In Show of Self-Serving Favoritism, Friedel Rejects Rules to Make His Own.

🎉First, let’s recognize a mostly gorgeous exhibition of seasonal spirit and festive celebration with the Community Center holiday tree and wreath display! The theme this year was Whimsical Woodland Holiday:

🐶Step into a storybook forest filled with natural charm and holiday magic. Imagine a woodland scene where charming foxes, owls, and deer nestle among mossy branches, toadstools, pinecones, and twinkling lights. Rustic textures like burlap and frosted berries add a cozy touch to this enchanting celebration of nature and seasonal wonder.

🥳👏CONGRATULATIONS to Fearless Kitty Rescue (Best Whimsical Woodland Theme) and Trinity Lutheran Church (Classic Holiday)! Their beautiful trees are pictured below.

📌Unfortunately, one group and one mayor believed that the rules didn’t apply to them.

When Fountain Hills Community Center staff rejected a local Republican Party tree featuring a Trump image intended to top the display, Mayor Gerry Friedel intervened and sided with a complaint from fellow Republican Club member and chairperson for the political action committee that endorsed him, ROT. In an email to Community Center staff (included in full below), Friedel wrote,

“I am requesting that an ornament featuring a photograph of the President, as Commander-in-Chief, be included as part of a community display. I understand this addition falls outside the established guidelines for holiday decorations….”

In that same email, Friedel acknowledged the implications of his intervention, stating, “Please know that this request is being made at my direction. I appreciate that it may cause some concern among staff or members of the community, and I want to be clear that any questions or concerns about this decision should be directed to me—not to staff.”

By his own admission, Mayor Friedel overrode staff who were explicitly charged with enforcing the rules and exercising final decision-making authority agreed to by all participants. His unilateral action—interceding to overrule the governing process—allowed the political tree and Trump decoration (a clear departure from the Whimsical Woodland theme) to proceed, despite staff’s conscientious efforts to ensure the Community Center holiday display “remains a welcoming and enjoyable celebration for everyone who participates,” in accordance with rules designed to “keep the focus on participation, inclusion, and celebration.”

This year’s theme for the event was Whimsical Woodland Holiday. All other participants followed the established guidelines and contributed to a nonpolitical, inclusive, and festive display. The Republican Party’s violation—enabled by the mayor—disregarded staff authority, disrespected residents, and injected partisan politics into what was intended to be a community celebration.

Prior to Mayor Friedel’s intervention, ROT chairperson Crystal Cavanaugh wrote to Town Manager Rachael Goodwin, urging her and Community Center staff to “reconsider and approve the Trump ‘tree topper’ photo image,” asserting that “it does not seem to break any rules” and is “in no way offensive.”

In contrast, a participating member of the Fountain Hills Democratic Club affirmed the guidelines and staff’s authority. Fountain Hills Democratic Club member Al Ronca, upon learning of this tree inclusion, wrote to the town manager as well:

“I thought that as a member of the Democratic Club board that when we signed the submission form, we agreed to all the guidelines. A move that our board wholeheartedly endorses and supports. I am a Vietnam vet and I support our military 100%. But it’s a stretch to say that a tree honoring the branches of armed forces has anything to do with woodland creatures.”

Resident Ken Meyers also contacted Ms. Goodwin, questioning the rejection of the Trump image: “I have heard that you, as Town Manager, decided that the photo of Commander-in-chief Trump would not be allowed.”

In a respectful and thorough response, Town Manager Goodwin clarified staff authority and the intent of the guidelines, writing in part:

“Following several challenges and misunderstandings that arose last year, new guidelines were thoughtfully developed in collaboration with staff, the Town Manager, and the Town Attorney to help ensure the focus remains on celebration, community, and the holiday spirit. The guidelines note that no political displays are permitted, and that STAFF HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON ANY MATERIALS THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED QUESTIONABLE TO ENSURE THE NEUTRALITY OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER. All participating groups reviewed and signed a consent form agreeing to these terms before decorating.”

Ms. Goodwin further emphasized: “I also want to be clear that I am not the unilateral decision-maker in these matters. The intent of this process — and of the guidelines themselves — is to remove personal discretion and politics from staff’s hands as much as possible…. The determination was made in keeping with the agreed-upon guidelines, which prohibit displays that could reasonably be perceived as political in nature. Our goal continues to be preserving the neutrality of the Community Center and ensuring this long-standing program reflects the welcoming and festive spirit of the season.”

When Community Center staff evaluated the appropriateness of decorations for the Whimsical Woodland Holiday theme, the group charged with decision-making applied the following rules, terms, and conditions in accordance with the established guidelines:

⚫️Fountain Hills Community Center

Each year, the Fountain Hills Community Center invites members of the community to help decorate the Community Center to celebrate the holiday season. The Holiday Decorations are a reflection of the Town of Fountain Hills and are intended to create a welcoming and festive environment at the Fountain Hills Community Center.

⚫️Holiday Decoration Terms & Conditions

To support a festive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all residents and visitors, the Fountain Hills Community Center has set forth the following Terms and Conditions to govern the Town of Fountain Hills’ display of the Holiday Decorations in and around the Fountain Hills Community Center. The Fountain Hills Community Center will only display Holiday Decorations from individuals, groups, or organizations adhering to the following rules:

To maintain a respectful and family-friendly atmosphere:

• Decorations must reflect seasonal or holiday themes that are suitable for all ages.

• Displays must be welcoming to the entire community.

• Displays must be joyful and festive.

Prohibited Content Includes (but is not limited to):

• Political content, including political slogans, campaign signs, or any expression supporting or opposing political candidates or ballot issues.

• Offensive or inappropriate material, including anything obscene, violent, profane, indecent, or otherwise inflammatory.

Disruptive or disparaging elements that could create community conflict or detract from the intended spirit of celebration.

⚫️Conduct

All individuals and groups are expected to:

• Treat others with courtesy and cooperation.

• Follow all staff instructions and posted guidelines.

• Avoid disruptive, disrespectful, or harassing behavior. Violations may result in removal of decorations and/or exclusion from future events.

⚫️Rights Reserved

The Fountain Hills Community Center reserves the right to:

• Deny, remove, or request modifications to any display that violates these terms or is deemed, at staff discretion, inappropriate, unsafe, or inconsistent with the values of a welcoming public space.

⚫️Agreement & Acknowledgment

By signing below, the participant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with these Holiday Decoration Terms and Conditions.

📌This behavior has escalated over time. It is long past time for it to end.