Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included. Here is the link to this week's Pictures of the Week.
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/picture-of-the-week-31918.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/picture-of-the-week-31918.html
Photo by Linda Stewart
Here is your bonus round from Herbert.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/31518-late-blue-time.html
Here is your bonus round from Herbert.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/31518-late-blue-time.html
"Late Blue Time"
13 fused photos, up to 2 minutes
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
CITYSunTimes link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
Like many of the people reading this letter, I regularly drive the stretch of road that seems of such great concern to Mr. Fielder. I have rarely seen any examples of excessive speeding. And when driving the speed limits, most drivers seem well able to negotiate the roads without substantial risks. The one exception may be the access to and exit from Lowes, where there appear to be occasional "incidents." Interestingly enough, there are no median plantings at this point.
Kathy Riemer
(Lyn's note: The 1 mile stretch of Cave Creek Rd. north of Carefree Hwy.)
Hi Lyn,
I enjoyed your coverage of Captain Johnson of the MCSO with the Town Counsel who covers Carefree amongst other areas. I wonder if during the morning and afternoon commute hours, he or his deputy have ever driven Carefree Highway (Arizona State Highway 74) between Cave Creek and Tom Darlington; eastbound. The traffic is very fast, congested, dangerous and oblivious eastbound drivers regularly and illegally pass drivers tuning left; as they enter our community Provence. We are told by the Town of Carefree that the City of Scottsdale has jurisdiction and operational control of the road and is responsible for traffic enforcement. It would sure help if the MCSO could aid in that effort. Although we are told there are Scottsdale enforcement efforts, we believe it has made very little difference. With respect to eastbound drivers passing on the right shoulder when Provence drivers turn into the community, the problem was exacerbated when the City of Scottsdale’s paving contractor spread excess paving onto the shoulders and sides of the road during the last rounds of repaving. The paving across from our entrance has become an invitation for drivers to use the right shoulder as a passing lane; which is very dangerous as some drivers don’t slow down to pass. We have asked the City of Scottsdale to remove the paving and to place a “No Passing on the Right” sign. So far no action has been taken and they informed us that it is “illegal to pass on the right”; a bit hysterical don’t you think? In fact, last time Scottsdale did a traffic survey, it was conducted after the snow birds had left. This study was the basis for maintaining the current speed limits of 45 and 40 MPH. Anybody that drives the road with regularity knows that it’s hard to drive 50 MPH without being tailgated. Of course, we disagreed with the timing and conclusions of the traffic study. Accordingly, we are working with the Town of Carefree and the City of Scottsdale to build turning lanes at the intersections of Provence (Mountainside Drive) and 60th street and have been told they are scheduled for construction this summer. This will provide a place for drivers to make their turns without having to stop in the main traffic lane eastbound, which backs up traffic and frustrated drivers. Furthermore, during our discussions, we asked the Town and Scottsdale why Provence appears to be the only community that was built without an eastbound left turning lane. We never received a satisfactory answer to this question, but believe it was for some reason left out of the planning as a requirement to build the development.
The bottom line is we believe Carefree Highway is obsolete and should have been widened years ago to accommodate all of the new building and the Highway 17 commute traffic exiting at Carefree Highway 74. We understand that the widening for Carefree Highway is planned for 2024 or sooner, but there is the usual government lack of funding issues for the project and other higher priorities. Since Carefree Highway is the main artery from southbound Highway 17 to Scottsdale and to reach 60th street for PV college, the YMCA, Cave Creek Schools and the theater, we believe its high time that government find the money and widen the road. You will probably hear the usual excuses, recriminations and we are doing all we cans, but we believe it’s not enough; the road is dangerous as currently configured and lives are at risk.
Best regards,
Michael Johnson
President Provence HOA
P.S. Also, Gary, the Mayor and Vice Major have been very supportive and great to work with on this project.
Mike
Hi, Lyn.
