Under Mayor Gerry Friedel’s reign as king the residents of Fountain Hills will be held to a higher standard than the elected officials. They will be subjected to condemnation and ridicule if they approach the council for help.

Friedel was part of the vote to make the process to file ethics complaints against elected official harder for the residents. Yes, the guy running for mayor wants residents to follow stricter rules than he does. The change to the ethics process was seemingly imposed to discourage and punish residents who stepped up with concerns.

Obviously, it didn’t work out the way they planned. With seven ethics complaints alone against Skillicorn, it shows the roadblocks the council majority put into place is not discouraging valid complaints from being filed. Which is good for the residents.
Councilmember Friedel must be reminded he is the elected official. Councilmember Skillicorn is not the only council member that attacks, ridicules and disparages marginalized communities. Mayoral candidate Gerry Friedel has history, too. Screen captures of his since-deleted posts are still making the rounds online.

Now what kind of example is Gerry Friedel setting for Fountain Hills? Is he the guy Fountain Hills deserves? Luckily, we have an election coming up to find out.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.