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Opinion

When Arizona temps rise, it’s time to check on older family, neighbors

As Arizona’s triple-digit temperatures rise, it's more important than ever to check in on the older adults in your life — whether it’s a neighbor, friend or family member. A quick visit can help ensure their safety and well-being.
OPINIONS

Reader wants coverage for protests planned for June 14

I am a resident of Sun City West, but more importantly I am a citizen of the United States. I understand your paper is not publishing anything having to do with politics, but on June 14th, when Mr. Trump is having his glorious parade in Washington DC, the nation will be having a major protest in all 51 states.
OPINIONS

Reader offers thoughts on Autism school coming to Sun City West

Here in Sun City West, a company wants to open a school for autistic kids and they want to get "volunteers" from the community. First, they're a for-profit school that will suck money from the public school system, and then they want volunteers (free labor from the citizens).
Opinion

Reader reminds people of their Constitutional rights

While many recent letters to the editor have been about the autism school, our country is suffering an onslaught of our rights as Americans, and most here in Sun City West, Sun City, Grand, etc. don’t notice, don’t care or don’t have the full story.
OPINIONS

SCW is the right location for Autism school

I think that Sun City West would be an ideal location for the Autism school. The CEO has already explained that the students would be bused to the school, therefore I do not see a huge traffic problem.  We have big traffic problems at the grocery stores!! I don't know the actual crime rate for SCW, but I'm sure it would not be the same as a location in downtown Phoenix, or possibly Scottsdale or Mesa. 
OPINIONS

Reader feels Medicaid article was misleading

I recently read your article on Medicaid in the Sun City West Independent and was struck by how the first three-quarters seemed more focused on stirring fear among lower-income seniors than providing balanced information. The tone and framing felt misleading — something that has, regrettably, become common in much of today’s mainstream media.
OPINIONS

Reader disputes recent Medicaid story

Regarding your cover story titled “Medicaid experts weigh in on potential cuts for seniors”: This article incorrectly states that the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” contains potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and may impact seniors who receive those benefits. I feel that this article was written with the intent of promoting fear in this senior community, merely for political reasons.
OPINIONS

Reader responds to ‘Resident upset about drivers in Sun Cities’

Not sure about Sun City, I live in Sun City West, but the writer of this article is "right-on."

Welcoming a school to Sun City West

Victory Autism Academy is opening a school at 13950 Meeker Blvd. in Sun City West. This private school will provide education and treatment services to youth with Autism in an impressive looking facility owned by the Banner organization. What a great use of a vacant building. What a fine opportunity for our community to welcome an underserved population of students. They are undoubtedly supported by heroic parents who are seeking the best possible options for children who may not fit in a traditional school setting.
OPINIONS

Reader not thrilled to have Autism school in Sun City West

I lived next door to a school for many years until I could no longer tolerate the slamming car doors of speeding parents attempting to: Drop off/Pick up students on time; Drop off/Pick up students after they are already late; Drop off/Pick up students for extra-curricular activities.
Take the Civility Pledge

Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road.  Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question. 

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen  & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

CheckmarkLook for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

Now that you've read the checklist, take the Civility Pledge. 

Your Community Your Voice

Reader upset with underage people living in Sun City West

Has the age stipulation now to live in Sun City West changed?

Reader OK with Autism school in Sun City West

Sadly, I've been watching all of the angst, negative comments and hand wringing all over social media and in this paper about the new school for Autistic or "on the spectrum" children. I sincerely hope that now all the people who are clutching their collective pearls and or threatening to move will calm down now that it's been revealed that the facts are SCW has no control over the commercial buildings, that our taxes will not be impacted and that nothing will change with respect to the Rec Center fees etc. 

Reader fears BNSF Intermodal yard would be life-changing for residents

A monster project just west of us has been proposed that would be life-changing for you, for me, for everyone. Have you seen the announcements in the Independent? Called Logistics Park Phoenix, jobs and prosperity using language that implies that it is a done deal.

Some ideas for reducing federal spending

The U.S. deficit as of 2024 was over $36 trillion. Here is a short list of actions that could help solve the waste of government spending. First, stop the bleeding. Pass an amendment to balance …

Reader questions Autism school’s location

Question: With all the commercial buildings/complexes around Surprise, why choose Sun City West (SCW) for your facility?

