Phoenix police officers behave badly toward civilians. The City of Phoenix responds by publishing a website.

It's almost as if someone at the City of Phoenix asked themselves "What is the least we can do but look like we're doing something?  We don't actually want to change anything, like teaching our police officers that killing civilians is a bad thing."

From AZFamily, emphasis added by me -

City of Phoenix publishes website in response to DOJ investigation

The City of Phoenix has published a new website in response to the U.S. Department of Justice report findings into the Phoenix Police Department. The website showcases incident records, body cameras and evidence in cases mentioned in the report.

The website highlights cases that the DOJ mentioned in its report, separating them by categories such as the use of force, homelessness, discriminatory policing, protected speech, behavioral health, youth, and contributing causes. It also mentions whether the department reviewed each incident and whether administrators deemed them to be “within policy” or “not within policy.” Some cases were also “not investigated,” according to the website.

One hint that something is a bad idea?  

Darrell Kriplean, the head of PLEA and someone who never saw a civilian death at the hands of police that he can't rationalize away, *praises* it. 

From the same story -

Ummm...[start sarcasm] this may seem shocking to some, so it may be best for readers to sit down, [/end sarcasm], but a police "policy" that results in the deaths of multiple civilians is a bad policy and should be changed.

USDOJ finds that the Phoenix PD abused the public's trust

As can be expected, spokespeople for Phoenix PD objected...to the findings documenting and publicizing their behavior, not the underlying behavior itself.

From AZFamily, written by David Baker, Amy Cutler, Dennis Welch, Cody Lillich and Ben Bradley, dated 6/12 -

Justice Department finds Phoenix PD used excessive force, discriminated against certain groups

Following a nearly three-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice has found that the Phoenix Police Department violated people’s rights, discriminated against certain groups and has used excessive force, including “unjustified deadly force.”

A 126-page report released Thursday morning says the department discriminates against certain races, as well as people with behavioral health disabilities. The report also found that Phoenix police detain and arrest people who are homeless without reasonable suspicion that they committed a crime and unlawfully dispose of their belongings.

“A person’s constitutional rights do not diminish when they lack shelter,” the report says.

The AZFamily article contains the report itself; I recommend downloading it in its entirety...if a reader is in search of some light reading.

According to an article from Phoenix' Channel 15, the City of Phoenix rebutted the findings with "But that's not us NOW."

Again, I recommend downloading response from the City of Phoenix.

The head of the Phoenix police union, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, or PLEA, has already issued threats to reduce staffing at Phoenix PD.

From Phoenix' Channel 12, written by Joe Dana, dated 6/13 -

Supporters rally around Phoenix officers amid DOJ criticism

The law enforcement community came to the defense of rank-and-file Phoenix police officers after a damning report from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Phoenix Police union leader Darrell Kriplean says the chance of a multi-year federal court monitor would hurt a department already struggling to fill its ranks.

“It would decimate morale,” said Kriplean of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. “I think you would see a lot of our officers, the senior officers, maybe retire early, or some of our younger officers make lateral moves to a department that isn't constrained by DOJ.”

It seems like Kriplean has issued an "or else" statement, as in "let us continue to be bigoted and violent toward the public on the public's dime or else we're going to leave you on your own."

It's easy to forget that base of the reports, denials, and articles are some real world victims.

From Phoenix' Channel 12, written by Jonathan McCall, dated 6/15 -

He was new to Arizona and out on an afternoon drive. Then the Phoenix police arrested him.

In 2022, then 44-year-old Jeffery Henderson moved to Arizona from Texas looking for a fresh start in life. 

“I moved to Arizona for the opportunities as an electrician and I thought this was a place that I could call home for years to come,” Henderson said.

In June 2022, the Army veteran says he received an unpleasant greeting from Phoenix Police while driving near 19th and Dunlap avenues while out for an afternoon drive. The experience is one his attorney shared with the United States Department of Justice, and as a 34-month investigation into the conduct of the Phoenix Police Department found, not an uncommon experience. 

