I feel it is necessary to respond to M. Cormier's recent letter titled “Hype.” She tries to defend Councilman Cecil Yates’ ethical leadership, fiscal budget management and business leadership abilities as the reasons he deserves your vote in the upcoming mayoral election. She ballyhoos (hypes) his business achievements while ignoring the very real question of his qualifications to serve as our mayor.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, Mr. Yates tried to justify his refusal to allow his would-be constituents to vote for his replacement, by totally misrepresenting the “resign to run” law that clearly allows him to resign at any time. He has chosen to deliberately prevent the voters of Fountain Hills from exercising our constitutional right to vote.

His continuing contempt and distrust of all of us alone should disqualify him. True ethical leadership in the public domain demands equitable, fair and the highest standards of public conduct. Councilman Yates has chosen to tell all of us what is in our best interest.

Mr. Yates’ ethics, judgment and fiscal budget management are very much in question as documented by his totally unprofessional rush to judgment campaign to fire the town attorney at a council meeting in October. A “metaphorical firing squad in a public forum,” for which he has yet to apologize. The “reckless firing was totally avoidable” and cost you, the taxpayer, an additional $160,000 in additional legal fees this fiscal year alone.

Mr. Yates has been a successful businessman. That, however, does not qualify him to be your mayor, which requires different skills. Stewardship of our town demands careful and responsible management of that entrusted to one’s care.

“Nearly all men (women) can stand adversity; if you want to test one’s character, give him (her) power.”