Two individuals have announced that they will seek a seat on the Town Council in next year’s election.

Amberleigh Dabrowski and Mike Scharnow released statements last week saying they had picked up candidate packets from Town Hall and will set about the process of getting their name on the ballot.

Dabrowski

Dabrowski says she lives by the adage that “life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” and with three marathons under her belt she says she knows that each step in a race is always a step forward.

“The race for the August 2018 Town Council [primary] election is no different,” Dabrowski said. “We are at the starting line, and with excitement and joy, [I announce] intent to join the race.

“My goal as a Town Council member is to serve the community with integrity, honesty, and transparency. We all want to see Fountain Hills flourish, with the residents and businesses as our future. Each step forward in this race will include listening, exploring, discussing and sharing the joys and challenges of our town with local residents and businesses.”

Dabrowski moved here in 2012 and feels she has been a true ambassador of the town.

She said she is qualified as a candidate based on her professional experience and local participation with the town and organizations, including the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission.

Dabrowski said this position has given her the opportunity to learn about the needs and infrastructure of the community. She is an advocate of community culture and civic activities as a board member of FHCCA (I Love Fountain Hills) and actively supports the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association as a Board Member.

More information can be found at Amberleigh2018.com.

Scharnow

Mike Scharnow, former editor of The Fountain Hills Times, also announced he will toss his hat into the political ring and pursue a nomination for a Town Council seat.

“I’ve covered local politics and governmental entities for decades, so hopefully I know what I’m getting myself into,” he said. “I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly over the years. But I’m intending to add plenty of good.”

Scharnow said the recent flurry of announcements about Mayor Linda Kavanagh not seeking another term and then two challengers stepping up for the mayoral race prompted him to finalize his decision now to seek a council seat.

“It seems rather early to me, considering the election isn’t until next August, but I might as well get it out there now instead of letting the rumor mill run wild,” he added. “I certainly don’t need the extra time to produce some grainy political commercials for TV.”

Scharnow said he’s seen plenty of candidates through the years run because they have an axe to grind or because they have an issue with a particular candidate.

“I can assure everyone that’s not the case with me,” he said. “It will be months yet before we know who the final candidates are, including any incumbents.

“I won’t have a learning curve and I will be able to draw on decades of historical knowledge and experience to hit the ground running.

“I just love this community, have been involved on many levels and want to continue helping in whatever way I can.”

Scharnow started working at The Fountain Hills Times in 1983 and became its editor in 1994. He left the paper at the end of 2015 to pursue a new career as a financial advisor with Thrivent Financial.

Election material packets are available now at Town Hall for those interested in running for a seat on the council or for mayor.

Three council terms expire at the end of 2018 with the primary election set for late August and any runoff or the November General Election.

Candidates need to collect at least 198, but no more than 395 signatures from qualified Fountain Hills electors on petitions to get their name on the ballot.

Those petitions need to be turned in by May 30, 2018, but no earlier than April 30, 2018.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh has announced that she will not seek re-election, and, last week, Councilman Cecil Yates and former Councilwoman Ginny Dickey announced their intentions to run for mayor.

Incumbent council members holding expiring seats are Nick DePorter, Henry Leger and Alan Magazine. All have stated they have not made a decision regarding next year’s race.