Many constituents have asked me why the press table disappeared from the town council chambers.
I discovered at least two council members wanted the table’s removal and they both emailed the town manager and Mayor Friedel. I asked the mayor who was responsible during a town council meeting, and he confirmed that he ordered the removal. Afterward, I submitted a FOIA request and learned that Vice Mayor Larabee and Councilmember Watts made the disrespectful request for removal.
To quote Vice Mayor Larabee’s email: “I'd like to suggest we remove the media table from the council chambers. The Fountain Hills Times Independent, especially since the change of ownership, has consistently misquoted the council, reported on items while only seeking statements from one side of the aisle, and on several occasions reported on my job without researching or seeking to understand what I do there.”
