A de facto majority has existed on the current town council with Dennis Brown, builder, Art Tolis, mortgage broker, Cecil Yates, self-proclaimed developer, and Mayor Linda Kavanagh generally acting in concert.
Not that these folks are not operating with the best interest of the town of Fountain Hills in mind as they see it, but their number carries a disproportionate weight for one segment of an otherwise diverse community, namely those who favor growth and development as the solution to all problems.
The results have been mixed, but among those that stand out are the lagoon fiasco, which eventually cost the town at least $38,000, and the massive Park Place apartment/business project, which would be okay in Scottsdale or Tempe, but is wildly out of place on the signature avenue of Fountain Hills, valued for its small town ambience.
The mayor/council election is an opportunity for citizens to begin the process of placing in office a more diverse governing body with people representing all segments of our community. If you haven’t yet voted, take a few moments to cast your ballot today. It’s a crucial time for Fountain Hills.
