After spinning its wheels through the Great Recession the past several years the Town of Fountain Hills could finally be seen gaining some traction during 2014.

In January the town brought in a new economic development specialist on a part-time basis and transitioned the local tourism programing efforts from the Chamber of Commerce to Town Hall, also with a part-time employee.

With a positive direction taken in both of those areas, by the end of the year the Town Council was ready to upgrade Scott Cooper in the economic development office and Grace Rodman-Guetter as tourism coordinator to full-time status.

They begin their full-time work effective the first of the new year.

There was additional staff transition this year as two long-time employees moved on from Fountain Hills.

Town Finance Director/Deputy Town Manager Julie Ghetti retired after more than two decades as a town employee. Ghetti consistently led the town finance department to win awards for government budget preparation and financial reporting.

Bryan Hughes, a fixture in the Community Services Department as the recreation supervisor for many years, moved up to a director’s position in the Town of Florence. Hughes was considered an up-and-coming professional in parks and recreation and community services.

He was active in professional organizations and awarded as the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Outstanding Professional of the Year in 2012, and received the APRA President’s Award in 2010.

It might be said it took two people to replace Ghetti. Craig Rudolphy took over management of the finance department as director of finance for the town, and Grady Miller was hired as director of administration to serve as Town Manager Ken Buchanan’s right-hand man.

Rachael Goodwin was hired to replace Hughes as recreation supervisor, and Jeff Jensen came on this year as a replacement for the departing Kathy Worrell as recreation coordinator.

Staff was not the only place where there were changes at Town Hall this year. The Town Council election in August brought on two new faces to the dais.

Nick DePorter proved the second time was the charm in winning a seat on the council in his second try. Alan Magazine was also a winner in the council race. It was Magazine’s first race in Fountain Hills.

DePorter and Magazine replaced Council Members Ginny Dickey and Tait Elkie in early December, both of whom chose not to seek re-election. Dickey had served nearly nine years in two terms on the council and Elkie four years and six months for one term.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh was re-elected without a challenge and Councilman Henry Leger was elected to a history-making third term to the Fountain Hills council.