When I moved here over 30 years ago, I was impressed with the fact that party affiliation was not part of the process in selecting our town representatives. The focus was who could best serve the needs of the community. 

Over the past few election cycles things have changed. However, local concerns have not. Potholes, development issues, fire and safety issues are not red or blue. Leave the state and national issues where they belong.

The biggest issue that faces our town is budgetary constraints. Mayor Dickey has guided our town more than competently through her terms of service on this important and complex responsibility. I have always believed that Mayor Dickey has consistently operated with what's best for the town without consideration of a broader agenda. I have known Mayor Dickey for 30 years and, without question, she possesses a deep and sincere love of the town. Any insinuation to the contrary is pure politics of the worst kind.

I believe that Mayor Dickey is best suited to continue as our mayor.

Our town is faced with some significant financial hurdles, our roads being the most obvious. We have had a number of candidates assert that we can deal with this problem if we just exercised financial constraint in other areas. Mayor Dickey has not been one of these charlatans. 

I have spent three terms on the town’s Strategic Planning Commission and can assure you that no amount of financial discipline can cover the shortfall, nor will tourism or significant population increase provide the solution either. Any candidate that professes otherwise is trading the truth for a vote.

Mayor Dickey is the best choice to provide the leadership and pragmatism to overcome these obstacles.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.