David Smith | Paradise Valley

Julie Pace is still serving on the City Council, despite losing the 2022 mayoral election. Her margin of defeat was the largest ever for a Paradise Valley mayor. Why does this matter now? Because Pace claims it matters. She's right that it matters, but she's totally wrong about why it matters.

In her latest propaganda email “newsletter,” Pace lectures residents and colleagues that anyone running for Mayor mid-way through a City Council term must resign, and that she wants to change the rules of the city. Yet she pioneered this abhorrent tactic in her 2022 election against Mayor Bien Willner, doing the exact opposite of what she is calling others to do! She lost and stayed on City Council. No apology, no acknowledgement of her hypocrisy.

In the last election, she finished last behind a newcomer despite hard campaigning and self-promotion. She would have lost, but a friend's lawsuit caused one of the candidates to drop out of the race, leaving only three candidates competing for three seats (again, a first for PV). Residents not only spoke out, they screamed that they did not want Mr. Pace to lead our community.

“I have been following the council closely and am sickened, but not surprised, by her astonishing hypocrisy and lack of moral integrity. Ms. Pace continues to attack residents, resorts and council members. Ms. Pace has attacked the Mayor and other council members, excluding those who have filed the lawsuits listed above, and has alleged ethics violations. None of these actions are worthy and are destroying and harming our city.

The next mayor will need the strength of Mayor Bien Willner to stand up to the bombshells who always seem to come in last. Let's see how the two candidates do now.

This opinion was submitted under a pseudonym. Readers' responses, whether for or against, are welcome at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.