"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 #1035, July 4, 2022
Issue #1035, July 4, 2022
In the June 1st print edition of the Sonoran News, Californian Peter Sample announced his bid for mayor of Carefree. Below are some direct quotes, in italics as printed in the paper, from that front page article.
"My family moved to Carefree because of the beautiful preservation of the Sonoran Desert and the simplicity it offers, but my opponent's actions show favor in stripping the uniqueness away from our town. These actions are what urged me to take a stance to protect Carefree and run for mayor."
The fact is that Mr. Sample has never been involved in any event or organization that works to preserve the Sonoran Desert, nor has he shown the slightest iota of interest in becoming involved with them on any level before his desire to become the mayor of Carefree. Even now, he is not a part of any preservation organization.
His "opponent", Vice Mayor John Crane, on the other hand, has been on the Board of Directors of the Desert Foothills Land Trust, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Sonoran Desert, for the past 9 years, and has been the vice president of that Board for 3 years. Vice Mayor Crane has also been involved in organizing the Carefree Gardens Seminars that are held 4 times a year during the Season. These seminars generally attract close to 100 attendees, and feature top notch experts as speakers. The Vice Mayor always attends Carefree's Earth Day Celebrations, representing both the Town and the Land Trust.
"My childhood upbringing consisted of a military household where honesty, integrity, and accountability were instilled in me at a young age and I am confident I will use those skills to serve my community in the best way possible."
Mr. Sample does not say that he followed in the "military household" footsteps, so I believe one may safely assume that he has not served in any branch of the U.S. military himself. His "opponent", Vice Mayor Crane, served 7 years in the Navy. He spent 1 year in nuclear power school and 3 months in submarine school. After graduation from those classes, he spent 3 years as an officer on a Fast Attack submarine and 2-1/2 years as an officer on a Deep Submersible submarine.
Vice Mayor Crane has organized and run the Carefree Veterans Day Celebration since 2013, bringing fascinating speakers and veterans organizations to Carefree for the day, and working closely with the Veterans Heritage Project (VHP). VHP, a nationally renowned program, connects students from all walks of life with military veterans in their communities through an Oral History and Publishing program that develops appreciation for an America they will one day lead. Capturing veterans' stories permanently preserved in the Library of Congress, in Washington DC, helps veterans heal while preparing young scholars for college and career. The VHP, which began with teacher Barbara Hatch in the Cave Creek Unified School District, has since spread across the country.
Vice Mayor Crane has organized and run Carefree's Memorial Day Tribute since 2021. He was also involved in putting together the team consisting of members of the local community from each branch of the Armed Services to design and construct the Veterans Memorial Monument in the Carefree Desert Gardens.
"I will address the pubic safety issue regarding our fire department and ensure that we become a member of the regional automatic-aid system."
Mr. Sample has stated that the way he intends to do this is to delay maintenance on Carefree's streets, using the funds earmarked for that to pay the cost of joining automatic aid. Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) come from the state and are restricted to the maintenance and improvement of streets. Mr. Sample is apparently unaware of this restriction of funds. From what I have observed, Mr. Sample has as much knowledge about Carefree in general as he has about running a municipality. In my opinion, what he knows about either could fit on one side of a 3" x 5" card with room to spare.
Vice Mayor Crane, on the other hand, started out on the Subdivision Committee in 2008, then progressed to the Planning and Zoning Commission, before serving time on the Town Council, including the office of Vice Mayor. He has donated many years of volunteer service to the Town on many levels, and possesses all the knowledge that those years of experience have bestowed.
However, there is one statement in Mr. Sample's article with which I agree:
"My policies and views are drastically different from my opponent, who is currently the vice mayor."
The differences could not be more pronounced.
FYI: A cursory internet background check of addresses listed for "home, vacation, business, and rental/apartment" shows that since 1996, Peter Sample has had 21 addresses, 3 of which were in Burbank, California for 7 years each (2 in 2002 and 1 in 2008). The others, with the exception of Carefree, where he moved in 2016, lasted for 1 year each.
