"Dark Side" Drives Out Superintendent

David Peterson's resignation came as a surprise ... a surprise that he lasted as long as he had under the circumstances.  

For the four years Peterson served as SUSD Superintendent, he endured what seemed to be a constant assault by community bullies - including a couple of school board members.

Almost from the beginning of his four-year tenure as superintendent that officially began in December of 2011, a disgruntled faction was gunning for Peterson, who previously served seven months as interim superintendent after Gary Catalani abruptly resigned after only two years. 

Lately, the professional lifespan of a SUSD superintendent has been relatively short. While the prior two superintendents, Catalini and John Baracy, who served four years, both resigned for "health reasons." However, Peterson gave no explanation for his resignation. But he didn't have to. 

As one source with knowledge of the situation described: "The district's administration has turned into a hostile workplace. David just got tired of the constant attacks." 

The hostility was generated primarily by "Respect Our Scottsdale Students" (ROSS), the organization made up of malcontents and mischief makers who aimed their vitriol at the school district's administrators - particularly Peterson. In the end, Peterson was a victim of the political venom from what one elected official called the "Dark Side." 

Initially, ROSS offered constructive criticism of the Peterson administration. Over time that criticism turned into tantrums. Seldom did the members of ROSS offer solutions to the problems they were so fond of pointing out. Their most recent input devolved into relentless ranting - especially about declining student enrollments. They have blamed Peterson for almost anything and everything for which the organization didn't approve of in the district. No issue has been too small. No grievance too petty. 

Ironically, a recent survey of parents with students enrolled in the district gave SUSD schools an overall 85% approval rating. 

Unfortunately, the vigilantes from ROSS weren't alone in their quest to dump Dr. Peterson. They have been empowered by SUSD Governing Board members Pam Kirby, an alpha dog, and her political handmaiden Barbara Perleberg.    

Kirby and Perleberg often turn school board meetings into little more than bitch sessions. Working in tandem and using some of the same tactics as ROSS, the two women have frequently caused so much havoc that the five-member school board becomes periodically paralyzed. Board President Bonnie Sneed has been forced to play the role of ringmaster of the three-ring circus.   

Many school board watchers say Kirby, who has close ties with Governor Ducey's administration, has a political agenda that doesn't always align with putting SUSD first. Some sources speculate she's a closet supporter of the charter school system and merely trying to cripple Scottsdale public schools. While it's difficult to identify her real motivations and possible political aspirations, it's easy to recognize the role Pam Kirby has played in creating the environment that caused David Peterson to resign.

Dr. Peterson's resignation is effective January 4, 2016. President Sneed says a search to replace Peterson will begin after the holidays - which is sure to stir up more bad blood.

Meanwhile ... the terms of Governing Board members Bonnie Sneed, Barbara Perleberg and George Jackson expire in 2016. They have yet to announce their political intentions.

Whatever they decide, 2016 will be a scrum for SUSD.

Littlefield Launches Campaign Challenging Mayor Lane

2016 just got more interesting - especially for Mayor Lane.
 
Bob Littlefield is running for mayor.  He has talked about throwing his hat into the ring before.  He even created an exploratory committee once to test the political waters. But this time it's for real.
 
Littlefield made it official last week.  
 
The former three-term councilman filed his campaign paperwork in the City Clerk's office late Wednesday afternoon.  His wife, Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield, will serve as treasurer of the "Littlefield for Scottsdale" campaign.
 
It didn't take long for the news to travel throughout the city.  Many were surprised.  Some even stunned.  Littlefield supporters were euphoric.  Others were infuriated.  In other words ... nothing has changed about the way people feel about Bob Littlefield, our city's most divisive character in modern memory.  And that's what has a lot of people worried about Littlefield's candidacy for mayor.
 
Not long ago Mayor Lane and Councilman Littlefield were political allies.  When Lane was elected to his first term as mayor in 2008, Councilman Littlefield became Lane's wingman because they were politically so closely aligned.  Both Republicans, Lane had libertarian leanings and Littlefield was staunchly conservative.  They shared a fiscally prudent philosophy that often had them voting in concert on many issues.  Their political bond became so strong that around City Hall they were jokingly referred to as "Jim-Bob."
 
That cozy relationship lasted for a couple of years until Lane, according to Littlefield, "started losing his way."  The two had a falling out when Lane began to fall in line with developers and support projects that Littlefield vehemently opposed.  Lane and Littlefield quickly reached irreconcilable political differences.
 
