Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included. If your photos are for sale, let us know and we will put them under that category. We have a special section for that purpose. If anyone would like to buy a print of any of Herbert's photos, all profits will be donated to one of the local non-profit organizations. Here are the links to this week's Pictures of the Week. Enjoy!)
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-61917.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-61917.html
Photo by Mac Wetmore
"Late Bloomer"
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
And here's this weekend's bonus round from Herbert.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/617--1817-am-pictures.html
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
And here's this weekend's bonus round from Herbert.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/617--1817-am-pictures.html
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
City Sun Times link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
The issue Councilman Jim Van Allen made of the May paid bills is a recurring theme. I was on the Board of a hospital for 12 years and have been on the Boards of various state medical organizations. The correct protocol if one has a question is to make inquires before a meeting and get the facts, something this Councilman routinely fails to do.
The Christmas tree had been discussed multiple times during the budget meetings. It has also been pointed out multiple times that money can be moved from one budget department to another as long as the bottom line is not exceeded. There was money left in the 2016/17 fiscal year budget to make the down payment on the Christmas tree, which required this much lead time in order to be delivered for the kick off of the Christmas Festival.
This is not the first time he has tried to get a gotcha on staff members or on other Council members, in obvious attempts to put them on the spot. Jim Van Allen's "challenge" of the "unauthorized" check cut for the Christmas tree was petty and abusive. Shame on you Councilman Van Allen, for not acting professionally.
"A jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a carpenter to build one."
Former House Speaker Sam Rayburn
Herbert Hitchon
It appears that the multi-talented Van Allen is once again uncovering the seamy side of Carefree politics. Our intrepid politician discovered, while auditing checks written by the Town, a check written for $9,000 for the purchase of a Christmas tree to be used as part of the Christmas Festival, December 2017.
Rather than investigating the “story” he chose to announce his discovery by insinuating during the council meeting that something nefarious was afoot… When advised of the full story regarding the tree and its purchase, our little muckraker refused to stand down.
His handlers, including Don Sorchych, owner of the Sonoran News, must be so proud of their protege.
Laurie Palace
Methinks that the Grinch who tries to steal Christmas is alive and well, but lacks the fortitude to vote against a measure that he raised. I guess it may have something to do with the fact that it will cost the Town $30 per day and not $600 per day as the Grinch was alleging. Score one for the Town and zero for the Grinch.
Perhaps you should forward the video on why governments and non-profits are facing difficulties because they do not know how important it is to spend money to make money. It is not an expenditure, it is an investment in the future, a cost of doing business. With that line of thinking, perhaps the Town could eliminate the contract with the Sheriff’s Office. With so little crime in Town, we don’t need law enforcement! Maybe, the Fire Service could be next, I can’t recall the last time we had a structure fire; do we need Rural Metro?
Years ago, I was told the story about a man who built a hot dog cart and wheeled it to a heavily-trafficked corner of town. He stood by his cart and shouted out, “Hot dogs, buy the best hot dogs in town”. When sales increased, he ordered more supplies, built a bigger cart and put up a big sign promoting his hot dogs. Over time, sales kept increasing. He moved into a storefront building, bought more equipment and supplies, added bright signage, kept somebody on the street telling passersby that he had the best hot dogs in town. The more he promoted the better things were. One day, in early summer, the man’s son came home from college and said to his father, “Dad, don’t you know that there’s a recession? The economy is really bad and the future isn’t looking good.” The old man, turned off his sign, cut back on his supplies and stopped touting the ‘best hot dogs in town’. At the end of the day he went home and told his son, “Boy, I am glad that I sent you to college, you were right, there is a recession!”. Moral, if you don’t tell ‘em, you can’t sell ‘em.
Arthur Gimson
(Lyn's note: See the link to which Arthur referred below from Meribeth Reeves.)
(Below are responses to Herbert's letter last week about Mr. Van Allen and Mr. Traynor's objections to Town staff merit raises.)
Lyn,
In response to Herbie’s notes regarding staff. This seems to be rampant in government as in nonprofits. Here is a really interesting preview of an upcoming documentary on this very subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTMnylz6jmU
--Meribeth Reeves
GOOD FOR YOU AND US;-);-) NEEDED TO BE SAID------
JOE INTENZO/GINA'S DADDY
Good letter. I agree completely.
Sara Vannucci
Lyn:
Dr. Herbie gets it, others don’t. From my first encounter, in 2006, with the Carefree Town Hall staff, through one 2-year term on Town Council, and up to this day I have been continually amazed at what is accomplished in this little Town, yes, that’s a little Town with a BIG T. Not only am I impressed with the Town’s staff and all they do, I am also mindful of the time and effort donated to the Town by many of its residents. Mayors Ed Morgan, Wayne Fulcher, David Schwan gave countless hours of their time and Les Peterson continues the tradition. Look at who is on various committees and you will see the Greg Gardiners, the June Reillys, the Marilyn Maloneys, the Jo Gemmils, and the Gary Haywards, of this Town, along with many others, all making enormous contributions to make this Town what it is.
