As a member of the Citizens Advisory Streets Committee that spent nearly 20 months studying Fountain Hills street conditions, it’s clear that several council candidates and two want-to-be mayors simply do not understand the magnitude nor the complexities of the community’s street problems. And it’s ludicrous to believe they will find ways to carve up the town’s budget to address street needs without impacting some quality-of-life features that make our community so special.

Today’s street problems were not created by mismanagement, they are the result of not having sufficient funds to do what was needed at the time of need. 

Back in 2008 a professional engineering firm studied the street network and concluded that more money was the only solution.  And in the 16 years since, two more firms have concluded the same thing, and last year so did a citizen’s committee. The only difference over the years has been that the dollar amount keeps increasing. Streets are deteriorating faster than they can be repaired.

In almost every election season since that first street network examination there have been candidates who want people to believe that bonds are not needed, that they will find funds in the existing budget to fix the streets. And this year it’s happening again. If bonds are not the answer, then why have eight previous councils failed to find the solution?

Don’t be misled by the mismanagement political rhetoric, it’s nonsense. Until voters agree to invest more money in the community, streets will continue to be a problem. And the longer it takes, the more it will cost.

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