Or

From the Innocence Project -

Ray Krone

On the morning of December 29, 1991, the body of the thirty-six year old victim was found, nude, in the men's restroom of the Phoenix, Arizona bar where she worked. She had been fatally stabbed, and the perpetrator left behind little physical evidence. Blood at the crime scene matched the victim's type, and saliva on her body came from someone with the most common blood type. There was no semen and no DNA tests were performed.

Investigators relied on bite marks on the victim’s breast and neck. Upon hearing that the victim had told a friend that a regular customer named Ray Krone was to help her close up the bar the previous night, police asked Krone to make a Styrofoam impression of his teeth for comparison. On December 31, 1991, Krone was arrested and charged with murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

At his 1992 trial, Krone maintained his innocence, claiming to be asleep in his bed at the time of the crime. Experts for the prosecution, however, testified that the bite-marks found on the victim’s body matched the impression that Krone had made on the Styrofoam and a jury convicted him on the counts of murder and kidnapping. He was sentenced to death and a consecutive twenty-one year term of imprisonment, respectively. Krone was found not guilty of the sexual assault.

From KJZZ, written by Kirsten Dorman, dated 6/14 -

Victims of police violence and their families gather in downtown Phoenix

Victims of police violence and their families gathered in downtown Phoenix on Friday to tell their stories and support accusations of racial discrimination in policing in the Department of Justice’s recently released report.

Dravon Ames, his then-pregnant fiancée and their two young daughters received nearly half a million dollars from the city of Phoenix in 2020 for what happened when officers who suspected them of shoplifting were seen on video pointing guns at the family.

"I was beaten up by the cops and Tased and choked unconscious. And it just got completely dismissed," Ames said.

One officer was fired, and another received a written reprimand.

Employment termination?  A written reprimand? For assault with a deadly weapon?

If members of civil society who engaged in such violent behavior were subjected to the same penalties, society would soon fall into chaos.

Kind of like the Phoenix Police Department.

The Phoenix City Council finds a way to appease the NRA and piss off Paul Gosar at the same time

While appeasing criminals is a bad thing, pissing off Gosar is a good thing.  

Always.

From AZFamily (this is the entire article as it is just three paragraphs/six sentences long) -

Phoenix City Council approves plan to send hundreds of unclaimed guns to Ukrainian police force

The City of Phoenix has unanimously approved a plan to send hundreds of unclaimed firearms to the National Police of Ukraine.

During the meeting on Wednesday, the City Council approved a plan allowing 500 to 600 guns to be transferred to a private company, which will then give them to the Ukrainian police force. According to the transfer request published in the City Council agenda, “only 9mm, 45mm, 39mm and 12 gauge firearms will be sent.” No city or taxpayer funds will be used to transport the weapons, the council agenda item said.

State law says guns are unclaimed when no owner comes forward after a 30-day notice. At that point, law enforcement, cities and towns can dispose of or sell them. In 2022, the Miami New Times reported that the City of Miami passed a gun buyback resolution to ship firearms to Ukraine.

The agenda item from the City of Phoenix -

From the results of the meeting -

The NRA never wants guns destroyed, no matter how many people have been killed by them.  And Paul Gosar is so pro-Vlad he never wants any there to be any support for Ukraine.

Student brings AR-15 to Phoenix high school, but a tragedy was averted. This time.

The Arizona Legislature is on vacation right now, but when they get back, Arizonans should expect the Republican majority there to ignore the incident.

The only thing they might criticize is the arrest.

From AZFamily -

Student allegedly brings AR-15, ammo to high school in Phoenix

A teen boy was arrested after police said he brought a rifle and ammo to a high school in Phoenix on Friday afternoon. According to investigators, two school security officers at Bostrom High School called police about a student with a gun. When they arrived to the school at 27th Avenue and Osborn Road, they found the teen already in the school’s main office. Police said he had an AR-15 with him and ammunition in his backpack and lunchbox.

Channel 12 (KPNX) has a video report here.

