Who was the ethics complaint procedure changed for? Was it amended to protect the citizens from overstepping local politicians or was it changed to protect those already in power?

An ethics policy’s only purpose is to hold staff and management accountable for their own actions. To set a minimal standard of honesty, integrity and professionalism. They certainly weren’t written to protect the ones in power.

Here in Fountain Hills, we are talking about our Town Council. Holding a seat on the council is a privilege bestowed by us ordinary citizens. Yet instead of the council creating “tighter” policies against lying and failing to represent their constituents, the bloc of four ( Toth, Skillicorn, Friedel, and Kalivianakis) decided to create more obstacles for ordinary citizens to jump over in order to file a complaint against an elected official. The council’s job as legislators is to create policy that best benefits Fountain Hills residents as a whole, not what’s best for them individually. It’s not a good look when there is a staggering rise in complaints against Fountain Hills officials only for them (bloc of four) to respond by changing the rules and making it harder to file those complaints against elected officials.

Now it appears the resident who files the complaint can be held to a higher standard than the accused elected official. Even facing criminal charges, just for trying to be heard. This is certainly going to deter people from filing complaints. Is that the right solution?

Fountain Hills deserves community leaders who bring us together and make it easier for residents to be seen and heard. There is a place in our community for everyone. Stop making it us versus them.