The police report finally came out, and it seems that the Fountain Hills Republican party is not all roses!

It is widely known that there was a problem on primary election night, July 30, at the Republican watch party at Batchelor’s Pad. According to the Times Independent report, police were dispatched at about 9:30, based on a call from Councilwoman Hannah Toth. (Really? She called the police but may not have been there, according to the incident report?) We now know the result was that assault charges have been requested to be considered by MCSO between Councilman Friedel’s wife and Brenda Kalivianakis’ friend. 

Seems there’s a dispute about who was invited or not, or why. But the alleged finger-pointing, shoving and one person being drug out of the premises doesn’t speak well of local politics. In fact, just the opposite seems true, but it speaks volumes.

And it’s emblematic of the kind of environment that those in charge and those running for local office have created. It can only be described as contentious, accusatory and apparently with bad feelings between several members at different times, for different reasons. And that current candidate-for-mayor Councilman Friedel’s wife is involved makes one wonder: Why? How? Reason? 

But for me, it’s simple enough. Local Republican politics has taken a turn for the worse with ROT and chaos abounds. Apparently, personal thinking is not allowed, because of late it’s Kaliviankis and Rutkowski who’ve fallen out of favor. Think carefully about the future you want to see when you vote.

This letter has been edited for clarity. The original version stated "assautlt charges have been traded" between two individuals.  Neither party has been officially  charged at the time of this writing, but MCSO has requested they be considered for the two individuals. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.