as the audit happens after their 67-percent tax increase vote this fall.

That's kinda like buying a car and then looking at Consumer Reports.

In a post-Enron world, who could possibly object to an impartial outside state audit before a massive tax election? More important, what legislator wouldn't demand one?

Some months back I was attending a planning commission meeting when I noted one of the commissioners asked to make a text amendment and to of all things, the General Plan.

It appears he wanted to change the wording of the mobility plan to include the specific modes.

The first thing listed in the presentation was non- other than Light Rail, with all other modes of transit listed after it.

Some people would say big deal, but it is a big deal as the general plan was something the public voted on and the timing is funny for the planning commission to be so concerned about the present wording which makes no mention specifically to light rail.

Why would the planning commission be sticking it's nose into the transportation commissions portion of the General Plan and their commissions duties?

Last rumor I had heard is, one of the planning commissioners felt that Google would not move to Sky Song unless the city had light rail from Tempe to Sky Song.

This kind of makes me wonder why some council members think it would be okay to just have light rail to Sky Song.

I thought that Sky Song was supposed to be a "cutting edge" research park, not another ASU campus connected by light rail?

Thursday night I attended the joint meeting of the Planning Commission and the Transportation Commission where they were to discuss this issue.

I found it funny that the person who asked for this change in wording of the General Plan never even showed up for the meeting as well as two others leaving just 3 commissioners for the planning Commission to explain why we need to do this so quickly.

However again last night I overheard Mr. O'Neil from the planning commission make the comment that certain businesses may not move to Scottsdale because we do not have this specific wording in our General Plan, and the first word again was Light Rail.

When asked if he could name some of these businesses by one of the Transportation Commissioners he came up as blank as ASU and Sky Song.

What the intent really was is for both the planning commission and the transportation commission to send a single recommendation to the council regarding the Master Transportation plan.

Personally I am scared to death of what the Transportation Commission will approve and I would be on the verge of packing up and selling my house to know that the planning commission would have a strong say in Transportation issues.

Luckily, for now, the transportation commission had slammed the door in their faces with a unanimous vote to take no action at this time on the request, but it goes to show some other things.

What is with the power play by the Planning Commission to have a say in the Transportation Commissions area?

What is with the Planning Commission wanting to add the exact words of Light Rail to the General Plans mobility section that has never been changed since it was adopted and voted on by the public?

Why did the Planning Commissioner who made the request for this text change not even show up for the meeting?

Why was it so urgent, as explained last night by one of the Planning Commissioners, to change the text language to spell out light rail before the master transportation plan is even done?

I am not sure what was trying to be done other than creating a united voice between planning and transportation commissions for a light rail vote by both committees in which one of them has no real say anyways.

And people wonder why there is the perception of Light Rail already being a done deal in this city?

Open your eyes and quit being so dumb folks, we are about to get screwed in the wallet again if we are not careful here.

Michael Merrill
Scottsdale

A number of years ago in the best interest of the citizens of the city the driving public, and the environment, Scottsdale bought 20 very nice, larger upper middle class Hallcraft single and tri-level homes to make way for the widening of McDonald Drive even though the owners of those homes and the immediate neighborhood were very distressed over the city decision.

There is absolutely no reason why, for the same important interests stated above, that Chaparral Road should not be widened. Especially being that it is narrowed to 1 lane each direction for a half mile between Hayden and Miller and leads directly into the area north of the huge retail center of downtown.

Some have suggested that Camelback Road should be widened with a new ramp being tied into the Pima 101 Freeway. Does anyone really feel that this would be a better answer financially or morally than taking some homes, at a very fair price to the owners on Chaparral?

There is an elementary school on Camelback along with a park and a lot of very expensive homes with school age children which will cost much more to acquire than the homes on Chaparral, and that says nothing of the cost to add another on & off ramp. Camelback is already overloaded and that is partially due to Chaparral being funneled down to one lane in one area and Indian Bend Road Improvement Project not yet under way.

Council dismissed the Petition as irrelevant because the situation is currently being discussed by the Transportation Committee who will come back with their preliminary report possibly by the end of October, or by the first quarter of 2007.

