"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 #913, April 16, 2021

The Council unanimously voted to close Ho Hum Street from Easy Street to 100 Easy Street from 5 PM - 11 PM on April 15th -17th and April 22nd - 24th to provide safety for the Desert Foothills Theater production of "13", a teen production.  Steve Prokopek noted that this is the first time in over a year that these teens had an opportunity to perform.
https://vimeo.com/535406395
 
 
During Current Events, Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer reported that the new Ambassador Program is will be starting soon.  Volunteers will be circulating throughout the Gardens and the Town Center, and will be sitting in the new Visitors Center for 2-3 hours a day in the old Green Room by the stage in the Pavilion.  They will be wearing identifying vests, and will answer questions and provide information about the town.  The volunteers will help people navigate the town, finding businesses and restaurants.  This should make the town more visitor friendly and encourage people to return.  Signs for the Visitors Center will be going up soon.  The target start date for the program is mid to late April.
https://vimeo.com/535156143
 
 
During Current Events, Mayor Les Peterson reported that a Safety Advisory Committee has been formed with 8 volunteer residents who have outstanding credentials.  They will look at fire, ambulance, and police coverage to determine the needs of Carefree's citizens, as well as the costs and ways to fund them.  The first public meeting was to take place on April 7th via Zoom.
https://vimeo.com/535156813
 
 
The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Tara E. Parascandola to the position of Presiding Magistrate of the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Municipal Court.  Mayor Peterson reported that a search was conducted to replace Judge Stephanie Olehan, who accepted another position.  Judge Parascandola has excellent credentials, and will fit in well with the culture and legal system exercised in the Court.
 
 
Gary Neiss added that the 4 year contract will remain the same, and he anticipated a smooth transition.  Judge Parascandola had served as both a Public Defender and a Prosecutor.  She had done Pro Tem work for both Mesa and the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court, so is very familiar with our Court.  He noted that Judge Olehan served well and will be missed.  He thanked her for her service.  
 
 
Judge Parascandola said she appreciated the opportunity and was honored to be selected.  She was eager to start and was committed to continuing the type of great service the community has come to expect from the Consolidated Court.  She will continue to model the best practices and to provide access to justice for all.
 
The Mayor and Council members welcomed Judge Parascandola.
https://vimeo.com/535277111
 
 
During Call to the Public, Kandace Contreras read an email asking why the water project was moving forward when the issues of water quality and fire hydrants had been resolved, and why was there no education and/or vote on the bond issue to fund the project.  Councilman Tony Geiger noted that these issues couldn't be discussed at the meeting because they were not on the agenda, but he had asked Kandace to forward his contact information and said he had had a detailed phone conversation with the gentleman.  More information would be made public soon.
https://vimeo.com/535152490
 
 
During Call to the Public, a resident on Stardust Lane said he and his wife chose their location 21 years ago based on the beautiful environment, milder weather, picturesque wide open views of the valley below, and being across from 33,000 acres of pristine desert preserve. Having lived in Phoenix in 1955 & 56, they were always aware that Carefree was the place to reside.  They hold the value of their location very highly.  Both spent their lifetimes working to achieve this.  
 
 
He said Carefree mentioned concerns residents have about pulling out onto E. Stagecoach Pass.  He checked with the Scottsdale Police Crime Prevention Department and found there were never any fatalities and only 10 mishaps, occurring mostly at the corner of Pima Road and Stagecoach Pass.  36 traffic citations had been issued.  This does not meet the standards for a dangerous road. 
 
 
1 resident on Stagecoach Pass lodged a complaint with the Scottsdale mayor.  Due to this 1 complaint an unsightly speed meter was installed at a cost of thousands of dollars, which the statistics clearly do not justify.  Another of these giant eyesores was recently erected closer to Pima Road, so now there are 2 within blocks of one another.  Many in his neighborhood agree that these are an eyesore and a degradation to their locale.
 
 
These were not erected under normal protocol.  No notification was sent to residents adjacent to these monoliths and they had no voice in the matter.  Scottsdale claims that letters were sent out but were returned.  Scottsdale should not have proceeded until they were able to get feedback, which he knows would have been negative. 
 
 
He said that everyone is concerned about speeding, but everyone knows that Maricopa County allows 10 mph over the speed limit before issuing tickets, so 25 mph zones become 35 mph zones and 35 mph zones become 45 mph zones.  Without counting the corner of Pima Road and Stagecoach Pass, the accident rate is so miniscule and does not justify speed meters and their cost. 
 
 
He and other long time residents and taxpayers in Carefree hope they can depend on the support of Carefree to help get these eyesores removed or at least placed where they do not impact property values and/or the quality of life of the residents in the area.  If they cannot depend on Carefree's mayor and council, then on who?
 
 
Mayor Peterson said he couldn't imagine that Scottsdale would have placed these without significant requests from residents in the area.  This was the only letter received which says 10 mph over the speed limit is acceptable.  Most input received is in objection to speeding on Stagecoach Pass.  But Carefree will take this issue under consideration.
https://vimeo.com/535153626
 
 
Lyn Hitchon
 
 
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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