Recycling trash, a positive. Recycling politicians, not so much.

This year's group of 11 candidates running for mayor and town council include several who have served previously. Former councilman Art Tolis served four years and is known for advocating for Fountain Hills to become Arizona's Beverly Hills and downtown becoming Rodeo Drive. With empty lots and see-through buildings, little has changed in downtown during Art's tenure or since.

Councilman Peggy McMahon is running for reelection. Her claim to fame? She belongs to just about every volunteer organization in town and is co-chairman of the Liberal Ladies. Over her four-year term she has championed little and voted 100% with fellow liberals.

Ginny Dickey has spent much of her adult life at some level of government (frequently taking a paycheck from it) and now wants a fourth term as mayor. She has a degree in math yet the town's financial contract with MCSO is a mess. During three terms Dickey has not fixed the potholes and supported just about every major issue voters ultimately rejected from zoning, to bonding and taxation.

But the ultimate recycled politician is former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio running for mayor, who was beaten in all of his most recent elections. In June he will turn 92 and has refused to, or was unable to, participate in public forums in the past.

Three new faces for council worthy of your vote are Rick Watts, Gayle Earle and Matt Corrigan.  

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