Opinions with Civility
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As a mother, my heart breaks for the children of Eliza Fletcher, the Tennessee mom and teacher brutally murdered while innocently out for her morning jog. As a policy maker and advocate who has …
In answer to a Sun City resident’s questions (“Is department merger really necessary?” Sun City West Independent, Sept. 21, 2022) regarding feasibility studies with the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority with Buckeye Valley and Sun City fire districts.
I am writing to you in response to Sandra Lena- Autry’s letter (“Objecting to continued fee increases,” Sun City West Independent, Aug. 17, 2022).
As a business owner and Scottsdale City Councilwoman, I understand the intrinsic value good schools bring to our community, both in the foundations they provide to our neighborhoods and the educational experience they offer our students.

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Advocacy

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West Valley Opinions
I am a firm believer in the age 55 rules, and there should be no exceptions.
Once I heard it said that you can tell what a person is committed to by what they complain about.
I read the letter from Sandra Lena-Autry (“Objecting to continued fee increases,” Sun City West Independent, Aug. 17, 2022) and she is right about the increases every year.
The city of Peoria offers five rebates for Peoria water customers, including smart irrigation controllers, but that doesn't mean they are available to all residents.
This is regarding the letter from Phyllis Roach (“Check your Medicare bills for problems,” Sun City Independent, Aug. 24, 2022)

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East Valley Opinions
In October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month brings into focus three indisputable truths about the internet. One, it is an incredible resource that offers a universe of opportunities to …
Old guys have a tendency to talk about the past. I could talk about being a PTA president or serving on the SUSD Governing Board or serving on the Scottsdale Human Services Commission or even talking …
People in Scottsdale who know me know that I am a strong advocate for public schools. Yet I don’t have any kids in the SUSD school system. Why do I care so much about public education when …
Why should a Scottsdale senior voter approve the proposed SUSD additional assistance override? We don’t have children in schools anymore. We don’t all know the difference between the …
My time as a student in the Scottsdale Unified School District is best defined by one word: opportunity. When considering my peers’ varying paths to MIT, the common thread is undoubtedly the …

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Your Community Your Voice
For those with behavioral health disorders, like depression and bipolar disorder, there may be an increased risk of suicide. For example, research indicates the rate of suicide for those who have bipolar disorder is 10 to 30 times more than the overall population.

Stangler: How to help spot signs of suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which offers a good time to raise awareness to help reduce the stigma around mental health issues. This could be an important step to lowering suicide …
Last year’s Motors & Meals fundraiser was a success. [Northwest Valley Connect]

Chandler: NVC sets annual Motors & Meals fundraiser for late October

Northwest Valley Connect’s annual fundraising event, Motors & Meals, will soon be here. Mark your calendars for Sunday, Oct. 23 from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Beardsley Recreation Center, 12755 …

Hochschartner: Pleased with Biden's view on issue

I was overjoyed to learn President Joe Biden’s National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative will include funding for cultivated-meat research. For those who don’t know, …
Shirley Ooley

Ooley: Women’s reproductive rights rally Oct. 1 in Apache Junction

The Apache Junction Democrats partnering with the Pinal County Democratic Party will hold a rally for women’s reproductive rights 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Flatiron Park, 100 N. Apache …

Henninger: Ps and Qs for a winning ‘Super Season’

When it comes to acrimony, Scottsdale leads the pack. Certain surefire issues — development, parking, apartments, school vouchers, etc. — give some residents a platform to prove the power …

Jackson: Override funds are important, normal part of paying for school needs

As the treasurer of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, former Scottsdale school board member and parent, I urge you to support the SUSD District Additional Assistance Override. These …

Duffy: Vote No on Prop. 301

Arizona voters should reject Proposition 131 because it keeps us from voting for the best candidates for each office, allows a scenario in which our governor would be someone who has never been on …

Sexton: The real political earthquake in Scottsdale no one is talking about

The emperor has no clothes. The self-aggrandizing piece penned by Jason Rose in the Independent newspaper about politics …

