The town council is facing a decision – who shall fill the current vacancy on the council and serve the remaining two years of the position previously held by Cecil Yates? There are several applicants for the position and the council must consider their qualifications and ability to provide the needed expertise to find solutions to current challenges facing the town.

The biggest challenge is financial. How will the town provide essential services without imposing undesirable taxation? One applicant has decades of experience in banking and financial planning, a skill which would be of great benefit to solving our financial situation and is sorely needed on the Council. One applicant walked door-to-door to almost two thousand houses in town during the recent campaign to introduce himself and listen to voters. One applicant has the dedication to not give up easily.

Although the election did not provide him a seat on the Council, he remains committed to serve the town and its residents. That applicant is Gerry Friedel. I urge the council to make the right choice for Fountain Hills, the best choice for its residents, and select Gerry as the person to serve us on town council for the next two years.