Karlene Keogh Parks endorsed by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton

Karlene Keogh Parks, candidate for Phoenix City Council, District 6, has earned what is perhaps the biggest prize of the campaign season in Phoenix.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Dustin Gardiner -

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton endorses Karlene Keogh Parks in District 6 council race

 Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton made his first public foray into the upcoming City Council elections on Thursday, endorsing insurance executive and District 6 candidate Karlene Keogh Parks.

Keogh Parks is locked in a contentious race with Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who’s running for re-election. The district encompasses Ahwatukee and affluent communities in east Phoenix, including Biltmore and parts of Arcadia and north central.

This doesn't quite offset the deep pockets of DiCiccio's lobbyist supporters, but the endorsement of the most popular elected official in the Phoenix area (yes, respect for Stanton extends far beyond the Phoenix city limits) helps muster grass roots support in a way that can't be bought.

Meet the "Mr. Flexible" of Arizona politics, Wes Gullett

..."Mr. Flexible", as in "flexible enough to speak out of both sides of his mouth"...

Wes Gullett, the long-time lobbyist who now looking to become mayor of Phoenix has a problem. 

During the initial part of the campaign, there were six candidates.  Five of them, including Gullett, were Republicans trying to pull votes from the same base.  One of them, Gullett, decided to troll for votes in anyway that he could.

Including telling different audiences completely opposite things in order to curry favor with them.

From the May 26th African American Democratic Caucus at the Greater Bethel AME Church -



Relevent quote: “We need to go to Washington and get that Head Start money and we need to make sure that we get the money that we need for our schools from the federal government as well,”

From the August 15 Phoenix Chamber of Commerce debate -



Relevent quote: “We don’t have to go to Washington to get money for early childhood education.”   He argued that instead, the money from First Things First should be taken and given to the state government so that the state doesn't have to spend so much money on education.

Gullett now has to try to explain his conflicting statements to the various groups he has pandered to.

By contrast, Greg Stanton's position on education has been consistent, and is here.

Phoenix Elections 2011: Is the Arizona Republic already slanting news stories for the November runoff election?

The numbers aren't quite final yet, but it is evident that Greg Stanton and Wes Gullett will face each other in a November runoff election for mayor of Phoenix.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Lynh Bui -

Former Councilman Greg Stanton is headed to a fall showdown against newcomer Wes Gullett in a runoff election that will determine the next mayor of Phoenix.

Unofficial results in the Phoenix election Tuesday night showed Gullett and Stanton as the top two vote-getters in the six-way race, with no one earning the more than 50 percent needed to win the mayor's seat outright.

"[N]ewcomer Wes Gullett"?!?!  Wes Gullett may not have held elected office before this, but he's hardly a "newcomer" .

From the bio page on Gullett's own campaign website -

Gullett has extensive experience in government. He was Chief of Staff for Arizona Governor Fife Symington from July 1993 to April 1996. In addition he served as Administrative Assistant to U.S. Senator John McCain. He also served as Senator McCain’s 1992 Campaign Manager. Gullett’s tenure with McCain was seven years and included Administrative Assistant, Community Relations Director and Northern Arizona/Maricopa County Field Director for McCain for Senate (1986).


{snip}

In addition to working on political campaigns, Gullett has worked in the consulting world for the past 14 years. He was a partner in the Phoenix public affairs firm of HighGround, Inc. Prior to his current venture, Wes Gullett formed Integrated Web Strategy, LLC, a company that provides Internet consulting services for business, organizations and political campaigns.


Gullett served three years on Capitol Hill working for the U.S. Senate Republican Conference (1983-86).

I met Ms. Bui when she covered Scottsdale City Hall for the Republic.  She's a good and experienced reporter.  However, I have to say this -
 
If she was alive when Gullett's political career started in 1983, she was still in diapers.
 
Gullett only qualifies as a newcomer by the standards of his mentor, John McCain.
 
By contrast, Stanton is the relative newcomer.

From Greg Stanton's bio page -

Following high school, Greg attended Marquette University and earned the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a national award for students committed to pursuing careers in public service. While at Marquette, he and a classmate founded an after-school program at the Downtown Milwaukee YMCA helping fourth and fifth grade students with homework and basketball. He also was awarded a grant from the Milwaukee Foundation to study inner city hidden unemployment.