We thought that was a nice dodge of the subject……….

This controversy has been boiling for a few years ever since the city manager agreed to take over the job due to a tight budget in 2001.

Again during the Mayoral election in 2004 with the budget back in good condition, Councilman Ortega asked for the treasurer’s position as outlined in the city charter to be reappointed so that we would have a full time city treasurer again divorced from the city managers position. What has been fully perceived to be a strong political move, political pressure from Mayor Manross and the city manager to maintain their total control over city monies was put on the council to make Councilman Ortega looked bad in the public eye while maintaining the city manager as treasurer. With that, the council rejected the Ortega request, so the status quo and power structure has been maintained.

Councilman McCullagh, you were one of the first and loudest who sought to change that situation again when this was voted to be brought to the council for more discussion. Word has it now that you are going to wimp out and side with the power broker side of this council. We pray that isn’t true. You, and only you Councilman McCullagh, because of your obvious 4^th vote power position, have the chance to restart the process to establish the necessary criteria to reestablish the Charter position of Treasurer you so strongly supported not long ago.

To not take that chance to restart the process as the city charter requires by voting against the Citizen Petition presented, is to weakly wriggle and wimp out of the serious responsibility and the trust the city voters put in you when you were elected.

You ran as and were elected as a fiscal conservative and friend of the citizens of Scottsdale; Vote to continue the dialog toward reinstating the city charter position of treasurer to show that the voters trust was properly placed with you Councilman McCullagh.

As suspected and widely predicted, Councilman McCullagh totally wimped out, folded his tent of fiscal conservatism and any semblance of reason or concern about the citizens of Scottsdale or the City Charter and joined the Manross led Liberal Left and City Power brokers by voting against the City Charter and those on the Council who do understand the meaning of "shall" and fiscal safe guards.

I guess the only way to get the Treasurer the citizens would like to have and as required by the City Charter is to fire the City Manager!

The Council voted down Councilman McCullagh’s initial plan to ban signs on public property and rights of way, and voted to take a new look at the entire sign ordinance to fix inequities and make sure that any new Sign Ordinance would not cause a Freedom of Speech problem or Law Suit at the expense to the taxpayers.

This was a great thing the council did by voting down the McCullagh proposal. Yes we want the sign problem solved but we don’t need to give the incumbents the supreme advantage of no signage during any election period.

~ Home of the Week

One of those highly desirable, single level brick Hallcraft homes that is nestled among other 45+ year old, well kept homes. This owner has kept this picture perfect for over 30 years! You will never find a weed or untrimmed shrub or tree on this property, anywhere!

The entire landscape and home are kept neat, painted, well trimmed and just plain lovely to look at and appreciate inside and out! The backyard is absolutely a total knockout!! This is another one of those real Scottsdale Family homes!

There are many wonderful and beautiful neighborhoods within the city of Scottsdale. Do yourself a favor and take the long way home sometime and see what other home owners are doing to improve their neighborhoods. How does your home compare?

If you know of an outstanding home which you feel should to be honored by having the picture displayed in the Scottsdale Activist, send the address to editor@scottsdaleactivist.com .

We have been asked why we don't include homes in HOA controlled subdivisions. We are looking for exceptional homes in areas where the homeowner has to be the driving force behind the beautiful home, not the HOA rules and regulations. We would definitely look at any home in a HOA controlled area that is exceptional and owner maintained rather than by a lawn or landscape service, but so far, we haven't been advised of any that meet that criteria.

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 ~ 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=3

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

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 ~ What Part of "NO"...................

What part of the "No" vote on Proposition 401 do Mayor Manross and Councilman Ecton not understand?

To suggest that "yes" and "no" confused the voters, or that the "right" voters failed to vote,  insults an intelligent citizenry that well understood exactly what was going on here - an underhanded attempt to shut down two completely legitimate and neighborly businesses presumably to make the ASU Foundation (lessees of Los Arcos property) happy.

