It was nice seeing my friend and former mayor, Jay Schlum, attend last week’s Town Council meeting and see him testify on behalf of the proposed area to be designated in honor of former Mayor Wally Nichols.

Wally and I became friends prior to him becoming mayor, as he attended every council meeting with his spouse a year before taking office. He took careful notes of the body language and verbal back and forth of the existing council in the old building and used those notes in dealing with us when he became mayor.

When he took office, he said to me that we needed to compromise with others and we did so during difficult years. That’s the art that is missing from our local, state and federal governments. Hopefully, the newly elected council can follow his thought process to make Fountain Hills reach the level of excellence that we deserve.

Thank you to our current council for approving and dedicating the area in honor of a great gentleman. I only wish society, in general, would honor individuals before they leave us and go upstairs so they, their families and friends can enjoy rather than naming battleships and buildings after they are gone.