OPINION – In recent Times Independent news articles, including “Top 10 Fountain Hills Times Independent stories of 2025,” coupled with the article “Fountain Hills council members reflect on past year,” I can’t help but to see the irony. The articles “say” a lot more than what’s printed.
Mayor Friedel took credit for a year’s worth of efforts, most all initiated under previous Mayor Dickey – just the continuations of actions taken in previous years. Councilperson McMahon focused on 2025 issues like ethics and call to the public elimination, while emphasizing her work on regional issues affecting the town. Councilperson Kalivianakis also focused on 2025 citing political posturing, ethics, call to the public elimination, chasing projects with no future and the removal of Councilman Skillicorn’s sanctions. And it’s there that the news articles cross over.
Four of the “Top 10” stories read focused on Skillicorn’s gripping traffic imbroglio in Tempe. Skillicorn’s tawdry waltz through the legal system made the top 10 stories in the Tempe Wrangler News Independent, too! Four other stories focused on businesses starting, relocating, or growing. One story was about ethics complaints.
