Thank you, Councilwoman Kalivianakis, for your service to Fountain Hills
OPINION — Some people may forget that Councilmember Brenda Kalivianakis was ROT endorsed when she sought a seat on our town council. How quickly they turned on her when she did not vote as ROT wanted her to, but rather voted as her intellect, judgment and conscience dictated.
When Brenda put community first, ROT and its supporters lashed out, placing bigoted political signs on our community streets. Meanwhile, she listened during council meetings as businesses, financial grants and programs were rejected because they were deemed to include equity, diversity and inclusion.
Through it all, Councilmember Kalivianakis portrayed as strong against these despicable words and actions, even including elected colleagues who sat beside her on the dais and spent time posting anti-LGBTQ+ comments on social media.
For caring people blessed with the ability to feel empathy, we often try to put ourselves in the shoes of those demeaned or marginalized, and we understand that their outward persona may not reflect real feelings of hurt they feel inside.
When public comment was diminished in Fountain Hills, Brenda Kalivianakis stood up for you. While other council members voted to eliminate or severely restrict your right to speak, Kalivianakis and Councilmember Peggy McMahon fought back. Brenda fiercely defended local democracy, transparency and every resident's right to be heard. Councilmember Kalivianakis was also one of the critical votes that secured the Sandor multi-unit smart development, which in turn led to Sprouts Farmers Market choosing Fountain Hills, likely retained Target, and will ultimately bring greater revenue to current and potential new businesses in town.
I did not agree with every Councilmember Kalivianakis vote, but I agreed with many. More importantly, I respect her fortitude, integrity and commitment to Fountain Hills. That’s something I cannot say about the majority elected around her.
Thank you, Brenda Kalivianakis.
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