As for the churches that supported Prop 401; having come out in support of City micromanagement of business, how can they now argue against City micromanagement of their zoning and use permits, given the extraordinary impact of the operations of churches on their residential neighbors?

Expect to see strip club regulations come back; the ASU Foundation's puppets won't have it any other way.

Michelle Aubert
Scottsdale

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 ~AAA Bond Ratings Began Under Jim Jenkins

Oh, how soon we forget that we received all the AAA bond ratings under the watchful eye of Jim Jenkins (CITY TREASURER).  I have nothing against Jan Dolan but if she is so great and you think the City Manager is the way to go I suggest that we should get rid of the City Council.  

Darlene Petersen 
Scottsdale     

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 ~ To: City of Scottsdale Transportation

Subject: Transportation Master Plan

Dear Teresa,

I'm a senior citizen and a long time resident of Scottsdale. I'm a member of TOPS, a retired Electrical Engineer, and sincerely concerned for the best interests of our people.

My nearest cross streets are 86th Street and Chaparral E-W.

Here are my recommendations: I ask that you please put them into the record of citizen's recommendations at your April 18-21 Town Hall Meetings.

Scottsdale Road:

East West Traffic Congestion:

These are my recommendations.

Sincerely,

Charles Poston
Scottsdale 85250

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~ When Shall Doesn't Mean Shall;  the Same as what the Meaning of "IS" is?

Dear Editor,

This woman, Deborah Robberson, our appointed City Attorney who is paid $160,000 per year plus perks is suppose to know all there is to know about law to protect our fine city???

Unbelievable.

I watched the council meeting tonight on 11 and according to the city attorney, "shall" can mean anything she apparently interprets it to mean.

That would be funny if it wasn’t so stupid and ignorant in my mind.

The Webster’s New World Dictionary describes "shall" as "….to express determination, compulsion, obligation, or necessity."

Google describes "shall" in the TheFreeDictionary as "…..Something, such as an order, promise, requirement, or obligation" and "Americans use shall to express an explicit obligation, as in Applicants shall provide a proof of residence, though this sense is also expressed by must or should."

From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary :

Shall:

2 a -- used to express a command or exhortation <you shall go>

b -- used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory <it shall be unlawful to carry firearms>

It is obvious to me that our city attorney doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about and for that reason, shouldn’t serve this city. I would like an explanation from someone on the council how this woman can safely and legally represent this city without getting us into a lawsuit.

The City Charter was written by laypeople for laypeople with legal assistance in the early fifty’s and that’s the way it should be interpreted. By redefining the word "shall" is like trying to explain what "Is" is.

A. Arnold
Scottsdale, AZ

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I have news for the proponents of light rail who claim it is essential to the revitalization of South Scottsdale.

The news is: South Scottsdale is already revitalized.

This week, the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau released some staggering numbers relative to revitalization investment in South Scottsdale, including the following:

Free market forces have resulted in this wonderful revitalization.  Free market forces have recognized the allure of South Scottsdale: excellent location, excellent schools, housing affordability, durability of housing stock, unique history, distinctive architecture.

The revitalization has absolutely nothing to do with SkyFlop (the ASU Technology Center, for which no building permits have yet been submitted); or with the prospect of light rail along Scottsdale Road.

Anyone wondering about the negative impact of light rail need only drive along Apache Blvd in Tempe between Rural & McClintock to witness the destruction of local businesses, and the traffic nightmares and resulting safety hazards..  The State Press of Arizona State University continues to document the very ill effects of light rail.

Michelle Aubert
Scottsdale

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The next time you hear a politician use the word "billion" in a casual manner, think about whether you want the "politicians" spending your tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

BOTH Louisiana Senators, a Democrat and a Republican, are presently asking the Congress for ^$250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans.  Interesting number; what does it really mean?

 Washington, D.C .. HELLO!!! ... Are all your calculators broken??

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~ Just for Giggles 
 

Here are some conversations that airline passengers normally will never hear. The following are accounts of actual exchanges between airline pilots and control towers around the world.

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

Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!"

Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"

============================================================
"TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees."

"Centre, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?"

"Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

============================================================
From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long take-off queue: "I'm f...ing bored!"

