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/pictures-of-the-week-42318.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-42318.html
"The backwash line must die!"
Photo by Laurie Palace
Here are your bonus rounds from Herbert.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/41816-late-afternoon.html
Photo by Laurie Palace
Here are your bonus rounds from Herbert.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/41816-late-afternoon.html
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
CITYSunTimes link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
CITYSunTimes link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
Les Peterson Announces He Will Run for Re-Election as Carefree Mayor
Carefree Mayor and community leader Les Peterson has declared his candidacy to continue as the town’s Mayor during the next electoral term. Les assumed the duties of Carefree Mayor in the early spring of 2015. The upcoming primary election is on August 28, 2018, for the term which runs through December 1st, 2020.
The early development stage of Carefree is drawing to a close. Carefree is now in the midst of a period of transition to a new financial reality as a result of projections of new home building slowing as the Town approaches “built-out,” and state legislative funding revisions. Town finances are currently stable and positive (+17% increase in sales taxes through the first eight months of FY 2017-18 versus the year ago period). But, without changes to Carefree’s business model, the Town can reasonably project expenditures exceeding revenues in the foreseeable future. We need to continue taking steps now to assure the positive future desired by residents.
Great progress has been made in recent years to develop and establish an appropriate new financial business model while maintaining the quality of life that Carefree residents treasure. The Town Council and Staff, and a broad cross-section of volunteers, have been working in concert with Mayor Peterson to achieve the Town’s goals.
Major accomplishments have included working with property owners to initiate the renovation of major properties - notably including Bashas’, the Carefree Conference Center and Resort (CIVANA) and Spanish Village, selectively encouraging the development of smaller, high-quality residences close to Downtown for Foothills residents, finalizing the removal of the wastewater treatment plant in Carefree, developing and fielding world-class marketing programs to attract people and businesses to Carefree, continuing the integrity of Carefree as a beautiful rural town and achieving the identified priorities within the Town’s tightly managed budget constraints.
The tasks required in the upcoming years to continue this transition of Carefree are daunting but achievable with a continued focused and consistent effort. These include economic development successes to replace the dwindling sales tax revenues being projected from fewer new homes being built, addressing the water related problems of the many Carefree residents on the west side of Black Mountain who do not enjoy the same level of water service as do those residents who currently are serviced by the Carefree Water Company, taking the appropriate steps to slow down the speed of vehicular traffic passing through our beautiful town and investing in the Town’s streets and major traffic arteries to handle the increased traffic being experienced.
Mayor Peterson is a Valley native since 1958, and graduated from ASU with B.A. and M.A. degrees. He and his wife, Mary, have been married since 1965. They have two children. Les received his initial training in marketing and business management at Procter & Gamble. This was followed by more than 30 years working with leading marketing services firms which specialized in strategic planning and business/marketing program development for more than 180 client companies. Les has resided in Carefree for the last 22 years.
In addition to serving as Mayor, Les is a Director Emeritus of New Pathways for Youth, an organization which provides mentoring and life-changing training to over 600 youths from dysfunctional families. He serves as a member of the Paradise Valley Community College Advisory Board and is a guest lecturer at ASU in international marketing. For fourteen years, Les was one of two outside “judges” of MBA business plans in the Cornell University MBA entrepreneurship program. Prior to being elected to the Carefree Town Council in 2012, Les served on the Carefree Planning and Zoning Commission and was the President of the Boulders Homeowners Association.
Carefree Mayor and community leader Les Peterson has declared his candidacy to continue as the town’s Mayor during the next electoral term. Les assumed the duties of Carefree Mayor in the early spring of 2015. The upcoming primary election is on August 28, 2018, for the term which runs through December 1st, 2020.
The early development stage of Carefree is drawing to a close. Carefree is now in the midst of a period of transition to a new financial reality as a result of projections of new home building slowing as the Town approaches “built-out,” and state legislative funding revisions. Town finances are currently stable and positive (+17% increase in sales taxes through the first eight months of FY 2017-18 versus the year ago period). But, without changes to Carefree’s business model, the Town can reasonably project expenditures exceeding revenues in the foreseeable future. We need to continue taking steps now to assure the positive future desired by residents.
Great progress has been made in recent years to develop and establish an appropriate new financial business model while maintaining the quality of life that Carefree residents treasure. The Town Council and Staff, and a broad cross-section of volunteers, have been working in concert with Mayor Peterson to achieve the Town’s goals.
Major accomplishments have included working with property owners to initiate the renovation of major properties - notably including Bashas’, the Carefree Conference Center and Resort (CIVANA) and Spanish Village, selectively encouraging the development of smaller, high-quality residences close to Downtown for Foothills residents, finalizing the removal of the wastewater treatment plant in Carefree, developing and fielding world-class marketing programs to attract people and businesses to Carefree, continuing the integrity of Carefree as a beautiful rural town and achieving the identified priorities within the Town’s tightly managed budget constraints.
