By Bryn Henning.
As a resident of Fountain Hills for over two decades, under many mayors and elected officials, I am appalled by the latest town council and mayor’s decision of silencing the public.
I don’t march nor get involved in protests. I don’t go to social media. I do watch our local news, read different newspapers and watch YouTube videos of our town council meetings. These last few weeks, my small and beautiful town that I love has gone into a dark chasm of ugliness.
I am retired and I have a lot of time to research to find the answers to my own questions: “What happened? Why and how did we get here?” Quietly and studiously, I looked for answers.
What I found: In 2022 Town Council Member Allen Skillicorn was elected. During his tenure he had ethics violations, for which he was sanctioned. He also sued our town, our mayor Ginny Dickey, for sanctioning him. He lost.
Fast forward to the Nov. 18, 2025, town meeting, it was clear to me that mayor Freidel and some town council members treated Allen as if he was the true leader and mayor, influencing the rest. Then, the live feed was cut. Further, Mrs. Larrabee said it was time to take away the “toy,” referring to public comments. Her words rattled me.
Larrabee and Skillicorn, how dare you use the dais to silence anyone who dissents? You have both awakened a quiet senior to pay attention to your disruption. Earle, Watts and mayor Friedel, shame on all of you, too, for following them.
Nowhere in our constitution had the word “toy.”
