I spent years teaching To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The novel describes Atticus Finch’s fight against injustice in Maycomb, Ala., during the 1930s. One can find comparisons between Fountain Hills and Maycomb.  

Here in our town, we too have two philosophies fighting each other. I see the conflict as progress versus stagnation. One group wants progress. Another group, led by ROT, generally votes no on town progress.

And here we are, neighbors and friends who attend church together, cheer for our kids, and love our community. Atticus Finch explains Maycomb’s prejudicial divisiveness to his two naïve children. “This time we aren’t fighting the Yankees, we’re fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they’re still our friends and this is still our home.” I believe that’s how most of us feel.

Yet I read Facebook posts. It gets pretty nasty out there. That reflects another line in the novel, “Cry about the simple hell people give other people — without even thinking.”  

Through it all, I see a leader holding us together, doing what is right, because she knows this town, its history and its needs – Mayor Ginny Dickey. She is our Atticus Finch. His children are told, “There are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father’s one of them.” Ginny, like Atticus, does what her conscience tells her is right.

These words from the novel fit Mayor Dickey. “Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right.” Elect Mayor Dickey once again. Thirty years of her service to our town has shown we can trust her to do right.

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