The tasks required in the upcoming years to continue this transition of Carefree are daunting but achievable with a continued focused and consistent effort. These include economic development successes to replace the dwindling sales tax revenues being projected from fewer new homes being built, addressing the water related problems of the many Carefree residents on the west side of Black Mountain who do not enjoy the same level of water service as do those residents who currently are serviced by the Carefree Water Company, taking the appropriate steps to slow down the speed of vehicular traffic passing through our beautiful town and investing in the Town’s streets and major traffic arteries to handle the increased traffic being experienced.
Mayor Peterson is a Valley native since 1958, and graduated from ASU with B.A. and M.A. degrees. He and his wife, Mary, have been married since 1965. They have two children. Les received his initial training in marketing and business management at Procter & Gamble. This was followed by more than 30 years working with leading marketing services firms which specialized in strategic planning and business/marketing program development for more than 180 client companies. Les has resided in Carefree for the last 22 years.
In addition to serving as Mayor, Les is a Director Emeritus of New Pathways for Youth, an organization which provides mentoring and life-changing training to over 600 youths from dysfunctional families. He serves as a member of the Paradise Valley Community College Advisory Board and is a guest lecturer at ASU in international marketing. For fourteen years, Les was one of two outside “judges” of MBA business plans in the Cornell University MBA entrepreneurship program. Prior to being elected to the Carefree Town Council in 2012, Les served on the Carefree Planning and Zoning Commission and was the President of the Boulders Homeowners Association.
Thanks for the video of the Italian Fest. You must have come Sunday morning. I was there all day Saturday & needed to be elsewhere Sun morning but returned for the day's end. Not positive of the count but we got about 800+- visitors.
Joseph J DeVito: My marble game I set up at the Italian American Fest. Kids had fun.
Joseph J DeVito: My marble game I set up at the Italian American Fest. Kids had fun.
Joe DeVito
Thank you to both of you, great job.!!!
Ciao
Corrado
(Lyn's note: We passed Herbert's video of the Italian Festival on to Corrado to use on his website.)
Grande festa italiana Geno e Mike.
Buona fortuna l'anno prossimo.
Joe (Fiat) Corpora
As you know, the Carefree Water Company kindly raised money for the Desert Foothills Library during the block party at their dunk tank. Noel Lutz stopped by the library on April 18th to present Executive Director, David Court, with the sum of $475. It was a wonderful gesture by the Water Company and General Manager Greg Crossman, to make the Library the recipient of funds raised at the event. Thank you!
David Court
Executive Director
Desert Foothills Library
P.O. Box 4070
38443 N Schoolhouse Road
Cave Creek, AZ, 85327
Tel: 480-488-2286
Fax: 480-595-8353
Thank you to both of you, great job.!!!
Ciao
Corrado
(Lyn's note: We passed Herbert's video of the Italian Festival on to Corrado to use on his website.)
Grande festa italiana Geno e Mike.
Buona fortuna l'anno prossimo.
Joe (Fiat) Corpora
As you know, the Carefree Water Company kindly raised money for the Desert Foothills Library during the block party at their dunk tank. Noel Lutz stopped by the library on April 18th to present Executive Director, David Court, with the sum of $475. It was a wonderful gesture by the Water Company and General Manager Greg Crossman, to make the Library the recipient of funds raised at the event. Thank you!
David Court
Executive Director
Desert Foothills Library
P.O. Box 4070
38443 N Schoolhouse Road
Cave Creek, AZ, 85327
Tel: 480-488-2286
Fax: 480-595-8353
Dear Lyn,
I would like to thank you, John Crane and all the other brave souls who endured the Dunk Tank Challenge at the 1st Annual Town of Carefree Community Block Party. Carefree Water Company's choice of the Desert Foothills Library as the recipient of the money raised by this event was very much appreciated and will be used to continue efforts for life-long learning and literacy in our very special Foothills Community.
Warm regards,
Linda Putney
Lyn, John, Al, and Gary,
You are Rock Stars!!! We raised almost $500 for the Library ($475 to be exact). I know the Library appreciates our support.
Rock on!!
Greg Crossman
(Lyn's note: Greg, the head of the Carefree Water Company, "volunteered" a number of us to go into the dunking tank. Vice Mayor John Crane, P&Z Chair Al Mascha, Town Administrator Gary Neiss, and I were the ones who agreed to participate. We all had fun and were happy to help raise money for the Library!)
You share very good information with all of us.
