Claude Mattox

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Claude Mattox, Phoenix City Councilman, Will Rock Out at Light Rail Opening

When he's not voting for public art or voting against a recommendation to make horse-tripping illegal, Claude Mattox likes to jam out with his classic rock band, the Screamin' Javelinas. The Phoenix City Councilman has been playing at city and charity events for the last few years, and his ban ... More >>

Plan in Phoenix Would Give Mayor Phil Gordon Two Extra Years -- Without Another Election

  City officials are weighing a plan to consolidate elections in the city of Phoenix -- one that could give Mayor Phil Gordon and certain council members an extra two years in office without being forced to run for reelection, New Times has learned. On January 9, a group called "Phoenix E ... More >>

Mayor Phil Gordon Kills Plan to Give Self Two More Years

  Saying it was a "distraction," Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has asked supporters to back off a plan that would have kept him in the mayor's office until 2014. The plan, first revealed by New Times in this blog, would have consolidated municipal elections in Phoenix. Currently, half th ... More >>

Door-to-Door Soliciting Rules Proposed by Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio

It's kind of creepy: There's a sudden knock at the door. You check to see who it is -- and it turns out to be someone trying to save your soul. Or maybe they just want to sell you something. Either way, you wonder if they would have tried the door and maybe burglarized the place, had you not answ ... More >>

KTAR Pulls Stunt on Audience; Speed Camera Story Fake

Local radio station KTAR (92.3 FM) is giving New Times some competition in the joke article department, telling its audience today that Phoenix is getting 350 federally funded speed cameras.The online article ran with this hilarious map -- which alone should have been a dead giveaway for readers. Th ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon’s Term Ends in 2012, but a Dastardly Plot Would Let Him Get Around That Limit

Local radio station KTAR (92.3 FM) is giving New Times some competition in the joke article department, telling its audience today that Phoenix is getting 350 federally funded speed cameras.The online article ran with this hilarious map -- which alone should have been a dead giveaway for readers. Th ... More >>

Michael Salman wants to build a church in his backyard. His neighbors aren't buying it

Local radio station KTAR (92.3 FM) is giving New Times some competition in the joke article department, telling its audience today that Phoenix is getting 350 federally funded speed cameras.The online article ran with this hilarious map -- which alone should have been a dead giveaway for readers. Th ... More >>

What's Eating Crow?

Our eagle-eyed scribbler talons Commander Crow, the Dalai Lama's merchandisers, columnist Jon Talton and the artful Phoenix City Council

Off Color

Skip Rimsza and Mike Johnson race into another controversy

Proposition ZZZZZZ

A Phoenix voter's guide -- in the unlikely event you decide to vote

Hermosillo, Mexico, Day-Care Fire Spurs Relief Fund by Phoenix Officials

Image: Wikimedia CommonsPhoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Councilman Claude Mattox and officials with the Sister City program will kick off a fundraising effort this morning to benefit families of children burned in a Mexico day-care facility fire. At least 44 children were killed in the blaze. Abou ... More >>

Does Mayor Phil Want to be Congressman Phil? The Rumor Mill is Turning

Congressman Phil?​Here's one fresh from the rumor mill:With John Shadegg's long-overdue departure from the U.S. House of Representatives, there are rumors that Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon may be looking to take his seat.So, does Mr. Gordon really want to go to Washington? He's certainly spent a lot ... More >>

Sky Harbor Cab Drivers' Dire Predictions About Airport Taxi Service Are Already Coming True

Congressman Phil?​Here's one fresh from the rumor mill:With John Shadegg's long-overdue departure from the U.S. House of Representatives, there are rumors that Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon may be looking to take his seat.So, does Mr. Gordon really want to go to Washington? He's certainly spent a lot ... 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 Councilwoman Peggy Neely Expected to Announce on Friday What Everyone Already Knew: She's Running for Mayor of Phoenix

Peggy Neely takes oath of office in January​Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Neely is expected to officially announce her bid for mayor of Phoenix this morning at the Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale. (It's really in Phoenix, but they like to use the Scottsdale address. Adds a little panach ... More >>

UPDATE: Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Neely Announces Only That She Is Thinking About Running For Mayor

Peggy Neely​Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Neely stopped short of saying she was running for mayor this morning at a press conference, announcing instead that she was forming an exploratory committee. Snooze. Seriously, after her inauguration speech in January, everyone knew that she was destine to ... More >>

Is PR Stuntman Jason Rose "Wilting"? The Arizona Guardian's Winged One Gives Him a Feather-Lashing

Is Jason Rose still a political heavyweight?​Jason Rose has never been one to mince words or hold back on a stunt if he thinks it would win him political points. And points for his clients, of course. Rose has worked hard to earn a reputation as a straight-talking, political-bomb-lobbing pub ... More >>

Claude Mattox To Perform At CityScape Block Party; No Word Yet On Whether Phoenix Councilman's Band (Screamin' Javelinas) Will Join Him