There will always be those that criticize. It would be great if they would come up with suggested alternatives on how to get the job done any better for less. There will always be those that watch things happen, those that wondered what happened and then there are those that make things happen. I am fairly certain that no one can find a Town that gets as much done with as small a staff.
Missing from the above accolades are Lyn and Dr. Herbie without whom the Town would be a sorrier place.
Arthur Gimson
(Lyn's note: Adrianne asked us to please password protect the video, since the Judge and the Prosecutor need to remain faceless for their safety.)
Good Morning Lyn & Herb,
What a nice surprise to turn on my computer this morning!
Thank you so much for the beautiful photos and video you took all evening during the party. I will cherish them forever and yes, this whole retirement thing is pretty bittersweet to say the least!
I’m so grateful you came, and the time and talent in creating these memories is so very extra special. The photos will be added to the awesome memory book in a few weeks when I should have a little more time on my hands. J We all greatly appreciate all of your efforts for security restrictions.
Again, many thanks for all you’ve done to make my retirement party so memorable!
Hugs to you both and bet I’ll be seeing you at the Carefree Conference Resort very soon!
Take care and keep cool this summer.
Adrianne Larson
Wish I could have been there. Adrianne was and is the best. My favorite!
All the best to Adrianne and Dave.
KGDS!!
Ed Morgan
Thanks, Lyn, for the info about Adrianne Larson. I had the pleasure of working with her when I was on Council and know, first hand, her incredible performance, both on staff and with the court, her professionalism, and the important contribution she has made to our community. She is one of those rare individuals who never sought attention or recognition but, behind the scenes, contributed so much to both towns and was a critical factor in our being able to combine our courts and bring our Consolidated Court to where it is today which is one of the finest municipal courts anywhere. She is truly special and will be deeply missed. Had I known about the retirement party, I would certainly have come. We are also so very fortunate to have Town Prosecutor Tom Parascandola and Judge Stephanie Olehan, both superb in their positions, and hope we will continue to have the benefit of their critical service to our community for many years to come.
Lloyd Meyer
Nicely done and well deserved.
Joe DeVito
That must be the sand sculpture you were telling me about!! It's ridiculously amazing!! The detail and sturdiness are quite impressive. I am/was an artist, mainly oil canvas Impressionism. So I can only imagine the time and a true engineer to know his negative & positive spacial dimensions in order to sculpt such a likeness!!
Bravo to the artist!!!
Bobbi Adams-Stumpf
Nice. Thanks for letting people know!
Eileen Crowley
(Lyn's note: Chuck Hall is playing acoustical guitar at the Farmers' Market, which is continuing through the summer under the shade sails in the amphitheater.)
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN-THE-NEWS
City Sun Times link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
The issue Councilman Jim Van Allen made of the May paid bills is a recurring theme. I was on the Board of a hospital for 12 years and have been on the Boards of various state medical organizations. The correct protocol if one has a question is to make inquires before a meeting and get the facts, something this Councilman routinely fails to do.
The Christmas tree had been discussed multiple times during the budget meetings. It has also been pointed out multiple times that money can be moved from one budget department to another as long as the bottom line is not exceeded. There was money left in the 2016/17 fiscal year budget to make the down payment on the Christmas tree, which required this much lead time in order to be delivered for the kick off of the Christmas Festival.
This is not the first time he has tried to get a gotcha on staff members or on other Council members, in obvious attempts to put them on the spot. Jim Van Allen's "challenge" of the "unauthorized" check cut for the Christmas tree was petty and abusive. Shame on you Councilman Van Allen, for not acting professionally.
"A jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a carpenter to build one."
Former House Speaker Sam Rayburn
Herbert Hitchon
It appears that the multi-talented Van Allen is once again uncovering the seamy side of Carefree politics. Our intrepid politician discovered, while auditing checks written by the Town, a check written for $9,000 for the purchase of a Christmas tree to be used as part of the Christmas Festival, December 2017.
Rather than investigating the “story” he chose to announce his discovery by insinuating during the council meeting that something nefarious was afoot… When advised of the full story regarding the tree and its purchase, our little muckraker refused to stand down.
His handlers, including Don Sorchych, owner of the Sonoran News, must be so proud of their protege.
Laurie Palace
Methinks that the Grinch who tries to steal Christmas is alive and well, but lacks the fortitude to vote against a measure that he raised. I guess it may have something to do with the fact that it will cost the Town $30 per day and not $600 per day as the Grinch was alleging. Score one for the Town and zero for the Grinch.
Perhaps you should forward the video on why governments and non-profits are facing difficulties because they do not know how important it is to spend money to make money. It is not an expenditure, it is an investment in the future, a cost of doing business. With that line of thinking, perhaps the Town could eliminate the contract with the Sheriff’s Office. With so little crime in Town, we don’t need law enforcement! Maybe, the Fire Service could be next, I can’t recall the last time we had a structure fire; do we need Rural Metro?
