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Volume
'07-31
Published
Late Saturdays
August 4, 2007 =================================================
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Beverly Lloyd-Lee wrote a "My Turn" article in the July 31st Scottsdale Republic which was very interesting. It lauded Mayor Manross and Councilman Ecton for "taking the lead" in developing the city into what it is today. Aren’t there 5 other members of the city council and who also "helped" in this effort as well as past administrations who did all the ground work, whom she has totally ignored and who’s diligent work has been degradated? In addition, she disregarded the abilities and decisions of both Littlefield and Nelssen who are the one's who have the true handle on what's going on behind the scenes of the secretive Manross/Dolan Administration. They are also the only council members who work with all citizens on a regular basis. How about the city staff, past and present, who although ordered by city Manager Jan Dolan to do her outrageous bidding, can still make some good decisions on their own until Dolan or Manross want them dumped because their loyalty has waned for a very good reason: incompetence on the part of the administration? Our questions are very simple: Has anyone ever heard of Beverly Lloyd-Lee, a recognized high end interior designer? Has she served on any city boards, commissions, or committees? Has she been involved with the city other than as a personal friend of Mayor Manross and Councilman Ecton as well as other city elitists? Has she participated in the Scottsdale Citizen Police Academy? Has she attended the Scottsdale City Government 101 classes? Has she attended the Scottsdale Leadership program? Has she done any philanthropic work in Scottsdale? How many times has she or any of her friends helped a destitute very elderly person quickly move from an apartment in which they have lived for over 20 years that’s "going condo"? Does she have any clue where 87th street and McDowell Road is located? Has she ever driven through "Holiday Park" or even know where it is located or who occupies the area? How many times has she contributed in any way to any "helping hand" group in Scottsdale? Has she been instrumental, or even spoken positively, in the encouragement of the administration to establish a city which caters to all residents, not just the elite? Has she done personal interior design work for both Manross and Ecton as well as other "socially privileged" elite residents of Scottsdale? Could her most probable failure to answer in the affirmative to any of the above questions show her total ignorance concerning the "real" Scottsdale be the reason she totally exaggerates the abilities of Manross and Ecton, and glorifies the decisions by the DRB and Planning Commission? In researching this lady, we found that she has quite a wonderful reputation in the interior design industry for which she is to be commended, but absolutely nothing on any philanthropic endeavors, city planning expertise, exterior design expertise, or anything on government administration. We found the following on line: Specializes in Space Planning, Lighting, and Color. Practices for 39 years in Colorado, Florida and Arizona. COLORADO HOMES & LIFESTYLES, DESIGNERS' WEST, INDIAN RIVER PICTORIAL, DENVER POST, ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS and VERO BEACH PRESS JOURNAL featured Lloyd-Lee's work. Listed in Who's Who in Interior Design; Lloyd-Lee participated in 10 ASID Show Homes; AID/ASID Publicity Chairman; Advisory Board Member of Indian River Community College; and associate member of Indian River County AIA. We thought it interesting that in the research we conducted on her background, there was not one single reference to Scottsdale Arizona, her participation in any civic activities with the exception of her service as an advisory member of a community college board in another state and in Arizona on the Jazz in Arizona board of directors. With that being known, how can Lloyd-Lee be so knowledgeable in the wants and needs of the resident of the city of Scottsdale? Let’s explain it this way: Our illustrious but very troubled mayor has determined that she is in deep trouble with her re-election campaign after losing most of her supporting organizations and therefore needs to use any and all individual elite members of the community necessary (who will participate) to quell the overwhelming and open dissatisfaction with the Manross/Dolan administration. It was very interesting and even entertaining in a way to read the BLOG which apparently belongs to Beverly Lloyd-Lee at the following internet address. http://www.azcentral.com/blogs/index.php?blog=337&blogtype=PluggedInsr In reading this BLOG, it is very apparent that this woman couldn’t care less about the multitudes of "regular residents" of the city unless they want all of the high density, skyscraper condos, and the supposed glitz and glamour (and crime) that come with it. She praises the DRB and Planning Commission as the "End-All" decision makers for the city and takes to task any residents or council member who disagrees with them. She says only those with expertise should serve on the DRB & Planning Commission and feels that the council decision on "One Scottsdale" was a dismal failure. "What happened to the One Scottsdale visionary plan was unfortunate. Sad words: ‘what might have been.’ It also blatantly exemplified the council's lack of awareness as to how to build a great city. The continual comparisons to Pittsburgh and Las Vegas illustrated the lack of knowledge of the One Scottsdale plan and what differentiates a high-quality complex from a cookie-cutter one. In truth, The council NEVER voted on "One Scottsdale, the developer withdrew the application for both the height and subsidy request. If the “One Scottsdale” design gets approved by DRB, their build out will be very close, if not equal to, the same number of square feet of mixed use development WITHOUT the additional height they requested but then withdrew. The "innovative" architecture and planning will remain. She also states "COPP’s perennial "referendum vote" threat is dangerous for Scottsdale. COPP members and other activists need to educate themselves in city planning and architectural design before trying to dictate "what, where and how tall." Gee, really? We thought the taxpayers city-wide were supposed to have some say in what goes on in Scottsdale, not just the DRB or Planning Commission. "Activists" Mike Merrill and Bob Vairo among many others know more about planning and building design as well as the history of the city than most on the council and many within the current administration and city staff. What Beverly Lloyd-Lee fails to tell us is how all of this glitz and glamour will fade like yesterdays flowers in a vase without water to sustain them, even for a little while. We don’t need fleeting glitz and glamour to make our city world class again. We desperately need the input and support of all residents of the city as well as a completely open and more importantly, and honest administration who has a solid vision for the future of Scottsdale (not themselves). That’s what made the city great under Mayor Drinkwater and anyone with any true understanding of the true needs of the entire city can re-establish our position world wide rather quickly. Manross doesn’t have the ability and never has. She only has visions of her own grandeur and her only goal is for a legacy that shows her as a statesman. That's never going to happen with secrecy as her main tool!! Nice try Beverly Lloyd-Lee but we’re not buying one single word of your feeble attempt at an "educational" editorial praising Manross as the perfect mayor or Ecton as the "perfect" council person. Your article was all "Blow" with no "GO". ~ Diversity or Blatant Discrimination? Be forewarned that this will not be a politically correct article. The subject needs to be openly discussed as it currently being badly mishandled by the Manross Administration. The Scottsdale Tribune editorial headline reads: "Issues call for open minds, civility". We agree totally to the point that all issues need to be aired and all sides need to be heard. The time for being quiet so that we don't stir up a hornets nest, thanks to our illustrious mayor, or being "politically incorrect" is long over with and the time has come to call it like it really is with direct honesty and with true diversity and discrimination in the forefront and the main direction for the resolution of the problem through healthy discussions. We have been chastised for not addressing this subject sooner so we will address it to the best of our ability and understanding of the problem as we know it as well as the possible unfairness and unnecessary costs to the taxpayers of the city of Scottsdale. The city of Scottsdale has a link to a website to the
GLBT site which we understand is funded by taxpayer dollars which can be
seen at: The first paragraph of the website clearly states:
This is a wonderful and impressive statement full of diversity. The problem starts right here. You first have to see the list of businesses which are advertised on this site to see the vastness of the profits possible through discriminatory practices, click on this link: http://www.scottsdalecvb.com/members/index.cfm?action=directory Our first question here is straight forward. Why aren't these businesses paying for the web link instead of the taxpayers? They'll make tens of millions in profits from these visitors. Why shouldn't the taxpayers share in these profits with those profits used for other public venues such as park facilities for the handicapped children such as "Shane's Inspiration" offers (Click link below)? http://www.shanesinspiration.org/ The other but far more serious problem is that this entire process is totally greed driven without respect for the taxpayers or the visitors. The city manager as well as the director of the Human Relations Commission added this link to the website and targeted this particular group of people based strictly on the amount of "discretionary funds" they have available for vacations, night life, and other connected activities. We contend that this type of action by the city administration is extremely discriminatory simply because they (GLBT, LGBT, GLAAD groups) are the only group targeted and it doesn't point very well to the advertised and supposed diversity of the city of Scottsdale by the Manross/Dolan Administration. Where are the website links for the Canadians, Mid Westerners, Easterners, Europeans, Japanese, Asians, South & Central Americans, Australians, New Zealanders, other Islanders, as well as the blacks, browns, yellow and any other color human being who would love to be similarly invited to visit our fine city with the same words? How about the Catholics, Baptists, Jews, and other religions? Have they been offered the same service? They too all have "discretionary funds", have conventions, take vacations, and travel, but just maybe not as much as the GLBT, LGBT, GLAAD groups but isn't this being very discriminatory in itself? Doesn't Diversity mean that all humans are included? Economically speaking, the GLBT, LGBT, GLAAD groups are very small in numbers (10% to 15%) compared to the vast numbers (85% to 90%) that are available and love to visit Scottsdale from the other groups mentioned. Is there some other secret reason this specific group has been chosen by the Manross/Dolan administration? We sincerely pray that isn't the case. According to the definition of Diversity on the web:
