Greg Stanton

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, City Officials Call for Water Donations to Help Homeless, Others During Blistering Summer Months

Take advantage of grocery stores' Memorial Day sales to stock up on cases of bottled water you can donate to the City of Phoenix for distribution to the homeless, seniors, people with disabilities, youth and others in need. The city collected and distributed more than 210,000 bottles of water last ... More >>

Phoenix Gun-Buyback Program Lives, After Another Anonymous $100,000 Donation

Phoenix police and Mayor Greg Stanton have announced that another $100,000 from an anonymous donor will keep the gun-buyback program going.The funds for the program ran dry in the middle of the second of three scheduled dates for the buyback, which started with an initial $100,000 donation. An addit ... More >>

Aaron Chamberlin's Phoenix Public Market Cafe Opens Wednesday

It's been almost exactly a year since Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery closed its doors, leaving downtown devotees feeling bereft without a locally focused brick-and-mortar market and a convenient, affordable go-to for a nosh and a glass of wine. See also: -- Downtown Phoenix Public Market Urba ... More >>

Eddie Farnsworth's Flaccid Rationale For Not Closing Child Prostitution Loophole

Courtesy of the conservative Western Free Press, we finally have state Representative Eddie Farnsworth's lame attempt to justify not allowing a bill that would have cracked down on pimps selling teenage prostitutes to have a hearing in the Judiciary Committee, which Farnsworth chairs. See also: -Ed ... More >>

Eddie Farnsworth Blocked Hearing for Anti-Child-Sex-Trafficking Bill, Time Running Out for Striker

Pimps selling child prostitutes and the johns that buy them can rest easy knowing that Republican Eddie Farnsworth is chair of the state House Judiciary Committee. See also: -Why Eddie "Little Lord" Farnsworth and Fellow GOPers Need to Suppress the Latino Vote Despite the broad support of both Rep ... More >>

Phoenix City Council Listens to Passionate Arguments For and Against Anti-Discrimination Measure

Testimony for and against a measure to protect members of the LGBT and disabled communities has been going on for more than two hours. An audience packed with members of the LGBT community, religious leaders, Phoenix residents, and business owners are trying with both logical and emotional pleas to ... More >>

Homophobes Freaking Out Over Proposed Ordinance Banning LGBT Discrimination

According to Arizona's most powerful homophobic organization, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is trying to let men "gain access" to little girls in bathrooms.Yes, the Center for Arizona Policy -- which claims pornography "has been linked" to rapes, child molestations, and serial killers and claims "homos ... More >>

Glendale High School Student Showed Up to Class Imitating the "Joker"

A student at Glendale's Mountain Ridge High School probably scared the pants off just about everyone yesterday when he showed up to class trying to imitate the Joker, the character from the Dark Knight movie.Despite reports stating otherwise, Deer Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Heidi Veg ... More >>

Gilbert High Schooler's "Toy Rifle" Causes Lock-Down Hours After Sandy Hook Massacre

If you had to pick the absolute worst day in American history to bring anything resembling a weapon near a school, that day would have been Friday, December 14, 2012.Hours after 26 people -- including 20 children -- were shot to death at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, a Gi ... More >>

Kingman Teenager Posts on Facebook About Killing Little Kids at School

On the day 27 people, including 20 children, were murdered by a gunman in Connecticut, a Kingman teenager announced on Facebook that he was "down" to kill multiple children at a school.According to a Mohave County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, the teenager explained to deputies that he was "being st ... More >>

Sandy Hook Slaughter: Adam Lanza's Mom, Ron Barber's Wisdom and Bob Lord's Petition

Just like many of you, I've been transfixed this weekend watching the TV news coverage of the slaughter of the innocents at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. And like a bad case of acid reflux, the national debate has begun -- for the umpteenth time -- over the issue of gun ... More >>

Rich Carmona, U.S. Senate Candidate, Spends Election Day Rallying the Troops

U.S. Senate candidate Rich Carmona started Election Day in South Phoenix with Mayor Greg Stanton, rallying the troops who have been working all year to boost support for the former U.S. Surgeon General. "Volunteers for [Carmona] have been working as hard as they can to make sure that every eligible ... More >>