Vaules: 4 ways you can save public education in Scottsdale

Horace Mann, the great trailblazer of American public schools in the 19th century, referred to education as the “great equalizer of the conditions of men.” Unfortunately, the inverse …

McCellan, Webster: Time to retire Andy Biggs

We don’t share a whole lot politically. One of us is a long-time Republican who helped to elect Andy Biggs in the 2016 election. The other is a Democratic-leaning Independent who has …

Korte: Scottsdale schools' District Additional Assistance override benefits everyone

This fall, Scottsdale voters have the opportunity to enhance the Scottsdale Unified School District’s financial stability for the next seven years. The District Additional Assistance budget …

Hague: Learn the lessons of courage, confidence with ‘special skin’

I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I released my book, How Fathers Change Lives...

Frerichs: Beware of piano gift fraudsters

I would like to make the readers of the Independent aware of a scam involving the donation of a piano...

Sjolander: Here’s 5 ways you can help prevent suicides

As the 10th-leading cause of death in Arizona — and the second-leading cause of death among those age 10 through 34...

Burhop: What would be in the Trump presidential library?

Presidential libraries are actually museums.

Hague: Want more community? Embrace spirit of ubuntu

While a British anthropologist was studying a Zulu tribe in South Africa, she observed that the sense of community...

ADOT: Interstate 10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor hits milestone

A significant milestone has been reached toward improving Interstate 10 south of the metro-Phoenix area...

Smith: Is there hypocrisy in policy?

It was impossible to ignore the juxtaposition of the letter to the editor from Cindy Brown (“Time to wake from slumber,” Sun City West Independent, Aug. 17, 2022) and the Civility guidelines that appeared on the very next page.
: Semiconductor Technicians help manufacture semiconductors with the use of special purpose furnaces, x-ray equipment, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties. These technicians work in a clean room environment and wear "bunny suits" to minimize contaminants.

The Chip Challenge: Growing a workforce for the semiconductor industry

According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, "Arizona is the best state in the nation for entrepreneurship, innovation and emerging technology."  At the end of August, Governor Doug …

Allans support Binsbacher in 2022 Peoria mayoral race

My husband, John and I are both wholeheartedly supporting Bridget Binsbacher for Peoria mayor.

What’s up with all these panhandlers?

Was just at Target in Surprise and a girl probably 17-20 came up to me asking for money...

Borst: NASA SLS space vehicle all wrong – private companies are better

The first step in NASA’s Artemis program is the launch of the Space Launch System rocket, heir to the legendary Saturn V rocket...

Novess: I support our U.S. agencies, not hate groups

I stand with the FBI, ATF and Homeland Security. Right-wing extremists in this country are the biggest threat to America per the FBI...

Herrington: Latest boosters especially important for older Arizonans

Even with COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths declining in recent weeks, it’s an inescapable fact that older individuals remain at greatest risk...

Dickinson: Criminalizing popular consumer products not an answer

The Food and Drug Administration’s recent proposal to ban menthol cigarettes is yet another example of public health policy...
The Deer Valley Road project while under construction. The bridge is now complete.

Peel: River bridge project pleases resident

I wanted to first say the new road is beautiful.

Graettinger: Sun City Posse needs donations to continue work

The Sun City Posse each year turns to you, the residents, for help with its fundraising drive and again this year we are asking for your assistance as we kick off our 2023 Sun City Posse fundraising campaign.
Steven Alexander

Alexander: Top 3 reasons people 55 and older avoid exercise

One of the most common questions I get asked from my aging patients is “Are there any exercises I should avoid?” But, for those 55 and older, it usually also comes with the added... …

Kampert: Respondents don’t understand why Biden is really like Hitler

Once again Mr. Novess has taken me to task for my comparison of the Biden administration to that of Adolf Hitler...

Currie: Join ADOT's Adopt a Highway cleanup on Sept. 17

National CleanUp Day is Saturday, Sept. 17. That’s less than three weeks away!

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