Ground Traffic Control: "Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!"

Unknown aircraft: "I said I was f...ing bored, not f...ing stupid!"

============================================================
O'Hare Approach Control to a 747: "United 329 heavy, your traffic is a Fokker, one o'clock, three miles, Eastbound."

United 239: "Approach, I've always wanted to say this... I've got the Little Fokker in sight."

============================================================
A student became lost during a solo cross-country flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, ATC asked, "What was your last known position?"

Student: "When I was number one for take-off."
============================================================
A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.

San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."

============================================================
There's a story about the military pilot calling for a priority landing because his single-engine jet fighter was running "a bit peaked."

Air Traffic Control told the fighter jock that he was number two, behind a B-52 that had one engine shut down.

"Ah," the fighter pilot remarked, "The dreaded seven-engine approach."

============================================================
Taxiing down the Tarmac, a United DC-10 abruptly stopped, turned around and returned to the gate. After an hour-long wait, it finally took off. A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant, "What, exactly, was the problem?"

"The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine," explained the flight attendant. "It took us a while to find a new pilot."

============================================================
A Pan Am 727 flight waiting for start clearance in Munich overheard the following: Lufthansa (in German):

"Ground, what is our start clearance time?"

Ground (in English): "If you want an answer you must speak in English."

Lufthansa (in English): "I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany. Why must I speak English?"

Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): "Because you lost the bloody war."

============================================================
Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for take-off, contact Departure on frequency
124.7"

Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."

Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for take-off behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?"

Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for take-off, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern... we've already notified our caterers."

=========================================================
One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee.

Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, "What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?"

The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a Real zinger:  "I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I'll have enough parts for another one."

============================================================
The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them.

So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways
747, call sign Speedbird 206.

Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway."

Ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."

The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.

Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?"

Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."

Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"

Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, -- and I didn't land."

============================================================
While taxiing at London's Gatwick Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727. An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming:  "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going?! I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!"

Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically:  "God! Now you've screwed everything up! It'll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don't move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?"

"Yes, ma'am," the humbled crew responded.

Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in her current state of mind.

Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high.

Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking: "Wasn't I married to you once?"

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The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question,

''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.

I was drug out to pull weeds in Mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of Dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

Author Unknown~

God bless the parents who drugged us.

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~ Here & There

Verified as accurate on www.snopes.com

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~TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN SCOTTSDALE

Sept. 21, 2006

The following is a partial list of road construction projects and traffic restrictions taking place in Scottsdale Sept. 22 through Oct. 1. For more information, contact mphillips@ScottsdaleAz.gov


SHEA BOULEVARD AT 75TH PLACE
The following lane closures will take place on Shea Boulevard at 75th Place through Oct. 10 to permit work on water lines:
** The east- and westbound median lanes will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
** Two of three westbound lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.

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BELL ROAD, THOMPSON PEAK PARKWAY TO 100TH STREET
Westbound lane closures will take place on Bell Road from Thompson Peak Parkway to 100th Street from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 29 to permit work on utility lines.

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GAS LINE PROJECT ON SCOTTSDALE ROAD:
These road sections will be closed during the following time periods through Oct. 15 to permit installation of a gas line:
** Northbound curb lane on Scottsdale Road from McDonald Drive to Indian Bend Road from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
** Two northbound lanes on Scottsdale Road from McDonald Drive to Indian Bend from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.
** The westbound curb and left-turn only lane on McDonald Drive from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.
** No right turns for westbound traffic and no left turns for eastbound traffic from Rose Lane on to Scottsdale Road from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.
** Lane closures in both directions at times on Lincoln Drive at Scottsdale Road from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.

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OTHER SCOTTSDALE ROAD RESTRICTIONS
** Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction on Scottsdale Road just north of Pinnacle Peak Road through about 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, to permit emergency repairs to a water line.
** The southbound curb lane on Scottsdale Road at Princess Drive will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily starting Monday, Sept. 25, through Oct. 6 to permit work on utilities.
** Northbound lane closures will take place on Scottsdale Road north of Pinnacle Peak Road from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Monday, Sept. 25, to permit manhole construction.
** Northbound lane closures will take place on Scottsdale Road north of Pinnacle Peak Road from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Monday, Sept. 25, to permit manhole construction.
** Lane restrictions will take place at times in both directions of Scottsdale Road at Dale Lane from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily starting Tuesday, Sept. 26, through Oct. 7 to permit  utility line work.