John Crane has lived in Carefree for 33 years.
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
"My family moved to Carefree because of the beautiful preservation of the Sonoran Desert and the simplicity it offers, but my opponent's actions show favor in stripping the uniqueness away from our town. These actions are what urged me to take a stance to protect Carefree and run for mayor."
The fact is that Mr. Sample has never been involved in any event or organization that works to preserve the Sonoran Desert, nor has he shown the slightest iota of interest in becoming involved with them on any level before his desire to become the mayor of Carefree. Even now, he is not a part of any preservation organization.
His "opponent", Vice Mayor John Crane, on the other hand, has been on the Board of Directors of the Desert Foothills Land Trust, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Sonoran Desert, for the past 9 years, and has been the vice president of that Board for 3 years. Vice Mayor Crane has also been involved in organizing the Carefree Gardens Seminars that are held 4 times a year during the Season. These seminars generally attract close to 100 attendees, and feature top notch experts as speakers. The Vice Mayor always attends Carefree's Earth Day Celebrations, representing both the Town and the Land Trust.
"My childhood upbringing consisted of a military household where honesty, integrity, and accountability were instilled in me at a young age and I am confident I will use those skills to serve my community in the best way possible."
Mr. Sample does not say that he followed in the "military household" footsteps, so I believe one may safely assume that he has not served in any branch of the U.S. military himself. His "opponent", Vice Mayor Crane, served 7 years in the Navy. He spent 1 year in nuclear power school and 3 months in submarine school. After graduation from those classes, he spent 3 years as an officer on a Fast Attack submarine and 2-1/2 years as an officer on a Deep Submersible submarine.
Vice Mayor Crane has organized and run the Carefree Veterans Day Celebration since 2013, bringing fascinating speakers and veterans organizations to Carefree for the day, and working closely with the Veterans Heritage Project (VHP). VHP, a nationally renowned program, connects students from all walks of life with military veterans in their communities through an Oral History and Publishing program that develops appreciation for an America they will one day lead. Capturing veterans' stories permanently preserved in the Library of Congress, in Washington DC, helps veterans heal while preparing young scholars for college and career. The VHP, which began with teacher Barbara Hatch in the Cave Creek Unified School District, has since spread across the country.
Vice Mayor Crane has organized and run Carefree's Memorial Day Tribute since 2021. He was also involved in putting together the team consisting of members of the local community from each branch of the Armed Services to design and construct the Veterans Memorial Monument in the Carefree Desert Gardens.
"I will address the pubic safety issue regarding our fire department and ensure that we become a member of the regional automatic-aid system."
Mr. Sample has stated that the way he intends to do this is to delay maintenance on Carefree's streets, using the funds earmarked for that to pay the cost of joining automatic aid. Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) come from the state and are restricted to the maintenance and improvement of streets. Mr. Sample is apparently unaware of this restriction of funds. From what I have observed, Mr. Sample has as much knowledge about Carefree in general as he has about running a municipality. In my opinion, what he knows about either could fit on one side of a 3" x 5" card with room to spare.
Vice Mayor Crane, on the other hand, started out on the Subdivision Committee in 2008, then progressed to the Planning and Zoning Commission, before serving time on the Town Council, including the office of Vice Mayor. He has donated many years of volunteer service to the Town on many levels, and possesses all the knowledge that those years of experience have bestowed.
However, there is one statement in Mr. Sample's article with which I agree:
"My policies and views are drastically different from my opponent, who is currently the vice mayor."
The differences could not be more pronounced.
FYI: A cursory internet background check of addresses listed for "home, vacation, business, and rental/apartment" shows that since 1996, Peter Sample has had 21 addresses, 3 of which were in Burbank, California for 7 years each (2 in 2002 and 1 in 2008). The others, with the exception of Carefree, where he moved in 2016, lasted for 1 year each.
John Crane has lived in Carefree for 33 years.
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.