Meyers: Councilwoman Kalivianakis doesn’t live in ‘Realville’

Reclaim Our Town (ROT) is a PAC whose followers actually supported Kalivianakis in the 2022 council race because we were told “I’m a Constitutional Conservative.” We endorsed her, raised money for her, and helped her get elected. Sadly, that was not true and now every vote that does not agree with her, ROT is to blame.

Take for instance her last diatribe on the electric charging station “study” vote. “Free” money from MAG. “Constitutional Conservatives” know that money from government is not “free.” Strings are always attached. In a town struggling with funding for actual road necessities and lake liners, this is just another want instead of need.

Kalivianakis’ comments included, “Fountain Hills residents would have convenient access to Class 3 charging stations.” I thought if you owned an electric car, you own a charging station and the cars go over 300 miles?

Next, Kalivianakis said, “travelers from the East Valley enroute to Payson and beyond would stop to charge their vehicles, shop in our stores, dine at our restaurants and add to our tax.” That fairytale played out nearly 25 years ago with the Target plaza when Fountain Hills rezoned land intended for a major corporate employer to support the town and attract younger people for a shopping that now has empty storefronts. People were going to come from miles around to shop in Fountain Hills. Then, with a chance to correct the error of the past, more apartments will be built instead of what was intended by the original Fountain Hills master planners. Kalivianakis was wrong on that vote as well.

Those who don’t study the past are condemned to repeat it.  Fountain Hills is “Realville,” not some fairytale utopia. ROT is simply the majority of Fountain Hills residents living in “Realville” the last time I checked.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.