Gay: Partisan local politics have become just noise

This really has become political season in Fountain Hills. So claims Nancy Plencner (Times Independent digital, Aug. 30). I agree, but for a much different reason.

Just so you'll know, it didn't used to be this way. Municipal elections are non-partisan and were held on a March/May election cycle beginning in 1914, but some legislators knew better. They moved them to the primary/General election cycle more than 10 years ago, knowing it would make them more partisan.

They were right. And in so doing, we have what we have today. First, Independent voters have an extra two-step process just to get a primary ballot, because they must request a partisan ballot in order to vote in a primary. And the local election issues have been lost. So, you already see what happens. As municipal races get thrown in the partisan pile, it changes everything.

Now partisan politics are the norm here in Fountain Hills’ municipal elections. It's not about local issues anymore. And there are some in town that want it that way. It's too bad. It’s spurred lawsuits, ethics complaints galore and social media filled with innuendo and lies. Oh, and, just wait, the next legislative mandate will be that municipal candidates will have to declare party affiliation, the final step. You can thank all of this to a Republican-dominated legislature dating back decades. I think they think it serves their purposes.

So that's what we have here in Fountain Hills. Now it’s just noise, and our legislative representatives and senator are perfectly happy with that. And so are some local residents.

Elections are no longer about Fountain Hills’ needs. Some are trying to get them to serve other purposes. 

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