A large number of the community was expected to attend the Fountain Hills Republican Club (FHRC) monthly meeting Saturday, Feb. 17, but before the club’s President Cecil Yates could welcome everyone, even more chairs were needed to accommodate all those present, according to  Chris Brant, the club’s spokesperson.

The draw was to hear from six candidates for positions in town government, five of whom are vying for the three vacant seats on council, Brant said. Gerry Friedel was the one candidate seeking the position of Fountain Hills Mayor.

FHRC board member Chris Enos was the coordinator of the forum, which was moderated by Yates.

The five individuals running for council are Gayle Earl, Art Tolis, Rick Watts, Robert Wallace and Matt Corrigan, along with mayoral candidate Gerry Friedel.

Each candidate was provided two minutes for their opening statement, Brant said. This was followed by three rounds, where candidates turned over a playing card that was shuffled and randomly distributed.

Each card had a matching question from a document from which Yates read aloud.

As the forum continued, candidates could, after answering their specific question, use some of their allotted time to respond to a question that had been posed earlier to one of the other candidates, Brant explained.

The areas covered by the questions included topics including economic development, the MCSO sheriff contract, local law enforcement, tourism, demographics of population growth and questions on how to maintain a sustainable tax base, Brant said.

Local police deputies were complimented on their service but candidates expressed concerns over cooperation and communication with the upper echelon of the county’s sheriff’s department, Brant said.

The most varied views of the candidates according to Brant revolved around the future of the Target Plaza, plat 208 and the overall development of the town.

Brant said all agreed that it was critical to keep the small town image and when any new growth is planned it will be important to listen to the voices of the community before decisions are made.

The positive impact of the Dark Sky Observatory was also expressed, Brant added.

At the event, club members were also instructed on filling out their ballots, Brant said, adding that members were asked to judge candidates on their knowledge of town issues and their abilities to clearly communicate their positions.

Other visiting candidates and local elected officials were given a chance to speak to those in attendance, Brant said. Among those were former state representative and Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita who is running for District 2 supervisor and Robert Backie who declared his decision to run for the U.S. House in a primary against Representative David Schweikert, Brant added.

Robert Biderback, representing Sheriff Mark Lamb for senate, received a “very positive” response from the audience when he addressed those present, Brant said.

For more information about the Fountain Hills Republican Club, visit fountainhillsrepublicanclub.com.