Cost of Living in Scottsdale Going Up

As if energy, food and housing costs weren't rising fast enough, the City of Scottsdale is actually considering raising a number of fees on its residents and county island refugees. Want water, sewer or trash services in the West's Most Western Town? Prepare to pay more. Raising fees on vital municipal services is short-sighted and hurts long-time residents and businesses.

Doesn't the City Council want to take the summer off anymore?

City's Growth is Beyond Its Control

As Phoenix goes, so goes Scottsdale. Like it or not, that is the conclusion that residents and city leaders are coming to as development all around the city impacts Scottsdale for the good and bad. Maybe regional planning wasn't such a bad idea, eh?

New Scottsdale Traffic Cameras Coming July 1

Drivers on Shea Boulevard, north Pima Road and McDowell Road will see new photo enforcement cameras being installed in the next several weeks as Scottsdale makes changes to the program.

The City Council last month selected a new operator, American Traffic Solutions, for the city's street photo enforcement program. ATS begins operations on July 1 with cameras in three new locations. Six current locations will remain unchanged.
Scottsdale also is working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on a transition plan for cameras on the Loop 101 Freeway. The changes approved by the Council last month apply only to city streets.

The new Scottsdale street camera locations are:

* Northbound and southbound Pima Road between Los Gatos and Thompson Peak Parkway. These cameras, at a mid-block location between intersections, will monitor for speed only.

* Eastbound and westbound Shea Blvd. between 120th and 124th streets, also a mid-block, speed-only camera.

* Eastbound McDowell Road at Scottsdale Road. This intersection camera will monitor both speed and red-light running.

Scottsdale Crime Rises Slightly

FBI data released today show that crime rose 2% in Scottsdale between 2005-2006. While the increase is small, this should not be seen as good news. Parts of Scottsdale are being overrun with criminal activity. People don't feel as safe as they used to on the streets, and for good reason. The Scottsdale Police Department and the the city's elected officials need to spend more time working on crime and blight in Scottsdale and less time quibbling over cost-of-living increases for city employees.

More Scottsdale Cops Carrying Tasers

Think twice before acting up in Scottsdale. The local police department just ordered a slew of new tasers. The electro-shock guns have been a controversial part of police actions for several years. Critics be damned as the Scottsdale Police Department plans to be put a taser in the hand of nearly every uniformed cop, bringing the departments taser tally to 425 - enough to take down even a large group of rowdy downtown clubbers.

A Historic Scottsdale Voice Speaks

George Fretz is a Scottsdale giant. He helped plan McCormick Ranch, worked on the city's first sign ordinance and overaw the first general plan. His positive impacts on the city are still felt today. Read a short but interesting interview with George Fretz.

Barrett-Jackson Train Leaving the Station. Next Stop: Las Vegas.

Las Vegas probably always was the ideal place for Craig Jackson to host his popular classic car auction. However, Jackson wanted the event to be in his backyard - Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite continuous bungling by Town Hall on this issue, Jackson has been committed to keeping his January event in the West's Most Western Town. But recent, unnecessary delays by the city may prove to be just too much to bear.

While Jackson trying to once-again negotiate with Scottsdale for basic infrastructure and amenities at WestWorld, the glittering city of Las Vegas approached the classic car aficionado to discuss moving the show to the West's Most Fun Town. Las Vegas and the Barret-Jackson auto auction are a match made in heaven and a pairing that probably should have happened a long time ago. It's only a matter of time until the auction moves entirely to Vegas, leaving Scottsdale wondering how it could've possibly lost out on all those tens of millions of tax revenue dollars simply because of a persistent, foolish refusal to erect a simple building and adequate parking lot.

We'll miss you and your tax revenues, Craig. Best of luck in Las Vegas.

Scottsdale Scrambles to Save Barrett-Jackson Car Auction

The City is now scrambling to keep the Barrett-Jackson auto auction from moving to Las Vegas. Auction founder Craig Jackson has had to beg, borrow and plead for every inch of compromise from Scottsdale at the WestWorld facility and there still is no resolution of the main infrastructure and parking issues. Barrett is now wisely considering moving his uber-popular event to Las Vegas - a seemingly perfect match for the "lifestyle" auction of super high-end products. The City needs to step up right now and work aggressively towards a solution with Barrett-Jackson. We simply cannot afford to lose this premier event and revenue generator.

Could Scottsdale Lose Barrett-Jackson Car Auction?

The City has never really liked Craig Barrett. The tug-of-war over WestWorld improvements has been bruising and unnecessary. Unfortunately, sometimes the City fails to realize what it has. Mr. Barrett's immensely popular and profitable classic car auction could be headed northwest - to Las Vegas - if the car auctioneer and the City can't come to an agreement on making some basic, much-needed improvements to the WestWorld infrastructure. Hey Town Hall, just build Craig a damn building already! If he takes his show to Vegas, he may never be back.

