Several weeks ago I gave a meet-and-greet party for my favorites in our Park City City Council and mayor races: Mayor, Ryan Dickey; and council, Beth Armstrong, Tana Taylor and Diego Zagarra.
I was deeply hurt and offended by Mr. Porcupine’s (a.k.a. Ari Ioannides’) column in Saturday’s Park Record. I emailed him to ask what he was hoping to accomplish by shaming my sincerely held opinions on who might serve us well. In that column Ari also publicized closed session City Council information that was illegally shared with him. I also suggested that he might be trying to get Republicans elected in a non-partisan race. Of course, if that is the case, Ari is violating the structure and intent of the legislation governing local elections.
His thinly veiled attempt to hide the names of his targets failed. Many of my friends have called to express their outrage.
With our unusually outstanding field of candidates, I choose to support those with whom I have worked for the good of our community. I deeply resent his supercilious label of “Fabulous Four.” Those four citizens have served Park City selflessly for many years. We know their motives and their particular skills, and I’m grateful that they’re willing to continue to serve us.
I’m deeply saddened that Ari used his bully pulpit as county Republican chair to influence nonpartisan local races that don’t even affect him directly since he lives near the unincorporated Wanship. Though I still consider him a friend, I no longer have faith in his discretion. He’s going to have to work hard to regain my trust.
I am grateful that he wrote a lovely apology. Now, let’s see what happens next.
Sally Elliott
Park City