As Michael knows we have had a series of ongoing communications with him, his association and the City of Scottsdale. The results of these discussions have been fruitful in that we will be seeing the improvement of some turn lanes near the Provence subdivision this summer. Scottsdale has already authorized funding and is in the design phase for these turn lanes. Next they will bid out then award bids and begin construction. These turn lanes are anticipated to be finished sometime this summer.
We have also discussed enforcement with Scottsdale. They rotate patrols and I have seen them along Carefree Highway patrolling. They cannot be there all the time but are aware of the concerns raised. The Scottsdale PD has jurisdiction over traffic patrol and investigation of their rights-of-way. Therefore, we must work with them.
As far as the future widening of Carefree Highway, the main funding mechanism is through the Maricopa Association of Governments regional Transportation Improvement Plan. This is funded through sales tax. As a legacy of the recession there are many projects throughout the metropolitan area that were delayed due to lack of funding. As a result, this impact the timeline of most projects including this anticipation expansion of Carefree Highway. Certainly, Scottsdale has other projects which have been delayed and as a result they have to reevaluate timelines and overall needs within their community which further impacts the timeline.
Best regards,
13 fused photos, up to 2 minutes
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
CITYSunTimes link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
Like many of the people reading this letter, I regularly drive the stretch of road that seems of such great concern to Mr. Fielder. I have rarely seen any examples of excessive speeding. And when driving the speed limits, most drivers seem well able to negotiate the roads without substantial risks. The one exception may be the access to and exit from Lowes, where there appear to be occasional "incidents." Interestingly enough, there are no median plantings at this point.
Kathy Riemer
(Lyn's note: The 1 mile stretch of Cave Creek Rd. north of Carefree Hwy.)
Hi Lyn,
I enjoyed your coverage of Captain Johnson of the MCSO with the Town Counsel who covers Carefree amongst other areas. I wonder if during the morning and afternoon commute hours, he or his deputy have ever driven Carefree Highway (Arizona State Highway 74) between Cave Creek and Tom Darlington; eastbound. The traffic is very fast, congested, dangerous and oblivious eastbound drivers regularly and illegally pass drivers tuning left; as they enter our community Provence. We are told by the Town of Carefree that the City of Scottsdale has jurisdiction and operational control of the road and is responsible for traffic enforcement. It would sure help if the MCSO could aid in that effort. Although we are told there are Scottsdale enforcement efforts, we believe it has made very little difference. With respect to eastbound drivers passing on the right shoulder when Provence drivers turn into the community, the problem was exacerbated when the City of Scottsdale’s paving contractor spread excess paving onto the shoulders and sides of the road during the last rounds of repaving. The paving across from our entrance has become an invitation for drivers to use the right shoulder as a passing lane; which is very dangerous as some drivers don’t slow down to pass. We have asked the City of Scottsdale to remove the paving and to place a “No Passing on the Right” sign. So far no action has been taken and they informed us that it is “illegal to pass on the right”; a bit hysterical don’t you think? In fact, last time Scottsdale did a traffic survey, it was conducted after the snow birds had left. This study was the basis for maintaining the current speed limits of 45 and 40 MPH. Anybody that drives the road with regularity knows that it’s hard to drive 50 MPH without being tailgated. Of course, we disagreed with the timing and conclusions of the traffic study. Accordingly, we are working with the Town of Carefree and the City of Scottsdale to build turning lanes at the intersections of Provence (Mountainside Drive) and 60th street and have been told they are scheduled for construction this summer. This will provide a place for drivers to make their turns without having to stop in the main traffic lane eastbound, which backs up traffic and frustrated drivers. Furthermore, during our discussions, we asked the Town and Scottsdale why Provence appears to be the only community that was built without an eastbound left turning lane. We never received a satisfactory answer to this question, but believe it was for some reason left out of the planning as a requirement to build the development.
