Billy Shields

Is the Bloom Off the (Jason) Rose? PR Stuntman Lost More Petals in May

The post-election dust has settled, and we would be remiss not to take a look at the scorecard for one of our favorite public-relations stuntmen -- famous (some would say infamous) spin-master Jason Rose.   We see that he lost a few more petals in May, but Rose tells New Times that busine ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton Injects New Blood On Influential Board; Cuts Some Lobbyist Ties

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton appointed two new members this week to the Board of Adjustment, a body that weighs development-related cases with significant impact on neighborhoods and developers. Stanton replaced Bob Ford and Alex Tauber, both serving on terms that had expired more than a year ago. ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Wes Gullett's Story Is More Complicated Than It Looks

Mayor Gordon May Be Remembered Most for Compromising His Ethics for the Woman He Loved

Greg Stanton, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, Called "Front-Runner", "Candidate to Beat", and "Enemy" By Tea Party, GOP Leaders

Phoenix New Times Photo Illustration Greg Stanton is the people's newest "enemy." Coming soon. This film is not yet rated. ​​The Republicans won't invite Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Greg Stanton to their candidate forums. And they, along with Phoenix Tea Party-types, are branding him as "t ... More >>

Mindy Shields Indicted by Grand Jury on One Count of Felony Theft

Mindy Shields indicted on theft charges.​A Grand Jury has indicted Mindy Shields, daughter of influential Phoenix lobbyist Billy Shields, for Class 2 felony theft. The charges against Mindy Shields stem from the embezzlement of more than $77,000 from Friends of Greg Stanton, a poli ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidates Toss Political Barbs During Downtown Phoenix Forum

centralphoenixinn.comPhoenix mayoral candiates met at the Lexington Hotel for a lively exchange​Quite a lively exchange at the Downtown Voices Coalition's mayoral forum at the Lexington Hotel. At most forums, candidates cleave to the their talking points and engage in political niceties, but resid ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidates Greg Stanton, Claude Mattox Nab Coveted Public Safety Unions Endorsements

Claude Mattox is the fire fighters' choice for Phoenix mayor.​Greg Stanton is the candidate of choice for Arizona police' unions.​There are two major endorsements Valley politicians go after with gusto during election season -- police and fire. And while one candidate usually grabs both endorsem ... More >>

Phoenix Let the International Firm Operating the City's Buses Dodge a Bill of More Than $2 Million

Peggy Neely and Greg Stanton Show Early Leads in Phoenix Mayor's Race, Poll Reveals

Four candidates vying for the Mayor's Office in Phoenix City Hall. ​It's way early in the Phoenix mayor's race, but for political junkies to want a glimpse of what might be, here are the results of a poll conducted by the Motola Group, a Phoenix based-public advocacy firm. While some 40 percent of ... More >>

UPDATED: Phoenix Gave Away More Than $3 Million To Veolia Transportation By Waiving Poor Performance Fines

Veolia has dodged more than $3 million in fines​(Updated with links to several documents, including Veolia's performance records)Phoenix gave away more than $3 million - so far - to Veolia Transportation, a transit company that operates buses throughout the city.It's $3,295,573.86, to be precise. ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's Involvement with Veolia Transportation Contract Questioned by Federal Transit Administration

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Elissa Mullany​A New Times story about Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon advising a transit company that employs his girlfriend on how to muscle nearly $30 million from Phoenix prompted an inquiry from the feds.The Federal Transit Administration, an agency that provides money ... More >>

Mindy Shields, Daughter of Influential Phoenix Lobbyist, Under Police Investigation for Allegedly Taking Money From Political Fund

Mindy Shields​Phoenix police are investigating the alleged embezzlement of more than $75,000 from a campaign fund that belongs to Deputy Attorney General Greg Stanton. The fund, which has no ties to Stanton's post in the Arizona Attorney General's Office, dates back to his days on the P ... More >>

Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams Says She is Not a Member of Private Committee Organized by Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Firefighters' Union Boss

Thelda Williams​Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams tells New Times that she isn't part of a private committee pulled together by Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Pete Gorraiz, the president of the firefighters' union, and Billy Shields, a Phoenix lobbyist and former head of the fire union."I was just on ... More >>

Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Nearly Two Dozen Phoenix Insiders Gathering For Secret Meetings; Want Change in Phoenix Government

​An influential group of individuals -- including three elected Phoenix officials, members of the Goldwater Institute and the firefighters' union boss -- have been quietly meeting over the past month and developing strategies on how to change city government.It's unclear what will ultimately emerg ... More >>

Phil Gordon's Girlfriend Problem: Mayor Gordon Helped a Transportation Company Employing His Gal Pal Muscle Almost $30 Million From Phoenix

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's "Suggestion" Helps Transportation Company Muscle Nearly $30 Million From Phoenix

​Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon isn't supposed to be meddling in discussions or matters involving Veolia Transportation, the company that operates most of the city buses and has Gordon's girlfriend on its payroll.Phil Gordon​Gordon declared a conflict of interest during several public meetings and ab ... More >>

Phoenix Councilman Claude Mattox Still Testing Mayoral Waters, Mayor Phil Gordon Disses Councilwoman Peggy Neely In E-Mail

Claude Mattox ​Although Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon doesn't leave office for another year and half, political wonks already are speculating about the final lineup of candidates for the 2011 mayor's race.Former Attorney General Grant Woods? Arizona Democrat Jim Pederson? Deputy Attorn ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor's Top Aide Facing Possible Domestic Violence Charges

More bad news for Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon​Joe Villasenor, a senior assistant to Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his wife December 15, according to a police report obtained by New Times.Villasenor is currently on "personal leave," according to his direct s ... More >>

Something Smells in Glendale: Did the City Steer the Phoenix Coyotes Franchise to an Insider?

Something Smells in Glendale: Did the City Steer the Phoenix Coyotes Franchise to an Insider?

It's Time to Kick Andrew Thomas Off the Stapley Investigation

Phoenix City Council Chooses Sal DiCiccio; Gordon, Baier Flip Flop to Lend Support

By a vote of 5-3, the Phoenix City Council today chose former councilman Sal DiCiccio to finish the term of Greg Stanton, who resigned last week to take a job with Attorney General Terry Goddard. DiCiccio was nominated only after the council deadlocked on the nomination of Sal Rivera, an atto ... More >>

Burning Sensation

Firefighters union boss Billy Shields screwed up. Now, he's ticked off Phoenix's most powerful law firm

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, April 12, 2007

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, March 29, 2007

Backdraft

The Fire Inside

The family feud at the Phoenix Fire Department

Loan Sharks

The governor's chosen loan authority is determined to keep its monopoly

Murder City

P-town's scratch-master sharpens his talons over Mayor Goober's crime stats, markers for dead cops and Jarrett Maupin's anti-N-word campaign

Bonds. Big Bonds.

It's officially a nonprofit, but the company Governor Napolitano picked to handle millions in student loans is making big bucks for one of its original founders

Manet, You Corrupt Biddy...

Bonds. Big Bonds.

It's officially a nonprofit, but the company Governor Napolitano picked to handle millions in student loans is making big bucks for one of its original founders

Shrine Whine

Governor Photo-Op was wrapping herself in the flag over the new AZ 9/11 shrine. Now, she who puts the P in politician's running for cover

Monument Valley

The plumed wonder hates to agree with GOP gun moll Ann Coulter philosophically, but about our 9/11 memorial . . .

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, December 1, 2005

Lactose Intolerants

The taloned one sucks up to breast-feeding MILFs, observes that Smoke Free Arizona ain't no pot initiative and squawks at union boss Billy Shields

Ambulance Chasers

Winning ambulance contracts? It's all about who you know. (Unless it's about the dirt they've got on you.)

Arpaio's Running Scared

The powerful Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona and Senator John McCain want Sheriff Joke gone

Spiked

The Spike has been moving and shaking with the best of them lately

Vote For Me Or I'll Shoot This Dog

Just Kidding. But Phoenix City Council candidate Jessica Florez is trying to soften her tough-girl image.

Code Squawkers

Unions and developers battle over proposed building regs

Kid Drownings

After decades of failure, the well-intentioned still don't get it

MAHONEY WELSHES ON AN IRISH DEBT