"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #856, September 7, 2020
Issue #856, September 7, 2020
Mayor Les Peterson provided an update on the request by Liberty Water, the sewer company that services Carefree, to raise the rates by 32%. It is scheduled to come before the judge for a hearing, starting on September 16th, for 5-6 days. Mayor Peterson and Vice Mayor John Crane, with help from Gary Neiss, have filed testimony to join and support the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) and the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) staff in their recommendations for a 0% rate increase. (Lyn's note: See Carefree Truth issue #851, http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-851.html) They have been answering ACC questions and are ready to go. Some HOAs in N. Scottsdale and Carefree have also filed as interveners. The Town will do its best to protect the interests of Carefree residents and businesses.
https://vimeo.com/453882288
Mayor Peterson explained that Strategic Visioning Sessions to establish Long Term Priorities to best achieve the wants and needs of residents and businesses would begin in September. These are very important. Councilman Mike Krahe has volunteered to mediate the sessions, which will generate plans for a 2 year and a 4 year period. Gary Neiss said the Council members will be given "homework" in the form of questions prior to the meetings in order to expedite the discussions.
https://vimeo.com/453887332
Vice Mayor Crane reported that the 3 major stone slabs for the Veterans Memorial Monument were placed in the past week. The pavers, benches and plaques should be placed within the next 3 weeks. Anyone interested in supporting this effort should be directed to talk to him or any of the veterans on the Committee. They will let you know how to make a donation.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if there were any plans for fundraising, noting that she thought there should be some sort of push. The Vice Mayor said they had raised about 50% of the funds, and he was still confident that they would raise the rest. Councilman Gene Orrico asked about the final cost. Vice Mayor Crane said the estimated cost is $40,000 to $50,000. They need about $20,000 to $25,000 more. Ms. Kroyer said she put the link on her FaceBook page, and asked if it could go out again in COINS and Carefree Truth. She said that some really good pictures of its development have been posted online.
https://vimeo.com/453882288
Mayor Peterson explained that Strategic Visioning Sessions to establish Long Term Priorities to best achieve the wants and needs of residents and businesses would begin in September. These are very important. Councilman Mike Krahe has volunteered to mediate the sessions, which will generate plans for a 2 year and a 4 year period. Gary Neiss said the Council members will be given "homework" in the form of questions prior to the meetings in order to expedite the discussions.
https://vimeo.com/453887332
Vice Mayor Crane reported that the 3 major stone slabs for the Veterans Memorial Monument were placed in the past week. The pavers, benches and plaques should be placed within the next 3 weeks. Anyone interested in supporting this effort should be directed to talk to him or any of the veterans on the Committee. They will let you know how to make a donation.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if there were any plans for fundraising, noting that she thought there should be some sort of push. The Vice Mayor said they had raised about 50% of the funds, and he was still confident that they would raise the rest. Councilman Gene Orrico asked about the final cost. Vice Mayor Crane said the estimated cost is $40,000 to $50,000. They need about $20,000 to $25,000 more. Ms. Kroyer said she put the link on her FaceBook page, and asked if it could go out again in COINS and Carefree Truth. She said that some really good pictures of its development have been posted online.
Photo by Mike Ferrell
She noted that it's easy to go to the link and to donate. Vice Mayor Crane responded that people and businesses are in hard times, but there has been a lot of increased action since the stones were set. They are doing much better.
Mr. Orrico asked if they had gotten any money from the American Legion Post in Cave Creek. Vice Mayor Crane said not yet, but they have promised to make a nice donation. Mr. Orrico noted that the Post originally offered to make a $2,000 donation. The Post has about 450 members, and he asked about soliciting donations from those members. The Vice Mayor said they are working with the American Legion Riders, who have committed to a donation on the order just mentioned. Mayor Peterson said the Town will work with fundraisers.
Please visit https://attveterans.org/carefree/ to make your tax-deductible donation.
https://vimeo.com/453889820
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio reported that last spring there was a Home Tour of homes by Gerry Jones, who laid the plans for Carefree many years ago. The response was so overwhelming that the Town wanted to do more to honor him. Sue Bickerdyck, who owns an interior decorating store in the Bashas center, suggested having a boulder placed somewhere in town. Gerry and Leslie Jones were approached with the idea. They found and donated a boulder on their property, and Gary Neiss gave them a space near the sundial to place it. The beautiful rock was picked up and placed on Wednesday by the Tom Nichols Excavating Company, which donated the crane service. The Cave Creek Museum will be donating a bronze plaque designed by Gerry Jones. There will be a tribute to Mr. Jones in the spring, after the pandemic has passed. It is fitting for someone who has meant so much to this town. It wouldn't be here without him. He is a living icon and a great guy. He built Mr. D'Aliesio's house, the first house in Carefree. He is an amazing person with an amazing history.
She noted that it's easy to go to the link and to donate. Vice Mayor Crane responded that people and businesses are in hard times, but there has been a lot of increased action since the stones were set. They are doing much better.
