School board president alleges council member made defamatory remarks; council response and community concerns recorded

During the public-comment period at the Oct. 28 Goodyear City Council meeting, Karen Kenny, president of the Mobile Elementary School District Governing Board, thanked the city for a security fence and donations but alleged that Councilmember Wally Campbell visited Mobile Elementary on July 10 and made defamatory statements to the superintendent and staff. Kenny recounted comments she attributed to Campbell, saying, "we did not want this school ... We didn't ask for it" and that "community members do not pay taxes, just large landowners." She said some council members personally called Superintendent Terry Dominguez to apologize and that Campbell sent a letter of apology, but she said that apology "did not seem sincere" based on his voting record and asked for a more sincere apology to the community and to community liaison Dennis Hudson.

The presiding official said council members had called to apologize and noted a written apology was made; the transcript records no direct statement from Campbell at the meeting nor additional action taken by council. Dennis Hudson, speaking later in public comment, described community concerns about road maintenance, county follow-up on promised funds and local partnerships with the fire department and other service providers.

Context and next steps: the allegation was made during public comment and recorded on the public record; no formal disciplinary or investigatory action was requested or recorded at the meeting. Council acknowledged the reports of outreach to the superintendent and the existence of a written apology but did not take formal action on the claim during the session.