In 2008 John Kavanagh was given the “gutter award” by The Arizona Republic for what they was described as scurrilous attacks in a mailer against his opponent for saying she believed that employers shouldn’t discriminate against people for their sexual orientation.

Because she believed in equality, Kavanagh put in his mailer that she would put children in danger. The Republic said that it was “an illogical, unreasonable conclusion.”

Apparently he didn't learn his lesson, as John Kavanagh and Cheryl Shea have now partnered to run a similar ad against Ginny Dickey, advocating for Yates. Even though they tried to hide behind the misnomer “Good Government Committee,” that committee is run by John Kavanagh and Lina Bellenir and is primarily funded by Shea. It has raised many eyebrows how this group has attacked Ginny.

Their ad claims that Ginny “won't keep our children safe,” also an “illogical, unreasonable conclusion.” As a town council member, Ginny spoke out against a media circus, advertised as being at a school before the school district even knew about it, disrupted an entire neighborhood and brought in as a “trainer” B actor, Steven Seagal, who has been charged with numerous sex crimes and now has Russian citizenship. It made national news as a laughing stock. Even worse, the Sandy Hook tragedy was used as a publicity stunt. Thanks to Ginny, part of the news coverage showed that Fountain Hills was better than this.

Ginny served on the school board for eight years and has been endorsed by all three superintendents. She has worked for the safety of Fountain Hills children while Yates sends his school money to Scottsdale.

One would hope that The Times will also give Kavanagh and Shea a “gutter award.”