Citizens and council clash over ethics at February meeting

FOUNTAIN HILLS, Arizona – What began as a quest to restore respect and civility in Fountain Hills politics on February 6 at the Town Council meeting, ended up as anything but. After listening to citizen complaints about perceived misconduct by freshman Councilperson Allen Skillicorn, another member of the council, Gerry Friedel, turned the table to confront one of the speakers, resulting in a shouting match.

In response to social media posts they believe are degrading, a number of LGBTQ+ citizens, their allies and advocates detailed their concerns – aimed at Skillicorn. Skillicorn routinely posts thoughts and memes that mock, denigrate and sometime communicate falsehoods that shed a negative light on Fountain Hills, its schools and its residents.

Fountain Hills resident Pam Cap was the first in a series of presenters who challenged the council member regarding his social media posts, stating, “Skillicorn is a liability to Fountain Hills. We deserve better; not to divide and die, but to flourish.”

Cap, formerly a resident of a Chicago suburb, explained that moving to Fountain Hills with her family eight years ago was like finding paradise. “It wasn’t until Skillicorn entered local politics that we began to feel our fear and his loathing.,” she said.

The next speaker, who didn’t provide her real name for fear of retribution, said, “this is the first time since moving here that we have been a target.” She asked that the council review the current ethics complaint process, “make it transparent and give it some teeth.”

Another resident reminded the community that Skillicorn introduced himself to Fountain Hills as an “agent of geo-political chaos, and certainly has lived up to that label.”

With three more allies stepping up to speak, the predominant complaint was Skillicorn’s disregard of the oath of office, and an appeal to hold him accountable.

Council persons take an oath to be “dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and private relationships.” Perceived infractions of this oath have resulted in at least seven ethics complaints against Skillicorn, filed by residents and other council members.

The standing room only audience included about 20 residents who were there to support the LBGTQ+ community’s concerns.

In reaction to the citizen complaints, Councilperson Gerry Friedel, held up a cartoon, allegedly posted by Cap, challenged Cap by name, and said that her social media behavior was “just as flagrant; just as bad.” A shouting match between Friedel and Cap ensued. Friedel, who asked Cap to “take it somewhere else and stop disrupting our meetings,” is running for mayor in the next election.

Mayor Ginny Dickey interceded, stating, “we are being asked by these speakers to take a specific action related to our Code of Ethics. That is within our realm.”

After the melee, Cap said, “under ‘mayor’ Gerry Friedel’s reign, residents will be held to a higher standard than elected officials. We will be subjected to condemnation and ridicule if we approach the council for help.”

Rev. David M. Felton, pastor at the Fountains, a United Methodist Church, encouraged the speakers, the Council and audience to be “grounded in love, understanding and acceptance.”

“It’s been disheartening to hear words that alienate and marginalize people in our town,” he said.

Fountain Hills resident and LGBTQ+ ally responds to Councilperson Gerry Friedel as charges of unethical behavior are exchanged.Photo by(YOUTUBE IMAGE COURTESY OF TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS)

Fountain Hills citizens have filed seven ethics violation complaints against freshman Councilperson Allen Skillicorn.Photo byDavid Huff Photography

Fountain Hills Councilperson Gerry Friedel jumped into the fray, turning the tables on the resident concerned about ethics violations.Photo byCredit Gerry Friedel