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Selden: Mark Stanton supports our mountains

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Mark Stanton has long supported Paradise Valley’s iconic mountains;  Anna Thomasson has not.  Strong track records matter to preserve our mountains.

I am a long-term resident, lawyer and one of the grassroot leaders of Save Camelback Mountain that was initiated in 2015 and fought to preserve Camelback Mountain. We as residents filled Town Hall repeatedly to stop bad projects.  

We challenged town staff that was supporting approval of projects. We advocated for changes to Town Code that were adopted.

Over 1,000 people signed petitions and supported the Save Camelback Mountain grassroots efforts from 2015 to 2020. 

Thomasson did not sign a petition, did not show up at the numerous town meetings on these topics, and did not show support for this effort.  She did nothing to join the residents’ efforts to stop projects that would forever destroy high levels of Camelback Mountain. Whereas Stanton was engaged and attended.

Worse, Thomasson voted to allow Sanctuary to move forward with a five-unit party complex with a rooftop bar to be built directly adjacent to a long-term resident’s house. Someone who claims to be for residents would not have supported such a development infringing on neighborhoods.

Thomasson gives lip service and sounds sincere when talking to residents, but she is misleading, and on substance, her track record is weak. 

Thomasson repeatedly tells residents what they want to hear, but bends the truth for political advantage.

Vice Mayor Mark Stanton is a native of PV, a good facilitator, thoughtful leader, strong supporter of police, supports PV mountains, and has extensive experience with government relations.  Stanton is the one with experience and it matters.

That is why former Governors Jan Brewer and Fife Symington support Stanton for mayor. Please vote for Vice Mayor Stanton.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.