Claude Mattox​The CityScape Block Party is taking over downtown Phoenix starting Thursday night ... and the musical lineup is mind blowing.Macy Gray! Third Eye Blind! And Phoenix City Councilman Claude Mattox?Yep. He is expected to make a solo appearance on stage Sunday afternoon for a 90-minute s ... More >>

Claude Mattox Reports Screamin' Javelinas Are Still Together

There's a reason they call 'em "Screamin' Javelinas"​Although Phoenix City Councilman Claude Mattox is the only one listed for a Sunday afternoon musical performance at the CityScape Block Party, rest assured that the 90-minute set also includes the rest of Mattox's band -- the Screamin' Javelinas ... More >>

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 >>

Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Neely Wants Sheriff Joe to Support Her Bid for Mayor

Councilwoman Peggy Neely ​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has seen better days ... what with all those allegations of corruption and criminal activity in his office. And that scandal with the Sheriff's Command Association and all those politically motivated investigations against judges, county ... More >>

Jason Rose: Is The Guru Losing His Mojo?

Jason Rose ​We've asked before, but we gotta ask again because publicist extraordinaire Jason Rose hit another skid.Is the guru losing his mojo?  A campaign run by the Policy Development Group last spring to incorporate a small community near the Grand Canyon so artfully defeated Rose -- who ... More >>

Greg Stanton: Leading Arrogant Butcher's Straw Poll In First Week

Arrogant Butcher at 2 East Jefferson Street​The Arrogant Butcher, downtown's newest dining spot, has been running a straw poll to gauge who might be Phoenix's next mayor.The results for Week One are in, and former Deputy Attorney General and Councilman Greg Stanton is leading the pack. Stanton: 1 ... More >>

Arrogant Butcher Straw Poll: Greg Stanton Leading Again in Week Two

Phoenix mayor hopefuls​If the customers who feast on the Arrogant Butcher's Turkey Sloppy Joe and wash it down with a Miller High Life have anything to say about who will lead the nation's fifth ... er, that is sixth largest city ... then the honors will go to former Deputy Attorney General Greg S ... More >>

Mayor Hopeful Greg Stanton Still Leading in Arrogant Butcher's Straw Poll

Most of the straws in the Arrogrant Butcher's straw poll are pointing at Greg Stanton. ​C'mon people ... where is the competition?Greg Stanton, former deputy attorney general and Phoenix councilman, continues his lead in a straw poll for the mayor's race at the Arrogant Butcher, a new-i ... More >>

Equality Arizona: Forum Offers "Good Glimpse" of Phoenix Mayoral Candidates Stance on LGBT and City Issues

​Candidates in the Phoenix mayor's race carefully measured their words during a forum hosted by Equality Arizona, a political organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Monday night forum included questions to gauge candidates' stance on same-sex ... More >>

Mayor Hopeful Greg Stanton, Former Phoenix Councilman, Wins Arrogant Butcher's Straw Poll

Greg Stanton won over voters at the Arrogant Butcher.​It's official -- Greg Stanton is the winner of an Arrogant Butcher straw poll gauging who might be the next Phoenix mayor. Stanton, a former deputy Attorney General and Phoenix councilman, claimed victory with 524 votes, or about 40 perce ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Race: Same People Raising Money for Councilwoman Peggy Neely Are Giving Money to Rival Councilman Claude Mattox

​They say that politics make for strange bedfellows.Well, apparently some folks in Phoenix can't decide whether they wanna be bedfellows with Councilwoman Peggy Neely or Councilman Claude Mattox. There are at least 13 people on Neely's fundraising committee -- helping her raise money as she explor ... More >>

April 14 In Blogs: Zack de la Rocha, Medical Marijuana, Steve Earle, Avery Brewing, and ASU

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Phoenix Councilman Claude Mattox, Other Public Officials Enjoying Concerts, Suns Games in Arena Suite; Incomplete Records Mask How Often

Public officials living the suite life at the U.S. Airways Center.​Phoenix officials have not kept track of who's been kicking back in the city-owned suite at the U.S. Airways Center watching Phoenix Suns games or rocking out to legends like Elton John. But they're supposed to, according to their ... More >>

Councilwoman Peggy Neely Resigns Seat to Officially Enter Phoenix Mayor's Race

Peggy Neely (far right) has officially joined the Mayor's race in Phoenix.​Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely has resigned her seat to run for mayor, the Associated Press is reporting.It's no big surprise, considering she's been raising money like a fiend through an exploratory committee ... More >>

Lax Phoenix Recordkeeping Allows City Officials to Enjoy Lavish Off-the-Book Perks

