Scottsdale Progress 01-01-23

Rio Verde begins adjusting to city water cutoff

BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

Kathy and Russell Cox moved into their retirement home in Rio Verde Foothills on Dec. 22, 2021.

They loved their home, and still do, but about a month after moving in they got a letter from their builder with news no one wants to hear: It said they had a year before the City of Scottsdale would turn off the water to the hauling company that serviced their house.

“I called them and they said ‘don’t worry about it, this has been going on for 10 years,’” Kathy said.

But they couldn’t just not worry about it.

As some 700 of Rio Verde Foothills’ 2,200 households start the new year today with uncertainty over a regular water supply, Russell Cox hopes he can trap enough rainwater for now for himself and his wife Kathy. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Water is Scottsdale’s top issue in 2023, mayor believes

BY J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

Water may be the defining issue for Scottsdale in 2023, according to Mayor David Ortega.

“I am cautiously optimistic as Arizona and Scottsdale face the challenges of the mega drought, but my belief is that by holding true to our values

... our family friendly neighborhoods and business-centered hospitality, (we) will continue to thrive and cherish our unique sense of place we know as Scottsdale,” Ortega said.

The Federal Bureau of Reclamation has declared a Tier 2A shortage on the Colorado River effective today, Jan. 1. That means Arizona will take a 592,000-acre-foot cut to its allocation,

which is an additional 80,000 acre-feet above last year’s Tier 1 shortage.

Even at that cut level, Scottsdale would not advance beyond Stage 1 of its drought management plan, which calls for a voluntary water use reduction of 5% by the city’s private and commercial users. But a Tier 2B or even a Tier

Scottsdale

Scottsdale restaurateur one of 10 locals who like to make an impact this year.

DAVID

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Tax defeat leaves fire districts in a bind

BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer

State firefighter organizations lobbied the Legislature this year to put a question on the Nov. 8 ballot asking voters to approve a 20year, .1% sales tax that would generate revenue for fire districts across the state.

The Legislature obliged, but in a 52-48% vote – 1,230,042 against to 1,144,495 for – Arizona voters shot down Prop 310, sending fire officials back to the drawing board to address a funding problem they say isn’t going away any time soon.

Firefighters also noted that at the same time as Proposition 310 failed, voters approved another legislative initiative that requires ballot questions posing tax increases to pass with at least a 60% approval.

Approval of Prop 132 by a 50.7% to 49.3% – 1,210,702 votes in favor and 1,176,327 against – means it will be even harder to get a tax passed in the future.

“We were obviously disappointed. Like the air came out of our sails,” Daisy Mountain Fire District Chief Brian Tobin said. “My firefighters worked very hard on their days off to try and get as much education and information out about 310, but we came up short.”

Tobin and Superstition Fire District Chief John Whitney said Arizona’s urban departments also lost with the defeat of 310.

They said Arizona’s robust “automatic mutual aid” system among first responders stands out among states and helps all of the various police and fire departments to function as one large emergency department for the state.

that provide fire service to areas where none exists, such as areas not covered by a municipal fire department.

Arizona’s 154 fire districts provide emergency fire and medical service over huge swaths of the state, including major transportation corridors like I-10. In terms of the number of firefighters the districts employ, they aren’t as large of municipal departments.

About a third of the state’s professional firefighters – or about 2,500 of 7,500 – work for districts.

But many of those fire districts, especially those serving the urbanwildland interface, provide fire protection to dynamic areas as residents move into rural areas, recreation and traffic swells, and wildfire risk grows.

In all, the districts employ over 4,000 trained personnel to provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to roughly 1.5 million Arizona residents every day, protecting over 15,000 square miles from fires and covering 27,000 square miles with emergency medical services.

Outside Mesa, for example, the Superstition Fire and Medical District serves communities east of Meridian Road, Apache Junction and the State Route 60 corridor in Pinal County.

The Daisy Mountain Fire District serves the area north of Phoenix along the busy I-17 corridor as far north as Sunset Point.

“Every weekend it’s a s— show” along the I-17 corridor,” Tobin said.

One contemplated project using Prop 310 funds was a fire station at Sunset Point, a major rest area for north-south travelers in the state.

Fire Ground Survival is an extensive training through which all the members of the Daisy Mountain Fire District company learn techniques for saving themselves if they become lost or trapped in a life-threatening situation during a fire. “Crews learn many techniques to give them the best preparation for these high risk/low frequency events,” a district spokesman said. (Facebook)

tricts are still trying to get back to pre-recession levels of service.

Daisy Mountain, for example, has fewer firefighters per capita than it did before the recession, according to Tobin.

“It’s been a very slow process to build back out of that,” Tobin said. “We were hoping to at least get ourselves back up to where we were before that time” with Prop 310 funding.

Tobin said there was “excitement” in the department about some of the lifesaving equipment it could buy with the funding. An example, he said, is telehealth equipment on ambulances that would allow medics to coordinate with doctors more closely on long rides to hospitals.

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If a five-alarm fire breaks out on the edge of a city, resources from surrounding departments are deployed in an efficient system.

With a more resilient source of funding, Arizona fire districts would have been able to bring more to the table in the mutual aid system.

Fire districts are special taxing districts governed by an elected board

“We’ve just had a need in rural areas that are close to urban areas where people hike, bike and ATV, and we don’t have the technical expertise to respond to those incidents. We rely on our partners to respond to those incidents,” he said.

Tobin said fire districts took a major hit in funding when property values plunged during the Great Recession because property taxes are their main source of revenue. The impact was so significant that many fire dis -

Unlike municipal departments, fire districts say they are especially challenged because they are almost totally dependent on property taxes.

They saw Prop 310 as a way to diversify funding streams.

