This coming Tuesday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center, the Chamber and FHCCA will sponsor a debate between the two candidates running for mayor in the Aug. 28 election, Ginny Dickey and Cecil Yates. I urge all Fountain Hills citizens to attend.

This is a critical time in the governance of our town, especially since the property tax initiative was recently defeated and the multi-million dollar shortfalls in town revenues are very real and will continue to grow. We are at a crossroads in the direction we take and the leadership we choose. The two candidates represent significantly different approaches to the path we will take in maintaining our very special, small-town quality of life.

Many of our residents voted against the property tax simply because they have totally lost trust in the majority of council members to be good stewards of our town finances.

The debate topics will most likely include defining leadership (trust, ethics, integrity, stewardship), approaches to how to keep the town solvent while maintaining our quality of life, inclusivity and transparency, the record of our town council for the past six years (time for a change?), the results of the recent Economic Development Study, State Trust Land Development issues, Vision FH and Strategic Plan.

Become informed before you vote and let your voice be heard and counted.