FOIAs wouldn’t be necessary with the promised transparency in Fountain Hills

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Fountain Hills residents (and the world!) have a tool to ask all kinds of questions –  all to be assured that Mayor Friedel's promise of "transparency" is actually true. Without the FOIAs, we would not know the facts. That should not be the case.

“FOIAs about what?” you ask. Well, local FOIA requests produced: Councilpersons Watts’ and Larrabee’s emails chiding Times Independent reporting, challenging constitutional freedom of the press; Councilperson Skillicorn's hit-and-run charges; Councilperson Earle's so-called “audit” of the town attorney and seeming solicitation of a firm that sued the town; and Mayor Friedel's claim about MCSO cost reductions.

Shall I go on? I could, as there are even more filed by residents, the local newspaper and even by some elected officials – concerning each other! I bet there’s a baker’s dozen of FOIAs – or more – since Friedel took office in December 2024.

What gives? To me, it seems that transparency is the last thing on the minds of some elected to lead this town, hence the FOIAs.

Remember those campaign claims of too many executive sessions, with Friedel promises to end those “secret meetings?” Those are now no more than idle promises, as remain commonplace with Friedel. The last one was about the attorney’s contract. 

So, thanks to all the FOIAs. BTW, more are scheduled!

What will it take for real transparency as promised? For Friedel to allow full participation of the entire council in decision-making? To cease the constant “calls for the question” that cheat the residents from hearing public discussion? Maybe a realization that the best practice really is transparency...which will stop the FOIAs!

Step up, mayor and council.

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