Whitney said that because the state limits annual increases in property valuations for taxation, his district has only just now crawled back to its funding levels of 10 years ago even though call volume has seen a “dra -

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As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

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Former Vice Mayor René Wendell passes away at 81

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Former Scottsdale City Council member and Vice Mayor René Ephram Wendell, Jr., Scottsdale, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Eve after a long battle with dementia. He was 81.

Mr. Wendell’s deep Christian faith brought him strength and comfort and was reflected through the kindness, charity and patience he unceasingly showed everyone he came into contact with.

“We will all miss his quiet, easy manner, his witty sense of humor and his humble attitude about his lifetime of notable achievements,” his widow, Linda Prather Wendell said.

Born Jan. 8, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois, the son of the late “Bud” and Lavern Larsen Wendell and was predeceased by his older sister, Karen L. Wendell.

Nearly a decade after his birth, his family relocated to Scottsdale, where

Mr. Wendell found his first love, horses.

He was truly a real cowboy, he was raised on a small ranch between Hayden and Pima roads.

Mr. Wendell also was a talented floral and event designer, lifelong business owner, teacher, community leader and avid outdoor sportsman and fisherman.

After graduating from Scottsdale High School in 1959, he served in the U.S. Army National Guard until his honorable discharge in 1965.

He married Ellen Racer Wendell in 1963 and raised three children until Ellen’s death from cancer in 1987.

He is loved by their daughter Cheryle Lee Eckhardt and her husband David John Eckhardt, son Troy Allen Wendell, and daughter Andrea Renée Jung and her husband John Edward Jung.

Following in his father’s footsteps and his tenure in the service, Mr. Wendell became a florist whose talent and skills brought him international recognition. For more than 60 years, he was

a frequently honored florist and event designer as well as owner of Wendell’s Flowers (later Wendell Design Group) and an influential floral industry advocate.

Mr. Wendell served on the city council 1984-88 and was vice mayor in 1986.

He was instrumental in opening Horseman’s Park (now WestWorld) where Wendell Arena was dedicated in 1987.

He also helped bring the PGA Tour to Scottsdale, resulting in the move of the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament to Scottsdale’s TPC.

Throughout his life, he volunteered and served in many community leadership roles for organizations such as Rotary, The Boys and Girls Clubs and the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Posse. He also was a Hashknife Pony Express rider for the Navajo County Sheriff ’s Posse, riding to deliver mail by horseback from Holbrook to the Scottsdale post office.

He was proud to also be a Scottsdale Charro and was named Charro Top Cowboy in 1989 for designing and sculpting a Western-themed bronze sculpture entitled, “Takin’ a Break.”

As he reached new professional heights, The Wendell family tree continued to grow with the arrival of grandchildren, Chase Eckhardt, Emily Eckhardt, Mason Eckhardt, Rylie Jung, and Payton Jung, and later by the addition of great-grandchildren, Caiden, Cane, Avery, Payton, Corbin, and Parker.

Mr. Wendell is also fondly remembered by his second wife, Ann Brown, and her son, Kevin Brown.

In 2002, Mr. Wendell married his best friend and business partner, Linda Prather Wendell, and is loved by her children Michael “Ryan” Williams, Mark “Reed” Williams and his wife Ellen Williams, Kelly Elizabeth Williams and her husband, Olivier Courtemanche, and Deborah Adams Murray and her children, Robert “Bobby” Murray IV, Phineas “Finn” Murray, and Margaret “Maggie” Murray.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 at Messenger’s Mortuary, 7601 Indian School Road, Scottsdale. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley.

René Wendell

3 shortage could be announced as early as this summer and what that means for Scottsdale is not yet clear.

Ortega won’t say whether or not he foresees water rationing in 2023 but Valerie Schneider, a spokeswoman for the city Water Department, said it won’t happen.

This coming year is going to be a busy one for city staff and elected officials, Ortega said.

Aside from water, affordable housing, short-term rentals, and the question to extend a .2% sales tax to maintain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and other open spaces all loom large in 2023, he said.

Affordable Housing

Ortega is hoping for some requests for proposals for affordable housing projects this year, stating, “We remain committed to trying to get some affordable housing initiatives.”

Affordable housing developers have bypassed Scottsdale for decades but

now that the council has budgeted $15 million for affordable housing projects, Ortega says he is actively meeting with developers.

“I’m hopeful we will partner with the experts and get something meaningful built to ease that problem,” he said.

Not everyone is convinced that affordable housing is feasible in Scottsdale and even fewer agree on what even constitutes affordable housing here.

Short-Term Rentals

Regulating behavior at short-term rentals will also take center stage this year, Ortega said.

Armed with new state legislation, Council approved in October a tightening of regulations governing short-term rentals.

Among other things, they require all short-term rental units doing business

in Scottsdale register with the city by Jan. 8. There are approximately 5,000 units in Scottsdale, according to city estimates, but only about 600 units

have registered so far.

“They are slow to register,” Ortega said. “It’s come to my attention and I want to remind the short-term rentals the deadline is in January. I want to encourage them to follow our ordinance or face fines and other things if they don’t. I’m a little surprised they are slow to register because the industry (leaders) agreed to all the terms.”

He also expects the five-person police unit the council approved in April to address noise and other issues related to short-term rentals to be up and running in 2023.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force will also be busy in the coming year.

The nine-person task force, which was appointed last month, will make a recommendation on whether or not to extend a .2% sales tax which is set to expire in 2025 to pay for up keep of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the Indian Bend Wash greenbelt and the city’s 42 parks.

Some on council would like to see that money go toward the purchase of additional land for the Preserve as well, but Ortega is leaving that up

Mayor David Ortega sees a busy year in Scottsdale with water possibly emerging as the biggest of all. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Few rental owners registering homes with Scottsdale

J. GRABER Progress Staff Writer

With a little over a week left before the deadline for shortterm rental properties to register with the city, very few have actually done so.