Reader files complaint with Maricopa County on new Autism school in Sun City West

I read the plea of Mr. Schuerman, CEO of Victory Autism Academy, in a recent online Independent to let a K-12 school into SCW.

Getting the facts about incoming autism school to Sun City West

When I first heard about a school coming into SCW, I was surprised, as so many others were. I thought that this was not something we were going to want to have here.

In agreement with readers for RCSCW rate increases

In response to the opinion page on May 28, 2025, I agree 100% with both Barbara L DuPonte and Ben Thayer.

Our autism school isn't a threat — It's a lifeline

As the CEO of Victory Autism Academy, I’d like to directly address the recent concerns and misconceptions surrounding our new campus in Sun City West.

Appreciative of background information on school coming to SCW

With respect to the proposed school in SCW, there appears to be a degree of confusion and conflict afoot. The abyss tends to deepen and widen in the absence of germane information. 

Reader believes Autism school doesn’t belong in Sun City West

I have been doing some further research into the Victory Autism Academy that is slated to begin operation in SCW this fall.

Changes need to happen at R.H. Johnson

We attend R.H. Johnson to walk. When four members and I are forced to share one lounge chair because visitors have overtaken loungers, something should be changed! We did attempt to walk at Kuntz, there was no one there. It needs to be utilized also.
Paula Pedene, ARS

Honoring all who carried the weight this Memorial Day

Each Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. Often, our thoughts focus on those who died on distant battlefields, and rightly so. However, I’ve …
Michael Graham

How old is too old? Biden’s cancer news highlights need to confront age issue

Remember when the rent was too damn high? Today, America’s politicians are too damn old. President Joe Biden’s greatest (unintended) legacy may be getting America’s …

RCSCW Governing Board President addresses private school

I have received numerous complaint emails regarding the recent article regarding the new private school coming to Sun City West and must respond to member concerns.

Reader upset about drivers in Sun Cities

In response to Glenn Richards' letter about “Poor Driving in Sun Cities,” I agree that some drivers are rude and reckless.

Reader responds to Dottie Reedy’s SCW Rec Center Dues letter

I'm amazed at the number of more recent residents of Sun City West who apparently didn't research where they planned to make their new home.

Resident is against Sun City West school

Wow, we are totally against this. This is a 55 and older community. We chose to live here and thought it was zoned for our use, not for kids of any kind. Really? Why wasn’t this brought up …

Reader has questions about new school

Being a Sun City West property owner for over 20 years, I find it rather surprising that an over-55 community would have a K-12 school, private or public. This certainly is a concern in more ways …

Women’s Watch rebuttal: DEI isn’t a solution

In response to the Women’s Watch opinion, How the loss of DEI will impact women and what we can do to meet rising challenges : Loss of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a gain. Finding root …
Bonnie Boyce-Wilson

How the loss of DEI will impact women and what we can do to meet rising challenges

Diversity, equity and inclusion promotes the fair treatment and full participation of everyone, particularly groups that have been historically underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on …
Tomás León

What happens to AHCCCS, Arizona's health care lifeline, if Congress cuts Medicaid?

In the vast landscape of Arizona, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, AHCCCS, provides critical support for over 2 million residents. Medicaid, which primarily serves low-income …
Tom Slade

Reader disagrees with Robb’s take on tariffs

Robert Robb makes some good points in his recent opinion concerning the effects of tariffs . However, I believe his basic premise that these tariffs are “protectionist,” thereby amounting …

Sun City West budget set up to move money from wages, salaries

Administrative staff of The Recreation Center of Sun City West prepare an annual budget that projects the following year’s income, expenses, and Revenues Over (Under) Expenses, sometimes called Net Profit. This budget is then used to calculate how much our dues will be in the new fiscal year, too. It’s not a projection. It’s what we must pay, like taxes. Now comes the good part.