After earning his law degree from the University of Michigan, Greg returned to Phoenix where he practiced education law at Jennings Strouss & Salmon and later Quarles & Brady LLP. In 2001, he left private law practice to serve on the Phoenix City Council, where he represented the sixth district for nine years. This district includes the Biltmore, Ahwatukee Foothills, Arcadia and North Central neighborhoods. With a staunch commitment to creating high-wage jobs in Phoenix, Greg was the lead councilman bringing the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), the ASU downtown campus and the U of A medical school to the city.

Greg Stanton may not be a "newcomer" but Gullett has nearly 20 more years' involvement in politics, though Stanton holds the experience edge in public service -

Gullett has spent most of his career as a lobbyist, working for special interests and not for public interests.

Of course, the editors (and editorial board) of the Republic know that this is a bad time to be viewed as a career politico, hence the lede in their story.

Does the Rep have to report the money they spent on crafting, publishing, and distributing their stories on the election as campaign contributions?

Early election results from Phoenix

Based on the results of early voting, and things could change somewhat after election day ballots are counted, Greg Stanton and Wes Gullett will face off in a November run off election for mayor of Phoenix, while Thelda Williams (District 1), Jim Waring (District 2), Bill Gates (District 3) and Michael Nowakowski (District 7) are on their ways to winning seats on the city council outright.  Daniel Valenzuela in District 5 is on track to face a run off election against Eric Sloan or Brenda Sperduti.

Updates tomorrow when final numbers are announced...

Courtesy the City of Phoenix election results page -

REGISTERED VOTERS - 646,995



Votes Percent


VOTING CENTER TURNOUT 4,724 0.73%


EARLY VOTING TURNOUT 88,437 13.67%


Total 93,161 14.40%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MAYOR


Votes Percent


ANNA BRENNAN 4,580 5.00%


WES GULLETT 18,973 20.73%


CLAUDE MATTOX 11,195 12.23%


PEGGY NEELY 11,624 12.70%


GREG STANTON 34,514 37.70%


JENNIFER WRIGHT 10,241 11.19%


Write-In* 419 0.46%


Total 91,546 100.00%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COUNCIL DISTRICT 1



Registered Voters 93,703


Voter Turnout 11.23%



Votes Percent


BILL BARKER 1,591 15.11%


ERIC FREDERICK 3,448 32.76%


THELDA WILLIAMS 5,411 51.41%


Write-In* 76 0.72%


Total 10,526 100.00%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COUNCIL DISTRICT 2


Registered Voters 110,444


Voter Turnout 13.68%


Votes Percent


BRYAN JEFFRIES 5,792 38.33%


DAVID JONES 1,438 9.52%


JIM WARING 7,796 51.59%


Write-In* 86 0.57%


Total 15,112 100.00%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COUNCIL DISTRICT 3

 Registered Voters 90,014


Voter Turnout 15.09%


Votes Percent


BILL S GATES 9,962 73.32%


STEVEN GROSS 3,520 25.91%


Write-In* 105 0.77%


Total 13,587 100.00%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COUNCIL DISTRICT 5

 Registered Voters 58,547


Voter Turnout 13.53%


Votes Percent


CHARLIE ELLIS 619 7.82%


ERIC SLOAN 2,025 25.57%


BRENDA SPERDUTI 1,999 25.24%


DANIEL VALENZUELA 3,250 41.04%


Write-In* 26 0.33%


Total 7,919 100.00%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COUNCIL DISTRICT 7

 Registered Voters 86,680


Voter Turnout 9.26%

 Votes Percent


JANET CONTRERAS 2,222 27.69%


MICHAEL NOWAKOWSKI 5,144 64.10%


''EL TUDY'' ARTHUR OLIVAS, JR 594 7.40%


Write-In* 65 0.81%


Total 8,025 100.00%



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PROPOSITION 1 - EXPENDITURE LIMIT

 Votes Percent


YES 58,596 71.73%


NO 23,089 28.27%


Total 81,685 100.00%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PROPOSITION 2 - ZONING REFERENDUM

 Votes Percent


YES 33,690 38.32%


NO 54,229 61.68%


Total 87,919 100.00%

Update: 2012 candidate committees

Edit on 5/2 to add another candidate who was brought to my attention in a comment at Blog for Arizona.  My apologies to Ms. Baldenegro.  No slight was intended...