City officials estimate there are about 5,000 short-term rentals in Scottsdale, but only about 840 have registered with the city so far.

“I’m concerned that only a small percentage of all properties currently advertising in Scottsdale have applied for the license we require," said Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega. "I urge all owners to act now and obtain the license. Doing so is simple, and it's the law in Scottsdale."

Armed with a state law enacted in 2022, the Scottsdale City Council unanimously amended the city’s vacation rental code to require owners to obtain a $250 local license annually beginning Jan. 8.

They will have to register their name, address, phone number and email address for the owner or owner's agent, the rental’s address and proof of compliance with transaction privilege tax license requirements.

The lack of registrations doesn’t surprise John Hildebrand, a founder of the Scottsdale Short-Term Rental Alliance, which is now part of Arizonans for Responsible Tourism.

“It is the holidays and I think a lot of people are trying to understand what it is they need to do,” he said.

Most short-term rentals are “mom and pop” businesses, Hildebrand said, and complying with all of the city’s new requirements can be “overwhelming and cumbersome” for them.

In addition to registering with the city, the code requires owners to adhere to a list of regulations.

For example, owners must conduct background checks within 24 hours of a stay to ensure the person booking the rental is not a registered sex

offender. They must inform adjacent single-family homeowners or units on the same building floor that they are operating a short-term rental within 30 days after receiving a license.

Requiring background checks on people booking the properties is particularly befuddling, Hildebrand said.

It’s not clear if owners are supposed to keep records to show they ran a background check, and if so, how long do they need to keep the paperwork, Hildebrand said.

Still, he suspects a large rush to register to occur after the first of the year.

“Everyone that is part of our membership, they all want to comply,” he said. “It all comes down to education.”

The city has sent out notices of the requirement to register to the approximately 3,500 short-term rentals it has addresses for. It has also contacted Airbnb and Vrbo as well as other industry contacts like the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors to ask for their help getting the word out to their

members.

Failure to receive the city's letter does not alleviate an owner’s responsibility to obtain a license or comply with other ordinance and legal requirements.

“Beginning Jan. 9, any short-term rental property operating in Scottsdale without a license will be violating the law,” a city release states. “The owner/ operator will be subject to enforcement action by the city that includes being cited with a minimum fine of $1,000 per violation.”

Councilman Tom Durham hopes the city exercises some leniency given it’s a new requirement being rolled out during the holiday season.

“I would hope they focus on compliance (over punishment),” Durham said.

Councilwoman Betty Janik expects to see a rush of registrations once the holidays are over as well, but she also figures it’s going to take some fines being issued before many owners register.

“I think that’s what is going to make the biggest difference,” she said.

They signed a petition to allow homeowners in the area to create a non-contiguous domestic water improvement district – a proposal the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors of Supervisors unanimously rejected in August.

“Then we got to thinking, ‘What are we going to do?” Kathy recalled. “You get all sorts of thoughts going in your head and the main thought in our head(s) was, ‘we’re not leaving. We don’t care if we have to go to laundromats or what we have to do. We’re staying.’”

So they looked around, talked to some friends who live off the grid and found a company in Indiana that sells a rainwater filtration system that turns runoff from the roof into potable water.

The Coxes installed the system and 11,000 gallons worth of tanks.

They got the system up and running a few days ago … just in time for today’s deadline that shuts off the stand pipe on Jomax Road servicing about 700 of Rio Verde Foothills’ 2,200 households.

Unlike some of those households that have relied on both hauled water and wells, the Coxes relied solely on hauled water.

By using just 90 gallons a day, they figure they can get by on recycled water year-round – even with their son living with them. “Right now, we’re just getting set up so we don’t have to depend on anybody,” Kathy said.

Amy Wolff, another nearby homeowner who relies solely on hauled water, has a somewhat simpler plan:

pay the water haulers’ increased rates. She currently pays $120 for 3,000 gallons hauled by Dynamite Water. She learned last week that bill is tripling to $330.

Karen Nabbity also relies on water hauling and pays $135 for 3,000 gallons from Rio Verde Water. That hauler’s owner, John Hornewer, has said he may have to double his rates because he’ll have to travel farther to find water.

“I’m not worried, I’m angry at this

point,” Wolff said. “We’re going to have water.”

But Nabity isn’t so sure there will be enough water to go around.

“It would be great if everybody agrees to take 1,000 to 2,000 gallons a month,” she said. “It’s going to be like the toilet paper shortage: there’s going to be people who hog the water and others who will be without. It’s going to be ugly.”

Wolff and Nabity were on opposing sides of the movement to create a non-contiguous domestic water improvement district.

Wolff is mostly mad at Nabity and the other homeowners who supported a water district.

“They made it seem like a (water district) was the only option,” Wolff said.

And that position, Wolff contends, scared Scottsdale officials and many of her neighbors from accepting any solution other than the water district.

And there were other solutions put out there.

For instance, the private utility EPCOR proposed providing its own water and paying Scottsdale to treat it and dispense it from the stand pipe on Jomax until the company can put a longer-term solution in place – which it estimates could take up to three years.

But Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega shot down that idea, saying, “There is no Santa Claus. As the mega-drought tells us, water is not a compassion game.”

He opposed EPCOR’s idea, claiming diesel water-hauling trucks would clog city streets and pollute the air.

Ortega’s letter was followed by City Manager Jim Thompson’s letter to council that listed several reasons for rejecting EPCOR’S proposal.

In it, he blamed the water problem in “wildcat developers” who don’t need to secure a 100-year supply of water for homes if the lots they are built on are split less than six times.

Kathy and Russell Cox moved into their retirement home in Rio Verde Foothills a year ago, just around the time Scottsdale announced that as of today, it would no longer provide water to the unincorporated community. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

He called it “unlimited and unregulated growth.”