I would REALLY like to see that the town council will put monetary support for the Desert Foothills Library. We pay taxes and want our money to go toward providing important services to our community. The library is intrigal to our community. The services that they provide are wonderful. They could provide much much more, which would truly enrich our community.
Many patrons cannot afford to make a personal donation and believe that a major portion of their tax money be given to support the library. Yes, on paper the library has a large amount of money, but it is earmarked for specific projects... expansion, garage, etc. The library relies on donations. Even the carwash and small businesses give a substantial donation, based on their revenue.... but the town does not allot a fair amount to the library.
Many of us believe that some of the money used to pay sculptors, etc. should be reallocated to the library. I cannot stress how important this is.... Seeing that the town does not allocate a fair share of money to the library sends a message that the town council does not see the value of the library to our citizens. I hope that you will pass this on to the town council.
Respectfully,
Kris Strike
(Lyn's note: Before the economic crash, Carefree (and we were the ONLY town to do so) gave out 3% of the annual budget in grants to local non-profit organizations, with the Library getting the largest share each year. I was on the committee, with Greg Gardner, that made recommendations to the Council about which non-profits to fund and how much to allocate to each. We gave away upwards of $90,000 a year. While it was a painful decision, after the crash in 2008, Carefree needed to devote all funds to matters within the town.
The sculptors that you reference play a large role in Carefree's marketing program, which make people aware that we are here, and they are considered vital to Carefree's economic development. Carefree assesses no municipal property tax, so is dependent on local sales tax and on State shared revenue. State shared revenue has been in decline for several years now, and that trend shows no signs of reversing. Over 1/2 of the money comes from local sales tax revenue, so it is vital for the Town to bring people up here from around the Valley, which our Town sponsored Festivals accomplish. There are not enough people in Carefree to support the businesses and to generate sufficient sales tax to fund the services people need and want, such as fire and police protection, and road maintenance.
I did pass Kris' email on to Town Hall.)
I would like to thank you, John Crane and all the other brave souls who endured the Dunk Tank Challenge at the 1st Annual Town of Carefree Community Block Party. Carefree Water Company's choice of the Desert Foothills Library as the recipient of the money raised by this event was very much appreciated and will be used to continue efforts for life-long learning and literacy in our very special Foothills Community.
Warm regards,
Linda Putney
Lyn, John, Al, and Gary,
You are Rock Stars!!! We raised almost $500 for the Library ($475 to be exact). I know the Library appreciates our support.
Rock on!!
Greg Crossman
(Lyn's note: Greg, the head of the Carefree Water Company, "volunteered" a number of us to go into the dunking tank. Vice Mayor John Crane, P&Z Chair Al Mascha, Town Administrator Gary Neiss, and I were the ones who agreed to participate. We all had fun and were happy to help raise money for the Library!)
You share very good information with all of us.
I would REALLY like to see that the town council will put monetary support for the Desert Foothills Library. We pay taxes and want our money to go toward providing important services to our community. The library is intrigal to our community. The services that they provide are wonderful. They could provide much much more, which would truly enrich our community.
Many patrons cannot afford to make a personal donation and believe that a major portion of their tax money be given to support the library. Yes, on paper the library has a large amount of money, but it is earmarked for specific projects... expansion, garage, etc. The library relies on donations. Even the carwash and small businesses give a substantial donation, based on their revenue.... but the town does not allot a fair amount to the library.
Many of us believe that some of the money used to pay sculptors, etc. should be reallocated to the library. I cannot stress how important this is.... Seeing that the town does not allocate a fair share of money to the library sends a message that the town council does not see the value of the library to our citizens. I hope that you will pass this on to the town council.
Respectfully,
Kris Strike
(Lyn's note: Before the economic crash, Carefree (and we were the ONLY town to do so) gave out 3% of the annual budget in grants to local non-profit organizations, with the Library getting the largest share each year. I was on the committee, with Greg Gardner, that made recommendations to the Council about which non-profits to fund and how much to allocate to each. We gave away upwards of $90,000 a year. While it was a painful decision, after the crash in 2008, Carefree needed to devote all funds to matters within the town.
The sculptors that you reference play a large role in Carefree's marketing program, which make people aware that we are here, and they are considered vital to Carefree's economic development. Carefree assesses no municipal property tax, so is dependent on local sales tax and on State shared revenue. State shared revenue has been in decline for several years now, and that trend shows no signs of reversing. Over 1/2 of the money comes from local sales tax revenue, so it is vital for the Town to bring people up here from around the Valley, which our Town sponsored Festivals accomplish. There are not enough people in Carefree to support the businesses and to generate sufficient sales tax to fund the services people need and want, such as fire and police protection, and road maintenance.
I did pass Kris' email on to Town Hall.)