OPINION — When Friedel became mayor with the new town council, what jumped out to me was that the convicted Jan. 6 Shaman spoke with elation at their oath taking. That connection perturbed me. Others who hailed and spoke with the same glee, did not even live in our town.
Then came the restaurant recognitions. I waited to see a light shine on some of the town’s favorite places — Oka Sushi, Senor Taco, Que Bueno, Haan, Hao and many more. I mentioned these not because I don’t like the other restaurants. I do love them all. I mentioned these restaurants because of the diversity and cross-cultural cuisine in Fountain Hills. They are also owned and operated by immigrants. Yet the recognition for the different ethnic-infused cuisine never came. Why?
When DEI was removed during Friedel’s tenure, I said to myself, “now I see where this is going.” They continued to favor anything non-DEI, even for restaurants. Seriously? Friedel’s, Earle’s, Watts’ and Skillicorn’s entanglements with anything opposed to DEI lit up with spotlights, as were the ROT voices entangled with them.
