By AZFPI
The misuse of the recall process in Prescott continues. Despite an outside legal investigation that concluded Mayor Goode did not violate the city charter—discrediting the very premise of the recall petition.1 Despite the city manager has since voluntarily resigned her position with the city.2 And despite it was the sweetheart deal with the Arizona Eco Development (AED) developer during Mayor Mengarelli’s last term which set in motion these “impending” lawsuits.3
So, what would be the Recall Committee’s driving force to continue when the very foundation of the recall has been so quickly and resoundingly discredited? Why has this recall consistently been framed as the necessity to “take back our town?”4 Most importantly, who are these special interest groups behind the recall who seek extraordinary influence over the Prescott political process? And exactly what do they seek?
The answers to some of these questions may be found directly from Recall Committee members Stan Goligoski and Becky Ruffner.5 At the outset, it was clear the recall campaign desperately sought a Save the Dells endorsement evidenced by the (early version) “nogoode.com” website referencing Save the Dells with the AED development agreement. To understand the campaign’s solicitous behavior, it is important to first recognize the impact of Save the Dells.6 This grassroots organization, beginning in 2018—with supporters across the political spectrum—effectively lobbied Prescott City Council and the (AED) developer to preserve over 474 acres during the Granite Dells annexation. Save the Dells later emerged as an influential Political Action Committee in the Prescott region,7 successfully endorsing candidates who supported their principles.8 Today Save the Dell’s core mission remains the same: champion open space conservation, safeguard our water supply, support slower and carefully designed growth and development, and protect our quality of life concerning these goals.
Interestingly, during their conversation, both Mr. Goligoski and Ms. Ruffner recognized Mayor Goode worked very hard with the city council to live up to his campaign promises to Save the Dells and slow growth. In fact, Goligoski even confessed “I voted for Goode” (in the 2021 election) because “I didn’t like the way growth was in our town.” He further admitted he had Come-to-Jesus Meetings with family and friends to express his concern about how growth is “being perceived that one person (former Mayor Mengarelli) is benefiting from this.”
Yet, Goligoski and Ruffner’s recall petition stated Mayor Goode violated the city charter and he was guilty of malfeasance.9 For her part, Ruffner also stated the social justice reasons for the mayor’s recall were his: 1) failure to sign a Black Lives Matter petition,10 2) failure to meet with the CEO of The Launch Pad Teen Center,11 and 3) failure to attend any “events” at The Federal.12 Goligoski claimed because Mayor Goode was “not inclusive in our community,” there was a “groundswell of people who came to me” and asked me to run for mayor.
During this conversation, and since the recall began, Goligoski often teased the public with “it is surprising who is in the room” (supporting the recall).13 When asked directly, both Goligoski and Ruffner readily disclosed: Karen Fann, Mike Fann, Kathy Sischka, Ken Mabarak, Don Biele, and Alex Vakula.14 Later in the conversation, Goligoski and Ruffner also revealed their core supporters involved in the recall effort as Rebecca Horniman, Courtney Osterfelt, and Whitney Williams.15
Exactly who are these people in our Prescott community?
On one side, we have those who woefully misunderstand that social justice issues are not the primary role of local/municipal government. Basic city services top that list: public safety (police and fire protection), adequate and safe water supply, planned development and infrastructure, and waste management. While diversity, equity, and inclusion are worthy goals, the mayoral focus must be on these critical services upon which residents depend.16
On the other side, we have the native/long-time commercial and residential developers, politicians, car dealers, and real estate attorneys who view new residents as interlopers. As more people arrive to live in Prescott, their steady drumbeat of the need to “Preserve our Western Values” grows ever louder. What does that dog whistle mean? Simple: Buy our homes and vehicles, and patronize our stores and businesses. But you’re not entitled to any voice in our politics or how we run things around here.
Prescott voters need to understand the players behind this recall effort have differing goals. One believes a successful recall will give them a political voice; the other believes that a successful recall will allow them to continue with their development plans unchecked. The mayor’s lack of support for cultural issues is immaterial to the performance of his actual job—and while unfortunate—shouldn’t be a basis for a recall. On the other hand, sensible growth is critical to Prescott’s future and everyone’s quality of life.
For a voter to believe the actual interests of either of the parties behind the recall deal with any kind of mayoral misconduct or abuse, is either naïve or uninformed.
REFERENCES
1) City of Prescott press release, December 19, 2023.
2) City of Prescott press release, December 19, 2023.
3) In this development agreement, the city agreed to run utilities to a parcel of land owned by Arizona Eco Development (AED). Former Mayor Greg Mengarelli and City Attorney Jon Paladini signed the contract with AED on July 13, 2021. Michael Lamar was City Manager at this time.
4) KYCA Radio a.m. Talks Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
5) At Goligoski’s request, the two met with members of Save the Dells (StD) to discuss an apology from Goligoski. During a KYCA radio show interview on November 29, 2023, Goligoski made statements that led the public to assume he was part of the Save the Dells movement. Once the interview aired, along with erroneous information posted on the recall website, many in the public mistakenly assumed StD supported the recall. The organization does not. To avoid any further “mistakes,” Joanne Oellers, the Save the Dells Chair, asked to record their conversation. All agreed. This conversation took place at The Federal, 101 W. Goodwin Street, 2nd Floor on December 3, 2023. Goligoski has since issued an apology to StD on both his campaign website and the recall website for any “erroneous information written or expressed.”
6) The history, accomplishments, and current issues for this organization can be found at SavetheDells.org.
7) Save the Dell’s growing political influence has not gone unnoticed by a long-time politician and a large landowner/developer in our region. Karen Fann and Brad Fain recently discussed StD during a local podcast. Karen Fann asked rhetorically, “Are we really saving something that is historic for a reason? . . . Why are we going to save all these hundreds of acres in between . . . and obviously part of that motive is to stop the growth.” Brad Fain immediately chimed in, “Yeah, the no-growthers. They have the “Save the Dells” banner up as their trojan horse walking into a conversation.” http://tinyurl.com/yc54wykv. “Living a Good Life,” August 19, 2023.
8) Save the Dells endorsed present Prescott city council members: Connie Cantelme, Cathey Rusing, Lois Fruhwirth, Ted Gambogi, and Phil Goode in the last election.
9) Mr. Goligoski stated the use of the word “malfeasance” in the recall petition came directly from Prescott City Council member Eric Moore’s complaint letter against Mayor Goode
10) Arizonans for Promoting Integrity contacted Mayor Goode. No “Black Lives Matter” petition/proclamation was ever presented to the city council.
11) The Launch Pad Teen Center is a “youth-driven and focused space, providing programming that is culturally relevant to teens in Yavapai County.” Organization’s mission, 990 Tax Form. This organization received $508,250 from the Don Bennett Moon Foundation in 2018-19 https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/472540857-don-bennett-moon-foundation-inc/.
12) The Federal is a corporate, wedding, and social event center in downtown Prescott. Given the recent clashes with city council over updating the sexually oriented business ordinance, these “events” Ms. Ruffner refers to are the adult performances (drag shows) held at this event center. (These shows are legally protected adult-oriented businesses under ARS 13-1422.)
13) KYCA Radio a.m. Talks Wednesday, November 29, 2023; https://www.dcourier.com/news/2023/nov/27/group-files-recall-seeking-oust-prescott-mayor-phi/
14) Karen Fann: AZ Legislator for eleven years, Former owner/CEO of highway guardrail company – AZ Highway Safety Specialists; Mike Fann: Owner Fann Construction (one of the largest road construction firms in Arizona), Owner/Developer “The Dells” residential development; Ken Mabarak: Commercial developer of Lakeview Plaza at Willow Creek & Willow Lake Rds., Manager at Equicor – Investment firm specializing in acquiring, developing, and building properties; Alex Vakula: Attorney specializing in real estate, business, and investment; Kathy Sischka: Owner of Olsen’s Grain, Inc., married to former Prescott city council member Steve Sischka; Don Biele: Owner of York RV.
15) Rebecca Horniman: Marketing and public relations; Courtney Osterfelt: CEO of The Launch Pad Teen Center; Whitney Williams: 4th-grade teacher at Abia Judd, Director, House of Hues.
16) https://www.wsj.com/business/how-the-push-for-diversity-at-colleges-and-companies-came-under-siege-036d4065?mod=djem10point; https://abcnews.go.com/US/corporate-america-slashing-dei-workers-amid-backlash-diversity/story?id=100477952.