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-52818.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-52818.html
Photo by Paul Maley
Here are your bonus rounds from Herbert. Spring is here and the little critters are out in droves!
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/52618-birds-and-saguaro-flowers.html
Here are your bonus rounds from Herbert. Spring is here and the little critters are out in droves!
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/52618-birds-and-saguaro-flowers.html
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
CITYSunTimes link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
(Lyn's note: Below is the section of the video from the 4/24 Carefree Budget Workshop with Mike Farrar's statement that Carefree's marketing is "incongruent" with Civana's, a sentiment Mr. Farrar attributed to Civana Chairman & CEO Kevin Kelly. The entire 42 minute video can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/266616413., so no one can say this was taken out of context. This quote is located starting at 8 minutes, 52 seconds. Click on the picture box for the snippet.)
Mike Farrar's "incongruent" Carefree/Civana marketing statement: 4/24/18
https://vimeo.com/272483147
I was very surprised to hear rumors that I have made an endorsement in the upcoming Carefree mayoral election. I have not and will not. It is my firm belief that a past mayor, after leaving office, should "ride off into the sunset" and let the good citizens of Carefree decide who will lead the Town. As you know, I have not lived in the Town for more than two years and while Carefree remains very special to me, it would be highly inappropriate as a non resident to be involved in town politics.
Wayne Fulcher
(Lyn's note: Certain people in Mike Farrar's camp have been telling people that Wayne Fulcher and another member of the "Old Guard" endorse Mike Farrar for Mayor. This is not true of either of them.)
Farrar Continues to Waste Carefree’s Time (Part 2)
As a long-time resident, it’s been interesting to watch this current Town election season unfold. While Mr. Farrar publishes unfounded endorsements and spends time posing for political posters, Mayor Peterson continues to work 40+ hours a week for the residents of Carefree. Yes folks, I've learned it’s a full-time job running the Town and with over 30 years of business experience under his belt, Mayor Peterson continues to work hard (for no compensation, I might add) to enhance the quality of life for all Carefree residents.
I feel compelled to remind the residents, once again, Mr. Farrar has continued to ride the coattails of many Council folks accomplishments for years, taking credit for projects he has no business talking about. Mr. Farrar has made it clear to many that he is “using” Carefree as a stepping stone to advance his futile attempts at a political career at the state level. Why, after so many years would Mr. Farrar want a 40+ hour a week, non-paid seat? He supposedly still works full-time as a real estate agent so how will one serve the residents effectively?
The reality is that Farrar has not been engaged for a very long time, IF ever. Crickets continue to chirp when asked what his solutions will be to fix what ever is so wrong with our town.
Water is a vital part of the community, however, I've learned that Farrar has never been involved with the water committee according to some current members. After 7 years in office, he has recently been caught struggling behind the scenes to “learn” basic fundamentals at the last minute. This is not the sign of a consistently “engaged” Council person. On the other hand, Mayor Peterson has 12 solid years of proven experience creating multiple solutions to local water issues in the Boulders and the Town of Carefree.
Instead of working on economic development, Farrar has chased trolleys that take people to Cave Creek (of where he tends to hang out and support other businesses regularly). I understand NOT one small business in the Town of Carefree supported or invested in this Trolley. No big value here by Farrar, just another shiny object to pad the resume and make up for lost time.
My neighbors and I are slowly peeling back the onion because we want to know the truth about Mr. Farrar and his so-called claims of involvement and a sudden yearning to serve the people (he’s had 7 years to do this). Carefree residents are smarter than this. The more facts that are uncovered and will be exposed, the more evident it is that Mike Farrar is not Carefree material and his time is up (termed out), so to speak.
Many residents appreciate Mayor Peterson’s approachability, strategic planning skills, collaboration with others, execution and results. He has proven, with the town staffs cooperation, projects CAN get accomplished by working together. He has spoken with our HOA and has been transparent and “real” about the issues. He has also been available whenever we have questions and he doesn’t claim to know all of the answers, but is working hard everyday for the residents.
That is why the proven Mayor Les Peterson will earn my vote and the votes of many other seasoned Carefree residents who are educated and understand what is really going on here.
Long time observant Carefree resident,
C. Roberts
Lyn, thanks for all you do to promote Carefree and our community.
Would you please share this idea with the marketing team. When I traveled to Telluride Colorado the first week in December they had an event called “Noel Night”....basically all the merchants on Main Street stayed open late and there was music and at some places wine and cheese (nibbles)...then at each merchant you would put your hand into a grab bag to pull out a stone with either a red, blue, or yellow dot....each color “won” you a discount....10, 20 or 30% off your purchases.
Just something that I thought might be fun to incorporate into Christmas Week for the town.
