There is a story behind the headline, “Fountain Hills Town Clerk Linda Mendenhall resigns.” It is story of deception, relentless harassment and unconscionable betrayal.
Linda Mendenhall was caught up in the maelstrom created by Crystal Cavanaugh, the chairperson of Reclaim Our Town, when she claimed that the town clerk was responsible for the failure of the Four Peaks referendum. Over the past six months Ms. Mendenhall has been subjected to online harassment, named as a defendant in ROT’s litigation and betrayed by Councilmembers Toth, Skillicorn and Friedel when they supported a resolution that would have required the town to not defend itself against the lawsuit.
Linda Mendenhall has been vindicated. In dismissing ROT’s lawsuit, the judge adopted the defendants’ contention that this attempt to shift the blame to Ms. Mendenhall was based on a “complete fabrication.”
Undaunted by the court’s determination, they continue to blame Ms. Mendenhall and the harassment has not stopped.
Linda Mendenhall would have been justified in resigning her position in April, when Friedel, Skillicorn and Toth failed to support her. She stayed on, conscientiously guiding the candidates through a contentious primary election and contributing to the successful defense of ROT’s litigation.
The election and the litigation are over. An invaluable staff member, confronted by the prospect of ongoing harassment and supporting councilmembers who failed to support her, has resigned.
Ms. Mendenhall is not the first, or most recent, to leave. Grady Miller, town manager, left last year and Bo Larsen, town information officer, resigned last week.
If working conditions in Town Hall do not improve following the election, more of our key staff members will find new positions where they will be respected and supported. Say “no” to Friedel, Corrigan and Watts.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