Isn't it obvious that the city of Scottsdale is not practicing what they preach concerning diversity? The current actions by the Manross/Dolan Administration, in our opinion, are very discriminatory toward all of us and we are a very diverse group too. Isn't it time the city came clean and revised the entire section of the city website by;
This entire problem is generated by blind, overly aggressive, out of control greed on the part of the Manross/Dolan Administration and nothing else. We understand that there are radical individuals on both sides of the issue who will shout "foul" but the central issue still is the discriminatory actions by the city by catering to only one specific group of spenders and using taxpayers dollars to do so. ~ And Another One Bites the Dust!!! Although she really needed to go anyway, reportedly, Judy Register has been booted from her job by Jan Dolan. Let's see, is that the 4th or 5th department director dumped by Dolan recently? Maybe they made a deal with Chandler; Let Scottsdale keep Keagy and we'll give you Register at a cheaper rate. Possible? Who knows for sure. The secrecy of the Manross/Dolan is now legendary (is that good?) and can never be outguessed. ~ Rumors of Dolan's Imminent Departure Run Rampant In the last few weeks, the rumors of Jan Dolan's departure have intensified greatly. We feel the first article Lesley Wright of the Scottsdale Republic wrote concerning Dolan's demise, then reversed, was in fact very true. Jan Dolan is a huge albatross around the neck of Manross and she is acutely aware of it. To have any chance at all of winning the mayoral race, she must have Dolan fired (or step down) as soon as possible. Dolan has seen the writing on the wall and is acutely aware of the situation as well, and from what we have heard, is proactively looking for another position outside of the valley on a very stepped up basis. One way or the other Dolan will be gone, the sooner the better. The next election will give the majority to Nelssen and Littlefield which means they will have the fourth vote with which to fire Dolan if Manross doesn't fire her first. A full expose on the WaterView, OrchidTree, and other coming bogus projects that are turning our city into a traffic clogged, over used, excessively tall, drunken, and infrastructure poor city by a council majority, the DRB, and Planning Commission totally ignoring the rules that currently exist. These same plans are running financially strapped 85 year old ladies from their homes of 20+ years just so uncaring developers and their shills can make a buck or two and screw over the city residents with still more costs which the developers want the taxpayers to pay. This article should be an eye opener and will be hated by the developers, etc for exposing their secrets currently only shared with the secretive majority on the council. It should also expose those council members running for council in '08 who have blatantly disregarded the wishes of the taxpayers on a regular basis. Stay tuned.......... film at 11. ~ Guest Editorial By Councilman Bob Littlefield ~ Another Manross/Dolan Publicity Ruse A recent column in the Scottsdale Republic criticized three of us on the Scottsdale city Council for our measured response to a letter from the FBR Open, the Arabian Horse Show, and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction requesting that the city use some of the vacant city-owned land at Bell Road and 94th Street for event parking in January 2008. The editorial took us to task for not immediately and automatically giving in to this request. What would be wrong about just going along with this request? For one thing it is not necessary, as the city has enough parking spaces to accommodate these three events next January without using this land, just as we have done in years past. But the biggest problem with this request is that it is a public relations ploy rather than a genuine attempt to negotiate a win-win deal for all parties involved. A copy of this letter was given to the press on the same day that it was mailed, a full two days before we received it at the city. That is not the way to negotiate a win-win deal for all parties involved. I certainly want the FBR Open, the Arabian Horse Show and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction to succeed and prosper. But as a Councilman I have a duty to negotiate the best deal for the taxpayers I was elected to represent rather than to mindlessly give in to whatever demand is getting the most publicity at the moment. The city has already committed significant taxpayer funds to accommodating these special events and before we commit tens of millions of dollars more the taxpayers are entitled to know what kind of deal they are getting in return. That is not "spiteful," that is sound fiscal policy. The strategy