Things are still slow on the candidate committee front, as it is still early, and many potential candidates seem to be waiting for redistricting to see exactly what district they will be running in.

However, a few noted candidates have announced or formed committees, as have a few less-noted candidates.  Where a specific district is listed, expect that to change after redistricting.

Note: Some of these have been covered in earlier posts but are included here for comparison's sake.  In addition, only new candidates for an office, or current office holders seeking a move to a different office are included.  Incumbents running for reelection aren't included in this list.

For U.S. Senate -

Right now, the "big dog"  in the race to replace the retiring Jon Kyl is Republican current CD6 Congressman Jeff Flake.  He raised over $1 million in just a few months.  Also in the race is Republican Bryan Hackbarth, a former mayor of Youngtown, AZ.  As of this writing, no Democrats have formed committees this race, though once Congresswoman Gabby Giffords' condition/intentions become clearer, that is expected to change.

For U.S. Congress -

Republican former speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Kirk Adams announced his intention to run for Congress immediately after becoming a "former" state legislator this past week.  He doesn't have paperwork up on the FEC's website, but he did tweet about it -

No word if Adams' speeches and press releases will be written directly by Jon "not intended to be a factual statement" Kyl, or if Kyl's principles will just be the "guiding light" behind Adams' public statements.

Also running:

Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democratic former Congresswoman, looking for a rematch in CD1 with dentist and current occupant Paul Gosar.

Wenona Benally Baldenegro, an attorney and a 2010 graduate of EmergeArizona, is a candidate for CD1, also.

Russell Jenna, a Republican/tea party type, in CD3 (currently held by Republican Ben Quayle).

Chuck Gray, a Republican former state senator, in CD6 (currently held by Flake).

Matt Salmon, a Republican former Congressman and GOP state chair, in CD6.

Gabriela Saucedo-Mercer, Republican, CD7 (currently held by Democrat Raul Grijalva).


For legislature:

Thomas J. Shope, Jr., Republican, has opened an exploratory committee for LD23 House.  Because he is a "Jr." and I don't know Pinal County all that well, some of this may be for his father, but he seems to have been the press guy for Paul Babeu's campaign for Pinal County Sheriff in 2008 and seems to be the son of the mayor of Coolidge, AZ.  Shope Sr. is the committee chairman.

Bob Blendu, a Republican former state senator, has opened a committee for LD12 House.

Tom Murray, Republican, has opened a committee for LD12 House.  He ran as a Libertarian candidate for Estrella Mountain constable in 2010.  He didn't win.


For Tempe City Council -

Ann Heins, Republican


For City of Scottsdale -

Still quiet.  So far.


For City of Phoenix (2011 elections) -

In full swing, with petitions due in the month starting tomorrow.  Peggy Neely made her entry into the race for mayor official, and a number of candidates have jumped into the race to fill her seat in Phoenix' District 2.  The full list of candidates is here.

More on this election as candidate petitions are filed.


Later...

Race for Phoenix Mayor: Mulitcultural Conversation event Tuesday

Thanks for the heads-up on this to Felecia Rotellini...

Greg Stanton and the other mayoral candidates in Phoenix be part of a forum tomorrow evening at Phoenix College.

From OneCommunity.co -

Phoenix is a minority-majority city, it is imperative that our next Mayor communicates with our diverse communities. Bring your questions and join us for “A Multicultural Conversation with the Candidates for Mayor" on April 19, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Bulpitt Auditorium at Phoenix College. The format will include two general questions for each candidate and conclude with questions fielded from the audience.

