Cave Creek forum offers few answers from one mayoral candidate

On July 9, 2026, I attended a private meeting at the Desert Foothills Library, hosted by the Informed Voters of Cave Creek.  It is supposed to be a neutrally run meeting where candidates can be asked questions. 

Let me first point out this is not a neutral event. We have two candidates running for Mayor of Cave Creek. One candidate is our current vice mayor who has lived in Cave Creek 30 years and been on council the last 8 years. The other candidate is a gentleman who moved to the state/Cave Creek 5 years ago. He has no experience that would qualify him to be our next mayor. 

When I asked him questions at this public open forum, he refused to answer any of the questions as a candidate. Many people are wondering who he is and what his take is on many serious pertinent issues I brought up that face Cave Creek going forward. 

The moderator tried to interrupt me and I objected. He eventually asked me to leave, which was not in the spirit of democracy. For the record he was not attacked, nor his family or his business. I asked straight forward truthful questions and he adamantly refused to answer any of them and the moderator asked me to leave the meeting. The truth hurts, especially when you have no real answers for it!

Vote Kathryn Royer for Mayor!

Editor's note: Joe Freedman is a member of the Cave Creek Town Council.