of sticking a moistened finger into the wind and going with whatever is popular and trendy at the moment is exactly how the city made some terrible, tax-dollar-wasting deals in the past. Earlier this year Craig Jackson complained that he had not been able to negotiate a long-term deal with our City Manager, and, if this letter is any indication, our Mayor’s recent highly-publicized and hyped initiative to Craig has similarly fizzled. A few months ago Jackson suggested that a small group of Council members be designated to work out a deal with him. When he made that statement I immediately offered to be part of that group and I stand by that commitment. I am willing meet with the FBR Open, the Arabian Horse Show and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction as often and as long as it takes to negotiate a win-win deal for all parties involved. What I will not do is negotiate away tax dollars via press release or make policy based on newspaper hype. Councilman Bob Littlefield ~Letters to the Editor ~ letters@scottsdaleactivist.com So we have a new General Manager of WestWorld. And guess what? He is from out of state! His salary is $145,017 annually, plus a car allowance of $350/month, plus additional employee benefits. With this great income, one would think that there is a local individual or at least State resident, who would adequately qualify. But our City Management finds it necessary to go across country to find a new employee. Look what we got (?) when the City Council went to California and hired Jan Dolan. Wow, could it be that our City (meaning us) will now have two "liabilities" to deal with. Lee Tannenbaum I haven't been to or spent a dime in Scottsdale since the implementation of the cameras on the 101. I imagine I am not the only person who avoids Scottsdale because of the cameras. Do you think these cameras affect Scottsdale's businesses and your tax revenues? Stacey Noel
~Chalk up another perfect call Well Ozites, slap me again with 2 umpa lumpa turd’s, stand me in front of a traffic calming device after a few Mojitos and then car jack me if we did not call it on the money once again. I got this the other day from a reliable source. From: Dolan, JanSent: Thu 8/2/2007 4:02 PM To: City Council Cc: Leadership Team; Register, Judy; Keagy, Raun; Hankins, Malcolm; Weiss, Kit Subject: CNR GM Resigns Mayor and City Council: A short time ago, I reluctantly accepted the resignation of Citizen and Neighborhood Resources General Manager Judy Register. Judy has been offered a similar position with the City of Chandler. Judy indicated to me that Chandler had approached her about the position. This is not surprising given that Judy has a long and successful record with the City including being the first CNR General Manager. She is credited with creating the department where she has developed a great team and implemented innovative programs. I am confident she will do the same for Chandler. As noted, the department has great employees and I know they will continue Judy’s initiatives. A special send off will be held before Judy departs at the end of the month.Jan Jan Dolan, City Manager 480.312.2800 www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov Now beyond the drivel applied to how great Judy Register was in the Wizards mind and the objections I could take with the Wizards comments I prefer to ask a few questions, you now, the ones the city never answers. Was Judy not the head of the Library system and appointed to the position she held by non other then the Wizard herself? Is it not true that we spouted that when Raun Keagy got his promotion and his raise that Register was on her way out the door? Could it be that it was becoming all to clear that under her "leadership" public outreach took miserable turns for the worse? Could it be that since Judy had already been under fire for such things as?
Now it appears she is heading to Chandler to accept a position of a "similar nature" and reportedly is the one that Raun Keagy turned down after the city handed him the reigns so to speak. Yep folks the walls of the outhouse are crumbling even more than we may have thought as there is an exodus of staff leaving and funny how most of the ones we wished would leave are still hanging on. I know Wizard (Jan Dolan) it was hard to accept yet another resignation from another department head and keeps your clock ticking faster as to when you will jump ship also with a great severance package. That’s okay though as if the voters are smart, this time we will fix it so they all go or change their tunes after the elections. And go figure that 5 of the 7 supposed leaders of Oz are still as witless as the summer day is long here in the Land of Oz. Well we once asked how one of our supposed leaders, Bean Counter Jim could count refried beans and I guess we will have to see how it is done when the council returns to vote on Z lofts, Waterview, Orchid Tree, and a few others. You see Bean Counter Jim has exclaimed about the predicted recession and even though all around his head the signs do indeed point to a recession coming, he continues to vote in favor of projects like the ones above that the market is falling out of the bottom of. It appears the State ended their budget 255 million short of expected revenues and is attributed to things like
Okay now Beanie Boy I know this may be hard for you to comprehend but figure these facts into your vote with a condo market that is going to umpa lumpa turds in short order.