Nabity takes offense to that claim and said many of her neighbors do as well. She bought land and built her home six years ago.

“People have been building (single) homes out here for 50 years, since the 70s,” she said.

Another solution to Rio Verde Foothills’ water problem came from the owner of Dynamite Water, who said he had secured 65 million gallons of water from the San Carlos Apache Indian Tribe and could sup-

YEAR AHEAD from page 8

to the task force to decide.

“We’re not jumping to conclusions on where all these needs are in our

ply the community if Scottsdale treated it and let him use the stand pipe on Jomax. The city also turned that down on the grounds it would create a monopoly.

Wolff, who lives 700 feet east of the city limits – and all the water she could use – said the pro-water district proponents are trying to undermine EPCOR’s long-term solution by interfering with the company’s application with the Arizona Corporation Commission.

What the water district supporters are doing for sure is fighting the supervisors’ rejection of the district.

Two homeowners have appealed that decision in Superior Court and the

parks, open spaces and in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve,” he said.

“That’s for the nine members of the task force to explore and discuss.” Ortega also sees some of the

board of supervisors has stated it will file a motion to dismiss the appeal. It has until Jan. 13 to do so.

Some Rio Verde homeowners are pooling their money to hire an attorney who would file a request for an injunction against Scottsdale and have the courts order it to turn the tap back on.

Resident Christy Jackman said the cutoff is about more serious issues than flushing toilets, noting that water haulers are the first to arrive at the scene of fires. "They work handin-hand to keep the firetrucks filled," she said.

The Coxes have moved past all the

city’s past accomplishments, such as a non-discrimination ordinance passed in 2021 and the green building codes the council passed last month, as paying dividends in 2023.

fighting.

Kathy is disappointed the builder of her home didn’t tell her about the water situation sooner, but that’s in the past now.

She and her husband sunk $200,000 into their home just to build it and can’t afford to walk away now.

Besides, she said, they really love their view. So they put more money into the home’s water system. That was $13,000 that could have been used for other things, but at least they feel secure in their future.

“The mayor said there is no Santa Claus, so I’m creating my own gifts,” Russell said.

“As I complete my second year in office, we have had some amazing accomplishments, what I would say are lasting accomplishments into the coming year,” he said.

matic jump” in recent years.

“At the end of the day, we don’t have access to state shared revenue, we don’t have sales taxes, we don’t have all the different mechanisms available to municipal fire departments,” Whitney said.

“So the citizens of the community continue to shoulder the burden for anyone who uses the services of the district,” he said.

Whitney was disappointed by the defeat of Prop. 310, but he said he isn’t angry at voters and knows they still support their firefighters.

“We understand that there’s a lot of fear about recession and inflation, and people are very conscientious right now about what they’re spending in taxes,” Whitney said.

“We understood the challenges all along.”

Whitney thinks the task of convincing voters was made harder by the complexity of the topic and confusion about the difference between fire districts and other fire departments.

With costs and call volumes still growing for fire districts, what’s next after Prop 310’s failure?

“Plan B is to reconvene the stakeholders, and find our way down to the

state leadership and try to figure out a solution, whether that’s through surplus funds ... alternative funding mechanisms, something to help offset,” Whitney said.

Whitney predicted that in the shortterm, many fire district property owners will see increases in their fire service levies. Last year, the Legislature raised the cap on these levies as part of a larger tax reform package.

The tax reform lowered the state’s commercial property tax rate, but approved a phased increased in the maximum levy that local fire district boards can set and to help districts compensate for lost revenue from commercial

owners.

The previous cap was 3.25% and will go up to 3.75% by tax year 2024.

Whitney said the change will help, but districts don’t like having to hike levies.

“The problem is most of the citizens don’t know about the commercial decrease. All they see is us raising their taxes,” Whitney said. “Great, then we get to take the beating for that.”

“My district board chose not to increase the level,” Tobin said, because the increased revenue from higher property valuations will be just enough to cover recent cost increases.

Elegant trio to show off their elegant vehicles

DAVID M. BROWN Progress Contributor

Three women, two Scottsdale residents and one from Paradise Valley, will join approximately 50 classic car owners Jan. 22 at the fifth Arizona Concours d’Elegance at the Scottsdale Civic Center.

Concours d’Elegance – French for “competition of elegance” – is special to Scottsdale’s Laurie Florkiewicz and Kelly Whitton as well as Janet Cussler of Paradise Valley.

All three are intensely involved with caring for their collections.

About 100 classic cars will appear in the curated and judged event, and approximately 4,000 ticketed spectators, participants, guests, VIPs and media are expected, said Paradise Valley resident Ed Winkler, the event co-founder and co-director, with Scottsdale’s Chuck Stanford Jr. Both are well-known car collectors.

“The Arizona Concours d’Elegance is a celebration of the world’s finest collector cars in mode of the Pebble Beach Concours in California, Amelia Island Concours in Florida, Concorso Villa d’Este in Italy and other worldfamous concours events,” Winkler said. “We’re excited to be back.”

Residents of north Scottsdale for 25 years, Laurie and Budd Florkiewicz are taking a 1949 Alfa Romeo and a 1939 Delahaye, chosen by the selection committee after visiting the couple’s Scottsdale showroom.

Their 28-car collection includes American classics, vintage European and off-road vehicles.

“We have driven several of them in rallies, including the Copperstate 1000, Copperstate Overland, going to the Sun Rally and private rallies with friends,” she said, noting that she also drives during the events.

She’s also bought cars at the auctions and by phone.

“My 1964 turquoise Thunderbird looked so good under the lights at the auction,” she recalled. “I bought it because of the nostalgic era and the movie ‘Thelma and Louise.’”

