If you would like a voice in electing Cecil Yates’ replacement, now is the time to act. We have until the end of April to make a difference. I have sent the following letter to Mr. Yates. If enough voters send similar opinions to him it might influence the timing of his resignation:

Please be advised that I disagree with your decision to delay resignation until the last possible moment. Judging from the opinions letters in the April 11 Fountain Hills Times, many others agree. In fact, I didn’t see any comments supporting your timing. I read the April 4 Fountain Hills Times article by Bob Burns. I also read the sections of the Arizona State Constitution and Arizona Revised Statutes and the town code which you imply require you to wait until May 30 to resign.

I welcome you to correct me if I am mistaken, but there doesn’t appear to be any legal justification for you to wait until then to resign.

Further, your contention that the other mayoral candidate “does not want to run against me, and will try anything to help her cause” has no merit. It has been obvious for quite some time who the mayoral candidates are. Whether or not you are a sitting councilmember is irrelevant because you have to resign that position on or before May 30 and will not be a sitting councilmember between then and the election.

The only consequence of delaying your resignation is that your replacement will be appointed rather than elected, thus taking that decision out of the hands of the voters of this town.

Although it is entirely legal for you to delay, resigning in a timely fashion is the proper course of action.