With all the recent discussions about the vacant council seat, let’s be clear about some things.

No one is entitled to the vacant council seat, as we have a process in which the town council determines who is the best qualified candidate. No one should expect to be handed this seat.

We want a candidate who is hardworking and committed to helping solve this town’s issues, who has the determination and the fortitude to get us where we need to be. We want someone who can communicate with others, both on the council and the town’s residents.

There is one man who can do all of these things and is willing to work hard for our town, Gerry Friedel. Gerry believes, as I do, that no one is entitled to anything and you have to work for it! During the campaign, Gerry walked the neighborhoods, he knocked on doors and he spoke with the residents of our beautiful town.

There are only two applicants for this position that were candidates during the election, only one of them is qualified to serve on the council. As for the other nine applicants, if they wanted a seat on the dais, why didn’t they run in the election and work for it?

Gerry did. He ran, he worked hard and he earned a seat on the council. Gerry wants to serve the people of Fountain Hills.