Years ago, I was told the story about a man who built a hot dog cart and wheeled it to a heavily-trafficked corner of town. He stood by his cart and shouted out, “Hot dogs, buy the best hot dogs in town”. When sales increased, he ordered more supplies, built a bigger cart and put up a big sign promoting his hot dogs. Over time, sales kept increasing. He moved into a storefront building, bought more equipment and supplies, added bright signage, kept somebody on the street telling passersby that he had the best hot dogs in town. The more he promoted the better things were. One day, in early summer, the man’s son came home from college and said to his father, “Dad, don’t you know that there’s a recession? The economy is really bad and the future isn’t looking good.” The old man, turned off his sign, cut back on his supplies and stopped touting the ‘best hot dogs in town’. At the end of the day he went home and told his son, “Boy, I am glad that I sent you to college, you were right, there is a recession!”. Moral, if you don’t tell ‘em, you can’t sell ‘em.
Arthur Gimson
(Lyn's note: See the link to which Arthur referred below from Meribeth Reeves.)
(Below are responses to Herbert's letter last week about Mr. Van Allen and Mr. Traynor's objections to Town staff merit raises.)
Lyn,
In response to Herbie’s notes regarding staff. This seems to be rampant in government as in nonprofits. Here is a really interesting preview of an upcoming documentary on this very subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTMnylz6jmU
--Meribeth Reeves
GOOD FOR YOU AND US;-);-) NEEDED TO BE SAID------
JOE INTENZO/GINA'S DADDY
Good letter. I agree completely.
Sara Vannucci
Lyn:
Dr. Herbie gets it, others don’t. From my first encounter, in 2006, with the Carefree Town Hall staff, through one 2-year term on Town Council, and up to this day I have been continually amazed at what is accomplished in this little Town, yes, that’s a little Town with a BIG T. Not only am I impressed with the Town’s staff and all they do, I am also mindful of the time and effort donated to the Town by many of its residents. Mayors Ed Morgan, Wayne Fulcher, David Schwan gave countless hours of their time and Les Peterson continues the tradition. Look at who is on various committees and you will see the Greg Gardiners, the June Reillys, the Marilyn Maloneys, the Jo Gemmils, and the Gary Haywards, of this Town, along with many others, all making enormous contributions to make this Town what it is.
There will always be those that criticize. It would be great if they would come up with suggested alternatives on how to get the job done any better for less. There will always be those that watch things happen, those that wondered what happened and then there are those that make things happen. I am fairly certain that no one can find a Town that gets as much done with as small a staff.
Missing from the above accolades are Lyn and Dr. Herbie without whom the Town would be a sorrier place.
Arthur Gimson
(Lyn's note: Adrianne asked us to please password protect the video, since the Judge and the Prosecutor need to remain faceless for their safety.)
Good Morning Lyn & Herb,
What a nice surprise to turn on my computer this morning!
Thank you so much for the beautiful photos and video you took all evening during the party. I will cherish them forever and yes, this whole retirement thing is pretty bittersweet to say the least!
I’m so grateful you came, and the time and talent in creating these memories is so very extra special. The photos will be added to the awesome memory book in a few weeks when I should have a little more time on my hands. J We all greatly appreciate all of your efforts for security restrictions.
Again, many thanks for all you’ve done to make my retirement party so memorable!
Hugs to you both and bet I’ll be seeing you at the Carefree Conference Resort very soon!
Take care and keep cool this summer.
Adrianne Larson
Wish I could have been there. Adrianne was and is the best. My favorite!
All the best to Adrianne and Dave.
KGDS!!
Ed Morgan
Thanks, Lyn, for the info about Adrianne Larson. I had the pleasure of working with her when I was on Council and know, first hand, her incredible performance, both on staff and with the court, her professionalism, and the important contribution she has made to our community. She is one of those rare individuals who never sought attention or recognition but, behind the scenes, contributed so much to both towns and was a critical factor in our being able to combine our courts and bring our Consolidated Court to where it is today which is one of the finest municipal courts anywhere. She is truly special and will be deeply missed. Had I known about the retirement party, I would certainly have come. We are also so very fortunate to have Town Prosecutor Tom Parascandola and Judge Stephanie Olehan, both superb in their positions, and hope we will continue to have the benefit of their critical service to our community for many years to come.
Lloyd Meyer
Nicely done and well deserved.
Joe DeVito
That must be the sand sculpture you were telling me about!! It's ridiculously amazing!! The detail and sturdiness are quite impressive. I am/was an artist, mainly oil canvas Impressionism. So I can only imagine the time and a true engineer to know his negative & positive spacial dimensions in order to sculpt such a likeness!!
Bravo to the artist!!!
Bobbi Adams-Stumpf
Nice. Thanks for letting people know!
Eileen Crowley
(Lyn's note: Chuck Hall is playing acoustical guitar at the Farmers' Market, which is continuing through the summer under the shade sails in the amphitheater.)