Peggy Neely (far right) has officially joined the Mayor's race in Phoenix.​Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely has resigned her seat to run for mayor, the Associated Press is reporting.It's no big surprise, considering she's been raising money like a fiend through an exploratory committee ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Claude Mattox Fires Political Shot at Opponents, Unwittingly Hits His Own Campaign Chairman

phoenix.gov Oops. Councilman/Mayoral candidate Claude Mattox's criticism of his political opponents smacks his own campaign chairman.​Councilman Claude Mattox called out two of his opponents in the Phoenix mayor's race for "quitting" the City Council before the end of their terms.Former Cou ... 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 Mayoral Candidates Will Be Asking the Questions at Forum Hosted by Downtown Voices Coalition

downtownvoices.org​Phoenix mayor candidates have shared their views during several forums across the city. And there's another one tonight hosted by Downtown Voices Coalition, but this one is  deviating from the standard Q&A-style format where questions come from a moderator.At this downt ... 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 >>

Skip Rimsza, Former Phoenix Mayor, Blasts Union-Supporting Mayoral Candidates

Former Mayor Skip Rimsza accuses three mayor candidates of being the preferred candidates of "union bosses."​ To former Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimza, union is a four-letter word.Rimza, who was mayor from 1994 to 2004, wrote a letter for one mayoral candidate that blasts three others whom he claims ... More >>

Claude Mattox, Phoenix Councilman and Mayoral Candidate, Won't Disclose Super Bowl Junkets

Councilman Claude Mattox​The Fiesta Bowl fiasco has raised questions about elected officials' judgement in pocketing tickets and travel to football games, especially when those sports organizations inevitably wind up before those same officials asking for financial support.Now, as Arizona pre ... More >>

Councilman Claude Mattox, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, and Super Bowl Junkets

​Phoenix Councilman Claude Mattox won't disclose how many Super Bowl games he attended, but New Times has been able to piece together that he may have attended at least three games.We posed the question as part of our ongoing examination of  elected officials' in jetting off to sporting event ... More >>

Councilman Claude Mattox, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, and Super Bowl Junkets

​Phoenix Councilman Claude Mattox won't disclose how many Super Bowl games he attended, but New Times has been able to piece together that he may have attended at least three games.We posed the question as part of our ongoing examination of  elected officials' in jetting off to sporting event ... More >>

Greg Stanton, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, Releases Poll Numbers Revealing His Lead Among Decided Voters; 52 Percent Undecided

Greg Stanton​A poll conducted commissioned by Phoenix mayoral candidate Greg Stanton reveals that he leads the pack among decided voters.Four hundred likely Phoenix voters were asked how they would cast their ballots in the August 30 mayor's race, 20 percent went with Stanton and 11 percent select ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidates and Their Coveted Endorsements from City Council Members

​Several Phoenix City Council members have picked sides in the August 30 mayor's race.Councilman Tom Simplot stands with Phoenix mayoral candidate and lobbyist Wes Gullett, Councilmen Michael Johnson and Sal DiCiccio are on team Peggy Neely, a former councilwoman running for mayor, and Councilman ... More >>

Phoenix Elections: Early Ballots Arriving This Week in Mayor, City Council Races

​Voters will begin casting their ballots on August 4 for Phoenix mayor and in five of the city's eight city council districts.Phoenix election officials will be mailing out about 290,000 early ballots, which is about three times the actual number of ballots cast in the last mayor's race in Septe ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidates: Who's Most Popular in Social (Media) Circles?

New Times​Poor Newt Gingrich won't be sitting in the Oval Office anytime soon.The former Speaker of the House boasted about his 1.3 million followers on twitter, but was quickly exposed by a former staffer for hiring a firm to create fake accounts to make it look like he was far more popular than ... More >>

Phoenix Council Members Plan To Terminate CityNorth's $100 Million Tax Rebate Deal

Council members hosting a 2 p.m. press conference at City Hall to announce undoing of CityNorth's nearly $100 million tax-break deal​Vice Mayor Thelda Williams and Phoenix City Councilmen Bryan Jeffries and Michael Nowakowski  plan to undo a deal that gave a nearly $100 million tax brea ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Wes Gullett on Fellow Candidate Claude Mattox, Lobbying Interests

At Phoenix mayoral debate, candidates are offering up many of the same talking points, the same ones that you can find on their websites. A snapshot:Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett swipes at fellow candidate Councilman Claude Mattox, chairman of city's Public Safety Committee, because Phoenix still ha ... More >>

How Greg Stanton, a Fair-Haired, Blue-Politicked Lawyer, Became Phoenix's Next Mayor

At Phoenix mayoral debate, candidates are offering up many of the same talking points, the same ones that you can find on their websites. A snapshot:Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett swipes at fellow candidate Councilman Claude Mattox, chairman of city's Public Safety Committee, because Phoenix still ha ... More >>

How Undocumented Immigrants Helped Change Phoenix's City Council Race

At Phoenix mayoral debate, candidates are offering up many of the same talking points, the same ones that you can find on their websites. A snapshot:Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett swipes at fellow candidate Councilman Claude Mattox, chairman of city's Public Safety Committee, because Phoenix still ha ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, February 2nd, 2011

At Phoenix mayoral debate, candidates are offering up many of the same talking points, the same ones that you can find on their websites. A snapshot:Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett swipes at fellow candidate Councilman Claude Mattox, chairman of city's Public Safety Committee, because Phoenix still ha ... More >>