Thursday, February 25, 2010 | AZ Daily Sun

To the editor: Flagstaff needs a professional-quality, level-headed person in the mayor’s office — Kara Kelty.

While on the previous city council, Kara helped work out the best possible train horn policy. She would have supported total horn elimination, but the city could not afford the extra millions of dollars required for that option. She found a way to have three crossings completely free of horns, and a significant improvement at the two other crossings.

Mayor Sara Presler fought this reasonable approach as indicated in the summarized minutes of the council meeting dated Sept. 2, 2008, which states:

“The motion to direct staff to continue with the implementation and construction of the previous Council action for Scenario D passed on majority vote with Vice Mayor White … in favor, and Mayor Presler … opposed.”

It is interesting that the mayor answered the Daily Sun questionnaire saying that she supported the solution adopted. She voted against it!

Candidate Kara Kelty said that she supported the adopted solution. She voted that way.

We should also recognize Kara for her successful help at the state hearings that reviewed the train crossing decision, although she was not then on council.

This is one example of Kara’s leadership. We will be a fortunate city to have her as our new mayor.

COLLIN WELLER