While serving on the Council, Littlefield was fond of taking jabs at Lane - now he has set his sights on delivering a knockout blow to the Mayor who's running for his third term.  
 
The Lane 4 Scottsdale campaign committee has already raised more than $150,000, and has more than $100,000 cash on hand.  The Littlefield for Scottsdale campaign committee was only able to start raising money less than a week ago.  However, in his past campaigns, Littlefield never raised or relied on an abundance of funds.  He campaigned the old-fashioned way.  He has depended on grassroots tactics using street signs, word-of-mouth campaigning and employing an ambitious email network.
 
The former councilman who was termed-out last year has also shown an ability to tap into the angst of the anti-establishment crowd who are disenchanted with city government - particularly the majority of the City Council.
 
Littlefield's candidacy caught everyone off guard - including Mayor Lane.  But Lane's operatives wasted no time springing into action.  Less than 24 hours after hearing Littlefield had filed his campaign committee, they started calling opinion leaders and organizations that may be leaning toward backing Littlefield to discourage them from doing so.
 
The 2016 mayoral campaign will pit Jim Lane's money against Bob Littlefield's manpower.
 
It's going to be a political matchup Jim Lane would like to have avoided and one that Bob Littlefield is no doubt relishing.

Trustees Ticked About Paying To Party
 
Everyone knows the Cultural Council says it's in financial straits.  But when trustees and members of the advisory board were recently told they would have to pay to attend the organization's annual Holiday Party, some invitees felt insulted.
 
Trustees Chairman Andrew Chippindall delivered the news:
 
"This year, SCC staff will be celebrating the holiday season at the Hotel Valley Ho and will be extending an invitation to us, the board of trustees and advisory board members, to join them in the festivities.  As this is a time to thank staff, there will be a $20 per person charge for us to attend."
 
The Valley Ho is providing both the space and catering for the event.
 
Chippindall wrote that he's contributing $100, and added: "Please consider matching this amount to say thanks to the talented and dedicated staff that make it possible for us to develop, advance, and deliver high-quality arts, cultural experiences, and opportunities in Scottsdale."
 
Chippindall is the general manager of the Valley Ho.

Fritz Can't Get Back To Work Fast Enough

It's no secret around City Hall: No one is more eager for City Manager Fritz Behring to return to work than Brian Biesemeyer.
 
After Behring suffered a seizure and a stroke more than five months ago, the city's line of succession kicked in.  Biesemeyer, the Executive Director of the Water Resources Department, was appointed Acting City Manager.
 
Initially, Behring was expected to return in about three months.  But it hasn't turned out that way.  There is still no word when Behring will be back.
 
Meanwhile, Biesemeyer is holding down the fort.  According to City Hall sources, he says he can't wait to return to work in the water department - because the contentious issues and political controversies he has encountered are more than he bargained for.
 
Biesesmeyer was hired exactly three years ago to replace Marshall Brown as head of the water department.  He had been serving as the Deputy Utilities Director for the City of Peoria.  As an engineer by education and trade, Biesemeyer wasn't prepared for the politics involved in managing a city like Scottsdale for an extended period of time.
 
The retired Army Lieutenant Colonel probably couldn't have begun filling in for Fritz at a better time.  When Biesemeyer took the helm, the 2015-2016 fiscal budget, though not officially approved by the City Council, was already locked in.  There weren't any controversial issues cooking - so Biesemeyer was able to get through a peaceful orientation period and a smooth summer without incident.    
 
Looking back, that was the calm before the storm.  
 
When the Council returned from their summer recess at the end of August, important issues began popping up.  First, the Council revisited the divisive Non-Discrimination Ordinance process.  Then came the heated Scottsdale Galleries Association vs Artisan Markets feud.  And, most recently, there was the Cultural Council asking the City Council for $1.6 million in additional funding to fix deteriorating infrastructure that sparked heated debate resulting in the organization receiving only about one-third of it's request. 
 
The next hot topic on the Council docket will be a discussion about how to pay for the maintenance and repair of the priority projects on the bond ballot that voters' rejected two weeks ago.  That conversation by the Council will link directly to what is always a spirited dialogue about the city's budget.
 
Brian Biesemeyer is expected to have his hands full. 
 
