It seems like Gerry Friedel — the self-styled “transparency” mayor (sarcasm) — continues to hold a grudge against our community news outlet, the Fountain Hills Times Independent.

Many likely remember the juvenile action against the Times Independent when Mayor Friedel and Councilmembers Watts and Larrabee, according to a public records request, had the paper’s press table removed from Council meetings in May. Town Manager Rachael Goodwin stated at the time: “There was a discussion and a directive from the mayor and several other councilmembers with the request to remove the table from the space,” Goodwin said. (Read the full story here: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/…/fountain-hills….)

That apparently wasn’t enough for Friedel. In a private Facebook group, under a post celebrating the ousting of a progressive journalist at the Arizona Republic, he took aim at our own community paper, commenting: “How about The Depressing Times next.”

Whether mocking the Times Independent outright or endorsing the silencing of progressive voices, the message was clear: this mayor would rather see our local paper diminished than respected for its service to the community.

In addition to attacking our community paper — which provides an outstanding service — these same individuals recently placed an election denier in the role of Town Attorney.