Fountain Hills residents accuse Councilman Skillycorn of ethics violations and misconduct

In a heated Town Council meeting on May 5, 2025, residents of Fountain Hills voiced strong concerns regarding proposed changes to the town's ethics code, particularly in relation to Councilman Alan Skillicorn. The discussions highlighted allegations of misconduct against Skillicorn and the potential implications of the council's decisions on community governance.

A key point of contention was the proposal to eliminate Section 10 of the ethics code, which critics argue would retroactively absolve Skillicorn of past violations. Residents expressed fears that this move would undermine accountability and diminish their rights to address grievances against council members. One resident, Diane Price, recounted her experience with Skillicorn, claiming he filed a criminal complaint against her for a critical letter to the editor, which was later deemed baseless by law enforcement.

Another resident, Pam Kapp, criticized the council's majority for attempting to erase past ethics violations, suggesting that such actions would benefit only the council members while disenfranchising the community. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a complaint process to uphold residents' rights to petition their government.

Concerns were also raised about the absence of the town attorney during the meeting, with residents questioning the legality of the council's actions given the pending ethics complaints against several members, including Mayor Beth Culp. Critics argued that the proposed changes could lead to a lack of transparency and accountability within the council.

As the meeting concluded, residents called for a more thorough examination of the ethics code revisions, urging the council to consider the long-term implications of their decisions on the integrity of local governance. The discussions underscored a growing tension between council members and constituents, with many residents demanding greater accountability and ethical standards from their elected officials.