During the mayoral debate, both candidates were asked to differentiate themselves from each other.

Cecil Yates initially responded with one word, “knowledge.” The crowd rightly booed him. His implication that his opponent is not knowledgeable is insulting and untrue.

Ginny Dickey has lived in Fountain Hills three times longer than Mr. Yates. She served on the town council eight years, longer than Mr. Yates. She served eight years on the school board. She has participated in every strategic plan and town hall in the town’s history. Her volunteer work for Fountain Hills earned her a place in the local hall of fame.

Mr. Yates’ real contention seems to be that Ms. Dickey knows little about real estate development. Ginny Dickey is every bit as knowledgeable about real estate development as Mr. Yates. Throughout her term on the town council, she was a key voice in multiple development decisions.

The difference is, Ms. Dickey looks at development decisions from the point of view of a resident, while her opponent looks at them from the point of view of a developer. Quite a difference, indeed!