OPINION – Can we please let the Kirk statue be Scottsdale's problem?

As I type this opinion on Dec. 1, the Scottsdale City Council just finished livestreaming a special meeting on this matter (https://youtu.be/l4j3xlnGLoo). I commend the Scottsdale City Council for wrangling some productive civil discourse out of this matter, and upholding professional public decorum in the process. I commend their Vice Mayor Kwasman for being able to respectfully disagree with his constituents without resorting to trolling, disinformation or veiled threats of retribution.

The Scottsdale City Council also considered streamlining public comments during their Dec. 2 meeting.

Vice Mayor Kwasman, an advocate, was quoted in the Arizona Republic as saying, “I want to provide the opportunity to have a steady-flow meeting and have free speech rights protected. I disagree with what Fountain Hills did, and it’s unfortunate — the timing is clearly unfortunate.”

Scottsdale's Republican elected officials are looking to Fountain Hills as a draconian example of how not to do things.

I hope, one day, people will view Fountain Hills council meetings as something to aspire to, not to turn away from.

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