Carefree Truth
Issue #504, August 13, 2016
M.C. Preston Westmoreland posed the first question, "Is the Town of Carefree on the right track, and if not, where did they go wrong?"
Councilman Gene Orrico replied that being on the Council and watching what has happened over the past year, he feels they are on the right track. While there have been some bumps in the road, and not everybody will agree with everything that has happened, most of the people he has talked with say that downtown Carefree seems to be coming alive. Council and staff members are always promoting Carefree.
New homes are being built by Keystone, Ed Lewis, and Toll Brothers. Carefree is expanding, and standing still would be going backwards. This doesn't mean a change in the lifestyle, but a revitalization. Carefree needs to bring in an anchor and viable businesses that everyone will like and use. There is a long way to go but we are on the right track.
Councilman Mike Farrar replied that the current Council has made some tough decisions but the town really has been revitalized. There is a lot of great energy. Carefree has an exceptional Town staff whose members go way beyond expectations. Everyone's heart is in the right place.
We don't always agree. We fight the good fight to vet these decisions we make. Carefree is known for feeling that the treasury is sacred, and we are debt free with the exception of the new Council chambers. We are known for being the only debt free community in the state, a legacy of previous Councils who have exercised the fiscal restraint and management that has carried over to the present Council. There is a lot more work to do but Mr. Farrar is excited and he feels that these candidates would form a Council that can drive these great efforts, respect everyone, and hear all voices. Come to meetings; talk to Council members. He would love to hear more from the community. He is hopeful and optimistic.
Jim Van Allen attended a Cave Creek candidate forum and noted how different Cave Creek is from Carefree, although he loves Cave Creek too. Carefree has been building its economic base for the last 3-4 years, after the rug was pulled out from under us in 2009. This was not because Carefree was doing anything wrong; the problem was global. Several thousand homes will be built south of us on Pima Road in the next several years. Can we get them here to shop, providing what they want at prices they will pay? Can we get our existing businesses to stay open 6-7 days a week, year 'round? Carefree has plenty of money to spend wisely. The candidates are not a slate, and are independent thinkers, as it should be.
Mayor Les Peterson thinks Carefree is on the right track. The Council members are conservative people who want to move in the right direction but we need to get there in a fiscally prudent manner, spending as we have the money. Since 1999, Carefree has invested $19 million in infrastructure. The Town has bought a million dollar water tank, gotten a fire station and a fire truck, enhanced the Gardens, etc., while still building the reserves to over $6.5 million, in relation to a typical annual budget of $5 million. The reserves in relation to the annual budget puts Carefree at the top of the 91 cities and towns in Arizona, with the exception of Indian reservations with casinos. During the fiscal year that ended on July 31st, the Town spent $1.2 million on infrastructure projects, particularly in the downtown area, and put $131,000 into the reserves. We are making progress while pacing the journey.
Candidate Cheryl Kroyer loves this town, and thinks it is on the right track. We've done some wonderful things like the Splash Park, the Pumpkin Festival, art fairs, concerts, and the Desert Gardens. What's missing is for the Town to support these but she thinks there's a way to do that. Carefree needs to let people in the Valley and tourists know that we're here.
She initially thought the gateways were frivolous and didn't understand them, but now she's sort of tickled by them. They designate that a town is back there that you wouldn't normally see while driving past. The changes are positive. Now, the Town needs to find a way to capitalize on those changes and let people know Carefree is being revitalized and that there is lots to do here. Capitalize on what has been done, and make it better.
Vice Mayor John Crane replied that the Town is certainly on the right track. Carefree has a great reserve and has made a lot of investments. We have a great foundation. But it's not important what he thinks; what's important is what those people think who invest in the town. Ed Lewis is spending upwards of $20 million to build luxury condos in the town center. Basha's is revamping the inside of their grocery store, a big long term commitment. They could have gone down the street to the space formerly occupied by Albertson's. He knows of others who are interested in purchasing commercial property here. People we want to invest in the town think we're on the right track. Once people are willing to invest, it's an indicator and will draw others who want to ride that wave of success.