A Multicultural Conversation with the Candidates for Mayor is presented by Phoenix College, ONE Community, and the Maricopa Community Colleges. Event partners include Arizona Latino Research Enterprise, Arizona Progress, Arizona Small Business Association, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Informant, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., Echo Magazine, Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Urban League, Human Rights Campaign, Latino Perspectives Magazine, Local First Arizona, 'N Touch News Magazine, National Association of Asian American Professionals, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Native American Connections, National Black MBA Association, Inc. Phoenix Chapter, Univision, and Valle del Sol. The forum will be taped and re-broadcast on the Maricopa Community College Television Station – MCTV.

Stanton is the one outstanding candidate in a field filled with tea baggers, corporate hacks, and pretenders.  If you want to take my word for, take the opportunity to see all of the candidates in one place.  Phoenix college is a cool place, and it's easy to get to from the freeway.

Phoenix College Bulpitt Auditorium


1202 West Thomas Road

Phoenix, AZ
April 19, 2011 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Familiar names running for Phoenix City Council

Edited on 4/3 to add info that came to my attention after this post went up...

Proving once again that even in a city as large as Phoenix - 11th largest geographically, 6th largest in terms of population - in many ways it's a small town.

Some very familiar names have opened up campaign committees for Phoenix City Council this year (the District 2 committees are speculative - Peggy Neely would have to resign to run for mayor for that seat to be up for election this year) -

Janet Contreras, a former candidate for Congress in CD4, is running for the District 7 Council seat

Jim Waring, Republican former state senator and candidate for Congress in CD3, is running for District 2 (I think.  The form is handwritten and sloppy)

LeAnn Hull, Republican former candidate for Congress, also in CD3, is also running for District 2

Brenda Sperduti, a Republican communications consultant, is running for District 5

Thelda Williams, current member of the Phoenix City Council, is running for reelection in District 1

David N. Jones, CEO of the Arizona Contractors Association, running in District 2

Arthur Olivas, Republican/tea party type , is running in District 7

Charlie Ellis, Republican/tea party type, District 5

Tom Simplot, current member of the Phoenix City Council, has an open committee in  District 4, but his seat isn't up this year

Zakary Perry, a high school senior, running in District 5

Paul Yoder, Republican former candidate for LD15 House , is running for Distict 5

Michael Salman, a big fan of Sal DiCiccio , is running for District 5

Gary Whalen, Republican/tea party type, running in District 1

Daniel Valenzuela, firefighter, running in District 5

Eric Frederick, a really religious insurance saleman, District 1

Bryan Jeffries, firefighter, District 1

Eric Sloan, District 5.  Not sure what he's about, but Jeanne Lunn, a former Democratic candidate for LD7 House wrote to attest that Sloan is a "solid" guy.  He was employed by the Arizona Department of Veterans Services where he developed a wide range of friends and contacts from across the political spectrum.
Bill Barker, running as a $500 Threshold Exemption candidate in District 1

Bill Gates, current member of the Phoenix City Council, running in District 3

Steven Gross, running as a $500 Threshold Exemption candidate in District 3

Michael Nowakowski, current member of the Phoenix City Council, running in District 7

Ben Bethel, running as a $500 Threshold Exemption candidate in District 7


Note: It may just be a coincidence, but the $500 Threshold candidates all filed within 1 day of each other.

The complete candidate list is here.

East Valley school budget override propositions mostly approved by the voters

Mostly good news for the students and schools in the EV, though the Fountain Hills results are a bit disappointing.

Results courtesy the Maricopa County Recorder's Office, and current as of 9:58 p.m. -

Mesa USD #4, 100% of precincts reporting

23804 favoring
17444 opposing


Fountain Hills USD #98

2179 favoring
2223 opposing


Paradise Valley USD #69

19238 favoring
12362 opposing


Scottsdale USD #48

18473 favoring
13885 opposing


Tempe ESD #3

5359 favoring
2495 opposing


The results will fluctuate as provisional ballots, the last mail in ballots, and the like are counted, but other than possibly in Fountain Hills, the results don't appear to be close enough to flip once the final vote tally is determined.


