Looking back over the past 12 months, you wouldn’t be faulted for thinking 2018 lasted about five years. It’s been a roller coaster ride on the national and global level, with local events only adding to the chaos.

Fountain Hills had a long, thorough debate about an ultimately defeated property tax, saw four seats rotate on the town council and took part in a midterm election that, compared to those local matters, felt tame by comparison. Tragedy also peppered the year with a whopping nine violent deaths throughout 2018 and an especially active monsoon season brought damages town staff is still working to repair. We saw the opening of a brand new fire station and the long-awaited Adero Canyon Trailhead and more community activities brought the town together than we have room to list here.

From the good to the bad and everywhere in between, 2018 was an unquestionably packed year for Fountain Hills. We saw our fair share of disagreements, but we also saw an abundance of cooperation throughout the community. And even when we didn’t see eye to eye, we could at least rest assured knowing that everyone, in their own way, was doing what they thought was best for the town.

Community involvement is what makes a town tick and, in that regard, Fountain Hills might as well have been Big Ben in 2018.