I wish that the party responsible would admit their role in allowing the training session at Four Peaks School to become a media circus.

MCSO could have trained posse members in a more discreet way, or at the Phoenix facility that is designated for such training. By inviting an outspoken Hollywood actor, I believe they caused a chain reaction of media, resulting in a negative impact to the Four Peaks neighborhood and the community at-large.

Why was their press release only three days ahead of the event and after the deadline for The Times?

Where was the notification to the neighborhood, those residents who were to be directly affected? This is unwanted activity in our neighborhoods, and caused a flurry of negative national attention. The town is on the verge of implementing an Economic Development Plan, and has been engaged in attracting higher education to Fountain Hills.

These efforts are difficult when we are featured on “Saturday Night Live” and the subject of derision throughout the country.

The School District was not completely informed by MCSO regarding the nature of the event, used and caught with little choice. How could this happen?

I don’t believe Councilwoman Dickey, a former School Board president, and the others who objected to this self-serving and risky display should take the heat for calling these specific things out. Isn’t that what a responsible elected official does?

The fact that her opinions are not in line with some folks, albeit the loudest folks on that day, does not make her, nor those of like mind, a “scumbag,” as she was also called that day. Our Hollywood hero called the protestors “an embarrassment to the human race.”

It is well past the time to be respectful and allow people the freedom to disagree.