When my husband Chriss and I moved to Fountain Hills over seven years ago, he commented there must be no kids in town since we rarely saw them when we were first driving around. However, we soon learned where to look; running with their coaches around Fountain Park in the early mornings, participating in multiple sports at the school athletic fields and gyms, attending the many family-friendly events at the parks, working or volunteering throughout the community, and running and walking in the Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving parade.

Families with children and youth help keep this community vibrant. Having well-maintained, up-to-date, safe schools is vital for continuing to grow our school population through keeping families in Fountain Hills and attracting new families to move here. An additional benefit: good schools help maintain our property values.

Please vote "yes" on Nov. 7 in favor of the school bond. The less-than $9 average monthly cost to property owners is well worth it.

Ballots will be mailed to registered voters on Oct. 11. If you aren't registered to vote, need to check if you're registered, or to change your address, go to the Maricopa County Elections website by Oct. 10, elections.maricopa.gov/voter-registration/register-to-vote.html.