OPINION – It took 286 words for Mayor Jerry Friedel to gaslight Fountain Hills residents with his latest opinion. I could invest 1,000 in response, but he said two things that caught my eye: “These disruptions limit our ability to focus on priorities such as economic development, public safety and infrastructure” and “Our priority remains to conduct the town's business with precision and dedication, always in the best interests of our residents.”
Those words “priorities” and “essential business” are what caught my eye. Does it mean: English only? Banning TikTok? Eliminating, re-instating then redefining campaign sign ordinances? Underground (really?) 5G communications? Decimating the ethics process? Considering raises for elected leaders? Redefining travel expenses for council members Hiring an attorney with a record of suing the town? Complaining about the media and removing the media table from council chambers?
What about eliminating Councilman Skillicorn's sanctions, which prevented him from meeting with staff individually? The “promise” of Park Place? Renaming the Community Center? Turning down two grants? Continually revisiting the sober homes and group home ordinances? Fixation on homelessness? Discussing DEI policy when the town lacked a DEI plan? And, of course, eliminating the call to the public?
