With the not-so-perfumed waft from Washington these days, the State of the Town presentation on Jan. 17 was a breath of fresh air, like the kind we enjoy here in Fountain Hills.

It was very professional, well planned, with all the various agency and utility partners, council members and staff weighing in on a well-done video. Kudos to Mayor Dickey and the town council for hitting the ground running in this new term, and coherently laying out our most important issues, goals and creative new ideas as well.

She continued to build upon her campaign foundations and promises of inclusiveness, working together as a team to gather valuable input from all members of our community. Among Mayor Dickey’s priorities are building citizen trust through transparency, public safety, economic development, enhancing our schools and protecting our assets, as we face some challenging fiscal realities as well. Developing strategic partners, tapping talent, looking at options and future forward vision were great points as well, and we all should stay involved to hold these promises to account and help in their success.

What was refreshing also was the air of optimism that was expressed, with a real sense that this mayor is able to finally apply all her vast experience into serving the town she truly takes great joy in serving. You got a sense that a lot of well thought out work went into the presentation, to be able to most efficiently lay out all the issues to the town. It was effective and appreciated and was an example of what she said was her and the council’s goal: “We owe you our best.”

Thanks to SRP and the other sponsors for helping make the presentation the kind the town deserves. Now let’s all get to work!