Pandemic stymies foodie influencers / P. 21
Schools' mental health challenges / P. 8
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
Critics question Ortega’s role in project fights BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor
NEWS ................................. 2 Mask mandate lifting stirs political pot.
NEIGHBORS ............. 16 Scottsdale woman's safer shopping carts
BUSINESS ................... 19 Scottsdale's first Dark Skies Resort.
NEIGHBORS ..........................................16 BUSINESS ...............................................19 ARTS ........................................................20 FOOD ........................................................ 21 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 23
Sunday, September 27, 2020
F
ollowing nearly a decade out of the limelight, mayoral candidate David Ortega re-emerged on the local political scene in 2019 to oppose two high profile downtown developments before the City Council.
The former councilman was a vocal critic of the proposed Sunday Goods medical marijuana dispensary and the controversial Southbridge Two development, making appearances before Council and writing a dozen letters to the editor during the second half of 2019. But some critics have questioned Ortega’s motives, noting he was paid to op-
pose the dispensary and allegations that he sought similar payments for his role opposing Southbridge Two. Ortega said he was never paid to oppose Southbridge Two and never sought payment for his opposition. “I was not paid a dime; I did not ask for
Back on campus July tax haul brings smiles to city officials
see ORTEGA page 6
BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor
S
cottsdale’s economy outperformed projections during the summer months but city officials caution the trend may not continue now that supplemental federal unemployment benefits have expired. City Council approved a $1.54-billion budget in June calling for $30 million to $40 million in cuts. That included a $18.4-million cut in General Fund spending, from $296.1 to $277.7 million, because of concerns about the pan-
see BUDGET page 9
Andrew Bloom REALTOR®, Senior Partner Andrew@BVOLuxury.com VOTED #1 SCOTTSDALE REAL ESTATE TEAM FOR 2018
Savanah Ruiz, a new kindergarten teacher. at Navajo Elementary School in Scottsdale, welcomes kindergarten children as they show up for their first in-class experience. Scottsdale Unified began a gradual reopening of campuses last week by letting K-2 students back into classrooms. That will be followed this week with the return of students in grades 3-5. (Tim Sealy/SealyMedia)
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