Opinion - Civility Learning Lab

Scottsdale voters deserve accountability, not special interests

OPINION — Scottsdale voters want candidates who answer them, not special interests. With three candidates remaining for two city council seats, I am increasingly concerned that residents are not … more

By Terry Babb | Scottsdale | 8/19/26

Snail speed on aid for 9/11 community proves bipartisan agreement no guarantee

OPINION — Bipartisan support is often treated as the clearest sign that legislation is likely to become law. When Republicans and Democrats agree that a problem must be addressed, it may seem as though the most difficult obstacle has already been overcome. more

By Michael Barasch | 8/19/26

President Trump’s language causing real harm

OPINION — I'm writing to express my deep concern over the lasting damage Donald Trump's rhetoric has inflicted on our country's most vulnerable communities. A leader's words hold immense … more

By Alfred Southall | Fountain Hills | 8/19/26

Reader commends Glendale native’s courage, leadership

OPINION —Kaleb Brown has mastered the art of identifying his skills in order to enhance his capabilities and set the example for others to emulate. more

By Gary Allen | Venice, Florida | 8/19/26

Speak Up: Harrington City Council denies data center ordinance

The room broke out into applause, as Ordinance 25-08, allowing data centers as a conditional use in manufacturing areas in Harrington, was denied by City Council on Monday, Aug. 17. Way to … more

8/19/26

Standing at the crossroads of democracy

OPINION — In May 2025, I expressed my human characteristics preferred of a leader. It was 100 days into Trump’s second term, and his performance at the time was graded poor. more

By Thomas Richard | Sun City West | 8/19/26

Who is going to pay for the ‘expensive water?’

OPINION — “Arizona is not running out of water. We are running out of cheap water.” The line has become a slogan for anyone who wants to admit scarcity without accepting limits. It turns a … more

By Rusty Childress | Rio Verde | 8/19/26

Webster: Protect Head Start from RFK Jr.’s attacks

U.S. Congress must immediately call on the Department of Health and Human Services to rescind Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s proposed rules attacking Head Start and protect this vital program! more

8/19/26

Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

DPSCS Secretary Scrugg replies to Somerset County's letter on ECI staffing

Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, responded Somerset County Commissioner President Charles Lairds’ letter which requested three specific … more

8/19/26

One vote doesn’t make Abe Hamadeh a model of integrity

OPINION — In her letter, Kudos to Rep. Hamadeh for supporting stop insider trading act, Nikki Colletti praises Rep. Abe Hamadeh for “putting principle first” and demonstrating “real public service.” more

By Anne Whitmore | Sun City West | 8/18/26

Coons: Fair offered encouraging view of youth

It’s hard to escape the idea that our nation’s young people are in crisis. Newspapers and magazines are full of stories about how young people are lonely and disconnected, leaving adults wondering what the future holds for them — and for us. more

By Sen. Chris Coons | 8/18/26

Taxpayers bear the true cost of illegal immigration

OPINION — In a recent letter, Mary Jo Forman accused those concerned about illegal immigration of using immigrants as a "punching bag" and suggested we focus on other issues. While Forman points … more

By Linda Kavanagh | Fountain Hills | 8/18/26

Two proposals for Monday’s council meeting in Scottsdale

OPINION — Monday, I will propose restoring public comment to the beginning of council meetings. The council’s decision to move citizen comments to the end of meetings effectively silenced … more

By Solange Whitehead | Member, Scottsdale City Council | 8/18/26

Surprise should plan for BESS, not fear it

OPINION — The city of Surprise is developing an ordinance to regulate Battery Energy Storage Systems, commonly known as BESS. This is an important decision because energy storage will become an increasingly important part of the infrastructure needed to support Arizona’s continued growth. more

By Bob Doyle | Surprise | 8/18/26

The long run: Glendale native dispels myths about stuttering

OPINION — For too long, stuttering has been portrayed in the media as a negative or undesirable way of speaking. As a young man who stutters, I still see how these portrayals can shape the way people view stuttering and, more importantly, how people who stutter begin to view themselves. more

By Kaleb Brown | Phoenix | 8/18/26

Faust: City of Dover lacks vision and insight

The city of Dover seems to be stuck in a time warp and cannot break the cycle of truly addressing our city’s social issues and the criminal elements that have taken a grip. more

By William G. Faust Jr. | 8/18/26

Do Christian Nationalists get decoder rings?

OPINION — Michael Scott tells readers that a John Adams quotation that I used in a recent opinion is “often cited by White Christian Nationalists.” Apparently, I have wandered into an … more

By Gregg Duash | Fountain Hills | 8/18/26

Go, Bernadette — ‘Make the House Great Again’

OPINION — In response to Epson Brewer’s letter about Congressional District 8 as seen in the Independent, I say, “game on!” I am a military veteran and a former snowbird who is itching to get out on the hustings and canvass for Bernadette Greene-Placentia. more

By Steve Grogan | Sun City | 8/18/26

Drennen: Writer left out truths about Dr. Fauci

Mr. Peter Graffagnino’s Opinion reverts back to hatred of President Donald Trump, instead of the latest material about what Dr. Anthony Fauci said publicly and what he was doing in private (“After extensive service, Fauci deserves to plead Fifth"). more

8/18/26

Reader disagrees with ICE, Surprise facility opponents

OPINION — I read the opinions of Dudley Gibson, Chris LaHaie and Lori Lux, and I disagree with their positions. more

By Ron Moe | Surprise | 8/17/26