Dear Editor,
The famous axiom “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream” comes from a 1927 novelty song titled the same. It was written by songwriter Howard Johnson. The song was a popular hit in the late 1920s and into the 1930s.
Although this tidbit of information dates back over 100 years, it is true today in Kingman, Arizona, that everyone is screaming for the real scoop.
I am Elliot Chalew. I am running for a seat on the Kingman City Council. I think it is clear that 2026 is becoming the year to “scoop out” accountability from the Kingman City Council and its addiction to irresponsible spending and uncontrolled, unbalanced growth. A new City Council is far overdue. When was the last time you heard the Mayor or Councilman admit they were wrong? Now, in the heat of the election season, they say they care about what the public thinks, but their actions contradict their words.
Given that it is campaign season, I have already publicly vetted our misguided Mayor Ken Watkins and Councilman Smiley Ward. In my carefully considered opinion, neither can prudently be re-elected without dire consequences for further failure to represent. With great distress, I must also report the same for the “Rubber Stamp”, which both incumbent Councilmen Jim Dykens and Shawn Savage represent. I want to pose the question, “What have either of these gentlemen personally accomplish for Kingman residents since taking office? They have both voted yes to approve massive and drastic zoning changes, allowing for unrestrained construction of new subdivisions, hence lowering existing property values all around. They both voted to approve taking away your right to vote on tax increases AND to raise your taxes.
At the end of the day, the people are propagandized and manipulated not for the benefit of ALL but primarily for a few stakeholders, connected politically and economically at the hip with the Status Quo Kingman Establishment. Why even have a City Council when they almost always vote in unison like programmed Economic Development robots?
To Councilman Savage: What is your work experience in life? Do you own or operate any business in Kingman? How do you support yourself? Do you have a plan that balances growth with infrastructure? Do you own or manage rental property, or have any possible business conflicts of interest?
To Councilman Dykens: Thank you for your service to the community in your personal career as a First Responder and as a leader in Firefighting. Sitting on the City Council requires more than being a figurehead and understanding organizational management; it requires a real soul connection with the people. To be candid, I have yet to talk to anyone who feels that connection in your performance as a City Councilman. Your voting pattern on the City Council confirms that you have been unable to put out the fires of “taxation without representation”.
We all scream for ice cream and our favorite flavor, the way we think things ought to be. Most I know would rather have a scoop of Peaches and Cream rather than the Peaches and Schemes the Kingman City Council keeps dishing up. I know a lot of unhappy voters who are screaming at the City Council; they wanted Chocolate Chip, but the only thing the City Council can deliver on has been Kingman’s Rocky Roads.
The double dip “scoop of the day” is GO to the ballot box in the coming July 21 Primary election and vote out all city council incumbents.
Elliot Chalew chalew@gmail.com
“Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream”
