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Opinion

Kirk: Regarding civility, Skillicorn needs to start with himself

Councilmember Allen Skillicorn recently wrote an opinion calling for civility. I’m not sure he knows what that word means. Is it civil for a council member to attack residents on social …
Opinion

Backer: All opinions should be shared

I would like to start by commending Brian Reilly for another well researched and well written factual and civil opinion piece. I look forward to his contributions because it is obvious his sources …
Opinion

Ward: Thank you for supporting the Jewish community

Thank you to Mayor Dickey, Councilman Friedel, the Fountain Hills Times Independent and everyone on both sides who have rallied behind and supported our local Jewish community. Let’s prove …
Opinion

Lewis: Scottsdale Schools get it right

Having lived in Scottsdale for the last 20 years (both in the Cave Creek area, and in the Scottsdale Unified School District) I was so proud of our school district’s successful passage of the …
Opinion

Clubs: Sun City West Chartered Club Committee members back Leary

Governing board Director Jack Leary has been under heavy assault by the recall committee for irrational and unsubstantiated reasons, and their accusations have served to bring light to their personal …
Opinion

Make an impact this Giving Tuesday, November 28

Whether it’s your favorite animal rescue, food bank or children and family services organization, everyone has a charitable cause close to their hearts. This Giving Tuesday is a perfect time to …
Opinion

Bosak: Silent majority needs to speak up on Sun City West recall

A small group of malcontents decide in 2012 to make Sun City West a “better place.” They propose three ill-conceived and destructive amendments to the bylaws. • Make golf …
Opinion

Rhoades: Sun City West recall proponents not delivering facts

This letter to the editor is in part a direct response to the letter in the Nov. 15 edition of the Independent by Dennis Horvath. Mr. Horvath stated that “the president of the board appointed a …
Opinion

Reilly: National issues need discussing

My head is spinning after reading three editorials in the Nov. 15, 2023, edition of the Independent. Bruce Campbell whines about the debate over Trump. National elections have consequences, even at …
Opinion

Dickson: RCSC board needs changes

The Recreation Centers of Sun City directors are in disarray, and the members are not getting the fair, open leadership they deserve. Three directors have resigned, the previous general manager …
Take the Civility Pledge

Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road.  Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question. 

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen  & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

CheckmarkLook for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

Now that you've read the checklist, take the Civility Pledge. 

Your Community Your Voice

Schacht: Sun City not a fair comparison for Sun City West

While attending a couple of so-called informational meetings and after several conversations with recall members asking for recall signatures, some constant themes kept repeating themselves: …

Reilly: Trump is a true patriot

I’m responding to Linda Johnson’s Nov. 8, 2023, Letter to the Editor, entitled: “Patriots need to think before defending.” Ms. Johnson defines patriots as people who …

Miller: No sense in arguing with Sun City West recall proponents

In any community the size of Sun City West there is a distribution of opinion on how well the community is managed that follows the shape of a bell-shaped curve. On one end of the curve are …

Moires: Moves only benefit minority of Sun City residents

I agree with Aaron Lane’s view that activities like golfing should be self-sufficient (Nov. 8, 2023 Sun City Independent). I believe that this should apply to pickleball and other such …

Hanzel: RCSCW investment policy needs reexamined

On Nov. 7, 2023, Sun City West’s investment adviser Captrust made a presentation to the community. Captrust officials stated the association’s investment of reserve account funds is …

McDonald: Fee increases will hit seniors hard

This letter is to address the article in the Independent about approving another increase in the Sun City recreation fees. As a member in good standing, I highly object. In fact, I propose that …

Marone: SAC needed those with best interests at heart

I keep on thinking, and the more I hear about those SAC meetings the more I believe I might be right; perhaps the committee would have been better off if it was comprised of members who had no vested …
Town of Fountain Hills Councilman Allen Skillicorn (Submitted photo)

Skillicorn: Some of this paper’s letters have not been very civil

The Independent Newsmedia titles the opinion section on the company’s website, “Opinions with Civility,” and has a checklist of ways readers’ letters can and should be civil. …

Florence council needs to deal with construction noise

Regarding the " Council not happy with proposed noise changes ” article in your Florence Independent November 2023 issue. How the council feels is NOTHING compared to how the people who live on …
Dr. Albert Rizzo

Rizzo: While some lung cancer numbers are improving, work still remains

Albert Rizzo is the chief medical officer for the American Lung Association. As a resident of Delaware, a practicing pulmonologist and the chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, …

Hudak: SCHOA needs more support for fights

We have enjoyed a city that was a dream over 60 years ago to build a place where seniors could spend the rest of their lives with other seniors and live in peace. This way of life is being …

Carlson: Library upgrades should be cost- effective

Plans for a redesigned library may cost $4.5 million to $6.5 million. This includes add-on rooms, outdoor courtyards, “quiet spaces,” a study room, classrooms, etc. My questions are, …

Wheat : RCSC should reconsider rate hike

I humbly ask the Recreation Centers of Sun City board to reconsider raising the member rates to $575 a year. Their increase comes along with the forthcoming water rate increase, which is …

Kapic: RCSCW issues need to be examined

As a 10-year resident of Sun City West, I’ve watched and listened to the issues from both sides. I’ve waited for the Recreation Centers of Sun City West board to repair their admitted …

Foulke: Desalinization should be key for local water needs

Given the major problem of a “water shortage,” there is a simple solution. Ships at sea are equipped to filter saltwater to fresh through three different methods: boiling, evaporation or …

Mikolajczyk: I’m offering another ‘Modest Proposal’

Why do Fountain Hills voters continually vote against supporting vital infrastructure? A 2009 road study warned that our roads will continue to deteriorate. The roads have, yet voters repeatedly …

Toenjes: November update for Kyrene community

November is upon us, and brings with it cooler weather and an opportunity for reflection and gratitude.

James: In response to a recent letter about President Biden

Recently, John Thompson wrote that “Joe Biden, is under investigation for money laundering and treason.” What I found when I searched for “Biden treason” was, “Three …
Charlene Bisson

Bisson: Wishing you a happy holidays

Dear Readers: It looks like we finally received a dash of cooler temperatures for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. I am excited to wear warmer clothes and boots. We want to thank you for your …
Robert L. Meyer

Meyer: Thankful for new Glendale clinic

Dear Friends, The Thanksgiving season provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on 2023 and express our gratitude for an extraordinary year at Phoenix Children’s. We have many reasons to be …

Cheney: Community needs to move past ‘petty’ arguments

Some Sun City West residents have embarked upon a recall for our general manager and three government board members for specious reasons. Our residents were mad at governing board managers in much …

Gibson: Some recall issues deserve examination

As a 27-year resident of Sun City West, former governing board member in 1999-2001, chair of the Golf Committee for two years and chair of the Property Committee for one year, I would like to offer …

Wehbi: Enough with the misinformed opinions

Finally, there’s someone brave enough to speak up and try to put an end to the nonsensical, misinformed, “radical right” opinions that are spewed onto these pages nearly every week. …

Osier: SAC should start over with data- driven info

I have watched the progress of the Strategic Alternatives Committee trying to find a suitable and fiscally responsible solution for the Mountain View recreation center. The members were chosen …

Ramirez: Golfers not the only ones in Sun City

After reading the Independent dated Nov. 8, 2023, I agree with Aaron Lane who wrote saying golf should be self-sufficient. He made many excellent points. The front page stated the current …

Kissko: Fountain Hills is a great place for young families

In response to a recent opinion depicting Fountain Hills as unsuitable for young families, I offer a contrasting perspective. As a resident since 2021, with a young child and twins on the way, my …

Scott: Councilman Skillicorn’s actions don’t match his words

Councilman Skillicorn is not serving this community. Since his first day on the dais, he's done little except disrupt council (repealing, reinstating and now amending the sign ordinance, or prayer, …
Chad Heinrich

Heinrich: Shop small this Small Business Saturday

Chad Heinrich is the Arizona State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business and managing partner for Heinrich Public Affairs in Phoenix.   As Arizona state …

Public needs more information from Queen Creek Unified

This article ( Finding a fix to Arizona's school repairs ) certainly lends substantial credibility to Queen Creek Unified School District’s  request to continue the 15% maintenance & …

Thompson: Biden’s hold on Democratic party is chilling

The current president, Joe Biden, is under investigation for money laundering and treason. Much evidence has already been revealed including 174 reports of suspicious financial transactions that …
Opinions with Civility