Note: The Arizona Republic has a story saying that developer Sal DiCiccio is "heading to victory" over challenger Dana Marie Kennedy for the District 6 seat on the Phoenix City Council, but it doesn't give numbers. Those are available here.

DiCiccio - 14855
Kennedy - 11737


Later...

Sal DiCiccio - not letting facts get in the way of campaign posturing

From AZCentral.com -

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio and members of an Ahwatukee Foothills residents' committee say they have studied state and county plans to link Chandler and west Phoenix with a 22-mile freeway and come to a conclusion:

Put the South Mountain Freeway on the Gila River Indian Community.

{snip}

DiCiccio said Monday that neither ADOT nor MAG has formally asked Gila River officials if they would consider a freeway deal.

"I'm telling you, when the public finds out about what has not happened, people are going to be outraged," DiCiccio said.

{snip}

Alia Maisonet, a Gila River Indian Community spokeswoman, confirmed that neither state nor county officials have presented a formal proposal to put Loop 202 on tribal land. But she said the tribal council has twice considered the matter internally and twice voted against it, although she noted that the council could change its mind.

"Things can change," she said.

But ADOT spokesman Timothy Tait said he was baffled by DiCiccio's implication that Gila River officials have been left out of freeway negotiations.

"They (Gila River officials) attend MAG meetings and have been part of the process all along," he said. "We have not approached them because they have passed resolutions against the freeway."

So basically, DiCiccio is trying to pander to Ahwatukee voters by telling them that the freeway that they've known was scheduled for Pecos Road for almost a quarter century can be redirected onto a reservation (the residents of which, shockingly enough, aren't his constituents) at no cost to them.

Leaving out the fact that the reservation government has repeatedly said "NO!" or that it would cost Arizona taxpayers billions of dollars to do so anyway. And that they themselves are Arizona taxpayers.

It's one thing to engage in a little pandering during a campaign (hey, it *is* a campaign after all), but this move is so cravenly transparent as to speak of a deep level of contempt for the intelligence of the residents of District 6 (and an all-encompassing contempt for the residents of the Gila River Indian Community).

It also doesn't speak well for Mr. DiCiccio's own intelligence and political acumen - if he really wants to "protect" the well-heeled residents of Ahwatukee from the that big meanie ADOT, he'd run for his LD's Republican nomination for a legislative seat.

Only he's not running for lege - he's running for City Council against Dana Kennedy. Who is focused on City of Phoenix and District 6 issues, not legislative ones.

DiCiccio: Operating straight outta Campaign Damage Control 101

One of the first things any candidates learn is that when you don't get an important endorsement, the next best thing is to pretend you didn't even want that endorsement.

Even better, insinuate (or, as in this case, state almost outrightly) that you are morally superior to the people who endorsed your opponent.

To whit, from today's Arizona Republic -

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio said a coalition of Arizona police unions tried to cut a deal with him over the weekend: withdraw his support for Police Chief Jack Harris in exchange for an endorsement from the Arizona Police Association.

When the District 6 councilman rejected the offer, he said, the association on Monday instead endorsed his challenger in the Nov. 3 run-off election, Dana Marie Kennedy.

The simple fact is that DiCiccio has been clashing with the Phoenix police for months, even years - DiCiccio has jumped on the Joe Arpaio/Andy Thomas nativist gravy train while the Phoenix PD, including their unions, have taken a more professional approach. They understand that there are laws in this country (and in Phoenix) that are just as important (or, dare I say it, *more* important) as the immigration-related ones.

Today's denouncement of the Arizona Police Association's endorsement of Dana Kennedy for the District 6 seat on the Phoenix City Council does indicate one thing - DiCiccio understands that no matter how well he did in the primary (48% of the vote), he doesn't get to bring those votes with him into November.

Right now, he and Dana Kennedy are the only two candidates left for voters to compare and select from. He won't be able to hide behind a gaggle of other candidates and rely on name recognition (he's a former and current appointed member of the Phoenix City Council) to carry the day.

He'll have to beat Dana Kennedy on his own merits, and he's worried.

As he should be.