You see Beanie Boy, there are many things that affect the market as I am sure you are already aware, but how aware of you of what happens to "community" when other markets falter and you keep approving the crap you do? I am interested in hearing a response from Beanie Boy as to what the "Scottsdale Leadership Program" taught him about this. Let’s hope we can hear a response from Beanie Boy before he turns us into California. Well it appears that the Gay community in Scottsdale is bent out of shape with the leadership of Oz. Join the crowd and vote next year! ~ The Perennial "Secret" Activist Mr. Kettle, Mr. Merrill, and Bean counter Jim................ Well here we go again with the ranting of a lunatic named Lisa Haskell. Associated with non other than Virginia Korte, and Susan Bitter-Smith and begs the question of what those two were thinking when they hooked up with her? Both are very intelligent women and have a good stature in the city so the question begs of, what’s up with this? Again we received another letter from the kook of the South who "is not an activist" by her own mouth and it appears she must consider herself a special interest group of one. Funny thought, do you remember the words to Three Dog Night's song "One". One is the lonely number their can ever be… Funny stuff there Ozites so feel free to laugh and her is her most recent rant where she is on about Graham, Jim, and myself, enjoy the lunacy. As it was sent to the council of Oz. Apparently hypocrisy is alive and well in Scottsdale.. Interesting that Councilman Jim Lane, who espouses transparent government- the public has a right to know all - created a citizens ad hoc committee to review the city budget process. He has issues with the information provided to council by staff. Two of these ad hoc committee members selected by Lane, Graham Kettle and Lamar Whittmer have achieved some notoriety. Mr Kettle is a former member of COPP and Mr Whittmer orchestrated the successful effort to save Scottsdale area strip clubs from a more stringent sexually oriented business ordinance. He has often worked behind the scenes to defeat/support propositions and support various candidates for council.Whether they are worthy of being supported doesn't seem to cause him many sleepless nights. Somewhat of a hired gun in keeping with Scottsdale's pseudo image as the West's most unwestern town. If Councilman Lane has concerns over the City of Scottsdale's budget process there is certainly nothing wrong with creating a citizen's ad hoc committee to review it. However, If he believes that city staff is not competent to evaluate the state of Scottsdale's finances or that they are not providing accurate information to council, don't residents have a right to review the backgrounds and qualifications of citizens that Councilman Lane appointed to this committee? Afterall, I am sure they are very qualified individuals but how do we know that? How do we know that their recommendations are any more reliable than the cities? If Councilman Lane does indeed believe the public is entitled to full disclosure on most issues , he should do no less. If you point fingers you should be able to withstand equal scrutiny. If not, get out of the kitchen. The second nominee to the hypocricy Hall of Fame is local activist Mike Merrill, a man who has made it his life's work to attack city staff and any resident who has the audacity to disagree with him. His concern over the cost of meals provided to those staff members ,council members and police officers that are forced to attend council meetings is touching. His concern over how taxpayer's money is spent is equally questionable given the fact that he has sent city staff on more wild goose chases than any other citizen- costing the long suffering taxpayers additional tax dollars in wasted staff time. The city is only too happy to waste taxpayers money and council does everything they can to appease him. An example of this idiocy? Mr Merrill has a small traffic island that was installed by the city almost a half mile from his home. Many of us have become victims of traffic calming devices that are far more intrusive than the Gilligan's Island sized one in Mr Merrill's neighborhood. Mr Merrill, in his overzealous quest to have this island removed or modified, has created such a fuss that city staff was forced to canvas the area yet again to gather even more input from surrounding residents. They are awash in input. They need to quit while they are still behind. Their findings? The majority of those neighbors located in closer proximity to the island than Mr Merrill supported it. In fact , they wanted it left alone. Mr Merrill , not concerned with anyones opinion or agenda other than his own, took his case to a Transportation Commission Meeting where he wasted even more time on this non issue. Browbeaten staff are planning to do another public meeting to evaluate support for a project that most in the area seemed to be in favor of. Residents of the area need to start asking how much this is costing the rest of us and doesn't city staff have better things to do with their time? Maybe they could accomplish something in other neighborhooods. We certainly have enough work to keep code enforcement busy for years. Don't misunderstand . I live near the Oak Street Calming project and many of us were not overjoyed at its arrival either but we are not misguided enough to demand that the city remove it or modify it at even greater cost to taxpayers. Some of us have decided to form our own adhoc committee the purpose of which is to research exactly how much " activism " run amuck is costing the rest of us taxpayers. Activist's crusades often have valid purposes unless the egos involved interfere with the real issues activists should be addressing. Lisa Haskell, Scottsdale ~A Canon for every South Scottsdale Home from Sky Swindle Well I know Ozites in the South will be proud to know that the first retail vendor as Sky