The decision by mayoral aspirant Cecil Yates to defer his required resignation from town council until May 30, as reported in The Fountain Hills Times, is outrageous!

An elected official seeking higher office but committed with a sense of personal accountability to those served would resign now in order that the citizenry could freely elect his successor, as provided by law. One who instead prefers to work the system to insure that his political allies continue to control the council, denying that choice to voters, would delay resignation in order to permit the incumbent council majority to appoint an individual of their choice.

That describes Cecil Yates, who with this tactic has yet again demonstrated that he is beholden to his cohorts while turning his back on the resident taxpayers of Fountain Hills. His machinations will permit appointment of that successor by his allied political majority, to enjoy two years in office having completely evaded voter involvement. Does that sound like the behavior of someone we want for mayor?

I say no, Mr. Yates, and no to your purported mayoral candidacy as well!