Cave Creek, Fountain Hills: Meet your town's candidates
Voters in Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Carefree will cast ballots in mayoral and town council elections on Aug. 30, with several uncontested candidates expected to score quick victories while others will advance to a November runoff contest.
Fountain Hills residents will elect a mayor and three Town Council members. Incumbent Mayor Linda Kavanagh is unopposed in her re-election bid, while there are five council candidates.
Cave Creek's ballot features a field of three candidates for mayor and 11 candidates for six Town Council seats, positioning the town for a possible November runoff.
ELECTIONS: Early voting under way | Races to watch in 2016
Voters don't have as many choices in nearby Carefree, with an uncontested race for incumbent Mayor Les Peterson and six candidates for six spots on the council.
Scottsdale, meanwhile, won't hold City Council elections until November, when incumbent Mayor Jim Lane will face Bob Littlefield, and four candidates will vie for three council seats.
Here's a closer look at the contested races in Fountain Hills and Cave Creek, with excerpts of their responses to questions posed by The Arizona Republic in a candidate survey. Visit votersguide.azcentral.com to see the full list of questions with candidates' responses.
My Ballot - #azvotes: azcentral politics' 2016 Voters Guide
Fountain Hills Town Council
Michael Archambault
Contact: mike4council.com.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
Increased costs for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of aging infrastructure (roads, buildings, parks and fountain) while addressing a projected cumulative operational revenue shortfall of $5.9 million within the next five years present our greatest challenge.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
In addition to expanding our economic development and tourism strategies and reviewing our public safety costs — which currently represent 52 percent of our operating budget — we need to take a closer look at diversifying our sources of revenue. To that end, both my previous Town Council and business experience uniquely qualify me to address this challenge.
Dennis Brown
Did not respond to the survey.
Timothy Rawlings
Did not respond to the survey.
Art Tolis
Contact: facebook.com/TolisTownCouncil.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
Our No. 1 issue will be working within our budget and doing all we can to increase revenues with added development and population. We are at a critical point in our town's history. There is a divide between the community as to whether our town should be a retirement community or if we should take the necessary steps to grow our population with an emphasis on attracting younger residents and families.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
As a councilman, it's important to be visible and approachable for residents and business owners. I will be a problem solver and leader on the council. My past experience with many of the organizations in town will allow me to build stronger relationships and provide our town government with needed connections to our community. My experience in banking/financing, sales and marketing, and leadership will provide me the needed skills to be an effective Town Council member.
Cecil Yates
Did not respond to the survey.
Cave Creek mayor
Ernie Bunch
Contact: 602-799-0838.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
I think the most important issue facing Cave Creek is improving financial stability without losing our identity.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
I would continue to promote and encourage businesses that provide the goods and services our residents require within our corporate boundaries.
What is the biggest infrastructure need in the town, and how would you propose to pay for it?
Our greatest infrastructure requirement is likely needed improvements to our water system. Many of the existing lines and some pumps are at or near their end of life. Since we don't have the reliability of a property tax, the answer is more sales tax revenue.
Anna Marsolo
Did not respond to the survey.
Janelle Smith-Haff
Did not respond to the survey.
Cave Creek Town Council
Susan Clancy
Contact: 480-773-2404.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
Health, safety and welfare. Like most towns at the moment, water is critical.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
We have advisory committees that support the council, and we also are fortunate to have an amazing staff at Town Hall. It's important that I continue to do my due diligence in all of the issues that face us.
Paul Diefenderfer
Contact: 602-509-1543, pauldief4cavecreek.com.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
Our debt is too high.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
Look at all expenditures and reduce where possible. Support the existing businesses to create more income.
Mary Elrod
Did not respond to the survey.
C.W. Jensen
Contact: 503-784-5987.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
The town of Cave Creek is the most mismanaged government agency I have ever seen. We depend on sales tax revenue. It is critical. We just keep our financial head above water. The town needs to brand itself and market the town competitively seeking tourist dollars in the season.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
I would eliminate unnecessary positions and hire a professional marketing director. It is really that simple. Then we can have one person to partner with the (Carefree Cave Creek) Chamber of Commerce, merchant associations, our museum, rodeo officials, etc. Then we must empower the businesses to develop tourist events in town and support these ideas.
Thomas McGuire
Contact: None submitted.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
Cave Creek citizens are most concerned about: 1. Efficient operations of our town government. 2. Promoting businesses both to increase our revenues and pay off debt. (We have never missed a payment.) 3. Maintaining the Western flavor of our town core. 4. Securing open space for natural habitat and non-destructive uses. 5. Connecting multi-use trails to allow access to that largest possible portion of Cave Creek. 6. Balancing special events that bring us business income with minimal inconvenience to our citizens.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
1. Monitor, encourage and cooperate with town staff as they do the business of the citizens. 2. Keep the Western flavor of the town core and encourage other businesses to come to commercial locations outside the core. 3. Encourage businesses that contribute to the Western theme of the town core. 4. Continue negotiations to preserve open space with minimal cost to the town. 5. Activate easements to establish new trails and trail connectivity. 6. Listen to the citizens and make adjustments as needed.
Reg Monachino
Contact: 480-200-3913, electreg2016.com.
What is the most important issue facing the town?
In my view the most serious issue facing Cave Creek is the town debt. On July of this year we paid $3.8 million in debt service. We are required to keep $6 million in reserves. That's $10 million the town cannot use.
As an elected official, what specifically would you do to address the issue?
Months ago I suggested the town sell the Desert Hills Water Co. to relieve the debt. I also suggested selling the wastewater treatment plant. Sell them singly or in a package. Alternatively I would attempt to refinance the Desert Hills debt to increase the town's cash flow.
James O'Toole
Did not respond to the survey.
David Smith
Did not respond to the survey.
Ron Sova
Did not respond to the survey.
John Vannucci
Did not respond to the survey.
Eileen Wright
Did not respond to the survey.