Her favorite? A birthday present one year from Budd was a 1957 Mercedes–Benz 300 SL. “I immediately put ostrich seats in it.”

A 16-year resident of McCormick Ranch, Whitton has been the car collection manager for about a year at Sunchaser Motorsports, owned by noted Paradise Valley collector Bill Pope.

The approximately 60-car collection fills two buildings in the Scottsdale Airpark, from the earliest, a 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost to a 1971 Maserati Ghibli. Although this is a private collection and not open to the public, Pope has used it to host small fundraising events for nonprofits.

At the Concours, the Pope collection will be represented by a 1952 Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 Spider and a 1949 BMW-Veritas.

“Lancia has been producing technically advanced, remarkable road and racing cars since

1906,” she said. “The rear wings featured long fins that extend beyond the tail of the car, and the pair of triple exhausts could have easily been mistaken for machine guns.”

Whitton’s responsibilities include overseeing the in-house preservation and maintenance of the cars and a few long-term restorations projects.

She also manages the day-to-day operations, including two full-time automotive technicians, researches the cars and handles the logistics getting the cars and Pope to/in various tours, rallies and concours.

“I wear many hats,” she said, “and enjoy each and every one of them!”

Whitton moved to Arizona when she was 8 and graduated from Horizon High School and the University of San Diego, with a degree in International Relations and Art History.

Laurie Florkiewicz is seen here in her 1949 Alpha Romeo. (Courtesy Laurie Florkiewicz)

Kelly Whitton was thrilled to be at the Scottsdale Grand Prix in 2017. (Courtesy Kelly Whitton.)

In Washington, D.C., she lobbied for a small family-run agricultural company in Texas, then moved to South Korea, where she taught English for six years.

In 2005 she returned to Arizona and worked for the Men’s Arts Council of the Phoenix Art Museum coordinating their special events, such as the annual Bell Lexus North Scottsdale Copperstate 1000; through this event, she met Pope.

Her car passion started as a child.

“I always considered myself a ‘car girl,’ but it was not until I started working for the Men’s Arts Council that I realized I was far from the car girl I believed myself to be. My passion for and knowledge of vintage cars really developed. It was a steep, steep learning curve, but I knew after my first Copperstate rally that this world of vintage cars was special and this is where I belonged.”

Janet Cussler met and married car enthusiast and author, Clive Cussler, in 2005. After his recent death, Janet has remained in Paradise Valley with his service dog, Duke, and her daughter, Whitney, who joined them from the East Coast in 2020.

While continuing to run her “onehorsepower” equestrian business nationwide, Whitney also manages the Janet Cussler Car Collection, which includes 45 classic and vintage automobiles and a fire truck that was the “star” of one of Cussler’s books.

In spirit with the aerodynamics theme of the concours, the two women will be showing their 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.

Throughout the year, they regularly participate in tours, attend car shows, auctions and concours in and outside the country. In addition, they are very active in the Arizona car community and with philanthropic projects.

“Women have been a driving force since the inception of the automobile,” she said, citing Bertha Benz, wife of Carl, who is generally credited as the inventor of the automobile.

Unknown to him, she drove her family in the first internal-combustionpowered car in 1888, a trip that is considered one of history’s great car

journeys.

“You would be surprised at the innovations that women have made to the design and ease of use of the automobile,” she said.

Do she and Whitney feel excluded from the male-dominated world of carcollecting?

“No,” Cussler said. “There has never been anything but a shared interest and enthusiasm that transcends gender and age.”

“If you look around the room at any auction, when that special car comes up on the block there is often more than one woman who has her hand in the air,” she added.

“We as women are in a unique position to inspire and celebrate the automobile. The love of the car has no limitations.”

Scottsdale Arts spokesman Brian Passey said his organization’s pairing with Concours is a good fit.

“The folks from Concours bring their automotive expertise, deep love of cars, contacts within the automotive world and experience in previously presenting the event, while Scottsdale Arts offers its artistic expertise, event-man-

agement skills, marketing resources and knowledge of presenting large-scale events in Scottsdale,” he said.

This year, the Concours theme is “The Art of Aerodynamics,” with collectibles from the earliest streamlined vehicles, including significant race cars, early horseless carriages and pre-war classics to sports and competition cars from Europe and the U.S. and a display class for contemporary supercars.

Tickets are available on ArizonaConcours.com and ScottsdaleArts.org/ events/ or the Scottsdale Arts box office at the Civic Center. Tickets are limited. General admission is $100. There are also early entry and platinum VIP tickets available.

Janet Cussler and Duke pose with the fire truck featured in the late Clive Cussler's “The Gray Ghost.” (Highline Autos)

Falling child vaccine rates here alarm health officials

BY COLE JANUSZEWSKI Cronkite News

Vaccination rates among schoolchildren in Arizona have steadily declined since 2012, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the drop across the state.

The trend is unlikely to reverse any time soon, which could result in serious health consequences for Arizonans in the future, experts fear.

Since 2020, routine preventative health care visits and vaccinations for kids have fallen 30% to 50% in Arizona, said Dr. Sean Elliott, who specializes in pediatric infectious diseases and is an emeritus professor of pediatrics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The drop occurred because doctor’s offices were shut down by pandemic precautions.

“There were no in-person health visits,” Elliott said. “Children were not coming to the pediatrician’s office for their routine care and vaccinations.”

But even as pandemic restrictions have been lifted, he said, parents still aren’t bringing their children to

the doctor.

Arizona’s vaccination rates also have been depressed by misinformation campaigns about vaccines and a distrust in governments overseeing public health, which Elliott said deepened during and after the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, there continues to be the anti-vax movement,” he said. “Pre-pandemic, the rates of vaccines, the rates of uptake of science and the trust in health care professionals was already being attacked and was suffering.”

