All but one seat was decided in the primary election, leaving Donna Wallace and Kevin Hartke to vie for the final spot on the Council. Most of the current Council members and city staff prefer Hartke for his commitment to Chandler, leadership and ability to bring people together. Wallace is endorsed by past mayors as well as Chandler police and fire. She can be a thorn in the side to the establishment — and that’s why we like her. Wallace is not afraid to ask tough questions and be a skeptic on anything from Council pay raises to the cost of the new Chandler City Hall building. A government agency needs that kind of voice to provide balance.

Scottsdale has always been a city that prides itself on its appearance. Over the years its leaders have ensured that its streets remain free of blight and clutter, in ways ranging from having little tolerance for tall weeds to banning billboards.

Scottsdale voters do not have confidence in the City Council and more than 60 percent said they think the council ignores voters, a recent political survey shows.

November 10, 2004

Ron McCullagh, Jim Lane and Kevin Osterman earned seats on the Scottsdale City Council in Tuesday’s runoff, a race that lacked both incumbents and sharp differences between the contenders.

After a long discussion about a need for more transparency the Phoenix City Council approved funding to retain membership in the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.

Chandler administered oaths of office for its newly elected officials Jan. 10

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

This year's mayoral election brought up topics of zero-based budgeting, efficiencies in the city, cutting red tape for businesses, and creating a procurement code that's reliable. Now, before the new mayor has even stepped in, some City Council members are taking a deeper look at all of those issues.

For the second time in two years, Chandler will offer severance packages aimed at prompting dozens of city employees to take voluntary early retirement to help balance a massive budget deficit.

A new multimillion-dollar biotechnology business “incubator” near the Chandler Fashion Center received City Council approval Thursday.

A changing of the guard on the Scottsdale City Council is becoming more likely as incumbent Councilwoman Betty Drake is failing to make up the significant ground in late ballots needed to win her second term.

Chandler is taking applications from those interested in standing in for Councilman Martin Sepulveda, who is leaving to serve in Iraq.

The Mesa City Council on Thursday appointed business owner and engineer Darrell Truitt to replace former Councilman Rex Griswold as the representative in the city’s northeastern District 5.

Scottsdale voters do not have confidence in the City Council and more than 60 percent said they think the council ignores voters, a recent political survey shows.

Weeks of political squabbling among Chandler City Council members has riled residents to take their elected leaders “to the woodshed.”

Weeks of political squabbling among Chandler City Council members has riled residents to take their elected leaders “to the woodshed.”

In response to a curfew roundup that sparked a public outcry, Chandler’s all-teen Mayor’s Youth Commission plans to advise city leaders Monday to be more proactive when it comes to handling youth-related issues.

In response to a curfew roundup that sparked a public outcry, Chandler’s all-teen Mayor’s Youth Commission plans to advise city leaders Monday to be more proactive when it comes to handling youth-related issues.

The Chandler City Council approved a formal process Thursday for replacing Councilman and Navy reservist Martin Sepulveda, who has been called to active military duty in Iraq.

The Chandler City Council approved a formal process Thursday for replacing Councilman and Navy reservist Martin Sepulveda, who has been called to active military duty in Iraq.