Cavanaugh: Fountain Hills voters need to open their eyes

Ginny Dickey, Peggy McMahon and Brenda Kalivianakis undermined voters by refusing to swear in Gayle Earle to the vacated council seat. Earle achieved the required vote threshold on July

30 to win a council seat outright. No run-off required in November, unlike the remaining seats for mayor and council.

The General election has no impact on Earle’s win. There is precedent for swearing her in early. The 67 comment cards against Earle were used to justify and provide cover for Kalivianakis, Dickey and McMahon. What about the 4,226 votes from Fountain Hills residents that Earle actually received? A completely unacceptable and political move by the “non-partisan” threesome.

Listening to the meandering diatribe from Kalivianakis, you hear her admit it was a political decision. The uninformed comment cards obtained through FOIA were laughable if not such a serious matter. Not to mention the speaker opposing Gayle because her adult son once wore a tee shirt she didn’t like and the family wore political buttons. Yet these comment cards were referenced by Dickey just prior to the vote. Now we are left with a potential deadlocked 3-3 vote for any important issues.

That’s not all. Kalivianakis, with Dickey’s and McMahon’s knowledge, actively solicited community members to fill the vacancy instead of supporting Earle for the remaining three meetings. An underhanded maneuver. A slap in the face to residents who elected Gayle.

Open your eyes. Recognize the character of those three. Only Gerry Friedel, Hannah Toth and Allen Skillicorn stood up for the people and respected the voters’ decision. In November, please replace both McMahon and Dickey. Unfortunately, Kalivianakis has two more years on her term, but by electing Friedel for Mayor and Watts and Corrigan for Council, it will be a stronger Town Council for the residents.

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