On a different subject, Carefree owns a water company. The water company is also on the right track. We live in the desert that has had a big draught for the past 16 or 17 years. The Town wants to make sure there is a continued supply of quality water. If you come to the water company Board of Directors meetings you will see that we are always discussing sources for water, cost, quality, and the infrastructure that delivers water to our tanks. So Vice Mayor Crane very much thinks we're on the right track.
Candidate Mike Krahe said what you just heard paints a picture of what's here, what's been done, how good we are, how strong we are, how we're recovering, how we're moving forward. We're on the verge, in his opinion, of something wonderful. He really believes that. Everything is lining up; we are in a perfect position to go into the future.
Dr. Krahe agrees with Vice Mayor Crane about local government being the only one that works. His question is, "What do you want? What's the dialogue we're going to have as we talk about our future?" He wants to invite that dialogue. We're going the right way, and Dr. Krahe is excited about where we're going to be, and how that journey will look. This Council can accomplish that only with your help and support. And the only way that will happen is if we talk, and understand each other, and agree on where we're going together.
Mayor Peterson asked to add his comments to Vice Mayor Crane's comments about the water company. Carefree residents and businesses use roughly 900 acre feet of water annually. 50% of that water comes from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and 50% comes from the 1700' deep aquifer below us that holds hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. It used to supply the 6 golf courses in Desert Mountain, which took out a billion gallons a year. About 14 years ago, the Department of Water Resources made them stop. Since then, and with a recharge, the water level has been rising. Carefree uses 450 acre feet from CAP, and has an allocation of 1425 acre feet, so there are 2 sources with abundant water supplies. This is the work of prior Councils and the current Council, who have been conservative and forward looking 20-30 years.
At this time, Mr. Westmoreland called for a 15 minute intermission, during which time the cash bar re-opened and the guests mingled with the candidates. The video link below contains parts 1 & 2.
https://vimeo.com/178176924
Issue #504, August 13, 2016
M.C. Preston Westmoreland posed the first question, "Is the Town of Carefree on the right track, and if not, where did they go wrong?"
Councilman Gene Orrico replied that being on the Council and watching what has happened over the past year, he feels they are on the right track. While there have been some bumps in the road, and not everybody will agree with everything that has happened, most of the people he has talked with say that downtown Carefree seems to be coming alive. Council and staff members are always promoting Carefree.
New homes are being built by Keystone, Ed Lewis, and Toll Brothers. Carefree is expanding, and standing still would be going backwards. This doesn't mean a change in the lifestyle, but a revitalization. Carefree needs to bring in an anchor and viable businesses that everyone will like and use. There is a long way to go but we are on the right track.
Councilman Mike Farrar replied that the current Council has made some tough decisions but the town really has been revitalized. There is a lot of great energy. Carefree has an exceptional Town staff whose members go way beyond expectations. Everyone's heart is in the right place.
We don't always agree. We fight the good fight to vet these decisions we make. Carefree is known for feeling that the treasury is sacred, and we are debt free with the exception of the new Council chambers. We are known for being the only debt free community in the state, a legacy of previous Councils who have exercised the fiscal restraint and management that has carried over to the present Council. There is a lot more work to do but Mr. Farrar is excited and he feels that these candidates would form a Council that can drive these great efforts, respect everyone, and hear all voices. Come to meetings; talk to Council members. He would love to hear more from the community. He is hopeful and optimistic.
Jim Van Allen attended a Cave Creek candidate forum and noted how different Cave Creek is from Carefree, although he loves Cave Creek too. Carefree has been building its economic base for the last 3-4 years, after the rug was pulled out from under us in 2009. This was not because Carefree was doing anything wrong; the problem was global. Several thousand homes will be built south of us on Pima Road in the next several years. Can we get them here to shop, providing what they want at prices they will pay? Can we get our existing businesses to stay open 6-7 days a week, year 'round? Carefree has plenty of money to spend wisely. The candidates are not a slate, and are independent thinkers, as it should be.
