Carefree Truth
Issue #634, April 9, 2018
During Call to the Public John Traynor began by saying that thanking the Council for their service seems to be the thing to do at this time of year. It is a thankless job, and they get more criticism than they do compliments, so he echoed Arthur Gimson's compliments.
He had 2 issues. He had just looked at the agenda and other material on the Town website and noticed an updated election section. This drew to his mind the issue of term limits and how the Town had said a while ago it was "looking at what we might be able to do about it". He hadn't heard anything since. He hoped the Town was not considering violating the public trust by having candidates run for reelection that are not entitled to do so. "On 2 occasions, the town voters unanimously, maybe not unanimously, but by a significant majority, voted to keep term limits."* He hoped they would honor those wishes.
His other issue was that over the past several years, normally the Town would be discussing budgets and holding budget workshops at this time. Nothing was said at the March Council meeting and there was nothing on the April Council meeting agenda that night. He asked if there was a new plan on how the budget was being done this year.
Mayor Les Peterson replied that budget workshops were scheduled on the 17th and 24th of this month. Kandace French Contreras noted that those workshops are posted on the website calendar. Gary Neiss added that in past years, the workshops have traditionally been held the 3rd and 4th weeks of April, and this year's meeting dates are consistent with past practices. Mr. Traynor said that budget materials were distributed prior to the workshops, and he didn't recall seeing any at tonight's Council meeting. He added that "if it's on the agenda, it should be published in either the minutes, the agenda or COINS".
* This statement is incorrect and will be addressed in Carefree Truth's Letters from Readers on Wednesday.
https://vimeo.com/263263452
John Traynor
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Councilman Mike Farrar left the dais to speak at the podium as a private citizen. He said that in his capacity as a Councilman, he organized a Memorial Day event and happens to know about the agenda because he created it, and he wanted to share it with the public.
This is the first year for a Memorial Day tribute. The Cactus Shadows High School Band will provide the musical entertainment. The American Legion will conduct a parade through town. The American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard will speak. Luke Air Force Base will have an Honor Guard and will have ranking military officers speaking. The Air Force will stage a very exciting fly-over at the end.
There is a wreath ceremony that is a very solemn moment to recognize the many who have fallen in service to the country. Part of the ceremony would be the presentation of a wreath to a representative of each of the 5 branches of the military when their hymn was played, and the wreaths would be hung on a wreath stand. Mr. Farrar felt this was a keystone part of his event. The total Memorial Day budget is zero dollars. It is being put together at no cost to the Town, with the exception of the wreaths which are $1,000. These are permanent synthetic wreaths and could be reused. If real floral wreaths were purchased, it would cost significantly less, in the $600-700 range. He was distressed to learn that the Town leaders have elected to not do that ceremony, to change it to something else, to 1 wreath with flowers. He felt it took away from a significant part of the ceremony. He said that well over $3,000 was being spent for the Carefree Block Party, and asked them to reconsider the $1,000 expense for his event. He insisted that the community and veterans deserve it, in light of what is spent on other events.
https://vimeo.com/263267337
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Councilman Mike Farrar left the dais to speak at the podium as a private citizen. He said that in his capacity as a Councilman, he organized a Memorial Day event and happens to know about the agenda because he created it, and he wanted to share it with the public.
This is the first year for a Memorial Day tribute. The Cactus Shadows High School Band will provide the musical entertainment. The American Legion will conduct a parade through town. The American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard will speak. Luke Air Force Base will have an Honor Guard and will have ranking military officers speaking. The Air Force will stage a very exciting fly-over at the end.
There is a wreath ceremony that is a very solemn moment to recognize the many who have fallen in service to the country. Part of the ceremony would be the presentation of a wreath to a representative of each of the 5 branches of the military when their hymn was played, and the wreaths would be hung on a wreath stand. Mr. Farrar felt this was a keystone part of his event. The total Memorial Day budget is zero dollars. It is being put together at no cost to the Town, with the exception of the wreaths which are $1,000. These are permanent synthetic wreaths and could be reused. If real floral wreaths were purchased, it would cost significantly less, in the $600-700 range. He was distressed to learn that the Town leaders have elected to not do that ceremony, to change it to something else, to 1 wreath with flowers. He felt it took away from a significant part of the ceremony. He said that well over $3,000 was being spent for the Carefree Block Party, and asked them to reconsider the $1,000 expense for his event. He insisted that the community and veterans deserve it, in light of what is spent on other events.
https://vimeo.com/263267337
Mike Farrar
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.