Opinions with Civility
Latest Opinions
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 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 …

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Advocacy

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West Valley Opinions

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

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Your Community Your Voice

Kuhn: ESA expansion tramples the will of Arizona voter

I write in response to the guest commentary of Pam Kirby “ESA expansion is a victory for parents, students,” to point out crucial facts missing from her commentary. The first fact is …

Carney: Strengthen our public schools into top choice for families

In 2018, I wrote an article for Raising Arizona Kids Magazine titled “Six Families, Six Different Approaches to School Choice.” It was the story of our family and five others who all …

Rose: The political earthquake in Scottsdale no one is talking about

I ran my first successful campaign in Scottsdale in 1994. Two years later I consulted on the campaign that elected the city’s first female mayor, Sam Campana. Ever since I have been heavily …

Bien-Willner: New tools will help protect Paradise Valley from unruly short-term rental properties

Pragmatic solutions. Persistence. A coalition of dedicated, determined citizens. Reasonable compromise. These are among the principles most Arizona residents expect from our lawmaking and …

Cadwell: Back to school skin challenges

It’s back to school time again! The exciting and anxious energy of a new school year makes August a month of transformation and joy, and we want to do our best to make sure we start the new …

Opinion: Response to Kush

I read the guest commentary by Larry Kush. He failed to mention that he is the senior vice president at Orion Investment Real Estate, so, of course, he will bring up the report that apartments use …

Bien-Willner: Honored to have support of Paradise Valley voters

Thank you, Paradise Valley! I am humbled by the overwhelming support shown by Paradise Valley residents for my re-election, and I am so honored to have earned your trust to continue serving as your …

Thomasson: Thank you for your votes

Last week’s river of green voting envelopes streaming into town hall and inserted into drop boxes showed once again how much you care about our town and state. Thanks to each of you who …

Everything you wanted to know about the World Series … but were afraid to ask

Imagine you’re at an outdoor dinner party (yes, COVID-friendly). It’s October, and the conversation steers towards the World Series. While you are generally culturally literate, you know …

Christensen: Health literacy more important than ever for Arizonans in ongoing COVID-19 crisis

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions across the country, and Arizona has not been spared. This virus and its resulting economic fallout have put a harsh spotlight on rising health care …

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