Last year, Dori Wittrig of Sonoran Lifestyle Real Estate, approached me about joining a leadership program. This would be a group that would meet every Thursday morning to learn about the town of Fountain Hills and its operation. I did not take part in the first class because of my schedule. But, I didn’t pass on the opportunity this year.

I have been a part of Fountain Hills since 1980 but I never really took the time to learn about how this town is run and operated. My father, Alan, who is the publisher of this newspaper, is often referred to as Mr. Fountain Hills. But now with my new role in this company as he retires, I feel this is a great opportunity for me.

The group does have a few weeks left before graduation at which time we will come up with an idea to present on how Fountain Hills can continue to grow. I look forward to the remaining time I have with my group, and I highly recommend anyone who is a part of the community to be involved in the next Leadership group.

This is an eight-week program and what I have experienced the first five weeks has been a great learning opportunity for me. The first week we had a tour of the Sanitary District sewage treatment facility. We went inside the pump-house at the Fountain.

The second week we got a tour of the Fort McDowell farm along with a presentation to learn about the Yavapai Nation by Bill Myhr.

The third week was a tour of our local law enforcement offices at the Town Hall, fire department and The Fountain Hills Times. Trent Renner of Christ’s Church led the group to my office where my father gave a presentation of our history and the history of this town.

I was a little nervous for my dad since his Parkinson’s holds him back when he speaks but I am not big on public speaking so my father took on the task and did an excellent job talking to the group.

I had to miss the fourth week because of my trip to Tulsa, Okla., for a convention.

This past week I rejoined my leadership group led by Art Tolis who was a part of the first graduating class. Art did an excellent job presenting the group a background of the town council and what they do followed by a tour of Town Hall and the courtroom.

Following this tour, Art walked us over to the Community Center where Town officials led by Mayor Linda Kavanagh talked to us about the role they play in the day-to-day operations that keep this town moving forward.

Following the presentation, the group walked over to Park Place where Bart Shea gave us an inside tour of the project. Bart did a fantastic job talking about Park Place and detailed what the project will look like when completed inside. The tour was great and I was fortunate to have a preview of this new development on the Avenue.

I thought a lot of what was said and the hard work the mayor and our town leaders put in to make this a vibrant community. Park Place is going to look great when it is done and I look forward to the opening of this new addition to our downtown.

For many years residents have asked for something to be built on the empty lots in the center of our downtown. Park Place will not only bring more residents to the heart of Fountain Hills, it will also give it an identity.

We live in a community that gives us a small town feel as well as scenery that many other towns in the country would envy. We call this home and I know there is a lot of talk about what direction we are going but talk is good and positive things come out of discussion.

I have watched this town grow from almost the beginning. I want to thank all those past and present who have worked hard to make this community what it is. Let’s keep moving forward as a community and work together to keep Fountain Hills a destination place for families as well as tourism.

Someone mentioned last week that they see Fountain Hills as “the Beverly Hills of Arizona.” I couldn’t agree more and this is why we are so lucky to call this place “our home.”