In a recent example of press release journalism in the Scottsdale “Independent,” Virginia Korte is quoted: “Putting horse troughs in front of downtown stores is not going to keep Scottsdale the ‘West’s Most Western Town.’” That one dishonest statement sums up Korte’s sincerity about the so-called “Community Conversation” about the future of Scottsdale she’s proposing. […]
Glendale’s Pro Sports Bill May Hit $21 Million This Year | KJZZ
“I don’t know to say if it’s an equal value,” [Glendale city manager Kevin] Phelps said. “But I think it certainly presents a compelling case to be in that market.” If you don’t KNOW that you are getting your money’s worth, then there is nothing “compelling” about such a case. This uncharacteristically disjointed article by […]
Voter lines persisted throughout the state | Cronkite News
Voter John Washington of Scottsdale arrived at the Pueblo precinct location 15 minutes early and said the check-in computers crashed as soon as the polling place opened. Poll workers were able to get one computer functioning, but by the time he cast his ballot, the line of voters wrapped around the block. Thanks for the […]
Trees v Forest
My posting schedule will be a little less vigorous now that the election drama has pretty well played out. There are a lot of ballots left to count, but most of the big races are essentially decided. But for those of you who may stumble across this in years to come and wonder why Scottsdale […]
Realtors and the so-called “Independent”
I want to share one follow-on point to my earlier article today on the dark money injected into Scottsdale politics by the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors and the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors. This point merits its own article. As you know, I’ve been increasingly frustrated with the objectivity of the “journalism” coming out […]
Campaign finance law-violating Realtors are at it again
A few days ago, the Scottsdale city clerk notified 2016 candidates that the National Association of Realtors out of Chicago had donated a staggering $72,000 to their favorites in our city election: An Independent Expenditure Notification form has been filed with this office by the National Association of Realtors Fund. The notification reports independent expenditures […]
Scottsdale jail employees demoted, police commander suspended after investigation | 12NEWS.com
Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell seemed blindsided by the revelation that [former City of Mesa police lieutenant Rick] Van Galder [who had been convicted in Gilbert of super-extreme DUI and sentenced to three days in jail] was allowed out of his [Scottsdale] cell, had food delivered and his wife visit, and was even given a […]
Jason Rose, Local PR Hound, and Lawyer Wife, Jordan, Pay Cash for $3.4 Million PV Mansion | Phoenix New Times
In the “must be nice” category, local public relations guru Jason Rose and his wife, local attorney, Jordan, made the paper this morning with their new home purchase. Topping the list of this week’s priciest home sales in the Arizona Republic’s real estate round-up is the Roses’ acquisition of a $3.4 million, 5,385-square-foot beauty on […]
Fiesta, Cactus Bowl games bring 60,000 visitors to Arizona | Scottsdale Independent
Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl, the two annual college football bowl games hosted in the Valley during the 2015-16 season, combined to generate an estimated $169.4 million in economic impact, including $79 million in total direct spending for the Valley and more than $7.5 million in direct tax revenue. A quote from a recent article […]
Jason Rose: Dictator Jim Lane’s Mouthpiece
Whenever Jason Rose tweets something particularly nasty, I always look at the time stamp and wonder if he’s three-deep into happy hour somewhere in Scottsdale’s Barf District, because no self-respecting PR hack would tarnish his own image and the image of his clients like that. But what would you expect from someone who made fun […]