Mr. Orrico asked if they had gotten any money from the American Legion Post in Cave Creek. Vice Mayor Crane said not yet, but they have promised to make a nice donation. Mr. Orrico noted that the Post originally offered to make a $2,000 donation. The Post has about 450 members, and he asked about soliciting donations from those members. The Vice Mayor said they are working with the American Legion Riders, who have committed to a donation on the order just mentioned. Mayor Peterson said the Town will work with fundraisers.
Please visit https://attveterans.org/carefree/ to make your tax-deductible donation.
https://vimeo.com/453889820
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio reported that last spring there was a Home Tour of homes by Gerry Jones, who laid the plans for Carefree many years ago. The response was so overwhelming that the Town wanted to do more to honor him. Sue Bickerdyck, who owns an interior decorating store in the Bashas center, suggested having a boulder placed somewhere in town. Gerry and Leslie Jones were approached with the idea. They found and donated a boulder on their property, and Gary Neiss gave them a space near the sundial to place it. The beautiful rock was picked up and placed on Wednesday by the Tom Nichols Excavating Company, which donated the crane service. The Cave Creek Museum will be donating a bronze plaque designed by Gerry Jones. There will be a tribute to Mr. Jones in the spring, after the pandemic has passed. It is fitting for someone who has meant so much to this town. It wouldn't be here without him. He is a living icon and a great guy. He built Mr. D'Aliesio's house, the first house in Carefree. He is an amazing person with an amazing history.
Gerry and Leslie Jones
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Mr. D'Aliesio said it is really fun to see everything going on in the Gardens now. Mayor Peterson said, "Well done!"
https://vimeo.com/453891175
(Lyn's note: Issue #853 of Carefree Truth was dedicated to the placing of the Memorial Monument stone slabs in the morning and the placing of the Jones Boulder in the afternoon, last Wednesday. You can click on the link to see the info and lots of great pics of both. Enjoy!)
http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-853.html
Mayor Peterson spoke of how the Town worked with the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD) Superintendent Debbi Burdick and others last year to develop a program to show appreciation to the teachers and staff of CCUSD who educate the children throughout this area, and to recognize them with a pin and a gift certificate on a quarterly basis. The Town can't provide money for these kinds of incentive programs for another entity, but 3 Council members donated money to buy the gift certificates. It was very well received. It was knocked out by Covid, but the Mayor would like to bring it back when the time is right.
Mr. D'Aliesio said Councilman Stephen Hatcher already knew this, since his wife is on the School Board, but told everyone else that the School Board voted unanimously for the kids to return to school this Tuesday, after Labor Day. He called this "exciting times!", since he has 3 teens in the house. Mr. Hatcher said his wife spent an entire week calling doctors and doing all kinds of research data. The State didn't provide much. She did a lot of work. It will be a safe environment, and he thought people would be pretty happy. Mr. D'Aliesio added that school football is back too, which thrilled him, since that's what he broadcasts on his radio show. Mayor Peterson said he had more good information on schools that he would share with the Council in the next few days.
https://vimeo.com/453892488
(Update: We saw on the news last night that Cactus Shadow students would not be going back to in-person school. The teachers all "called in sick" for the classes that were supposed to start on Tuesday.)
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
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.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Mr. D'Aliesio said it is really fun to see everything going on in the Gardens now. Mayor Peterson said, "Well done!"
https://vimeo.com/453891175
(Lyn's note: Issue #853 of Carefree Truth was dedicated to the placing of the Memorial Monument stone slabs in the morning and the placing of the Jones Boulder in the afternoon, last Wednesday. You can click on the link to see the info and lots of great pics of both. Enjoy!)
http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-853.html
Mayor Peterson spoke of how the Town worked with the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD) Superintendent Debbi Burdick and others last year to develop a program to show appreciation to the teachers and staff of CCUSD who educate the children throughout this area, and to recognize them with a pin and a gift certificate on a quarterly basis. The Town can't provide money for these kinds of incentive programs for another entity, but 3 Council members donated money to buy the gift certificates. It was very well received. It was knocked out by Covid, but the Mayor would like to bring it back when the time is right.
Mr. D'Aliesio said Councilman Stephen Hatcher already knew this, since his wife is on the School Board, but told everyone else that the School Board voted unanimously for the kids to return to school this Tuesday, after Labor Day. He called this "exciting times!", since he has 3 teens in the house. Mr. Hatcher said his wife spent an entire week calling doctors and doing all kinds of research data. The State didn't provide much. She did a lot of work. It will be a safe environment, and he thought people would be pretty happy. Mr. D'Aliesio added that school football is back too, which thrilled him, since that's what he broadcasts on his radio show. Mayor Peterson said he had more good information on schools that he would share with the Council in the next few days.
https://vimeo.com/453892488
(Update: We saw on the news last night that Cactus Shadow students would not be going back to in-person school. The teachers all "called in sick" for the classes that were supposed to start on Tuesday.)
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
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.