An “All-American” set-up for voters and contenders at the Tuesday, Feb. 19, “Candidates Debate” at 7 p.m. in the Community Center includes a flag for the timer, straw hats for volunteers, new Fountain Hills’ precinct maps, cases of bottled water, plus index cards and pens for use by attendees. 

According to Frank Jakubs, treasurer of the Cultural & Civic Association, sponsors of the nonpartisan forum, logistics for the event started last summer with room reservations.

“As we got closer to the event, details progressed to staging requirements, room layouts, microphones and speaker systems, video coverage, chair configuration, individual post-debate tables for candidates to meet with attendees and more and more,” Jakubs said.

FHCCA’s Civic Affairs Committee, chaired by debate moderator John Wyman, anticipates a big turn-out for the nonpartisan event.

To foster a lively debate, index cards and pens will be distributed for attendees to write questions which will be given to the moderator for candidates to answer and rebut.

“People without questions will find that being at the debate matters. It’s an opportunity to learn much by observing candidates in person,” Wyman said.

“Voters are showing great interest in making informed decisions about the four people they want to elect for council.”

FHCCA’s sponsorship of civic forums and town halls follows a tradition of commitment that began three decades ago.

By involving citizens in knowledge building, the Association aims to focus voter attention on issues and to increase turn-out at local elections.

“With eight contenders from whom to choose, decisions that voters make will have a lasting impact on everyone in town,” Wyman said.

“On March 11, they will select three council people for four-year terms and a mayor serving two years.” 

Newly-elected officials will join incumbents to form the Town Council. They will face major issues related to commercial development, annexed state trust land, sustainable finance streams and an aging town infrastructure.

According to Wyman, some studies show that fewer than 25 percent of voters elect the town’s decision-makers: “This distressing response is not due to lack of registered individuals, as over 80 percent have consistently voted in national elections.”

Wyman and his committee believe that low voter turnout stems from apathy which has its roots in voters’ lack of familiarity with contenders’ qualifications, values and stance on town issues.