I have lived in Fountain Hills since 1983. I’ve been a precinct committeeman most of that time. I don’t live in Golden Eagle precinct but I do know many of the personnel who are on the ballot.

Sadly, the campaign for electing precinct committeemen orchestrated by Rich Rutkowski in last week’s Times was divisive and he deliberately left off many hardworking Republicans who have been active within the FH Republican Club for a long time; (2015 Top Republican Club Award in Arizona).

The recommended list in last week’s paper did include good men like Ron Smith and a long-time Republican volunteer Evelyn Munn, but most of the others have never been close to a local Republican Meeting and others have made excuses when asked to volunteer for the party to support local activities. Everyone involved locally and within our Legislative District knows that this attempt of polarization by the same individual has turned good people away from participating. This must end.

This local election could send a strong message for civility. The list for your review below includes a Past President, VPs and other Board Members of the FH Republican Club, as well as long-time active volunteers in our community. It is unfathomable why the Rutkowski campaign should leave these names off his recommended list. I hope that some of the names from the Rutkowski list will in the future get involved in Republican politics. A good place to start, before running for office, would be to support your local Republican Club and attend a few of the meetings (held at the Community Center every third Saturday).

Please cast votes for Boe and Marie James; Rosemary and David Hansen; Edith and Dick Stock; Cecil Yates; Walt Franklin; Arlie and Harold Denomme; Ron Smith, Evelyn Munn.