“The biggest concern, both at an individual level and at a societal level, is that growing up kids will be increasingly at risk for what used to be preventable pediatric illnesses – like measles and mumps,” Elliott said. “And the time to protect them with vaccines is in the first couple years of life. It takes their immature, brand-new immune system and gives it the exposure it needs to create lifelong protection.”

Although children can be vaccinated later, the risk for the most serious infections occurs within the first few years. Elliott also said immunocom-

promised children will be put at risk because Arizona has dropped below the herd immunity threshold of 95% vaccination rate.

“When we drop below a certain percentage of a community that is vaccinated, then those infections can gain a toehold and can create cases,” he said.

Arizona has seen recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and mumps, according to the state Department of Health Services. Elliott said health care providers and governments can take steps to stem the wave of antivaccination.

“The most important thing is to get kids and families back into their primary care provider’s office,” he said. “It is, thankfully, still true that most Americans trust their health care providers if they have an opportunity to listen to them and ask them questions.”

A 2016 study by the National Library of Medicine also found that “education is a key player” in getting children vaccinated. Some parents choose not to vaccinate their kids because of misplaced fears about the ingredients and

side-effects of vaccines, the study said. Another solution Elliott proposed is to limit religious and personal exemptions – which have ticked up since pandemic restrictions were loosened. Currently, the Arizona Department of Health Services says parents can opt to not vaccinate their children if they submit a signed ADHS Personal Beliefs Exemption Form testifying that immunizations are against their personal beliefs.

Even with government intervention, Elliott and the National Library of Medicine said, the most challenging and most important thing is to regain the trust of the American people.

“Healthy relationships between a practitioner and parent can go a long way toward helping patients” vaccinate their children, the National Library of Medicine study said. “Trust is paramount and will help put parents at ease and help them overcome unmerited fears.”

“No one is trying to hoodwink or hide information,” Elliott said. “If I am asked a question by a concerned vaccine hesitant parent, I am going to give them an honest answer but they have to ask the question.”

These 10 people stand to impact Scottdale in 2023

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

As the new year begins, hundreds of people likely will have a major impact on some facet of Scottsdale.

Here are 10 residents who likely will be counted among them.

Dana Dumas

As the CEO and owner of the rapidly growing SugarJam Southern Kitchen and bake shop, Dumas has tantalized Arizona's taste buds for over a decade.

Look for her to continue growing her restaurant from an intimate spot to grab a bite to a dining destination equipped with a retail shop and an ice cream trailer outside.

Info: Sjsouthernkitchen.com

French Thompson

With bigger crowds expected to

descend upon Scottsdale this year, French Thompson, Scottsdale Gallery Association president and owner of French Designer Jeweler, is gearing up to welcome them both to the gallery district and his own shop.

And expect him at the forefront of leading Old Town’s storied Thursday evening Gold Palette art walks.

Info: Scottsdalegalleries.com and frenchonmain.com

Jay Jacobs

As the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center enters its second decade of operation and is undergoing a grand renovation, CEO Jay Jacobs is eager to continue piloting the center toward sustained growth of its offerings – such as its preschool and afterschool programs, activities for teens, adult fitness classes.

Jacobs is also excited to celebrate the brass anniversary of the center at its annual gala, which will be held at the Arizona Biltmore this year.

Info: vosjcc.org

Joey Maggiore

Last year, Joey Maggiore and his family established The Maggiore Group – a Scottsdale Airpark-based restaurant group that owns brands like Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher and The Mexicano.

Maggiore is expected to bring those concepts to new territories outside of his native Arizona while rapidly expanding his footprint throughout the state this year.

Info: maggioregroup.com

Rachel Sacco

This year is already promising to be one of the busiest years in recent memory for Scottsdale as the city’s social calendar is chock-full of events that begin this month with the Barrett-Jackson Auction.

Because of this, Experience Scottsdale CEO Rachel Sacco and her team

about all of the fun happenings in Scottsdale this year.

Info: experiencescottsdale.com

Terra Schaad

Hunkapi Programs CEO Terra Schaad is always looking to expand her imprint on the community and world.

Whether that be welcoming a new animal to her herd, creating a new program or sharing her love of philanthropy worldwide, Schaad is certain to generate some good news this year.

Info: Hunkapi.org

Mark Stanton

are gearing up for a busy first half of the year and are looking forward to informing tourists and residents

Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Mark Stanton will not only be a fixture at countless ribbon-cutting events for new businesses in Scottsdale, but also will be up to his elbows with his team pre -

Scottsdale.org

Dana Dumas

Dr. Gerd Wuestemann

Ellen Versen

French Thompson

This past year saw jaw-dropping performances like “Matilda Jr.” and “A Christmas Story: The Musical” and award-winning performances like “Tuesdays With Morrie.”

Versen is planning more showstoppers throughout 2023 such as “Seussical Jr.” (which opens later this month), Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys,” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Info: Desertstages.org

Michelle Worley

Worley recently celebrated a decade with the School of Rock Scottsdale, where she operates as the school’s general manager.

Worley has already produced tal-

paring a number of events for its members, such as its 12th annual golf tournament.

Info: scottsdalechamber.com

Ellen Versen

Since taking over the role of executive director of Desert Stages Theatre in February 2020, Versen has piloted the nonprofit theatre that features actors of all ages through virtual rehearsals and shows, socially distanced programming, and doing whatever it took to keep the curtain from closing.

ented artists like former Doll Skin drummer Meghan Herring and Playboy Manbaby guitarist TJ Friga and rocks fans’ socks off with performances by students who cover some of rock and pops biggest tunes.

The school constantly produces show-stopping performances planned and is constantly churning out rock stars who will likely make headlines of their own one day.

