Category Archives: Political Bites

Political Bites : Sheriff Can’t Recall Past

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Will the sheriff’s assertion that he “doesn’t recall” details of a probe against several county officials help or hurt him?
It all depends on his lawyers explanation of why he has a lack of recollection. The sheriff has been dodging bullets [...]

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Political Bites : Tempe Street Car Proposal

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Is Tempe’s modern streetcar the best use of limited transit dollars? Why or why not?
No. We need more regional connectivity. We need to be connecting cities in ways that have fewer stops and run with higher frequency. Bus Rapid Transit [...]

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Political Bites : Public Employees Travel Expenses

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Should public employees avoid staying in a 4-star hotel when they travel for work?
No. They should be pragmatic. If it makes sense to stay at an economy hotel they should. If it makes sense to stay at the same hotel [...]

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Political Bites: Stop Negative Campaigning

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Is there any way to curb the use of negative campaigning and “sham” candidates, or are they simply a part of elections?
Absolutely. Stop voting for any candidate that talks about their opponent instead of how they plan to solve problems. [...]

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Political Bites : Raze Foreclosed Homes

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Would razing foreclosed homes or forgiving underwater mortgages help the local housing market?
Razing makes sense if the home has become serious blight. In cases, where the structure is still in tact, but vacant it probably makes sense to repurpose them. [...]

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Political Bites : Montessori High School

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Would Tempe Union’s proposed Montessori high school adequately prepare students for college?
Absolutely not. It would prepare them for the real world. Which is a much more noble goal. Montessori brings us back to a much more human development approach to [...]

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Political Bites : AZ School District Consolidation

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Will the state’s latest school-district consolidation effort gain traction? Should it?
Districts should be collaborating. Consolidation claims lower capital costs, but opponents fear that they will lose local control. Unification seems to want everyone teaching the same thing. All of it [...]

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Political Bites : Lasting Impacts of 9/11 on Southeast Valley

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

What lasting effects have the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks had on the Southeast Valley?
As far as I can tell, none that are not experienced everywhere else. I believe the Southeast Valley was far enough removed that it was not [...]

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Political Bites: Why Are Crime Rates Dropping In a Down Economy?

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Crime rates have dropped even as police budgets have been cut. Why do you think that is?
Many criminologists view the change in population age distribution as the greatest influence on crime trends. The proportion of young males has been declining [...]

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Political Bites : Are Arizona Universities Preparing Students for the Workforce?

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Derek Neighbors

Are Arizona colleges and universities adequately preparing students for the workforce? What, if anything, can be done to improve the value of higher education in this state?
Absolutely not. The state needs break ASU into smaller universities. It needs to fund [...]

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