You can’t help but see that developer Cecil Yates seems to be a single-issue candidate. His recent insert in The Times was all about development; his answer to the most recent question in The Times was answered as a developer; his advertisements even highlight his acumen as a commercial developer and he works for a commercial properties management firm. So how does this help Fountain Hills? Are he and his vision what we need in our next mayor?

Development in Fountain Hills hasn’t addressed the 30 percent commercial space vacancy, nor has he. The State Trust Land, his go-to solution, will take as many as eight years to sell a single house, and up to 18 years to build out – if it happens under the best of circumstances. The proposed “signature” swimming lagoon idea that he helped germinate went under water. He even helped open a business that closed. Development hasn’t saved Fountain Hills since Mr. Yates joined the council six years ago. His track record there is dismal.

Let’s not be misled to thinking that our roads will be paved, our lake liner will be replaced, or the fountain pumps will be repaired by “development,” nor that another restaurant, box store or mega auto center will solve aging infrastructure issues. They won’t. Not in Fountain Hills.

We require real, community-driven consensus solutions that can address our needs and a mayor that has a focus on what our community wants, not through the eyes of a developer.

We’re voting for somebody that has a proven track record and an experienced view of our community, who really cares what residents want and think. We’re voting for Ginny Dickey.