Carefree Truth
Issue #579, July 14, 2017
During Current Events, Mayor Les Peterson commented that he'd been reading a series of email and blogs. He doesn't want to impede anyone's right to free speech but wanted to clarify that no one on the Council is angry at any other Council member, and they all want to hear what the others have to say. They are all trying to so what is best for the town, as are the members who are deeply involved in this. Votes on important issues are often not unanimous, and shouldn't be. That shows everyone has been into it. Spirited discussions are good and he would encourage those with a different point of view to make their views known, but it's not personal. The Council doesn't have all the answers and would like to hear from people. They are dealing in some areas that are new to Council members and he welcomes any sharing of data and insights. "But let's not get on each other personally would be my request, and it's no more than a request."
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said it makes her uncomfortable when people go after one another and she felt it's uncalled for. Not everyone on the Council agrees with each other but no one is angry with each other. They might never agree, but they respect each other's right to have a different opinion. Contentiousness is not good for the town. It makes us "look pretty ugly, and I don't think we are that way". This Council is trying to do the right thing for our town, and they respect each other's rights to have different opinions.
Councilman Mike Krahe agreed. When he moved here 10 years ago, things were crazy. He remembers reading the newspaper and wondering, "Good Lord, what's going on?" A lot of personal things were flying back and forth. This Council works hard and fights hard, but he respects all the others. He would encourage those in the public who have gripes to either come talk to Council members or, if the gripe is with someone else, go talk to them. "The town is on the verge of something very wonderful in a lot of respects." Everyone needs to pull together to make that happen, so he implored people to work together and to talk face to face.
Councilman Mike Farrar appreciated the Mayor bringing this up, and completely agreed with what had been said by the others who had spoken. The Council has very robust and rigorous debates and conversations with each other but none feel any anger or disrespect towards each other. They hear each other out and are passionate about the community. There are no hidden or personal agendas. They volunteer their time because they really care. The Council should not be an echo chamber. Every dollar spent and every policy decision made should be rigorously debated and earned, and "that's what we do". It's part of the fiduciary responsibility to the community. They want to share discussions with the community, and he hoped that can be done in a healthy and respectful manner. He extended this to the citizens who attend the meetings, are passionate and care, and hopes there can be civil discussion that rises above the gutter.
Councilman Gene Orrico said the Council is "not a group of Stepford people", and if they start getting all 7-0 votes, "it's time for all of these people to move on". Not all situations are yes or no for everybody. There have to be spirited debates. He truly believes that if they all pull together, make a plan, and follow that plan, the town will be "100% better off for it". Because they might not all agree doesn't mean they hate each other. They just "want to make this Carefree".
Vice Mayor John Crane was absent and Councilman Jim Van Allen made no comments. Mayor Peterson finished by saying that if he is angry at someone and writes a letter, it is usually much more negative than if he talks to that person. He encouraged people to talk. The Internet leads to barbed comments.
https://vimeo.com/225201040
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.
Issue #579, July 14, 2017
During Current Events, Mayor Les Peterson commented that he'd been reading a series of email and blogs. He doesn't want to impede anyone's right to free speech but wanted to clarify that no one on the Council is angry at any other Council member, and they all want to hear what the others have to say. They are all trying to so what is best for the town, as are the members who are deeply involved in this. Votes on important issues are often not unanimous, and shouldn't be. That shows everyone has been into it. Spirited discussions are good and he would encourage those with a different point of view to make their views known, but it's not personal. The Council doesn't have all the answers and would like to hear from people. They are dealing in some areas that are new to Council members and he welcomes any sharing of data and insights. "But let's not get on each other personally would be my request, and it's no more than a request."
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said it makes her uncomfortable when people go after one another and she felt it's uncalled for. Not everyone on the Council agrees with each other but no one is angry with each other. They might never agree, but they respect each other's right to have a different opinion. Contentiousness is not good for the town. It makes us "look pretty ugly, and I don't think we are that way". This Council is trying to do the right thing for our town, and they respect each other's rights to have different opinions.
Councilman Mike Krahe agreed. When he moved here 10 years ago, things were crazy. He remembers reading the newspaper and wondering, "Good Lord, what's going on?" A lot of personal things were flying back and forth. This Council works hard and fights hard, but he respects all the others. He would encourage those in the public who have gripes to either come talk to Council members or, if the gripe is with someone else, go talk to them. "The town is on the verge of something very wonderful in a lot of respects." Everyone needs to pull together to make that happen, so he implored people to work together and to talk face to face.
Councilman Mike Farrar appreciated the Mayor bringing this up, and completely agreed with what had been said by the others who had spoken. The Council has very robust and rigorous debates and conversations with each other but none feel any anger or disrespect towards each other. They hear each other out and are passionate about the community. There are no hidden or personal agendas. They volunteer their time because they really care. The Council should not be an echo chamber. Every dollar spent and every policy decision made should be rigorously debated and earned, and "that's what we do". It's part of the fiduciary responsibility to the community. They want to share discussions with the community, and he hoped that can be done in a healthy and respectful manner. He extended this to the citizens who attend the meetings, are passionate and care, and hopes there can be civil discussion that rises above the gutter.
Councilman Gene Orrico said the Council is "not a group of Stepford people", and if they start getting all 7-0 votes, "it's time for all of these people to move on". Not all situations are yes or no for everybody. There have to be spirited debates. He truly believes that if they all pull together, make a plan, and follow that plan, the town will be "100% better off for it". Because they might not all agree doesn't mean they hate each other. They just "want to make this Carefree".
Vice Mayor John Crane was absent and Councilman Jim Van Allen made no comments. Mayor Peterson finished by saying that if he is angry at someone and writes a letter, it is usually much more negative than if he talks to that person. He encouraged people to talk. The Internet leads to barbed comments.
https://vimeo.com/225201040
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.