I really appreciate all the hard work Gina and the town council do to market Carefree and bring visitors to our area. Well done!
Have a good summer,
Warmest Regards, Jamie Drinkwater Stockton
Carefree Resident
I can’t tell you how beautiful that was. Thank you for sharing.
Kandace Contreras
(Lyn's note: The video with the still shots from Blaine Keith's funeral and John Crane's reading of "Taps")
Thank you Herbert & Lyn for documenting the town meetings. I watched the video & I do not see anything "embarrassing" done by our mayor. I appreciate all the hard work of Mayor Peterson. Sad that he & other members of the council have to deal with this pettiness.
Catherine
(Last name withheld by request. This is not Catherine from Venues. She is a Carefree resident.)
Lyn:
Upon receipt of issues of Carefree Truth, I do two things: First, I read what you have written. Second, I watch the video. My watching of the video isn’t done to check on what is written, but to see and hear the exchanges in communication. As we all know, many factors come in to play, tone of voice, enunciation, body language, etc. Seeing and hearing are mechanical, looking and listening involves more of the brain, and, for me, results in a better understanding than just the written word.
It is not my goal to pick on Mike Farrar, but he is his own worst enemy. Why he engages in grandstanding is beyond my understanding. Does he think that his actions of making a motion to table the budget process will endear him to voters now that he is running for Mayor? My belief is that the Carefree voters are too smart and well-informed. Mr. Farrar has been a Council Member for 7 years but needed to again hear Gary Neiss’ explanation of the process of bottom-line approval, advertising, and the Arizona statutes’ time-imposed deadlines. I would guess that he has heard it several times over the past years. It sounded unchanged from my two years on Council in 2011-2013. I can fully understand Council Member Hatcher, as the newest Member, seeking clarification of the process. But it isn’t anything new for Mike Farrar. He has sat through these meetings before. Why does he do it? As I said earlier, grandstanding.
It is also beyond my imagination why he would vote against approving the bottom-line budget numbers, especially since they become not-to-exceed amounts, along with the ability to move things around or not to spend what is in the budget. I was equally surprised that Council Member Orrico also voted against the motion to approve. When Council Member Orrico voted to support the previous motion to table, I thought that it was purely for the purpose of getting a vote that would obviously fail, after which he could vote to approve the budget numbers, which would still permit Council Members to continue deliberations on any marketing plans.
Arthur Gimson
(Lyn's note: We film the meetings because we believe it is important to have the ability to see the expressions and the body language, both of which often tell you far more than do the spoken words. And, yes, Arthur is correct. Gary Neiss' presentation of the budget process and timeline are unchanged every year. The timeline is State mandated. Mr. Farrar has indeed heard that every year since 2011.)
Mike Farrar's "incongruent" Carefree/Civana marketing statement: 4/24/18
https://vimeo.com/272483147
I was very surprised to hear rumors that I have made an endorsement in the upcoming Carefree mayoral election. I have not and will not. It is my firm belief that a past mayor, after leaving office, should "ride off into the sunset" and let the good citizens of Carefree decide who will lead the Town. As you know, I have not lived in the Town for more than two years and while Carefree remains very special to me, it would be highly inappropriate as a non resident to be involved in town politics.
Wayne Fulcher
(Lyn's note: Certain people in Mike Farrar's camp have been telling people that Wayne Fulcher and another member of the "Old Guard" endorse Mike Farrar for Mayor. This is not true of either of them.)
Farrar Continues to Waste Carefree’s Time (Part 2)
As a long-time resident, it’s been interesting to watch this current Town election season unfold. While Mr. Farrar publishes unfounded endorsements and spends time posing for political posters, Mayor Peterson continues to work 40+ hours a week for the residents of Carefree. Yes folks, I've learned it’s a full-time job running the Town and with over 30 years of business experience under his belt, Mayor Peterson continues to work hard (for no compensation, I might add) to enhance the quality of life for all Carefree residents.
I feel compelled to remind the residents, once again, Mr. Farrar has continued to ride the coattails of many Council folks accomplishments for years, taking credit for projects he has no business talking about. Mr. Farrar has made it clear to many that he is “using” Carefree as a stepping stone to advance his futile attempts at a political career at the state level. Why, after so many years would Mr. Farrar want a 40+ hour a week, non-paid seat? He supposedly still works full-time as a real estate agent so how will one serve the residents effectively?
The reality is that Farrar has not been engaged for a very long time, IF ever. Crickets continue to chirp when asked what his solutions will be to fix what ever is so wrong with our town.
