I couldn’t help but notice signs about town telling me of the “real” Cecil Yates.

I’ve been great friends with Cecil for more than a decade, I served as his campaign chairman in 2012 and 2016, and I’m helping with his campaign for mayor, so I believe I know the real Cecil Yates just about as well as anyone.

If you’ll allow me a few hundred words, I’ll tell you about the real Cecil Yates.

In running his campaigns, Cecil and I have had countless discussions about how to best present ideas and, in every single meeting, his focus has been about the future of Fountain Hills and how we might protect the things about our town we love, but also make steps toward improving where we can. His focus has always been about the people of Fountain Hills.

Months ago, as we began talking about his campaign for mayor, one of the first things we discussed was keeping the campaign on message and staying positive. Unlike previous campaigns, this outing would be one-on-one, so there’s always a chance for mudslinging.

But just like in years past, the decision was to look at where we are, look at where we can go, and map out how we might arrive there. It is again about the people of Fountain Hills.

“We’re in this together” is not only Cecil’s campaign slogan; I can assure you, that is exactly what the real Cecil Yates believes.