Info: schoolofrock.com/locations/ scottsdale

Dr. Gerd Wuestemann

This year is set to be the year Dr. Gerd Wuestemann had always hoped to have it when he took the role of

president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts in March 2018.

The Civic Center is slated to open two-thirds of its campus later this month and round out its completion by the spring and once completed, Wuestemann plans to utilize every square foot of the space to provide concerts, activities, and the ideal venue for his annual ARTrageous Gala.

Inside the Center for the Performing arts and Museum of Contemporary Art, the facilivties are set to be graced by major names.

The Center for the Performing Arts is set to host acts like The Temptations and pianist Bruce Hornsby and

the Museum of Contemporary Art is set to carry on with unique exhibitions like “Inside Job: Staff Selec-

tions from the SMoCA Collection,” and will likely introduce headlineworthy exhibitions throughout the year.

Info: Scottsdalearts.org

Jay Jacobs

Joey Maggiore

Mark Stanton

Michelle Worley

Rachel Sacco

Terra Schaad

PEOPLE FROM page 20

Some interesting businesses debuting here in 2023

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

Several businesses will be toasting new beginnings in Scottsdale in 2023, which is full of soft openings and ribbon cuttings. Here are some that are coming to Scottsdale this year.

Arboleda

Translated to English as the Spanish word for “Grove,” Arboleda will open its first location in Scottsdale Quarter in the former space of Kona Grill on Jan. 20.

Arboleda will feature cuisine traditionally served along the coasts of Spain, Italy, Greece, and Morocco crafted by longtime friends and colleagues whose resumes include working under esteemed chef Wolfgang Puck: Mitchell Rosenthal, Steven Rosenthal and Björn Kock. Joining the trio as the executive

chef of Arboleda is Evan Gotanda – a Le Cordon Bleu graduate who launched his career working under some of the best chefs in Los Angeles before making a name for himself as the former Chef de Cuisine at Salt House restaurants.

Arboleda is located at 15345 N. Scottsdale Road. Info: arboledaaz.com, 480701-1007.

Banner Sports Medicine

Banner Sports Medicine is slated to open in the forthcoming mixed-use complex Riverwalk at Talking Stick.

Once completed, the 80,000-square-foot center located off of loop 101 and Talking Stick Way will serve athletes at all levels, from youth to professionals, be -

Mini golf with a twist will tee off at Scottsdale Quarter when Puttshack makes its long-awaited opening. (Special to the Progress)

coming a one-stop destination offering numerous sports medicine services and specialists. An address, phone number, and website have yet to be announced.

Body Politik

Body Politik is among the latest fitness establishments to swing into Scottsdale. It focuses on Lagree Fitness – a low-impact, high-intensity, full-body conditioning class done on spring-loaded tension machines known as Megaformer and Microformer machines.

Body Politik will also be launching Versa climber fitness classes later this month on stationary climber machines that offer a high-energy, low-impact cardio workout set to

lively, up-tempo music.

Body Politik is located at 8870 N. 90th St. Info: body-politik.com, 480270-6642. First-time classes are $15.

DraftKings Sportsbook

With the ground broken and the project approved by City Council, TPC Sportsbook is on pace to open by this fall.

The 390-seat sports betting establishment will serve as the front door to the WM Open each year offering 12 beers on tap, domestic fare, and a selection of mixed drinks. Among the amenities at DraftKings are 3,400 square feet of video walls and screens, an outdoor/patio area with

With soaring demand for more pickleball courts, Pickle and Social is set to deliver this year with a massive facility at the upcoming 22-acre mixed-use complex The Sydney. (Special to the Progress)

video screens, VIP cabanas, and fire pits.

The sportsbook will also be outfitted with approximately 40 sports betting kiosks and 7 ticket windows.

Info: tpc.com/scottsdale/draftkings-sportsbook. 480-585-4334

Life Time Fitness

As perhaps the biggest addition to Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing renovation, Life Time Fitness will open its seventh location in the valley and the second at a Macerich property in the Valley.

The 3-level, 40,000-square-foot Life Time will open adjacent to the entrance to the Luxury Wing, Scott-

sdale Fashion Square's dedicated luxury wing featuring studios for programs like cycling, group fitness, and yoga. Capping off the project is a rooftop beach club and other amenities including a bar.

Info: 480-791-0635, Lifetime.life

Jo Jo’s Shake Bar

Shoppers and guests walking about Scottsdale Quarter this year may have to do a double take when they witness the customers indulging in the grandiose milkshakes that will be served by Jo Jo’s Shake Bar.

Jo Jo’s Shake Bar has already taken the nation by storm with locations in Illinois and Detroit but it will make its west coast debut later this year when it fills the space vacated

by Stingray Sushi.

In addition to serving over-the-top milkshakes decorated with slices of cake, whole cookies, candy and other sweet treats, Jo Jo’s Shake Bar is also renowned for its cookie flights and onion ring towers.

Info: Jojosshakebar.com

Pickle and Social

The fastest-growing game in the nation has no signs of slowing down anytime soon and Georgia-based Pickle and Social is using that momentum to expand its brand westward with a massive location at the new 22-acre mixeduse complex The Sydney, off 90th street and the Loop 101.

Not only will Pickle and Social include four outdoor and eight indoor

pickleball courts, but it will also feature a 7,500 square-foot full-service restaurant and bar, a rooftop bar, a 2,500 square-foot Fairway Fieldhouse where guests will enjoy access to four Full Swing simulators, a private bar, an outdoor putting green and a 3,000 square-foot green space equipped with an ACL Cornhole Yard, yard games and a 30-foot outdoor live music stage.

Info: Pickleandsocial.com

Puttshack

The world's first and only upscale, tech-infused miniature golf experience is set to tee off at Scottsdale Quarter this year when Puttshack opens its doors later this year after the project fell victim to several construction delays.

