Carefree Truth
Issue #578, July 10, 2017
FYI: Mr. Traynor's statements are in italics and quotation marks throughout this issue, and are directly copied and pasted from CFM.
Issue #578, July 10, 2017
FYI: Mr. Traynor's statements are in italics and quotation marks throughout this issue, and are directly copied and pasted from CFM.
John Traynor
After months of silence from John Traynor's CFM email/blog, he began posting again last week. CFM's stated mission is to report on Carefree's public meetings. When he began this email/blog, he promised there would be no editorializing, although that has not been the case.
Mr. Traynor's latest and quite long edition dedicated very little space to any Carefree Council meetings or budget workshops he had attended since his last posting in February. This edition contained his excuses for missed meetings (business, illness and a Hawaiian vacation), as well as his "concerns" about the 2017/18 fiscal year budget and the Town government. "Illness and hospitalization are apparently not a good enough reason for missing a meeting in the Hitchon World, not that I'm required to provide one." He is certainly not required to provide his reasons for missing meetings, and was not asked to do so by anyone.
Much of it was dedicated to attacks on Carefree Truth, some of our readers, and Herbert and me personally. Mr. Traynor began his diatribe, "Sadly, and just when it appeared that the Hitchon communiqués were being tamed by reason and a much needed effort to recount actual truth, Herbert felt compelled to write his wife a letter. His wife published the letter for her readers. That poke, intended as it was, did spark some of those readers to join the fray (not unlike the modern 'news' media spreading fake news like a wildfire)."
Mr. Traynor's statement about "spreading fake news like a wildfire" is nothing short of obscene. Carefree Truth began back in 2009 specifically to combat, using public record facts, the outrageous and cruel lies that were being spread about then Mayor David Schwan in a bogus recall attempt that began a mere 26 days after he had been seated. John Traynor was the candidate who ran against Mayor Schwan in that recall election.
The recall effort was constantly promoted by the owner/editor/publisher of the Sonoran News, Don Sorchych. 3 Carefree Council members had just been elected who had been endorsed by the Sonoran News and over whom he had influence. But he had missed getting the majority essential for the Carefree municipal advertising dollars, which had been taken elsewhere by former Mayor Ed Morgan, to be returned to his financially challenged "newspaper". John Traynor was the candidate Don Sorchych hand picked to run against Mayor Schwan in that recall election. It should also be noted that the Sonoran News supported and promoted Mr. Traynor in several previous failed attempts to run for the Carefree Council.
Much like today's media, who were so certain that Hillary Clinton would be the next President, the recallers and the Sonoran News were celebrating their victory, with their party publicized on the front page of the Sonoran News, as the votes were being counted. Although well over $20,000 was spent on it, and despite the ugly propaganda being thickly spread by the local "newspaper", the recall team, and the Chandler based political consultant hired by the recallers, their candidate and their recall failed.
But returning to the present... "Not noted in her little recap is the fact that my comments were neither hostile nor accusatory of anyone." In Issue #570, I simply reported what Mr. Traynor said. Videos of the meetings are always included if anyone cares to see the demeanor of any audience or Council speaker.
He continued, "Herbert wrote to his wife that he was appalled by "certain aspects of the final budget meeting" and went on to misconstrue my address to council members, adding a cheap shot at Councilman Van Allen; this was reminiscent of the vicious attacks against Councilman Farrar some time ago. Oh well, many adolescents and millennials text each other on dates. I suppose letters are how some old-schoolers do it."
Herbert did not write that letter to me, but to Carefree Truth, specifically for publication. The aspect that appalled Herbert was opposition to raises for members of the Carefree Town staff. Mr. Traynor also cited a short lived, and by no means "vicious", disagreement we had with Councilman Farrar years ago. Since that brief interlude, we have had a pleasant relationship with the Councilman. Anyone may feel free to confirm that with him.
Mr. Traynor wrote, "While neither Herbert nor I have been awarded Harvard MBAs, I like most rational people realize that successful businesses don't remain successful by repeatedly making questionable financial decisions. Businesses succeed because they achieve results; they meet their business goals. Failing to do so has consequences and failure generally results in 'change management' - CEOs get fired/replaced, managers get fired."
During the recall attempt, recall candidate Traynor's history, including his employment history, was explored via the Internet by the primary PAC defending Mayor Schwan. To see that employment history, littered with failed companies, click on this link. http://carefreetruth2.com/john-traynor-history.html It provides rather interesting reading, in light of Mr. Traynor's statements. Hiring John Traynor seems to have been the Kiss of Death. He has quite a track record. Herbert is a physician who has owned his successful medical practice since 1995. He has worked in the same practice since finishing his radiation oncology residency training in December of 1988.