Swindle will be none other than a Canon location where they will occupy 9,000 square feet of Sky Sham’s first building with a ground floor (retail area) showroom, with office space on the fourth floor. Get this Southern Ozites, the Canon group have stated that they have no plans on conducting "research" in this space and that they needed more room from their "phoenix" location. Wait, it gets a hell of a lot better for our retail thoughts as they also state that the ground level "showroom" will not be a retail "storefront" but will be a "place to display the companies products for potential customers". Oh no, we are not done with this swindle by a long shot because Canon is also in bed with ASU from an "alliance" established last year between the two entities with Canon helping ASU with "document management issues" and to "explore" new technologies. It appears that Sky Swindle is also not the correct place to open up a shop to "explore" those new technologies. Wait, there is more great news about this as they intend to move a whole 50 employees to the site so I can take a wild guess that we have now rented 50 of the "market rate apartments" that the supposed leaders of Oz approved to wrap around the parking lot. You can expect the council who does have a say in the lease of space to have a spirited debate and a 5 to 2 vote to approve the lease of ground floor space that is not retail to Canon with the stipulation that they provide a coffee and bagel vendor in the space so it can really be a retail section of the ground floor. I promise to the Land of Oz to never again pursue the question of the retail portion of this project that was supposed to be for residents because anytime I start asking questions about the ‘retail’ portion of the site the residents get screwed again with a council approval. This my fellow Ozites is yet another of the finest examples of being screwed over by the Wicked Witch’s version of helping out the South and her and the Wizards plans and thoughts of "how redevelopment works" in Oz along with those grand words of "vision" and "eclectic" as well as "24/7 live work play" which all result in the common phrase used by taxpayers and residents of, Bull Shit! Too late now though folks as we are screwed blue and tattooed for the next 200 years. My hat goes off to Michelle Aubert as she saw this well before I did and I should have joined the effort to place this fiasco on the ballot so it could be buried, my mistake. ~Downtown Sales BOOM, not really....... Well this morning I read the online edition of the Oz Tribune and noted an article claiming that sales in Downtown Oz are booming and I thought, really? With all of those condo projects not full and for a fact, most being emptied as investors got into them and then realized the market fell and they could not get their money back in a "quick flip" or the signs of Phase 2 of projects in limbo, apartments that went condo and then back to apartments, and things like Optima already going rental, but still no noticeable increase in those 24/7 residents of the "eclectic" nature or even the simple sign of that walk-able community the wicked witch and the wizard dreamed up I still give it 10 years or much less when we have to get the stupid stick out of the closet and go knock on some doors. Then I read further to hear that the sales tax increased from a mark of May of last year, compared to May of this year netted a whopping increase of 38 million to a whole 39.1 million and that June of last year to June of this year showed a whopping 34.2 million to a whopping 34.8 million. And who did we get to hear from that the papers talked to? Fredrick R Unger, yep the same guy who wanted to amend the general plan with property he did not even own and who has had more code enforcement violations than any other business in the area for the last 2 years. Of course we also got to hear from none other than the Downtown Mouth Piece Snidely Whiplash (John Little) who was removed from the transportation department by the Wizard and given the role of head of the Downtown Group of Oz. Now Beanie Boy should take note of all the infrastructure costs that have been related to this "boom" in Downtown Oz like the new pump stations, the new fire houses, the new fire trucks for high rises, the increased police we never seem to see and other tricks of the Wizard and Wicked Witch which is resulting in digging into the taxpayers wallets. Can anyone else smell the early version of Sky Swindle in this mess the city has created and the morons of the council that keep approving it? Michael Merrill
"There’s absolutely no mystery why our greatest
complaints are in the arena of government-delivered services and the
fewest in market-delivered services. In the market, there are the
ruthless forces of profit, loss and bankruptcy that make producers
accountable to us. In the arena of government-delivered services,
there’s no such accountability... Our health care system is hampered by
government intervention, and the solution is not more government
intervention but less... Before we buy into single-payer health care
systems like Canada’s and the United Kingdom’s, we might want to do a
bit of research. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based Fraser Institute
annually publishes ‘Waiting Your Turn.’ Its 2006 edition gives waiting
times, by treatments, from a person’s referral by a general practitioner
to treatment by a specialist. The shortest waiting time was for oncology
(4.9 weeks). The longest waiting time was for orthopedic surgery (40.3
weeks), followed by plastic surgery (35.4 weeks) and neurosurgery (31.7
weeks). As reported in the June 28 National Center for Policy Analysis’
‘Daily Policy Digest,’ Britain’s Department of Health recently
acknowledged that one in eight patients waits more than a year for
surgery. France’s failed health care system resulted in the deaths of
13,000 people, mostly of dehydration, during the heat spell of 2003.
