It’s really tough to decide for whom to vote when all the candidates are smart, good people.
I think we need to make our choices based upon our key council deficiencies; declining public safety and oversight of fire and police services, financial management, and efficient management of revenues.
David Spelich, a former homicide detective and current investigator of child abuse in our schools, appears uniquely qualified. I learned more about the ways the Maricopa Sheriff’s office under Penzone has been shortchanging us in transparency and service delivery in five minutes with him than I learned from a month of digging on my own. He also knows how it appears that we’re being grossly overcharged for our fire services, and is willing to renegotiate for a fair contract. No other candidate or board member comes close to his value in safety for Fountain Hills.
Gerry Friedel has unique qualifications in banking and finance, talents sorely needed to heal the self-inflicted financial wounds in our town government. Two other candidates also have some financial backgrounds, but they don’t match Mr. Friedel’s 39 years of banking experience.
Marcus Bulow Von Dennewitz has extensive experience in governmental auditing and is well suited to the “watchdog” role so sorely lacking in today’s council and other candidates. He’ll bring up issues the current council refuses to discuss.
“Deep Blue” candidates Sharon and Alan are good, smart, people, but they’re not change agents or watchdogs. They also supported raising taxes instead of spending more prudently.
Clearly, we need David Spelich on the council to defend our safety. We need Mr. Friedel to add financial oversight and prudency on the council. We need Mr. Von Dennewitz to be the watchdog on the council.
Our town is at a nexus. Let’s make the right choices on Election Day.