Goldwater Library Proposal Prematurely Celebrated? Proponents Have Millions to Raise and Don't Own Goldwater Documents, Archives

Phoenix has been blasted by The Republic because it believes the city wrecked its chances to house a Barry Goldwater Library. There's been considerable angst over the city not jumping on a project that bears the Goldwater name. "Phoenix's dropped ball is now in Mesa's hands, and Mesa deserves great ... More >>

Robert Meza, State Senator, Uses Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's Family Photo on Campaign Flier Without Permission

See also: Local Latino Activists Target Unlikely Politician See also: Meza Accused of Threatening DREAMer With Defamation Lawsuit See also: Meza Files Election Complaint Against Team Awesome See also: How Undocumented Immigrants Helped Change Phoenix's City Council Campaign fliers sent out by Senat ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Foe Paul Penzone Adds Greg Stanton's Endorsement to a Ton of Others

See also: Joe Arpaio's Favorability Rating "Falls" to (Sigh) 53 Percent See also: Mike Stauffer's Third-Wheel Bid for Sheriff May Keep Arpaio in Office See also: Sheriff Candidate Bails Out Inmate Who Claims Jail Guards Beat Him; MCSO Calls B.S. and Arrests Him Again Democratic candidate for sherif ... More >>

SB 1070: Phoenix Officials Calm Residents' Fears; Answer Questions About Police Enforcement of Law

About 200 people filed into the Carl Hayden High School auditorium in west Phoenix in search of answers on Monday evening, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed one of the most controversial provisions of SB 1070 to stand. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, councilmen Michael Nowakows ... More >>

Scientology Opens Phoenix Ideal Org; Mayor Greg Stanton Touts City's Status as Alien-Based Religion's "Birthplace"

Scientology formally opened its new Phoenix Ideal Org facility on Saturday with a celebration attended by hundreds of the religion's followers. The grand opening near the former home of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard follows a bitter eviction process for the former tenants of the building compl ... More >>

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 >>

A Homophobic Group Killed Arizona's Anti-Bullying Law

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton Sworn In By Former Arizona Governor Rose Mofford

After the inauguration ceremony, audience members made their way into Phoenix City Hall for a reception, which included offering a 2012 wish for Phoenix and its elected officials.​Greg Stanton took the stage as Phoenix's 52nd mayor and delivered an inauguration speech earlier today that, in part, ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton Sworn in By Former Arizona Governor Rose Mofford

​Greg Stanton took the stage as Phoenix's 52nd mayor and delivered an inauguration speech earlier today that, in part, announced his plans to develop a second bio-medical campus in north Phoenix with the Mayo Clinic and creation of a "Mayors' Futures Forum on Education," a way for Arizona may ... More >>

Phoenix Voters Re-Elect Incumbent Thelda Williams, Select Newcomer Daniel Valenzuela

Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams handily wins in District 1.​While they were electing Greg Stanton as their next mayor, Phoenix voters also returned Councilwoman Thelda Williams to her seat in District 1, and chose Daniel Valenzuela over Brenda Sperduti to represent them District 5. Like Phoen ... More >>

Election Night Celebrations After Rough Ride on the Campaign Trail

blog.theblakewright.com​Two mayoral candidates. Two Election Night celebrations.But which one will be the pity party?Wes Gullett is hosting his celebration at Alexi's Grill, the same central Phoenix eatery where he claimed his second-place victory in the August 30 primary election.He welcomes volu ... More >>

Wes Gullett, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, Gets Nod from Pinal County Sheriff

​Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is endorsing Phoenix mayoral candidate Wes Gullett, saying that he would work with them to fight illegal immigration. "Wes Gullett understands that the most sacred responsibility of city government is public safety," Babeu said in a press release. "He'll work with ... More >>

Wes Gullett Supporter, Tea Party Wackjob Wes Harris Calls for President Obama's Hanging