Hospitals stopped answering the phones, and ambulance attendants told
people to fend for themselves. I don’t think most Americans would like
more socialized medicine in our country."
"You don’t make the poor richer by making the
rich poorer." "The firm basis of government is justice, not pity."
"There is nothing more likely to start disagreement
among people or countries than an agreement." "The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." —Lord Acton "The health of the people is really the foundation
upon which all their happiness and all their powers as a state depend."
"Take calculated risks. That is quite different from
being rash."
~Shout and Spout ~ ~ Have you heard "One Issue" McCullagh's campaign slogan? If Littlefield and Nelssen are for it, I'll vote against them every time. Ain't he a real winner....... ~ This city is in sad shape when there is no program for long time elderly, financially strapped residents who find themselves in the position of having to move because of council approved development without the developer being entirely responsible for their move. ~ I heard that Dolan is leaving. Is there anything to that rumor, I hope, hope, hope, and PRAY on bended knee for that miracle!!! ~ Hubba Bubba Frank. What a name for Frank Gray. This guy swings with the wind using a wet finger. If he doesn’t like what you want, he uses his middle finger to determine the direction of the air flow while you are watching his finger. ~ I really loved you article on "Creative Writing". You could easily insert any name of anyone of the majority on the council and some staff members and it would probably fit well. Good Job!! ~ Has Dolan cleared herself of the water plant screw up? She’s probably dumping it on her dullest bulb Klingler. ~ Yes, Our family is determined to help make a major change in the city council come ’08. Mr. Derouin is our hands down choice for mayor with Ms. Nesvig as a shoo-in for council so they both better run. We also would like to see someone else with the same integrity as Derouin and Nesvig and without any connections to the Scottsdale Chamber, Charro’s, etc. ~ You mean O'Connor didn't spend all the money for the Indian Bend Wash Bridge on that street crap? Yeah, right. I'll believe it when I can drive across it. ~I went over and looked at the OrchidTree apartments. What’s so bad about them that they have to be torn down? I’m a builder and home remodeler and those building are in very good condition in comparison to some I’ve successfully remodeled. What it boils down to is the owner is greedy and has the council, DRB, PC and Dolan in their pockets. Too bad, the units are easily upgraded and really don’t even need anything major. I feel for the displaced residents. ~ Your article on Creative Writing hits Manross right between the eyes and parts her fake black hair! ~ There is zero need to extend the height on the east side of the canal north of Camelback to the height on the west side. We need to stop this encroachment in its tracks. I want my views of sunsets and Camelback and these greedy developer fools only look at quick dollars, won’t ever live there, and couldn’t care what the residents think. ~ The Scottsdale Charro’s should either allow women to join or refuse to take taxpayer money; they can’t have it both ways in this day and age. ~We were so sad to read Rita’s article in last week’s edition but we really understand how she feels. If things don’t change in ‘08, we too will be gone because we couldn’t stand to see our beloved Scottsdale become the center for drunks, high pollution, high density and other negative things that will cause the demise of one of the greatest cities in the United States. ~ There are beautiful trees at OrchidTree. What is the developer doing with them, killing them to make room for tall buildings? This all sucks big time. What can we do to stop this insanity? Editors Note: Stay tuned, many others feel just as you do and want exact answers.~Jan Dolan: get a clue and blow town, you’re not wanted here! Take Frank "I know everything" Gray and Mary "Street Furniture" O’Connor with you, PLEASE! ~So Manross says we’ve had a property tax reduction. Doesn’t the (witch) mean we have a tax rate reduction? It really pisses me off the way she twists things around to make them look different than they really are. My taxes went up just as everyone else’s did. She such a liar and cheat. ~ No height, zoning, or density changes for any of the three projects coming in front of the council. They change those things, we change them. Lane and McCullagh wake up. ~I had absolutely no idea that the lease on SkyScandal was for 200 years. What a rip off. Thanks mayor and Dolan, we’ve got your number now and it’s a loser. ~ I can’t believe how insincere our mayor is. I really never noticed it until your publication started pointing out her inequities. Thank you for exposing an elected fraud. ~ Canon to SwampHump? What a freakin joke! We will never see retail, we will never see anything other than a big box we will pay for over the next 200 years. Thanks Manross, for nothing but a huge black hole where we will be dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars with ZERO return. You are a real loser.
