It is a start to another year and decade, which is a time for most people to think about ways to make a meaningful change to their health and lifestyle. 

Now is the time of year when we typically take inventory of our lives and set new goals. Relationships, finances, careers and health are all important aspects that impact our overall well-being. 

With the exponential growth of short-term rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO in recent years, vacation rentals are of increasing concern to homeowners and can put strain on the relationships of neighbors.  

Last week, 17,000 signatures were presented to the City of Scottsdale calling for a referendum on the Southbridge II project in Old Town Scottsdale. 

My family and I have had the opportunity to reflect on our lives. We marvel at how profoundly we’ve changed regarding our relationship with our LGBTQ “family” – a term I never would have used in relation to LGBTQ people a decade ago. 

Don’t buy a puppy until you do your research.

I support the Unger family’s Southbridge II project in Old Town.

On Dec. 4, the City Council majority, on a narrow 4-3 vote, approved the massive Southbridge II project in Old Town. 

Don’t put developers in charge of redevelopment

Editor’s note: The author titled this “My Last Day on Earth by the Late Michael David Allanson, Forever 14.” He was her son.

For more than 56 years, Bill Walton has dedicated his energy, vision, and professional expertise to enhance Scottsdale for this and future generations. 

External incentives not an answer to learning

The darkest years in recent Scottsdale politics – 2016 to 2018. 

In Arizona, one person dies by suicide approximately every seven hours. That’s more than three people every day. Twenty-four every week. One hundred every month. More than 1,000 every year. 

In 2006, more than 80 active citizens, business owners, and merchants met on the second floor of Chaparral Suites. Our driving force was the need to have the voices of the residents and business owners heard at Scottsdale City Council meetings. 

The Scottsdale City Council recently updated the rules for property owners if they want to rent out their homes as short-term vacation rentals.

I have lived in Scottsdale for nearly 60 years and only have positive memories of growing up in this great city. I have enjoyed telling stories about Scottsdale in the 1960s and, with one exception, have never had any individual question the veracity of my recollections.  

Pursuing higher education requires a huge commitment in both tuition and time. For parents of high school students, planning for this next important step in their educational journey is critical. 

We need to do better in next year’s elections

In Arizona, one person dies by suicide approximately every seven hours. That’s more than three people every day. Twenty-four every week. One hundred every month. More than 1,000 every year. 

In 1989, the Scottsdale Galleria debuted in downtown. Promoters claimed the retail center would draw more visitors than the Grand Canyon.

Editor’s note: Scottsdale resident Baylee Clore, a senior at Horizon High School, won second place in the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade’s annual essay competition. This is her prize-winning piece.

Did you know that Experience Scottsdale works with thousands of journalists each year to secure articles and television segments to promote travel to the city?

Editor’s note: Scottsdale resident Lauren Kobley, a senior at Notre Dame Preparatory High School, placed third in the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade annual essay contest. This is her award-winning piece.

Questions 1, 2 and 3 are very personal to me and my family. The 58 projects in the $319 million program will help our first responders, our seniors and our arts community.

Scottsdale’s first responders put their lives on the line every day for our community. I see it every day serving with the Scottsdale Police Department the past four years and throughout my law enforcement career.

Vote ‘no’ on city bonds: Here’s why I did

Scottsdale is a world-class city and arts destination. We would like it to remain that way.

After a quarter of a century in the classrooms of Scottsdale Unified School District, I decided to run for the State Legislature in 2018. 

I believe I have demonstrated throughout the more than 10 years as Scottsdale Mayor to be a conscientious fiscal conservative. 

Scottsdale is a wonderful place to live, visit, work, raise a family and retire. You know that. We all do. We enjoy our beautiful city thanks in large part to investments made in the past.

We know Scottsdale is one of the most livable cities in the country.

Participating in the city bond campaign steering committee has been a unique experience; working alongside folks who have rarely been on the same side as me on any issue.

We live in a very competitive region and world — and that competition does not stop.

I started visiting Scottsdale with my parents in 1952, and moved here in 199, and live in the northern part of the city. 

Scottsdale has been my home since 1953. I have owned and operated businesses here and had the honor of serving on the Scottsdale City Council.

Did you know that vision is directly involved in attention to tasks, interpretation of words, sensory input regulation, social-emotional learning, developmental progress and delays, handwriting and other fine motor skills needed in a classroom?

I once had the honor of serving as the mayor of Paradise Valley. There, I opposed unnecessary government spending and new taxes. Today, the town is better off because of those efforts.

The Scottsdale Education Association invites you to join us in supporting the SUSD override renewal – not only with your vote of YES,  but also by helping us to get the word out about this important vote. 

Scottsdale is the only U.S. city in the running to host the International Federation for Equestrian Sports World Championships in 2022.

As a CPA, I read the fine print. And I have read the fine print and reviewed the details when it comes to Questions 1, 2 and 3 on the Nov. 5, ballot.

Scottsdale voters have not approved a major bond program since 2000. Nineteen years is a long time and has left our city with an infrastructure needing to be repaired and community gems in need of improvements.

SUSD override critical to kids’ future – and ours

As a graduate of Chaparral High School, I remember my days as a “Firebird” fondly. I had great teachers and made wonderful friends, many of whom I still see regularly today.

You don’t have to like City Council to support bonds

The Police Officers of Scottsdale Association strongly support Questions 1, 2 and 3 on the November ballot.

Was this newspaper at the same Scottsdale Planning Commission meeting I was at recently concerning Museum Square?

Scottsdale’s sports fields cannot accommodate current demand from youth sports teams and leagues. 

Most of you know I have been a vocal opponent against past Scottsdale bond proposals. 

I spent almost all of my time as Arizona’s 2016 Teacher of the Year just trying to make sure students’ learning and lives didn’t get worse.