By Srianthi Perera | The Arizona Republic
A community activist who lost her bid for another term on the Gilbert Parks, Recreation and Library Services Advisory Board believes political retaliation was behind her ouster.
Bobbi Smith, a board member since 2007 and a lightning rod behind Gilbert’s decision to create a new 10-year master plan for parks and recreation in the town, is among three board members who were replaced this month by the Town Council.
“It’s just politics,” Smith said. “I have been vocally against everyone’s campaign that’s elected to the council, so that wasn’t a surprise. They are definitely not interested in picking the most qualified but putting in new faces and real-estate-developer-supported voices on those positions.”
