If ever there was a chance to see leadership style in action, the recent mayoral debate was it.
Ginny Dickey, prepared and armed with information about the town, was keen on restoring faith in local government. Cecil Yates, too, was prepared, but in a different way. His development agenda was front and center, as Lionel Richie would say, “All night long.”
Yates seemed loud, interrupting his opponent. When asked the difference between the two candidates, he proclaimed, “knowledge!” He repeated his resume time and time again. He boasted he had the answers: Development at all costs, if you missed that somehow.
A development solution just doesn’t pencil out. We’ll never capture the $300 million of sales lost to the rest of the Valley. People don’t just go to one auto dealer, one furniture store, one club outside of town. How on Earth is Fountain Hills going to supply all the variety of everything we buy?
Is that what we exist for, to become a retail mecca? To get sales tax money?
Even if we managed to get additional successful retail here and collect extra sales tax, we would have to almost double all the economic activity we have to meet the expected shortfall. It takes about $40 million in sales to raise $1 million in sales tax. Yates is playing with numbers. He’s playing with us. What is his vision for Fountain Hills?
Ginny Dickey was measured, wanting to address issues never mentioned. She seemed “executive.” And she’s not ready to dictate answers. It was clear she wants input from residents. Despite Yates’ claim that it is “big government,” Dickey wants “good government” that is inclusive.
It’s our choice on how to move forward. And it’s our choice on who to lead us there. Vote Ginny Dickey for Mayor.
