So much for honesty and integrity on the Fountain Hills council
Posted
By Don Scott | Fountain Hills
Ethics, a system of moral principles and values, are typically upheld by selfless individuals, while the self-serving disregard them.
At the April 15 town council meeting, Mayor Friedel and Councilmembers Toth, Earle, Watts and Skillicorn voted to gut the ethics code from the Council Rules of Procedure. Councilmembers McMahon and Kalivianakis opposed.
Friedel previously claimed, “My meetings with Sheriff Jerry Sheridan resulted in year-over-year savings of 6%, or approximately $370,000” regarding the MCSO contract. In reality, the savings resulted from a Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ personnel decision.
Unethical actions often involve victims, and the measure of accountability lies in what follows. An ethics claim was filed against Friedel, but with the code conveniently eradicated, there is no accountability.
Censured and sanctioned Councilmember Skillicorn had his sanctions ended by ROT-supported Friedel, Toth, Earle and Watts. Kalivianakis and McMahon opposed. One of his violations involved Code Enforcement Officer Pete Lucchese, who told an MCSO deputy he felt threatened after being chased through town by Skillicorn.
“You were driving me down like you were going to do something to me,” Lucchese told Skillicorn on bodycam. “You’re driving aggressively.” The deputy asked, “Do you have the legal right to stop someone on the roadway?”
Fortunately, Mr. Lucchese, a retired police officer, was situationally aware. What if it had been our parent, grandparent or child chased down? The ending could have been different, even tragic.
Promiseland Preschool’s Carri Schneider gave the April 15 Council invocation:
“Thank you, Lord, for these elected leaders who have chosen to serve. Bless them as they lead with honesty and integrity. Lord, may we as a council and community come together this evening seeking your wisdom to make the best decisions that honor you and give dignity and value to the citizens who live here…Amen.”
Positive, promising — sadly disregarded.
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