I’m not enlightened by our current Mayor’s answer to attracting young families to Fountain Hills by her Q/A in the Fountain Hills Times. Aside from building more apartments (her pet project – a four-story complex along Avenue of the Fountains), her answer focused on things we already do.

How does that attract new families? Fireworks in the park? Slip and slides? Sustaining the Boys & Girls Club? Sorry, those aren’t solutions. It takes something more creative than just reciting those things that are already happening, because student enrollment continues to drop and average age continues to rise.

We need to identify ways that families have reasons to come to Fountain Hills. How about recruiting a small public or private college to locate a campus here, attracting students and a young, intelligent workforce – typically families? What an economic boost that would be!

How about being a proactive partner with the FHUSD to build upon current successes, jointly promoting its education program as a community value, instead of ignoring the District like she has during her first two terms?

What about creating a community culture that truly is family friendly, with a community policing approach? How about well-maintained streets, sidewalks and well-groomed right-of-ways? And, speaking of culture, wouldn’t it be nice to be a welcoming community by promoting diversity? What our community looks and feels like makes a big difference.

Building a bunch of apartments along Ave of the Fountains won’t do the trick; small apartments don’t attract many families. Being famous for being “pet-friendly” just isn’t enough. Our community is getting older for a reason. It’s stagnant leadership at the top.

We need a mayor with vision, not the same old approach. I’m going to write in Ginny Dickey for Mayor. Please join me. www.ginnydickey4mayor.com.