"Overtime payments were another concern during budget discussions. In the fiscal year just ending Carefree paid a substantial amount of overtime. 'Exempt' employees are not legally entitled to overtime, yet it appears that rule may have been overlooked." A U.S. Supreme Court ruling was made several years ago on this subject. The Federal ruling requires salaried employees who work numerous extra hours to be "compensated for their time".
"BTW, not once did I criticize any member of the staff. Not once did I say I was opposed to 'merit' increases,..." During the failed recall attempt, members of the recall team repeatedly came into Carefree Town Hall and announced that, after the recall election, all the members of the Town staff were going to be fired. This occurred during the height of the recession, when jobs were scarce. Staff members did not know if they would have jobs after May, 2010, should the recall succeed. These recurring threats and this sword hanging over their heads created a very uncertain and stressful work environment. Mr. Traynor's history is not conducive to believing that he now treats staff members with courtesy and/or respect.
"...nor did Councilman Van Allen. He too is now a target because he has the temerity to ask difficult questions in the face of continuing poor financial results. He asks lots more questions in private but those are easily shielded from the public. Asking questions at a formal meeting, on the record, is a different matter. Responses that are deliberately untrue, or used to mislead the public should/must have consequences." Councilman Van Allen has a history of asking questions at public meetings meant to embarrass and harass, and of either not understanding even simple answers, or not wanting to hear and refusing to accept correct answers.
In 2012, the first time he was on the Council, Mr. Van Allen challenged the expenditure towards the end of the fiscal year for the down payment of additional lighting in the Carefree Desert Gardens. Mayor Schwan clearly explained that money spent may not exceed the approved bottom line in the budget, but that money could be moved within the departments. This has also been stated at many public meetings when discussing budgets. Mr. Van Allen's "sources" cited in the video below, who Mr. Van Allen refused to name when asked, were his friends, the Sonoran News backed previous councilmen who had supported the recall effort. You can watch that portion of the 2012 video at https://vimeo.com/222098648.
Councilman Van Allen recently challenged the expenditure of the down payment for the new Carefree Christmas tree towards the end of the 2016/17 fiscal year, just as he challenged the lighting expenditure in 2012. The money for the down payments in both cases was available within those fiscal year budgets.
During a 2012 budget workshop, Gary Neiss and Mayor Schwan explained the budgeted funding for the Christmas Festival and why the numbers were budgeted as such. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvkX7koJaso.
Mr. Van Allen, who has a history of being opposed to the Town's funding of the Christmas Festival, was speaking about Jo Gemmill when he stated, "Unless we have leadership of this group, or certain parties of this group, that have the guts to say, 'M'am, you can't spend that kind of money' ", at which point he was interrupted by Councilman Marty Saltzman, who requested that he answer Councilman Farrar's question, which he was not doing. https://vimeo.com/224321781. In the next 13 second video, during the same discussion, Mr. Van Allen openly acknowledged his opposition to the Christmas Festival in general when directly questioned by Councilman Miller. https://vimeo.com/222114958.
"Two Hitchon readers decided to pile onto Councilman Van Allen. One gal apparently is under the misguided impression the 'Christmas Tree' will cost the town only $9,000; somebody please give her the full bill and explain it was only the down payment! Ask if she would like to fork over the balance for a tree used less than a month." This reader, someone I know quite well, is not only very politically astute and has long been involved with the State Republican Party, but is a professional fraud investigator with many years of experience. I assure you that she is aware that it was half the price of the tree, even though those words were not included in her letter.
"This brings me to Councilman Van Allen's next critic, a former 1 term council member that just won't go quietly away. Trying to demonstrate his arithmetic skills and acerbic wit, he mocks Councilman Van Allen's assertion that the tree will cost Carefree $600 per day. By contrast Arthur's estimate is only $30 per day. Really? Well Arthur that doesn't sound bad, so if we are all here 20 years from now, the amortization term you used to arrive at an absurd $30, I'll buy both you and Jim a warm beer or whatever you'll be drinking at that time and we'll all laugh about Carefree buying an $18,000 Christmas tree during a time of declining revenue and rising expenses. Perhaps you'll volunteer to help take down and carefully store the tree each of those 20 years and then carefully unpack it for display each subsequent year." Former Councilman Arthur Gimson was correct. The company that manufactures the fully decorated and LED lit 26' tall artificial tree projects a tree lifetime of 20 years. It will be carefully erected and taken down by the Public Works Department and stored responsibly.
