We have an election coming up for mayor. But something is a bit strange. Ginny Dickey is challenging Mayor Linda Kavanagh, as a write-in candidate. Why would anyone run as a write-in candidate? More importantly, why would anyone vote for a write-in candidate?

Some have described Dickey’s approach as “quixotic.” Look it up. It means exceedingly unrealistic and impractical. It is not a positive.

I view this election from a human resources background.

In finding the best candidate for a job, HR managers look for certain attributes. For an executive position such as mayor, I would be looking for a candidate who exhibits certain critical traits. Organizing and planning would be high on the list. I would not recommend a candidate who failed to get the signatures necessary just to get on the ballot.

Ginny Dickey has run for political office before. She has collected signatures before. Even if a candidate faces personal issues during the signature collection process, that person could organize friends to collect those signatures. That’s what a leader does. There really is no excuse for failing to do so. While a write-in campaign is legal, it is clearly ill considered. It speaks of a lack of planning.

Mayor Kavanagh, on the other hand, exhibits the critical skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to be an effective executive. Linda has been mayor for four years and has done an outstanding job. She even managed to get the required signatures to get on the ballot!

As Woody Allen famously said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Kavanagh showed up. Dickey didn’t.

Fountain Hills is in good hands with Mayor Kavanagh. It would be imprudent to vote for a “quixotic” candidate. I will be casting my vote for Linda. I hope you will do the same.