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Opinion

Goldberg: Artificial intelligence and parenting

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is here, but Real Intelligence (R.I.) is still here, too. Day by day, R.I. is learning more about A.I. Every contact we have with it is more exciting, interesting and …
Opinion

Cap: Does Councilmember Friedel mean what he says?

The next council meeting will be a nail-biter. Especially when it comes to how Councilmember Friedel votes regarding Councilmember Skillicorn’s ethics violations. Back in December when I …
Opinion

Rutkowski: ‘Rules matter’ topic at Tea Party meeting

Most of us were raised with the idea that there are rules and that rules matter. You follow them! If you don’t like them, you still follow them until you’re able to change …
Opinion

Lundin: Ignore the noise and decide based on policy

Senator Sinema has dropped out of the Senate race. But we know American politics does not reward those who take a middle road. After the SOTU speech, it is clear that our main party …
Opinion

Savage: Local controversy a distraction from national movement

The politics of personal destruction continues with letters, presumably from Democrats, critical of Councilman Skillicorn and mayoral candidate Joe Arpaio. For the ethics charges against …
Opinion

Dover: Concerning ‘ethics’ and how it impacts our community

There’s such a thing as “ethics” to the people of the town. Let’s leave off with this focus on these subjective “ethics” and the political side show that has …
Opinion

Fifer: Fountain Hills’ streets are in bad shape

Reading the paper and saying that Panorama is in a resurface project is ridiculous. It doesn’t need the attention that Richwood from Golden Eagle to Tee Pee do. Or Palomino from Fountain Hills …
Opinion

Refrigerator rescue at Fearless Kitty

Fearless Kitty Rescue, your Fountain Hills cat rescue volunteer organization, had a sudden refrigerator breakdown. You know how that happens, one day it works and the next day it doesn’t. It …
Opinion

Zientek: A message of thanks to George, the good Samaritan

I hope that a very kind and generous gentleman named George from Fountain Hills sees this letter. My bike chain slipped off its sprocket as I was riding along the McCormick Ranch path on Friday …
Opinion

Thomas: In response to Plencner’s letter about Councilman Friedel

In a letter in the Fountain Hills Times Independent on Aug. 25, 2023, Nancy Plencner defended and recommended Councilmember Gerry Friedel for mayor. She stated “I’ll tell you what …
Take the Civility Pledge

Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road.  Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question. 

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen  & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

CheckmarkLook for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

Now that you've read the checklist, take the Civility Pledge. 

Your Community Your Voice

Mynars: Arizona House Bill 2842 goes way too far

Citizens of Fountain Hills: prepare to defend your castle and more. Arizona House Bill 2842 potentially would allow you to shoot (of course, if you own a weapon) anyone trespassing on your property. …

Dennis: We need more benches by the playgrounds

Almost every parent, grandparent and great grandparent, like myself, at the Fountain Lake park this weekend were complaining “there are not enough benches.” We would like to suggest at …

Schweers: How could anyone vote for Trump?

Never have I ever been in such total disbelief over the Republican party. Their chosen candidate told us what he’ll do if re-elected. He’ll take away freedoms for religions other …

Leonard: We need to provide more outlets for teens

I appreciated Chris Towne’s thoughts about the need for Fountain Hills businesses to provide more outlets for teens. I realize most of our town closes by 9 p.m., which makes it tough for anyone …

Gildersleeve: The council was out of line concerning Skillicorn

I’ve attended many Town Council meetings and I don’t recall a time when a councilmember’s ethics complaints were detailed in an agenda attachment for a regular agenda item, even …

The council needs to hold Skillicorn accountable

The division Councilmember Skillicorn has sown in just 15 months in Fountain Hills has blossomed for all to see. If you were at the March 5 council meeting, it was dramatically clear. One side …

Gifford: We need new representation

So, our state representative, Alexander Kolodin, does not believe there should be a statue of Sandra Day O’Connor erected in Washington, D.C. He believes she was an “undistinguished …

Slechta: This is not what our community deserves

There is something sinister going on in our beautiful and peaceful community. There are forces that seek to divide our town. They choose to alienate those that have a different sexual …

Dime: Lessons from Texas’ triumph

By rallying voter turnout and reducing erroneous ballots, Texas voters sent a clear message how the patriotic grassroots movement can defeat the uniparty establishment. Texas’ local election …