The over 25,000-square foot twostory space will feature four courses for guests to compete powered by the brand’s Trackaball technology — which keeps score for guests as they play.

Adding to the ante, the space will also include food from a menu inspired by some of the most popular dishes from around the world and a full cocktail bar.

Puttshack is located at 15059 N. Scottsdale Road. Info: puttshack.com/ locations/Scottsdale.

The Italiano

Joey Maggiore and The Maggiore Group are again paying homage to their Italian heritage with a new casual, elegant Italian restaurant called “The Italiano.”

Located off of Shea Boulevard and 92nd Street, the restaurant will serve regional Italian cuisine and cocktails and add a wow factor by offering interactive tableside service including an antipasto cart and dishes that guests can modify.

Info: TheItaliano.com.

going on in Scottsdale?

Creative shakes and bites will be on the menu at Scottsdale Quarter when Jo Jo’s Shake Bar opens this year. (Special to the Progress)

15 Scottsdale events that make 2023 exciting

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

With 2023 promising to be memorable for arts and entertainment in Scottsdale, here are 15 events to get on your calendar ASAP.

The Temptations with Sandra Bassett

The five-time Grammy-winning Temptations are set to take the stage at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts as part of their 60th-anniversary and in support of their latest album “Temptations 60.”

When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 12

Where:  Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. Cost: Tickets start at $50 Info: scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Arizona Fine Art Expo

Returning for its 19th year, the Arizona Fine Art Expo is set to host 124 studios in a 44,000-square-foot tent with metal sculptures, stone carving, impressionism, photography and jewelry.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Jan. 13-March 26

Where: 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale  Cost: Starts at $12 Info: arizonafineartexpo.com

Celebration of Fine Art

Over 100 artists descend on white tents off of loop 101 and Hayden Road from January to March to participate in one of the most unique art experiences in the nation.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Jan. 14-March 26.

Where: Southwest corner of Hayden Road and Loop 101

Cost: $10 Info: celebrateart.com

of Scottsdale for eight days of showcasing some of the hottest rods in the world and countless new models of vehicles for car enthusiasts to get stoked about.

When: Jan. 21-29

Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road

Cost: Tickets start at $25 Info: barrett-jackson.com

Concours d’Elegance

The Scottsdale Civic Center is expected to re-open in style by parking a hundred of the hottest rods from around the state on its newly planted lawn for the first Concours d’Elegance in nearly five years.

When: Jan. 22

Where: Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Western Week

Western Week is set to return to Old Town Scottsdale once again for a week of fanfare topped off by the famous Parada Del Sol on Feb. 4. Included is the famed Hash Knife Pony Express ride, Arizona Indian Festival and Gold Palette Art Walk.  When: Jan.28-Feb. 5 Where: See website for locations of events

Cost: See website for pricing on events Info: scottsdalewesternweek.com

WM Phoenix Open

Barrett Jackson Auto Auction

The nation's number one attraction for auto lovers is set to return to WestWorld

Cost: Tickets start at $65 Info: scottsdaleperformingarts.org

The biggest party on grass is set to return to TPC Scottsdale this year bringing some of the top names in golf as well as notable musicians like Machine Gun Kelly, Jason Aldean and The Chainsmokers to the tournament's Birds Nest concert venue.

When: Feb.6-12

Where: TPC Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road

Cost: Tickets start at $75 Info: wmphoenixopen.com

ESPN Main Street Tailgate

With the Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale this year, ESPN has chosen Old Town Scottsdale as its destination to host its week-long pre-game coverage along Main Street between Scottsdale Road and Brown Avenue.

When: Feb. 8-12

Where: Old Town Scottsdale on Main Street between Scottsdale Road and Brown Avenue

Cost: TBA Info: azsuperbowl.com/events

The Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction offers plenty of vehicle for car and truck buffs to drool – and spend – over. (Progress file photo)

Shaq’s Fun House

Former NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal is transforming Talking Stick Resort into his own fun house by bringing his rapper son and fellow DJ Myles, Snoop Dogg and Diplo for a larger-than-life night of pulse-pounding tunes.

When: 8 p.m. Feb. 10

Where: Talking Stick Resort,

9800 E. Talking Stick Way

Cost: Tickets start at $349.99 Info: shaqsfunhouse.com

Arabian Horse Show

Over 2,400 of the finest Arabian horses from around the world are set to descend upon Scottsdale for the historic 10-day Arabian Horse Show.

When: Feb. 16-26.

Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road

Cost: Tickets start at $15 Info: scottsdaleshow.com

MLB Spring Training

The eyes of the baseball world will once again peer onto Scottsdale Stadium and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick as the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks take the field for Spring Training.

When: Feb. 25-March 28 Where: Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road & Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road

Cost: See website for details Info: See website for schedule, cactusleague.com

Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show (3/4)

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, a selection of the most dashing quarter horses from around the world are set to converge on WestWorld of Scottsdale for the Sun Circuit Quarter Horse show.

When: March 4-12

Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road Info: suncircuit.com

Rodeo Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s historic Rodeo Scottsdale, also known as the Parada Del Sol Rodeo, is set to reign in some of the most talented cowboys from around the nation.

When: March 9-12

Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road

Cost: $15 Info: suncircuit.com

Bike Week (3/29)

Bikers from around the world are set to saddle up and descend upon Scottsdale for four days of music, food, and high octane fanfare. Musical acts this year include Staind, Megadeth, and Billy Idol.

When: March 29-April 2

Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road

Cost: Tickets start at $15 Info: azbikeweek.com

Canal Convergence

After a successful tenth anniversary, Canal Convergence is set to light up the Scottsdale Waterfront for the 11th year with light, water, and art made by local and international artists.

When: TBA

Where: Scottsdale Waterfront Cost: Free Info: canalconvergence.com