Heimbuch: Friedel’s stance on MCSO contract is confusing

Councilman Gerry Friedel keeps spilling about how the policing contract between the town and MCSO is bad. To be clear, he voted for it. Yet he complains it costs too much. 

Councilman Spelich speaks about “all” of it in a video Friedel shared. Remember, former Councilman Spelich is a retired Chicago police detective. Spelich was in charge of getting the bad guys; probably a good cop, but that doesn’t make him an expert on negotiating or administrating contracts, or even the cost of policing.

Mayor Dickey and staff used Spelich’s concerns (which took Spelich four years to articulate – instead of just complaining from the dais), along with professional analysis by the firm Matrix – as the basis of contract negotiations with the MCSO. Ninety percent of those issues were resolved.

Yet, the debate goes on because Councilman Friedel thinks it’s a bad contract. Did he read and understand the contract prior to voting yes? Or does he just lack the spine to vote for what he thinks is right?

Afterall, he proclaimed he was the “senior councilperson” and should have been involved in negotiations. Ironic, though, since the final contract was negotiated, Friedel has turned down a follow-up meeting with both Sheriff Penzone (pre-resignation) and current Sheriff Skinner — before the Primary. Friedel wanted to wait until “after the summer break” (I translate that to “after the primary election”).

And here is the irony: we’re the safest community in the county, and for the most part in the state, and recognized nationally. We have the second lowest per capita cost for policing in the county.  What’s the problem? It’s just more Friedel noise.

 Friedel is not right for Fountain Hills. 

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