Traffic, noise from BNSF facility concerns Surprise resident

I have been reading about BNSF’s plans for a 4,320-acre intermodal site in Wittman. Having recently relocated to The Grand, I have serious concerns about the impact this plan has not only …

Reader makes suggestions to those against Opinions pages

I wish to offer gentle suggestions for my fellow residents who are hammering the Independent's Opinions page with angry, entitled, outraged letters.

Regarding the golf courses and the RCSCW dues

I’ve lived here for 37 years. Served on the Governing Board, chaired Public Relations, Human Resources, & Fitness Committees. Through volunteerism, I interacted with residents and employees. We do need the golf Courses and everything else Del Webb’s vision built, and yes, we need to support higher dues to pay for what we have and may need in the future!
Tami Bohannon

The bond between older adults, pets is a lifeline that needs extra support

“They’re the reason to get up in the morning … they are my entire life when there’s not others around.”   These heartfelt words, shared by one of 85 …

‘Take-home’ vehicles sounds like a bad plan

When I first heard that Sun City West was furnishing “take-home” vehicles to employees, I thought it was so ridiculous that it could not possibly be true.

Does Sun City West need seven golf courses?

I agree totally with the writer who answered yes! In addition, it would be legally impossible to eliminate a course or courses!
Latest regional, state and national issues
Michael Kleven, DO

Why it’s critical that men make physical, mental health a priority

June is Men’s National Health Month — a perfect reminder for men to make wellness a priority. Many men take care of their health, but additional work is needed to keep more men healthy. 

Why I am attending the ‘No Kings’ march

I am so angry. My fellow citizens knew what would happen. We lived through Trump’s first presidency. We were told what was coming over and over, by everyone from the most left-leaning …
Lindsay Koshgarian

Americans have a choice: Weapons and war, or food and health care?

For weeks, Congress has been wrapped up in passing President Trump’s big, brutal budget — the one that pays for tax cuts for the wealthy and a trillion-dollar Pentagon budget by taking …

Speak Up: Three Scottsdale city council members call for criminal investigation of mayor

J. Graber's  article on the rancor among the ranks of the Scottsdale City Council and a request by three council members that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office investigate the mayor …
Cara Christ, MD, MS

Why I advise Arizonans to get their free annual checkups, shots and screenings

It’s June, do you know what that means? We’re halfway through the year. This is your friendly reminder to schedule your preventive care!
Heather Menzer, MD

How to keep young athletes healthy and competitive

Participation in sports offers myriad benefits for children and teens, from cardiovascular health and reduced risk of chronic diseases to enhanced cognitive function, increased self-confidence and better social skills.

Progress will come to Wittmann with BNSF, and residents should be ready

It’s hard not to feel sorry for Wittman residences who will see their quiet, rural area be transformed by the BNSF rail yard and logistic development. But I have lived in the Valley since 1952 …
Mark Lawrence

How we can better support our seniors

The population of Arizona is aging, with over 18 percent of residents being 65 years or older, according to research by PRB. As our state’s population continues to age, an increasing number of …

Homeland Security operation near Danelle Plaza concerns reader

It is extremely disappointing and frightening for those whose skin happens to be Brown that a visit to a plaza could result in a kidnapping. It is further disappointing and difficult to believe …
Dee Stewart

A conservative case for protecting Medicaid

With our national debt in excess of $36 trillion and rising, there can be little doubt that putting America’s fiscal house in order should be our priority. As budget discussions continue, …
Thomas L. Knapp

Occupied LA: Don’t riot — boycott and shun

President Donald Trump,  Axios reports , “ is edging closer than ever to invoking the Insurrection Act, driven by a vision of executive power free from the guardrails, governors and …
Doug O'Brien

Co-ops are a cornerstone of economic security and a force for stability in migration policy

Across the U.S. and around the world, cooperatives stand as a powerful model of democratic ownership, local economic resilience and inclusive prosperity. From rural electric co-ops that power …
Nadia Kharoufeh

My Girl Scouts experiences are why I think young Arizonans should attend summer camp

The average summer break for students in the United States is roughly 12 weeks. Whether students spend their time hanging out with friends, going on vacations or simply unwinding from the school year, there’s one activity I love most: going to Girl Scout Summer Camp.
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck.