Every city manager has the prerogative to name their temporary replacement for when he or she is unable to perform their job.  Behring named Biesemeyer.  So it's no surprise that from time to time, Biesemeyer seeks Behring's advice while Fritz is convalescing from his medical incident.  The politics of government is often spontaneous, so Fritz's help from home has limitations.  That means for the most part Biesemeyer is on his own.
 
However, Biesemeyer has been relying on the city's other charter officers for assistance - especially Treasurer Jeff Nichols.   When he isn't relying on Nichols for help, he turns to Assistant City Manager Brent Stockwell, who has walked point on the major issues: the Non-Discrimination Ordinance, the Artisan Markets' controversy and the Cultural Council's failed funding request.
 
Several Councilmembers are growing concerned about the methods being used to manage the city.  Some even believe that much of the recent acrimonious political atmosphere would never have happened under Behring's watch.  However, none of it, they say, is a reflection on Biesemeyer.    He is, after all, only the "Acting" City Manager.
 
Fritz Behring's leadership and management skills are sorely missed.  Everyone is looking forward to his return.
 
Especially Brian Biesemeyer.

Third Time Wasn't The Charm For City Bonds

Now that the dust has settled after last week's bond election, it's difficult to deny Guy Phillips' political potency. Like it or not, (and some people don't), Councilman Phillips has proven once again he shouldn't be underestimated.
 
Many wondered how Phillips would fare after political fellow traveler Bob Littlefield left the Council.  That question has been answered. Phillips isn't able to build consensus on the Council because he often takes contrarian positions. He is, however, striking a responsive cord with many voters when it comes to elections. 
 
Phillips worked successfully to defeat four of the six ballot questions. This time, unlike two years ago, he did it without the help of Bob and Kathy Littlefield or John Washington.  The first-term councilman, who is running for re-election next year, has undeniably tapped into an anti-establishment constituency - and they turn out to vote, no matter what.
 
Those voters rejected questions addressing parks and community facilities, transportation, citywide technology and also police - which included funds earmarked for improving the Civic Center Jail and the 44-year-old police station.  The total cost of the four questions voters turned down was more than $68 million.  The total of the two questions voters approved was $29 million.
 
This election, the third one in the last six years that included bonds, had some political peculiarities.
 
Five of the six council members, plus Mayor Lane, supported the bond package.  According to conventional wisdom, that overwhelming support was thought to be a "game changer." Especially Lane's endorsement, which is all it turned out to be - because the Mayor failed to actually campaign for the six ballot questions.
 
His Honor did, however, have an excuse.  He was busy raising money for his re-election campaign.  In fact, on October 21st, just two weeks before the bond election, he held what one of his inner circle called "the biggest fundraiser in Scottsdale history."
 
Another peculiarity that puzzled election watchers was that voters differentiated between the fire and police proposals.  Voters approved the proposal to renovate and build fire stations but rejected the proposal to improve the infrastructure of the Civic Center Jail and Police Station.  
 
The primary difference between the results of the two public safety proposals most likely occurred because firefighters actively campaigned to pass the bonds and police did not. 
 
Of course the city's two police officers' organizations, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Police Officers of Scottsdale Association (POSA), are both experiencing political struggles.  During the past year, FOP has had a revolving door of leadership and POSA has gone into hiding following the scandal late last year about their charitable fundraising practices.
 
Until seven days ago, Scottsdale voters hadn't passed bonds for 15 years.  And that's troubling.  It speaks volumes about our city's changing political environment in which voters are becoming more conservative and less inclined to trust city government - which is allowing the kind of disappointing results we saw last Tuesday.   
 
That isn't expected to change until someone motivates politically moderate voters to get out and vote.

UPDATE: Basha Got The Message
 
Transportation Director Paul Basha got the message from the City Manager ... who got it from the City Council ... who got the message from citizens:  Don't widen Chaparral Road and don't narrow Scottsdale Road.
 
Basha told the Transportation Commission last week that his department would no longer recommend making modifications to either road - which was met with applause from the audience in the Kiva.
 
Politics prevailed.
 
Election season is just around the corner, and the City Council doesn't want to create any more flash-point issues than necessary.
 
The Transportation Department is hosting public meetings for citizens to review the Transportation Master Plan at 6PM in the Kiva at City Hall on three upcoming  Thursdays: November 19th, December 3rd and December 17th.