Mountain Shadows offers forum to hear from Mark Stanton and Anna Thomasson
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The Digital Free Press is hosting a mayoral community forum Monday, Oct. 7, at the Mountain Shadows Resort for Town of Paradise Valley residents returning to the Valley of the Sun to hear directly from both candidates vying for the station of mayor at Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive.
The Paradise Valley Mayoral Community Forum is from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at the Mountain Shadows Resort, found in the heart of the Town of Paradise Valley at 5445 E. Lincoln Drive.
Paradise Valley Town Council earlier this month ratified the official canvass of local votes registered in last month’s primary election. Results now official show candidates Anna Thomasson and Mark Stanton emerged from the primary election with Ms. Thomasson receiving the most votes for mayor in the primary race of the Town of Paradise Valley.
Here is a breakdown of votes received:
- Anna Thomasson received 1,747 votes at the primary election
- Mark Stanton received 1,453 votes at the primary election
- Mary Hamway received 572 votes at the primary election
Of Note: The race for Paradise Valley Town Council was unchallenged ushering in re-election efforts for members of Town Council Scott Moore, Julie Pace and newcomer Karen Liepmann taking office January 2025.
Mountain Shadows offers forum to hear from Mark Stanton and Anna Thomasson
Elected leaders of the Town of Paradise Valley — alike other Valley municipalities — awake from the respective summertime siesta early next month with Town Council expected to begin its fall legislative session Thursday, Sept. 12, at Town Hall.
“I’m excited to get back to our Town Council sessions in September,” Ms. Thomasson said pointing out she is eager to complete plans for Mockingbird Lane improvements.
“I’ve been meeting with staff regularly and know they are working hard on important projects including improving the Doubletree entrance and finishing the design of Mockingbird between 56th Street and Invergordon Road.”
For Mr. Stanton, he says is initial focus leading up to the fall session at Town Hall run the gamut of major issues.
“The Paradise Valley Town Council will have a full agenda this fall,” he explained.
“One of the most pressing issues will be development of our town legislative priorities as the state begins a new legislative session. There are several challenges being discussed on the state level for the upcoming session that may seriously encroach on local control in Paradise Valley.”
Mr. Stanton says he has en eye on the Arizona Legislature with a few pending pieces of statewide legislation raising his eyebrows.
“These include over-reach on residential and commercial permitting process (such as SB1665 Municipal Development Permits Review), water usage, zoning, photo radar enforcement and other issues that our town will need to be prepared to address,” he said.
Similarly, Ms. Thomasson is expecting to decipher new community development and zoning process improvements this fall as well as making sure town government and local police have the resources they need.
“I also look forward to learning about staff recommendations for community development/zoning process improvements,” she said. “And, as always, I look forward to hearing Chief [Freeman] Carney’s updates about our great police department.”
Paradise Valley Mayor Community Forum at Mountain Shadows
The Mountain Shadows Resort is providing space for the Digital Free Press community forum as a service to the Town of Paradise Valley community.
The community forum will be a 60-minute presentation with opening remarks, moderated questions and answers along with closing arguments with focus of a detailed conversation about the unique issues facing the Town of Paradise Valley.
Got questions for candidates? Send them to tfthornton@arizonadigitalfreepress.com