New budget continues Peoria's commitment to economic development, public safety, water future

In June, Peoria’s City Council unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Mike Litt

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cuts hurt service members, veterans

For too many consumers, navigating the marketplace for financial services can feel like a nightmare — a minefield of rip-off artists, usurious lenders, unresponsive credit reporting agencies …

Make America Sick Again

What do you do when you get really sick? Me, I go to my doctor. I rely on science, which dictates diagnosis and prescription for medical treatment. But this has not always been the way in the …
Robert Robb

Biggs, Musk and the ‘disgusting abomination’

After Elon Musk described the federal budget reconciliation bill as “a disgusting abomination,” Arizona U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs tweeted: “He’s not wrong. This sentiment would have been much more impactful before the vote, when my @freedomcaucus colleagues and I were catching flack for fighting tooth and nail for more spending reductions. As it was, we voted to advance President Trump’s agenda.”

Speak Up: Homelessness on the rise in Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s unsheltered population rose in 2025 for the third year in a row, according to the Point-in-Time count recently released by the Maricopa Association of Governments.
Joy Seitz

Monsoon season is almost here — is your roof ready?

A recent long-range forecast from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center states that Arizona is slated to experience “above normal” rainfall this summer. Monsoon …
Tom Patterson

Making the case for equal rights, responsibilities for America’s indigenous populations

Suppose you were an evil genius who decided to create a permanent underclass out of a particular race. What provisions would you make to ensure that they remained permanently poor and outcast? …
Diane M. Douglas was the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction 2015-2019, and Peoria Unified board member, 2005-2012, President 2008, 2009.

New arrangement at Peoria Unified dais protects dignity of office

Nothing was “amiss” at the May 29 meeting of the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board.
Brian VanDeMark

From Kent State to Los Angeles, using armed forces to police civilians is a high-risk strategy

Responding to street protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration enforcement raids, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 soldiers from the California National Guard into the city on June 7, 2025, to protect agents carrying out the raids. Trump also authorized the Pentagon to dispatch regular U.S. troops “as necessary” to support the California National Guard.

Trump sending combat troops to L.A. should worry everyone, reader says

Our president is at it again. I believe our “leader” has decided that it is in his best interest to start an insurrection where none existed prior. Trump called up 2,000 troops from …
Heavy winds from a microburst that hit the West Valley in January 2021 ripped a picnic shade structure’s heavy metal plates out of the ground at Scout Park in Litchfield Park.

Americans don’t actually know their severe weather risks, and likely won’t — here’s why

On Jan. 5, 2025, at about 2:35 in the afternoon, the first severe hailstorm of the season dropped quarter-size hail in Chatham, Mississippi. According to the federal storm events database, there were no injuries, but it caused $10,000 in property damage.
Kristin Struble, MD, FAAP

The healing power of the arts: Why creativity is medicine we can’t ignore

As a pediatrician, I’ve spent years in medicine witnessing the toll that stress, anxiety and isolation take on our minds and bodies. One thing that can help with these issues is exposure to …
Sonya Engle

I’m still here to observe National Cancer Survivors Month because early detection saves lives

As a survivor of cervical and breast cancer, I know firsthand the importance of early detection and treatment. June is National Cancer Survivors Month — a time to increase awareness about …
Donald Anderson, father of Joshua Anderson, stands by his son's casket. In addition to his parents and other family members, the 33-year-old left behind a twin brother.

Grieving mom is grateful fentanyl seized, suspects charged

Regarding the Independent’s article, Pair charged after fentanyl seizure in Phoenix, thanks for reporting this; it makes a difference to me. 
Farrah Hassen, J.D.

Criminalizing homelessness doesn’t work; housing people does

In the largest eviction of a homeless encampment in recent history, around 100 unhoused people were recently forced to vacate Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest — or else face a $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail.
Pvt. Lyons Wakeman of Company H, 153rd New York Volunteer Infantry, is shown in this undated image by an unknown photographer.

Holy cow! History — A soldier’s big Civil War secret

At first glance, there was nothing unusual about Pvt. Lyons Wakeman. The service record in the National Archives is similar to countless other Civil War soldiers: