Open Letter to Mayor Francia of Cave Creek

A town council chamber is not a forum for “public humiliation” of appointed officials or citizens. But it became just that last Monday night, as council considered the removal of Vice Chairman Bob Moore from the Planning & Zoning Commission.

You noted to me that three commissioners spoke against Mr. Moore. I witnessed the other three commissioners did not, and 35 citizens in petition spoke against Mr. Moore’s removal. That speaks volumes.

I didn’t know why Mr. Moore was being removed. Even after Monday night’s performance, I could only conclude that the charges presented against him by P&Z Chairman Bob Williams were vague, confusing, and morphed into a “he said, I said.” Undocumented, non‑witnessed conversations presented as evidence to support dismissal against an individual are merely hearsay and should not be admissible.

Chairman Williams stated that Bob Moore was a one‑issue commissioner and exclaimed that Mr. Moore was not a team player. If you’d taken the time to research P&Z Commission minutes as Grace Meeth did, you would realize the falsehood of his comments. “Team player” are words that apply to sports and other team activities. Councils, commissions, boards, juries, etc., require research, objectivity, integrity and the courage of one’s convictions in formulating an opinion before a vote is cast. Mr. Williams inferred Vote my way or go away!

Mayor Francia, I dislike the fact that you privately contacted each council member before scheduling Monday’s meeting, violating the state’s Open Meeting Law. You also surrogated your responsibility, and that of town council, by asking Chairman Williams to get Bob Moore to resign.

Perhaps a council executive session would have been the proper venue for what turned out to be a “public lynching,” as Mr. Moore wasn’t even given a list of the alleged charges presented by Chairman Williams. This is not Democracy but Hypocrisy!

Herb Natker
Cave Creek