Cody Rodbell Alert: Dogs, Cocaine and Leaving the Scene

It just keeps getting worse for Cody Rodbell, the daughter of Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell. After being arrested in late March for supposedly driving under the influence of alcohol, it's just been uncovered that Cody Rodbell was arrested in late April after assaulting a roommate. It's a sad, twisted affair involving Cody's alleged reliance on cocaine, her life completely spinning out of control and her poor choice of friends. According to the police report:

"(An unnamed man) stated Cody has a drug problem and is addicted to cocaine and the girl who was with her (Rebecca) is involved in drug trafficking. I asked him how he knew this, and he stated Rebecca is always there, and they're always up all night long and even into the morning. also commented that Rebecca has a 5-year-old child who she brought over to the house and was smoking marijuana in front of her."

Apparently, Rodbell was on another bender and had gotten into a fight with a roommate, and possibly a dog. When the 5-O rolled up, Cody tried to make a run for it but was unsurprisingly unsuccessful. She was taken to jail and booked for assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

And so the she saga continues...

Scottsdale Traffic Cameras On the Move

The surface street traffic cameras that write auto-citations to motorists are being redeployed to certain areas of the city. A mix of fixed-station and mobile cameras will be watching speeders and red light runners throughout town. The tickets written by the automated system translate to a minimum fine of over $160. AZCentral.com has a handy map available to drivers who want to "test" the system.

Community College President Retiring, Eyeing Mayor's Office

Art DeCabooter, Scottsdale Community College President, is retiring from the college at 101 and Chaparral. That's interesting and we wish him the best. What's far more interesting is that Mr. DeCabooter (great last name!) is considering a run for mayor in 2008.

Business Crime on the Rise in North Scottsdale

A startling trend is developing in north Scottsdale - business crime. Commercial theft and property damage are rising rapidly in the business areas north of Shea Blvd. Construction sites, retails shops and anyone with copper are targets for criminals. Hopefully, the town will formulate a plan to deal with this seething issue, and fast. Crime is a cancer the kills commerce.

7-Year Police Sergeant is North Scottsdale Racer

One of the two Scottsdale cops recently put on administrative leave for street racing while off duty is a sergeant who has been with the Scottsdale Police Department for 7 years. Neither sergeant Matt Lear nor his racing competitor Eric Teeter have received citations yet for their actions.

Two Scottsdale Cops Busted for Drag Racing

Two Scottsdale police officers have been put on indefinite paid leave after they were caught drag racing in their personal vehicles in north Scottsdale. One was involved in a minor accident with the sidewalk. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Lighting Up Downtown Year Round

Downtown Scottsdale could be lit up with festive lights year round if a current proposal gets support. The year-round glow and romance of the lights which the City simply cannot resist actually comes pretty cheap and should result in enhanced ambiance and increased enjoyment of the downtown area. That's a good thing.

$2 Million to Dispatch Scottsdale's Sewer Odor

The ongoing sewer odor problem at the Scottsdale Waterfront will cost the city $2 million or more to be fixed. Part of the cost is determining the precise nature of the problem because only then can a solution be designed and implemented. Meanwhile, tourists, residents and businesses are fuming over the rank smell along what is supposed to be one of Scottsdale's new, up-and-coming attractions.

Free Money for Downtown Marketing?

The Scottsdale City Council will consider subsidizing a marketing campaign for the downtown area. A similar program was funded last year along the Motor Mile, so downtown-area businesses are sure to at least receive some underwriting for their marketing efforts.

Scottsdale Waterfront Sewer Smell Continues

Sewer odor has been dogging the Waterfront project from day 1. Olfactory unpleasantness continues and no actual solution seems to be in sight. This is a local problem that could have been avoided had the proper planning been done by the city and the developers. The Waterfront is an awesome amenity for Scottsdale. Unfortunately, sewer stink continues to fouls people's experience there.

Scottsdale's Culture Needs Your Input

The Scottsdale Cultural Council is midway through an assessment of cultural needs in the community. Before any conclusions are made, community members are invited to participate in a discussion about the preliminary issues identified from interviews and focus groups with community and cultural leaders.

Residents are invited to a community forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' Stage 2 Theater to ensure that the cultural assessment reflects residents' perspective and knowledge.

Key issues for discussion include:

• What are Scottsdale's primary cultural assets?
• What is the future role of arts and culture in the civic life of Scottsdale? What is the "big vision?"
• How can the arts and culture play a strategic role in solving social, civic and economic problems?
• To what ends should investments in facilities be made? What kinds of cultural facilities will fulfill these outcomes?
• To what extent should programs that stimulate creativity in children and adults be prioritized?
• What future roles should the Scottsdale Cultural Council play in the cultural development of Scottsdale?

Interested participants are asked to RSVP by contacting Marilyn Williams at (480) 874-4660.

Scottsdale Police Advertising in Boston Urinals

The Scottsdale Police Department must be having a VERY difficult time finding recruits. Recognizing that there are plenty of people all over the country that would like to live and work in Scottsdale, the city decided to reach out to potential future officers. So, the Scottsdale Police Department purchased advertising above the urinals in Boston's Fenway Park. That's right. Beer-guzzling Red Sox fans could represent the thin blue line in the West's Most Western Town. Alas, the ads have only inspired two Bostonians to call the Scottsdale PD - one was a reporter, the other an abject drunk uttering profanities.

Is this really how taxpayer money should be spent?