Water is a vital part of the community, however, I've learned that Farrar has never been involved with the water committee according to some current members. After 7 years in office, he has recently been caught struggling behind the scenes to “learn” basic fundamentals at the last minute. This is not the sign of a consistently “engaged” Council person. On the other hand, Mayor Peterson has 12 solid years of proven experience creating multiple solutions to local water issues in the Boulders and the Town of Carefree.
Instead of working on economic development, Farrar has chased trolleys that take people to Cave Creek (of where he tends to hang out and support other businesses regularly). I understand NOT one small business in the Town of Carefree supported or invested in this Trolley. No big value here by Farrar, just another shiny object to pad the resume and make up for lost time.
My neighbors and I are slowly peeling back the onion because we want to know the truth about Mr. Farrar and his so-called claims of involvement and a sudden yearning to serve the people (he’s had 7 years to do this). Carefree residents are smarter than this. The more facts that are uncovered and will be exposed, the more evident it is that Mike Farrar is not Carefree material and his time is up (termed out), so to speak.
Many residents appreciate Mayor Peterson’s approachability, strategic planning skills, collaboration with others, execution and results. He has proven, with the town staffs cooperation, projects CAN get accomplished by working together. He has spoken with our HOA and has been transparent and “real” about the issues. He has also been available whenever we have questions and he doesn’t claim to know all of the answers, but is working hard everyday for the residents.
That is why the proven Mayor Les Peterson will earn my vote and the votes of many other seasoned Carefree residents who are educated and understand what is really going on here.
Long time observant Carefree resident,
C. Roberts
Lyn, thanks for all you do to promote Carefree and our community.
Would you please share this idea with the marketing team. When I traveled to Telluride Colorado the first week in December they had an event called “Noel Night”....basically all the merchants on Main Street stayed open late and there was music and at some places wine and cheese (nibbles)...then at each merchant you would put your hand into a grab bag to pull out a stone with either a red, blue, or yellow dot....each color “won” you a discount....10, 20 or 30% off your purchases.
Just something that I thought might be fun to incorporate into Christmas Week for the town.
I really appreciate all the hard work Gina and the town council do to market Carefree and bring visitors to our area. Well done!
Have a good summer,
Warmest Regards, Jamie Drinkwater Stockton
Carefree Resident
I can’t tell you how beautiful that was. Thank you for sharing.
Kandace Contreras
(Lyn's note: The video with the still shots from Blaine Keith's funeral and John Crane's reading of "Taps")
Thank you Herbert & Lyn for documenting the town meetings. I watched the video & I do not see anything "embarrassing" done by our mayor. I appreciate all the hard work of Mayor Peterson. Sad that he & other members of the council have to deal with this pettiness.
Catherine
(Last name withheld by request. This is not Catherine from Venues. She is a Carefree resident.)
Lyn:
Upon receipt of issues of Carefree Truth, I do two things: First, I read what you have written. Second, I watch the video. My watching of the video isn’t done to check on what is written, but to see and hear the exchanges in communication. As we all know, many factors come in to play, tone of voice, enunciation, body language, etc. Seeing and hearing are mechanical, looking and listening involves more of the brain, and, for me, results in a better understanding than just the written word.
It is not my goal to pick on Mike Farrar, but he is his own worst enemy. Why he engages in grandstanding is beyond my understanding. Does he think that his actions of making a motion to table the budget process will endear him to voters now that he is running for Mayor? My belief is that the Carefree voters are too smart and well-informed. Mr. Farrar has been a Council Member for 7 years but needed to again hear Gary Neiss’ explanation of the process of bottom-line approval, advertising, and the Arizona statutes’ time-imposed deadlines. I would guess that he has heard it several times over the past years. It sounded unchanged from my two years on Council in 2011-2013. I can fully understand Council Member Hatcher, as the newest Member, seeking clarification of the process. But it isn’t anything new for Mike Farrar. He has sat through these meetings before. Why does he do it? As I said earlier, grandstanding.
It is also beyond my imagination why he would vote against approving the bottom-line budget numbers, especially since they become not-to-exceed amounts, along with the ability to move things around or not to spend what is in the budget. I was equally surprised that Council Member Orrico also voted against the motion to approve. When Council Member Orrico voted to support the previous motion to table, I thought that it was purely for the purpose of getting a vote that would obviously fail, after which he could vote to approve the budget numbers, which would still permit Council Members to continue deliberations on any marketing plans.
Arthur Gimson
(Lyn's note: We film the meetings because we believe it is important to have the ability to see the expressions and the body language, both of which often tell you far more than do the spoken words. And, yes, Arthur is correct. Gary Neiss' presentation of the budget process and timeline are unchanged every year. The timeline is State mandated. Mr. Farrar has indeed heard that every year since 2011.)