Mayor Les Peterson thinks Carefree is on the right track. The Council members are conservative people who want to move in the right direction but we need to get there in a fiscally prudent manner, spending as we have the money. Since 1999, Carefree has invested $19 million in infrastructure. The Town has bought a million dollar water tank, gotten a fire station and a fire truck, enhanced the Gardens, etc., while still building the reserves to over $6.5 million, in relation to a typical annual budget of $5 million. The reserves in relation to the annual budget puts Carefree at the top of the 91 cities and towns in Arizona, with the exception of Indian reservations with casinos. During the fiscal year that ended on July 31st, the Town spent $1.2 million on infrastructure projects, particularly in the downtown area, and put $131,000 into the reserves. We are making progress while pacing the journey.
Candidate Cheryl Kroyer loves this town, and thinks it is on the right track. We've done some wonderful things like the Splash Park, the Pumpkin Festival, art fairs, concerts, and the Desert Gardens. What's missing is for the Town to support these but she thinks there's a way to do that. Carefree needs to let people in the Valley and tourists know that we're here.
She initially thought the gateways were frivolous and didn't understand them, but now she's sort of tickled by them. They designate that a town is back there that you wouldn't normally see while driving past. The changes are positive. Now, the Town needs to find a way to capitalize on those changes and let people know Carefree is being revitalized and that there is lots to do here. Capitalize on what has been done, and make it better.
Vice Mayor John Crane replied that the Town is certainly on the right track. Carefree has a great reserve and has made a lot of investments. We have a great foundation. But it's not important what he thinks; what's important is what those people think who invest in the town. Ed Lewis is spending upwards of $20 million to build luxury condos in the town center. Basha's is revamping the inside of their grocery store, a big long term commitment. They could have gone down the street to the space formerly occupied by Albertson's. He knows of others who are interested in purchasing commercial property here. People we want to invest in the town think we're on the right track. Once people are willing to invest, it's an indicator and will draw others who want to ride that wave of success.
On a different subject, Carefree owns a water company. The water company is also on the right track. We live in the desert that has had a big draught for the past 16 or 17 years. The Town wants to make sure there is a continued supply of quality water. If you come to the water company Board of Directors meetings you will see that we are always discussing sources for water, cost, quality, and the infrastructure that delivers water to our tanks. So Vice Mayor Crane very much thinks we're on the right track.
Candidate Mike Krahe said what you just heard paints a picture of what's here, what's been done, how good we are, how strong we are, how we're recovering, how we're moving forward. We're on the verge, in his opinion, of something wonderful. He really believes that. Everything is lining up; we are in a perfect position to go into the future.
Dr. Krahe agrees with Vice Mayor Crane about local government being the only one that works. His question is, "What do you want? What's the dialogue we're going to have as we talk about our future?" He wants to invite that dialogue. We're going the right way, and Dr. Krahe is excited about where we're going to be, and how that journey will look. This Council can accomplish that only with your help and support. And the only way that will happen is if we talk, and understand each other, and agree on where we're going together.
Mayor Peterson asked to add his comments to Vice Mayor Crane's comments about the water company. Carefree residents and businesses use roughly 900 acre feet of water annually. 50% of that water comes from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and 50% comes from the 1700' deep aquifer below us that holds hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. It used to supply the 6 golf courses in Desert Mountain, which took out a billion gallons a year. About 14 years ago, the Department of Water Resources made them stop. Since then, and with a recharge, the water level has been rising. Carefree uses 450 acre feet from CAP, and has an allocation of 1425 acre feet, so there are 2 sources with abundant water supplies. This is the work of prior Councils and the current Council, who have been conservative and forward looking 20-30 years.
At this time, Mr. Westmoreland called for a 15 minute intermission, during which time the cash bar re-opened and the guests mingled with the candidates. The video link below contains parts 1 & 2.
https://vimeo.com/178176924
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.
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.