"There have been some ugly things quietly happening in Carefree lately. From all indications there was a long, tense, and conflicted Executive Session following the regular monthly Council meeting on June 6th. No topics or details were disclosed but there were numerous indications that Marketing and/or significant changes to the Christmas Festival plans had caused a potentially explosive situation to develop which necessitated discussion behind closed doors." It is illegal to disclose anything discussed in Executive Sessions. I do not know what topics were discussed. It's odd that Mr. Traynor seems to know. Councilman Van Allen was the previous co-author of CFM. Violating the confidentiality of executive sessions is a very serious legal breach, and in reading CFM I found it to be the most disturbing part of Mr. Traynor's email.
"When any town government appears to turns on some of its best volunteers, business owners, or residents we all need to evaluate how well that government performs." Again, I refer you to this 23 second video, https://vimeo.com/224321781 in which Mr. Van Allen was clearly "turning" on one of the Town's "best volunteers/business owners/residents", Jo Gemmill.
"Over time Council members come and go, as do Mayors. One has to look beyond the obvious and try to determine what the single common denominator has been these past 7 or 8 years of mostly economic and business decline in Carefree." Perhaps it was the worldwide financial crash, causing the economic Great Recession that occurred at that time, and which is still affecting the American and local economy.
"I know well that my comments will generate swift and pointed reaction from some quarters. Those with a vested interest in the status quo will complain the loudest. Bring it on because I will not be quiet, discreet, or patient any longer." Now, can Mr. Traynor please explain to all of us why Mr. Gimson should "go quietly away"? Perhaps he is suggesting that Mr. Gimson should go away just like all Mr. Traynor's previous websites, some of which he scrubbed of his particularly nasty comments even before the websites disappeared.
Carefree Truth began by reporting only public record facts, and continues to do so in all of our newsletters, supported by meeting videos. Unlike Mr. Traynor, everything we have ever published is still available for anyone to read on our websites www.carefreetruth.com and www.carefreetruth2.com, which was established after the first one filled up and could no longer hold anything more. This includes all our newsletters and all Letters from Readers.
"Life scripts don't change."
Former Carefree Mayor Ed Morgan
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.
After months of silence from John Traynor's CFM email/blog, he began posting again last week. CFM's stated mission is to report on Carefree's public meetings. When he began this email/blog, he promised there would be no editorializing, although that has not been the case.
Mr. Traynor's latest and quite long edition dedicated very little space to any Carefree Council meetings or budget workshops he had attended since his last posting in February. This edition contained his excuses for missed meetings (business, illness and a Hawaiian vacation), as well as his "concerns" about the 2017/18 fiscal year budget and the Town government. "Illness and hospitalization are apparently not a good enough reason for missing a meeting in the Hitchon World, not that I'm required to provide one." He is certainly not required to provide his reasons for missing meetings, and was not asked to do so by anyone.
Much of it was dedicated to attacks on Carefree Truth, some of our readers, and Herbert and me personally. Mr. Traynor began his diatribe, "Sadly, and just when it appeared that the Hitchon communiqués were being tamed by reason and a much needed effort to recount actual truth, Herbert felt compelled to write his wife a letter. His wife published the letter for her readers. That poke, intended as it was, did spark some of those readers to join the fray (not unlike the modern 'news' media spreading fake news like a wildfire)."
Mr. Traynor's statement about "spreading fake news like a wildfire" is nothing short of obscene. Carefree Truth began back in 2009 specifically to combat, using public record facts, the outrageous and cruel lies that were being spread about then Mayor David Schwan in a bogus recall attempt that began a mere 26 days after he had been seated. John Traynor was the candidate who ran against Mayor Schwan in that recall election.
The recall effort was constantly promoted by the owner/editor/publisher of the Sonoran News, Don Sorchych. 3 Carefree Council members had just been elected who had been endorsed by the Sonoran News and over whom he had influence. But he had missed getting the majority essential for the Carefree municipal advertising dollars, which had been taken elsewhere by former Mayor Ed Morgan, to be returned to his financially challenged "newspaper". John Traynor was the candidate Don Sorchych hand picked to run against Mayor Schwan in that recall election. It should also be noted that the Sonoran News supported and promoted Mr. Traynor in several previous failed attempts to run for the Carefree Council.