I am forever amazed that otherwise seemingly sane politicians seek and accept the endorsement of the grab bag of certifiable nuts, conspiracy theorists, and bigots that make up the Tea Party. Though I know I shouldn't be.After all, politicians are shameless and at one time in American history, the K ... More >>

Wes Gullett, Mayoral Candidate Who Has Vilified City Workers' Unions, Twice Sought Endorsement from Phoenix Firefighters Union

Wes Gullett ​Wes Gullett's has built his mayoral campaign on being an outsider, not part of the status quo and on not being beholden to "big labor," that is unions.In fact, Camp Gullett put out a press release today knocking Greg Stanton for winning the endorsement of the firefighters' union. One ... More >>

Wes Gullett, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, Endorsed By Former Mayor Paul Johnson

Wes Gullet given a political nod by a former Phoenix mayor​Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, leaving office in just a few months, has stayed out of the endorsement business in the upcoming mayor's race between former Councilman Greg Stanton and lobbyist Wes Gullett. But Paul Johnson, one of Gordon's BFF' ... 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 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 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 >>

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 >>

June 20 In Blogs: Russell Pearce, Ryan Dunn, Damon Albarn, Bourbon Steak, and Greg Stanton

​​​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 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 Candidate Wes Gullett Wants to Push Newest Candidate Out of Mayor's Race

Wes Gullett asks Tea Party for help to eliminate candidate that will cost him votes.​Phoenix lobbyist and mayoral candidate Wes Gullett is threatened by the newest candidate to enter the Phoenix mayors race.He sent out an e-mail -- a day after the Arizona Legislative District 11 Republicans ... More >>

Wes Gullett Says He's Not Trying to Push Anyone Out of Phoenix Mayor's Race

Wes Gullett ​Phoenix lobbyist Wes Gullett, in the running to be Phoenix's next mayor, says that he isn't trying to "push" one of his opponent out of the mayor's race.He sent an e-mail sent yesterday to a few of his supporters asking for them to "talk to [Attorney Jennifer Wright] about ... More >>

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

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 >>

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 >>

Billy Shields Says His Family's "Stunned and Saddened;" Police Investigating Embezzlement Allegations Against His Daughter

Billy Shields and his daughter, Mindy. ​UPDATE: Billy Shields tells New Times that he's "stunned and saddened" as Phoenix police investigate allegations that his daughter, Mindy, embezzled money from a campaign account belonging to Greg Stanton.New Times posted the story earlier today about ... 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 >>

Councilman Sal DiCiccio Could Make a Mint if a Freeway Extension Goes Through – But His Neighborhood Hates the Idea

Sal DiCiccio's Loop 202 Problem: Phoenix Councilman Would Benefit from Reviled Ahwatukee Freeway Extension

Social Eye Media Councilman Sal DiCiccio isn't talking about his lease for 150 acres near the proposed Loop 202 extension. But we are.​ st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio has promised to be a "forceful voice" in the ongoing controversy over the proposed ... More >>

Sal DiCiccio’s Loop 202 Problem: Phoenix Councilman Would Benefit from Reviled Ahwatukee Freeway Extension

Flood of Applications for Phoenix City Council Vacancy

  We warned you that the Phoenix City Council's selection of a replacement for departing Councilman Greg Stanton (pictured) was no done deal -- but even we didn't realize just how popular this position would be. Minutes before the official day's-end deadline, workers at the ... More >>

Will the L. Ron Hubbard House Turn a Camelback Neighborhood Into a Scientology Recruitment Mecca?

Phoenix City Council Vacancy: Anyone but Sal DiCiccio?

  Now that the Phoenix City Council has signed off on a staggering $270 million in budget cuts, we can turn our attention to the really important stuff -- the imminent vacancy for the District 6 Council seat. Of course we're kidding when we say this is more important than cutting more than ... 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 >>

Cash Cabal

Powerful developers must be stopped from sullying scenic Papago Park with another Valley resort

Speech Therapy

Richard Florida jump-starts downtown dialogue

Take Me To Your Leader

Dems ponder new state chief; Bayless is Jane Jr.; McCain readies presidential bid