'Tyrannical' Gilbert Mayor Under Fire for Proposed Limits to Public Comment

The new mayor of Gilbert has spent the first months of her term embroiled in a series of multiplying scandals.

First, in June, emails surfaced in which the mayor, Brigette Peterson, tipped off a local developer to opposition from constituents. Then, allegations resurfaced that Peterson, while a city council member, had dissuaded a woman from running for office because she was Black. And this month, an employee filed a complaint against her, alleging that she created a “toxic work environment” — by ridiculing his team for creating what she called a “hideous” town logo.

The scandals have heated up town council meetings, and her relationship with the developer spurred an ongoing ethics investigation. But, this week, tensions in the town reached new heights, when Peterson advocated for a series of ordinance changes that would give her new power to limit residents’ speaking time at meetings.

Outcry ensued. Gilbert resident Brandon Ryff, one of the mayor’s most vocal critics, called it “a move to silence the voice of the people.” Another critic warned that “tyranny” was imminent.

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