Much like today's media, who were so certain that Hillary Clinton would be the next President, the recallers and the Sonoran News were celebrating their victory, with their party publicized on the front page of the Sonoran News, as the votes were being counted. Although well over $20,000 was spent on it, and despite the ugly propaganda being thickly spread by the local "newspaper", the recall team, and the Chandler based political consultant hired by the recallers, their candidate and their recall failed.
But returning to the present... "Not noted in her little recap is the fact that my comments were neither hostile nor accusatory of anyone." In Issue #570, I simply reported what Mr. Traynor said. Videos of the meetings are always included if anyone cares to see the demeanor of any audience or Council speaker.
He continued, "Herbert wrote to his wife that he was appalled by "certain aspects of the final budget meeting" and went on to misconstrue my address to council members, adding a cheap shot at Councilman Van Allen; this was reminiscent of the vicious attacks against Councilman Farrar some time ago. Oh well, many adolescents and millennials text each other on dates. I suppose letters are how some old-schoolers do it."
Herbert did not write that letter to me, but to Carefree Truth, specifically for publication. The aspect that appalled Herbert was opposition to raises for members of the Carefree Town staff. Mr. Traynor also cited a short lived, and by no means "vicious", disagreement we had with Councilman Farrar years ago. Since that brief interlude, we have had a pleasant relationship with the Councilman. Anyone may feel free to confirm that with him.
Mr. Traynor wrote, "While neither Herbert nor I have been awarded Harvard MBAs, I like most rational people realize that successful businesses don't remain successful by repeatedly making questionable financial decisions. Businesses succeed because they achieve results; they meet their business goals. Failing to do so has consequences and failure generally results in 'change management' - CEOs get fired/replaced, managers get fired."
During the recall attempt, recall candidate Traynor's history, including his employment history, was explored via the Internet by the primary PAC defending Mayor Schwan. To see that employment history, littered with failed companies, click on this link. http://carefreetruth2.com/john-traynor-history.html It provides rather interesting reading, in light of Mr. Traynor's statements. Hiring John Traynor seems to have been the Kiss of Death. He has quite a track record. Herbert is a physician who has owned his successful medical practice since 1995. He has worked in the same practice since finishing his radiation oncology residency training in December of 1988.
"Overtime payments were another concern during budget discussions. In the fiscal year just ending Carefree paid a substantial amount of overtime. 'Exempt' employees are not legally entitled to overtime, yet it appears that rule may have been overlooked." A U.S. Supreme Court ruling was made several years ago on this subject. The Federal ruling requires salaried employees who work numerous extra hours to be "compensated for their time".
"BTW, not once did I criticize any member of the staff. Not once did I say I was opposed to 'merit' increases,..." During the failed recall attempt, members of the recall team repeatedly came into Carefree Town Hall and announced that, after the recall election, all the members of the Town staff were going to be fired. This occurred during the height of the recession, when jobs were scarce. Staff members did not know if they would have jobs after May, 2010, should the recall succeed. These recurring threats and this sword hanging over their heads created a very uncertain and stressful work environment. Mr. Traynor's history is not conducive to believing that he now treats staff members with courtesy and/or respect.
"...nor did Councilman Van Allen. He too is now a target because he has the temerity to ask difficult questions in the face of continuing poor financial results. He asks lots more questions in private but those are easily shielded from the public. Asking questions at a formal meeting, on the record, is a different matter. Responses that are deliberately untrue, or used to mislead the public should/must have consequences." Councilman Van Allen has a history of asking questions at public meetings meant to embarrass and harass, and of either not understanding even simple answers, or not wanting to hear and refusing to accept correct answers.
In 2012, the first time he was on the Council, Mr. Van Allen challenged the expenditure towards the end of the fiscal year for the down payment of additional lighting in the Carefree Desert Gardens. Mayor Schwan clearly explained that money spent may not exceed the approved bottom line in the budget, but that money could be moved within the departments. This has also been stated at many public meetings when discussing budgets. Mr. Van Allen's "sources" cited in the video below, who Mr. Van Allen refused to name when asked, were his friends, the Sonoran News backed previous councilmen who had supported the recall effort. You can watch that portion of the 2012 video at https://vimeo.com/222098648.
Councilman Van Allen recently challenged the expenditure of the down payment for the new Carefree Christmas tree towards the end of the 2016/17 fiscal year, just as he challenged the lighting expenditure in 2012. The money for the down payments in both cases was available within those fiscal year budgets.