~ Being Old The other day, a youngster asked me how it felt to be old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let him know. So here goes. Growing older, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the cellulite. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, All my Heros. my wonderful life, my loving family -- for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avant garde on my patio. I am entitled to be messy, to be extravagant, to smell the flowers. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 and then sleep until --? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's & 60's & 70"s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, will get old, ( if they're lucky ). I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose aloved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep groove son my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say no & and mean it. I can say yes & and mean it. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being older. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day... ( if I want ). Today, Tomorrow, and Forever I wish you a day of ordinary miracles. Love simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to man upstairs.... ......... ......... ......... ......... ....... He will take care of you......... Oklahoma no longer OK for Illegal Aliens Every State needs to [do] this!!!! Oklahoma's Governor Brad Henry has signed a sweeping immigration Reform bill: House Bill 1804 that its sponsor believes will go a long way in dealing with the illegal alien problem in the state. House Bill 1804 was passed by overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate of the Oklahoma Legislature. The measure's sponsor, State Representative Randy Terrill, says the bill has four main topical areas: it deals with identity theft; it terminates public assistance benefits to illegal; it empowers state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws; and it punishes employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Oklahoma is no longer "O.K." for illegal aliens, Terrill observes. "When you put everything together in context," he contends, "the bottom line is illegal aliens will not come here if there are no jobs waiting for them, they will not stay here if there is no government subsidy, and they certainly won't stay here if they know that if they ever encounter our state and local law enforcement officers, they will be physically detained until they're deported. And that's exactly what House Bill 1804 does." The Oklahoma legislator is pleased the bill he sponsored into law was signed by Governor Henry and believes it will go a long way to curb the illegal immigration problem in the state. "I would remind people that states are separate sovereigns in our federal system," Terrill points out. "Anyone who doesn't understand that needs to go back and take an American federal government class in college," he says. As a result of that sovereignty, the Oklahoma lawmaker insists, "we have as much right - in fact, I would argue, a responsibility - to protect our tax payers against that sort of egregious waste, fraud and abuse as the federal government should have a responsibility to protect that international border, but doesn't do that." Terrill says as long as the federal government refuses to do its job of protecting the international borders of the United States, states like Oklahoma must take action to deal with the problem that is costing taxpayers in the state $200 million a year in public benefits, law enforcement costs, and other resources. ~ 14 GOOD REASONS TO DEPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS (websites provided for verification) Hope these 14 reasons are forwarded over and over again until they are read by the majority of Americans. Then they will have something to yell at their U.S. Congress members. 1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year. http://tinyurl.com/zob772. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare & social services by the American taxpayers. http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the United States http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. S. from the Southern border. Homeland Security Report: http://tinyurl.com/t9sht12. The National Policy Institute "estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period." http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm14. "The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants in the United States ". http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml
So if deporting them costs between $206 and $230 BILLION DOLLARS, Start getting rid of em'. We'll be ahead after the 1st year!!!
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.
~
For Continuing Information
on Photo Radar,
~Are Red-Light Cameras Fair to Drivers? These modern-day robocops make ticketing easier and can be huge moneymakers for local governments. But critics question their accuracy and fret over privacy issues. Click on the link below , then scroll down to read the article: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/AreRedLightCamerasFairToDrivers.aspx
~ Scottsdale Legal Defense Fund 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. Washington Mutual Bank Locations at which contributions to the SLDF can be made are: 72nd & Shea 7337 E. Shea Blvd #120 480-609-8524 There are many other branches throughout the Valley.
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 |
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