Villawatkins: Skillicorn, we want our peaceful town back

Please stop ruining our town with your hateful rhetoric. Stop inviting other organizations and non-residents to speak the same language of hate, like Turning Point USA during the Feb. 27 council …

Schweers: MAGA Republicans want to give up on our grand experiment

Our country fought a bloody war for independence from an autocrat, a “strong man,” the King of England. We wanted freedom — a representative government run by the people …

Bosnos: Support ROT’s efforts

Suit has been filed in superior court to require the Town of Fountain Hills to finish counting petition signatures in ReferendumGate and turn the required percentage over to Maricopa County.  …

Couture: Skillicorn is dragging Fountain Hills down

At the March 5 Town Council meeting, Councilman Allen Skillicorn and friends called the possible sanctions of his behavior as politically motivated. If being against his nasty behavior is …

Landau: Arpaio announces a campaign of ‘battle’

Mr. Arpaio is touting his candidacy on social media, but the points he attempts to make are all erroneous. He claims that our town has been lacking leadership, when in Mayor Dickey we have the …

James: In response to Maxine Decker’s comment on cannabis

In response to Maxine Decker, who heard on FOX News that cannabis has proven to be hard on the heart and asked, "How many deadly warnings does America need to disallow the local use of this …

Goldberg: The difference a smile can make

As we wind down from February, the month of kindness, we move into March and spring full of sunshine and happiness. Who needs your attention now the most? The babies. Who else is part of this …

Rubenow: Community Food Pack was a big success

From ages 5 to 95 and everywhere in between, 150 community volunteers gathered at the Fountain Hills Community Center for the 11th Annual Fountain Hills Community Food Pack – Food for Kidz. …

Decker: Concerned about the use of cannabis

Over Fox News TV, I just heard there are national reports saying that the use of cannabis has proven to be hard on the heart. How many deadly warnings does America need to disallow the local use of …

Scott: What is proper punishment for multiple ethics violations?

The ultimate judgment of Councilperson Skillicorn will be by his maker, not a town council. But for now, and with the rules before us, there is a responsibility of this council to act at this …

Culp: Skillicorn is taking Fountain Hills down a chaotic path

Allen Skillicorn has made it clear that he won’t stop attacking, demeaning, degrading and threatening the town’s employees and residents. Recently, Skillicorn posted a photo of himself …

Scott: Local PAC having an identity crisis

What a difference a year makes. Our local PAC is having an identity crisis. Less than two years ago, it full-throatily supported Joe Arpaio for mayor. He lost. And now, although he's …

Thomas: Addressing misconceptions about local taxes

Given the misinformation regarding the school bond (the alleged “massive tax hike”) that some residents and groups disseminated before that election, I want to correct any misconceptions …

Gay: Skillicorn bails on another streets presentation

The Fountain Hills town retreat meeting was livestreamed on Tuesday, Feb. 27. There were five things on the agenda. It was scheduled for a long time, to last for about six hours. It …

Ronca: Let’s look at the facts

In non-partisan races for public office, no credibility is given to party ideologies. The focus is on careful and thorough examination of facts, local issues and the current needs of communities. …

Clemens: In support of Conor O’Callaghan for Arizona Legislature

I’m writing in support of Conor O’Callaghan to be our next Representative in the Arizona Legislature, a seat currently held by David Schweikert. Conor was born in Ireland and moved …

James: Friedel doesn’t know what side he’s on

Friedel has clear vision? Not so fast, Nancy Plencner. He joined the unanimous vote for the sign ordinance and then later voted to repeal it (which was illegal). It was …

Mynars: The IVF of the South

In a recent dream I was driving out of Birmingham, Ala., headed somewhere, I don’t know where, but for sure out of that state when a voice floated through my vehicle – could have been …

Bosnos: These council members want to lecture us about civility?

The Town Council designated Feb. 24 as Government Communications Day in Fountain Hills with a proclamation emphasizing the importance of effective communication between government and …

Pape: Helping our community with tax credits

What a great article in the recent Fountain Hills Times Independent concerning tax credit programs available in Arizona. As a volunteer helping the Fountain Hills Community Tax Credit …

Weissman: More studies need to be done on 5G

The fact that “no state or local statute...may prohibit...”  5G installation is an indication of just how industry controls the FCC and more, preventing any real regulations or …
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