During a 2012 budget workshop, Gary Neiss and Mayor Schwan explained the budgeted funding for the Christmas Festival and why the numbers were budgeted as such. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvkX7koJaso.
Mr. Van Allen, who has a history of being opposed to the Town's funding of the Christmas Festival, was speaking about Jo Gemmill when he stated, "Unless we have leadership of this group, or certain parties of this group, that have the guts to say, 'M'am, you can't spend that kind of money' ", at which point he was interrupted by Councilman Marty Saltzman, who requested that he answer Councilman Farrar's question, which he was not doing. https://vimeo.com/224321781. In the next 13 second video, during the same discussion, Mr. Van Allen openly acknowledged his opposition to the Christmas Festival in general when directly questioned by Councilman Miller. https://vimeo.com/222114958.
"Two Hitchon readers decided to pile onto Councilman Van Allen. One gal apparently is under the misguided impression the 'Christmas Tree' will cost the town only $9,000; somebody please give her the full bill and explain it was only the down payment! Ask if she would like to fork over the balance for a tree used less than a month." This reader, someone I know quite well, is not only very politically astute and has long been involved with the State Republican Party, but is a professional fraud investigator with many years of experience. I assure you that she is aware that it was half the price of the tree, even though those words were not included in her letter.
"This brings me to Councilman Van Allen's next critic, a former 1 term council member that just won't go quietly away. Trying to demonstrate his arithmetic skills and acerbic wit, he mocks Councilman Van Allen's assertion that the tree will cost Carefree $600 per day. By contrast Arthur's estimate is only $30 per day. Really? Well Arthur that doesn't sound bad, so if we are all here 20 years from now, the amortization term you used to arrive at an absurd $30, I'll buy both you and Jim a warm beer or whatever you'll be drinking at that time and we'll all laugh about Carefree buying an $18,000 Christmas tree during a time of declining revenue and rising expenses. Perhaps you'll volunteer to help take down and carefully store the tree each of those 20 years and then carefully unpack it for display each subsequent year." Former Councilman Arthur Gimson was correct. The company that manufactures the fully decorated and LED lit 26' tall artificial tree projects a tree lifetime of 20 years. It will be carefully erected and taken down by the Public Works Department and stored responsibly.
"There have been some ugly things quietly happening in Carefree lately. From all indications there was a long, tense, and conflicted Executive Session following the regular monthly Council meeting on June 6th. No topics or details were disclosed but there were numerous indications that Marketing and/or significant changes to the Christmas Festival plans had caused a potentially explosive situation to develop which necessitated discussion behind closed doors." It is illegal to disclose anything discussed in Executive Sessions. I do not know what topics were discussed. It's odd that Mr. Traynor seems to know. Councilman Van Allen was the previous co-author of CFM. Violating the confidentiality of executive sessions is a very serious legal breach, and in reading CFM I found it to be the most disturbing part of Mr. Traynor's email.
"When any town government appears to turns on some of its best volunteers, business owners, or residents we all need to evaluate how well that government performs." Again, I refer you to this 23 second video, https://vimeo.com/224321781 in which Mr. Van Allen was clearly "turning" on one of the Town's "best volunteers/business owners/residents", Jo Gemmill.
"Over time Council members come and go, as do Mayors. One has to look beyond the obvious and try to determine what the single common denominator has been these past 7 or 8 years of mostly economic and business decline in Carefree." Perhaps it was the worldwide financial crash, causing the economic Great Recession that occurred at that time, and which is still affecting the American and local economy.
"I know well that my comments will generate swift and pointed reaction from some quarters. Those with a vested interest in the status quo will complain the loudest. Bring it on because I will not be quiet, discreet, or patient any longer." Now, can Mr. Traynor please explain to all of us why Mr. Gimson should "go quietly away"? Perhaps he is suggesting that Mr. Gimson should go away just like all Mr. Traynor's previous websites, some of which he scrubbed of his particularly nasty comments even before the websites disappeared.
Carefree Truth began by reporting only public record facts, and continues to do so in all of our newsletters, supported by meeting videos. Unlike Mr. Traynor, everything we have ever published is still available for anyone to read on our websites www.carefreetruth.com and www.carefreetruth2.com, which was established after the first one filled up and could no longer hold anything more. This includes all our newsletters and all Letters from Readers.
"Life scripts don't change."
Former Carefree Mayor Ed Morgan
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.