The bottom line is we believe Carefree Highway is obsolete and should have been widened years ago to accommodate all of the new building and the Highway 17 commute traffic exiting at Carefree Highway 74. We understand that the widening for Carefree Highway is planned for 2024 or sooner, but there is the usual government lack of funding issues for the project and other higher priorities. Since Carefree Highway is the main artery from southbound Highway 17 to Scottsdale and to reach 60th street for PV college, the YMCA, Cave Creek Schools and the theater, we believe its high time that government find the money and widen the road. You will probably hear the usual excuses, recriminations and we are doing all we cans, but we believe it’s not enough; the road is dangerous as currently configured and lives are at risk.
Best regards,
Michael Johnson
President Provence HOA
P.S. Also, Gary, the Mayor and Vice Major have been very supportive and great to work with on this project.
Mike
Hi, Lyn.
As Michael knows we have had a series of ongoing communications with him, his association and the City of Scottsdale. The results of these discussions have been fruitful in that we will be seeing the improvement of some turn lanes near the Provence subdivision this summer. Scottsdale has already authorized funding and is in the design phase for these turn lanes. Next they will bid out then award bids and begin construction. These turn lanes are anticipated to be finished sometime this summer.
We have also discussed enforcement with Scottsdale. They rotate patrols and I have seen them along Carefree Highway patrolling. They cannot be there all the time but are aware of the concerns raised. The Scottsdale PD has jurisdiction over traffic patrol and investigation of their rights-of-way. Therefore, we must work with them.
As far as the future widening of Carefree Highway, the main funding mechanism is through the Maricopa Association of Governments regional Transportation Improvement Plan. This is funded through sales tax. As a legacy of the recession there are many projects throughout the metropolitan area that were delayed due to lack of funding. As a result, this impact the timeline of most projects including this anticipation expansion of Carefree Highway. Certainly, Scottsdale has other projects which have been delayed and as a result they have to reevaluate timelines and overall needs within their community which further impacts the timeline.
Best regards,
Greetings Lyn.
Here is another advertisement to post for our free concert series at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church if you could. By the way, we think your postings have really helped our attendance. Thank you so very much.
Gail Thiele
Publicity
Arts At The Rocks
(Lyn's note: See our Non profit Events & Info for the ad about their next concert in April.)
Here is another advertisement to post for our free concert series at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church if you could. By the way, we think your postings have really helped our attendance. Thank you so very much.
Gail Thiele
Publicity
Arts At The Rocks
(Lyn's note: See our Non profit Events & Info for the ad about their next concert in April.)
(Lyn's note: Professional photographer Jerry Sieve chose the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place photos. Vice Mayor John Crane again represented the Town, opening the ceremony. As I was listening to the video of the Awards Ceremony, I heard myself correctly say that Doreen Florence's photo won 1st place, then heard myself say incorrectly that Hazel Vaughn's photo won 1st place. Hazel had won 1st place the previous 3 years, so my brain seems to have been working on auto-pilot. Hazel's photo won 2nd place this year, and she won a gift certificate to Cafe Bink, which I also did not announce. Hazel was unable to attend this year, so she had gotten her certificate in advance. Another photo of Hazel's won the Peoples' Choice Award. Doreen won a gift certificate to Alberto Ristorante. Betsy Anderson, who won 3rd place, got a gift certificate to Venues Cafe. We wish to thank the restaurant owners who donated the certificates.)
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/2018-carefree-desert-gardens-photo-contest-display-photos.html
(Lyn's note: The link above shows the 12 photos that were chosen to go on display for the Peoples' Choice Award, with the photographers credited under their photos. As always, we got many, many gorgeous photos entered. We look forward to seeing the photos entered next January!)
Looks like another fantastic event. Sorry to have to miss it this year. The garden is magical in the spring.
Laurie Palace
(Lyn's note: The Thunderbird Artists show)
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/2018-carefree-desert-gardens-photo-contest-display-photos.html
(Lyn's note: The link above shows the 12 photos that were chosen to go on display for the Peoples' Choice Award, with the photographers credited under their photos. As always, we got many, many gorgeous photos entered. We look forward to seeing the photos entered next January!)
Looks like another fantastic event. Sorry to have to miss it this year. The garden is magical in the spring.
Laurie Palace
(Lyn's note: The Thunderbird Artists show)