Listen to his tone, focus on his expression, assess his demeanor. Is THIS a leader, or a tyrant who uses the power of the position to silence his critics?
When Fountain Hills Mayor Gerry Friedel scowled and squinted downward — unwilling to look his audience in the eyes as he unleashed his wrath in the form of “The Call to the Public is not a right, but a privilege” — he wasn’t just offering a careless remark during the Feb. 3 Town Council meeting. He was revealing his governing philosophy.
That statement is a microcosm of a temperamental mayor who views public participation not as a cornerstone of democracy, but as something to be granted, managed, and withdrawn at his discretion. It reflects a leader who is indulgent toward allies, yet hostile toward critics — one who tolerates speech only when it flatters, and works to silence it when it challenges.
Moving public comment to the very end of meetings and cutting residents off after an arbitrary 30 minutes is not about efficiency. It is about control. And calling citizen speech a “privilege” confirms exactly whose voices he believes deserve to be heard — and whose do not.
This is not confident leadership. It is insecurity wrapped in authority. And it should concern anyone who believes town government exists to serve residents, not discipline them.
We thank Councilmembers McMahon and Kalivianakis for their dissenting votes, voices of reason, and understanding that residents elected people on the dais to serve. That means listening, not muzzling. Residents help define Fountain Hills and should be heard.
