It was interesting to compare and contrast the backgrounds, experience, town involvement and goals of the 11 candidates featured in the April 2 edition of Fountain Hills Times Independent. That is the necessity of local journalism, but that’s not all.

I just couldn’t get past one picture, I assume supplied by the candidate. Why does anyone think that a mugshot-type pose from a candidate for office is a good thing, a la Donald Trump? I guess it makes sense if it's Arpaio. He’s modeling himself after the guy who granted him a pardon.

Actually, finding a picture of Arpaio with anything except a frown or scowl is difficult to do, unless it's of him selling underwear, vanity books and autographed photos at fairs, gun shows or wherever. And it’s a message. Take it for what it is. Is he seriously unhappy living here? Or is that his mood? Is that the person we want representing our town?

Will he smile at a ribbon cutting, a groundbreaking, a regional meeting, with Stellar Students, reading a proclamation, or on the council dais conducting the business of our town if he is not also hawking his wares? I don't want to find out. 

Arpaio’s frown says everything except "I am Fountain Hills."

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.