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86th STREET AT McDONALD DRIVE
Lane restrictions will be in place at times on 86th Street at McDonald Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Friday, Sept. 22, to permit work on utility lines.

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GRANITE REEF ROAD AT CHAPARRAL ROAD
Lane restrictions will be in place at times on Granite Reef Road at Chaparral Road from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Friday, Sept. 22, to permit work on utility lines.

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GOLD DUST AVENUE AT NORTH LANE
Eastbound lane closures will take place on Gold Dust Avenue at North Lane from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday, Sept. 22, to permit trenching work.

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OSBORN ROAD, FROM BISHOP LANE TO SCOTTSDALE ROAD
Osborn Road will be completely closed from Bishop Lane to Scottsdale Road through Friday, Sept. 22, to permit work on utility lines. The recommended alternative route is Goldwater Boulevard. During those same dates, 71st Street will be completely closed at Osborn.

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MILLER ROAD/McDONALD DRIVE AREA
These lane closures will take place in the Miller Road/McDonald Drive area to accommodate a water line project:
** Flaggers will direct traffic on Miller Road north of McDonald through Oct. 6.
** Traffic will be reduced at times in both directions on McDonald Drive at Miller Road through Oct. 6.  

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HIGHLAND DRIVE AT SCOTTSDALE ROAD
All westbound lanes are closed on Highland Drive at Scottsdale Road through Friday, Sept. 22. Eastbound traffic on Highland at Scottsdale Road is reduced to one open lane during this time.
The restrictions are necessary to permit installation of water and sewer lines.

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GOLDWATER BOULEVARD, NORTH OF CAMELBACK ROAD
Northbound traffic on Goldwater Boulevard north of Camelback Road is reduced to one open lane through Friday, Sept. 22, to permit installation of water and sewer lines.

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PINNACLE PEAK ROAD, 81ST TO 83RD STREETS
Traffic restrictions, including lane closures, will take place at times on Pinnacle Peak Road between 81st to 83rd streets through October to permit work on a sewer line project.

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CHAPARRAL ROAD, WEST OF PIMA ROAD
Westbound Chaparral Road will be reduced to one lane west of Pima Road from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 30 for work on utility lines.
 
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PIMA ROAD, THOMPSON PEAK PARKWAY TO NORTH OF HAULAPAI
Northbound Pima from Thompson Peak Parkway to north of Haulapai Drive will be reduced to one lane from 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through October to permit road widening.
All work is scheduled for completion in November. For more information on the project visit:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/capitalprojects/proj_report.asp?proj=S2104&status=S2104

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CACTUS ROAD RESTRICTIONS
** Cactus Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction at times from 100th to 108th streets from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily through Friday, Sept. 22, to permit work on a gas line.
** Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Cactus Road at Hayden Road through September to permit road widening and other improvements. Restrictions are part of the Hayden Road widening project. For more information on the project, visit:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/capitalprojects/proj_report.asp?proj=S2103&status=S2103

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HAYDEN ROAD RESTRICTIONS:
** The Hayden Road/Cactus Road intersection is reduced to one lane in all directions through September to permit road improvement work. Redfield at Hayden will be restricted to one lane in each direction through September. For more information on the Cactus Road widening project, visit:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/capitalprojects/proj_report.asp?proj=S2103&status=S2103
** The Hayden Road/McDonald Drive intersection will be restricted through September. North-south traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction; east-west traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Left turns are now permitted in all directions.
The restrictions are necessary to permit road improvements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are many other branches throughout the Valley.

"Project Prop 13" …comprehensive, transformational property tax reform...

… for residential, commercial property and vacant land…

Landmark reform in the making……

shoutandspout@scottsdaleactivist.com