The Dealmaker: 1/18/2017

TALKIN’ TRASH – AJ residents file lawsuit to stop acceptance of petitions that force public vote on landfill. “The purpose of the lawsuit is to bring to light the numerous violations of law committed by a group of Phoenix lobbyists, politicians and profiteers calling themselves ‘Stop Mount Trashmore’… This outside group wants to force Apache Junction to hold an expensive and unneeded election in order to close ‘The Phil.’ That’s because they own land for a potential landfill nearby in Pinal County. They make millions if ‘the Phil’ closes and [AJ] would lose.” More in Apache Junction Independent. http://bit.ly/2k0qIH2

Phoenix transportation plan moves forward. “Transportation 2050… [is] already starting to pay off,” touts Mayor Greg Stanton in this AZBEX report. “Expanded bus hours, improved Dial-a-Ride service and extensive street repairs have already made it easier for residents to get to work, school or important appointments throughout the city.” Click through for bullet-point breakdowns of the “Public Transit” and “Street Program Accomplishments” along with info on other major projects not too far down the road. http://bit.ly/2k4HdpB

Grandmother evicted under Arizona ‘Squatters Law’ even though she was paying rent; Tom Galvin, Rose Law Group land-use and water law attorney, provides insight. “A.R.S § 33-1378 [allows] landlords to… remove guests who are not named on a written lease. Unlike the eviction process… the law allows landlords to have guests removed ‘just by calling the police.’” But, as Tom Galvin notes in this azfamily report: “If someone does pay rent — even if there’s not a written agreement — that does constitute a landlord-tenant relationship.” Read and/or WATCH the report, and get further insight from Tom on granny getting tossed, here: http://bit.ly/2jzGkoi 

Courts reject attempts to stop South Mountain Freeway construction for fifth time. KTAR: “The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Gila River Indian Community’s motion for an injunction pending appeal this week.” (On a side note, it’s kind of wild that opponents still aren’t ready to give up, even after being rejected 5 times. Could it be that they’re under the mistaken notion that the number nine in “9th U.S. Circuit” is how many times they’re required to keep trying until they cry uncle?) http://bit.ly/2jzGtrQ

Core Campus buys Tempe land for $8.4M. “0.75 acres at the SEC of 7th Street and Mill Avenue as well as the southwest corner of 7th Street and Myrtle….” How this deal set a “new benchmark… in the state,” plus info on Core Campus’ plans for the sites — at AZBEX. http://bit.ly/2jogdyk

Gilbert in top 25 cities for millennial home purchases. “SmartAsset looked at data on under-35 homeownership rates in the 200 largest U.S. cities to identify where millennials are buying homes.” So where exactly does Gilbert rank? No.1? Twenty-fifth out of 25? Somewhere in-between? RIS Media has the answer along with “the hottest highlights” from the study and “a fun little infographic to break it down…” http://bit.ly/2k4rC9I

New subdivision Trails at Tortosa getting ready to break ground. “The third and final phase… is set to get underway… once it receives official approval from the Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council…. The proposed development would be generally located at the northwest corner of Murphy Road and Honeycutt Road….” Get further details and view a Preliminary Land Plan image at Pinal Central. http://bit.ly/2jxrD5w

Goodman takes first political role as Pinal supervisor. “[B]efore [Mike Goodman] took his seat on the… Board of Supervisors a few weeks ago… [h]e had no experience as an elected official….” [Quite the opposite happens to be true when it comes to parenting. Read on.] However, as this profile of Mike notes, “that [lack of experience] didn’t stop him from winning a crowded Republican primary….” Head to Pinal Central for more on Mike, including info on his family (“12 children and 24 grandchildren”!), his take on voter turnout, and his “goals for San Tan Valley” and “the county as a whole.” http://bit.ly/2jLnIPO

Dealmaker BONUS: Nominee for Interior vows to preserve, and develop, public lands. “[Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke’s] wide-ranging testimony before a Senate panel… lasted nearly four hours, [as the] former member of the Navy SEALs who just finished his first term in the House, tried to balance the importance of preservation with use of the nation’s public lands and waters.” Confirmation-hearing coverage in The New York Times. http://bit.ly/2jof8qt

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2j9sGoD

Get ready to love where you work: Rose Law Group is hiring a Commercial Litigator – http://bit.ly/2hRxUZH