In observation of Wednesday night’s meeting…someone associated with the Fountain Hills Sonoran Conservancy submitted a request to build a hiking trail. It parallels the existing Overlook Trail.

The gentleman who submitted the request gave a detailed analysis of the trail and why he thought it should be built. Specifically, he suggested, to enhance quality of life by affording an avenue of exercise with a view in some places. He submitted that the elevation difference and the distance from the property lines would make the use of the trail practically invisible to the homeowners.

Those many speakers who were opposed to the plan cited the following: loss of privacy, a serious loss of property value, numerous examples of unnecessary noise, trash, unleashed pets and environmental damage with just plain burdensome loss of quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their property.

A show of hands of those who opposed the trail plan with over a hundred people in attendance, I only noted three people who did not raise their hand.

In summary, the folks were asked to build a trail where there is an existing trail solely by a person having a vested interest in trail building. Moderated by a town employee who exhibited a bias for the project as he would not let some of the opposed speakers’ pertinent information be presented. About two dozen people spoke against the project, many of whom were exceptionally knowledgeable of the project’s makeup.

Finally, we have seen the government “of the people, by the people and for the people” eroded to the point that the common citizen has very little, if any, say in the matter.

I hope that the Bob Dills et al who fought to kill this program are successful.