New Fountain Hills leaders have wasted little time tackling culture war issues and cutting the town budget.
Skillicorn and two of his council allies, Toth and Brenda Kalivianakis, were elected in August during what former Town Councilmember and registered Republican Mike Scharnow called the “nastiest” election he’s seen in his four decades as a Fountain Hills resident.A 'dirty' small-town election campaign shows how partisan politics seeps into Arizona communities
Branding Couture as a far-left radical because of her Facebook posts about Democratic socialism and prosecuting “anti-vaxxersfor attempted murder.”Calling Couture a “communist candidate" and, according to the English teacher, circulating a picture of her in a Soviet-style outfit. The tone of the campaign was one that struck both conservatives and liberals as odd. Town and city council candidates in Arizona don't run as Republicans or Democrats because local elections are non-partisan, a reflection of local leaders' often non-partisan duties.
Nearly three-quarters of the split votes taken by the council have been between the four conservative members and three more liberal ones ― Dickey, Sharron Grzybowski and Vice Mayor Peggy McMahon. They include votes to: Repeal an ordinance that had carved out areas of the city where no signs could be displayed, a policy designed to preserve the town's character and tourism draw.
During the firing of the Fountain Hills lobbyist, conservative councilmembers argued the lobbying contract was a waste of money because town officials can deal directly with state lawmakers. They also called it redundant because Fountain Hills is a member of regional boards, such as the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, which already advocate on the town's behalf.
Skillicorn maintains that the town can fund its goals by stopping wasteful spending but said he hasn't seen a line-item budget yet to break down where those wasteful expenses exist.
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