"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 #874, November 30, 2020
Issue #874, November 30, 2020
The first Visioning Workshop, held on September 29th, was reported in Carefree Truth, Issue #860. The link is below.
http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-860.html
The second workshop discussions followed up on and fleshed out the ideas presented in the first one.
10/13/20-Strategic workshop #2, pt. 1
https://vimeo.com/471968240
10/13/20-Strategic workshop #2, pt. 2
https://vimeo.com/471973480
The third workshop finalized the discussions and thoughts generated in the first two. The Plan will be in effect for the next two years that comprise this Council's term.
The Guiding Principle is a broader statement to the outside world, defining what Carefree wants to be. The Value Statement is more specific to Carefree residents and businesses. The Pillars are the way to get there. All of these wrap around a High Quality of Life nucleus.
"Carefree is a distinctive premier upper Sonoran desert community that seeks to deliver a high quality lifestyle, an experience based retail destination, and access to nearby expansive desert preserves and lakes." "Carefree's leadership is committed to providing a safe community with quality infrastructure and services within its limited financial capacity, minimizing tax liability on its residents." Carefree has no desire to impose a property tax, but to instead generate retail sales tax revenue (STR). Carefree only has around 4000 residents, which is not enough to sustain the needed STR, so there is a need to attract the broader market area in order to fund the services and infrastructure.
The 4 Pillars have been defined as maintaining and improving the quality of life, infrastructure management, economic development for organizational and financial stability, and community engagement through the marketing of businesses and communication with the residents. This is not a final or a detailed list, but an overview.
Mayor Les Peterson thanked Gary Neiss and Councilman Mike Krahe for spearheading the Visioning project, with additional input from Vice Mayor John Crane and Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer. He felt this project based plan would be implemented more readily than previous lofty plans with no specifics had been, and said he very much likes this approach.
Dr. Krahe thanked everyone, noting that a lot of time and thought from a lot of people had gone into the formation of this plan. He appreciated the fact that Mr. Neiss always listened. "This is an excellent result." Vice Mayor Crane said that Mr. Neiss and Dr. Krahe had incorporated the key elements of the previous discussions. Mayor Peterson encouraged the Council members to become involved in their area/s of interest.
Mr. Neiss said this would be on the agenda of the next regular Council meeting on December 1st for adoption. Any comments from the public are welcome and can be sent to Kandace@carefree.org.
11/18/20-Strategic workshop #3
https://vimeo.com/481079623
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.
http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-860.html
The second workshop discussions followed up on and fleshed out the ideas presented in the first one.
10/13/20-Strategic workshop #2, pt. 1
https://vimeo.com/471968240
10/13/20-Strategic workshop #2, pt. 2
https://vimeo.com/471973480
The third workshop finalized the discussions and thoughts generated in the first two. The Plan will be in effect for the next two years that comprise this Council's term.
The Guiding Principle is a broader statement to the outside world, defining what Carefree wants to be. The Value Statement is more specific to Carefree residents and businesses. The Pillars are the way to get there. All of these wrap around a High Quality of Life nucleus.
"Carefree is a distinctive premier upper Sonoran desert community that seeks to deliver a high quality lifestyle, an experience based retail destination, and access to nearby expansive desert preserves and lakes." "Carefree's leadership is committed to providing a safe community with quality infrastructure and services within its limited financial capacity, minimizing tax liability on its residents." Carefree has no desire to impose a property tax, but to instead generate retail sales tax revenue (STR). Carefree only has around 4000 residents, which is not enough to sustain the needed STR, so there is a need to attract the broader market area in order to fund the services and infrastructure.
The 4 Pillars have been defined as maintaining and improving the quality of life, infrastructure management, economic development for organizational and financial stability, and community engagement through the marketing of businesses and communication with the residents. This is not a final or a detailed list, but an overview.
Mayor Les Peterson thanked Gary Neiss and Councilman Mike Krahe for spearheading the Visioning project, with additional input from Vice Mayor John Crane and Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer. He felt this project based plan would be implemented more readily than previous lofty plans with no specifics had been, and said he very much likes this approach.
Dr. Krahe thanked everyone, noting that a lot of time and thought from a lot of people had gone into the formation of this plan. He appreciated the fact that Mr. Neiss always listened. "This is an excellent result." Vice Mayor Crane said that Mr. Neiss and Dr. Krahe had incorporated the key elements of the previous discussions. Mayor Peterson encouraged the Council members to become involved in their area/s of interest.
Mr. Neiss said this would be on the agenda of the next regular Council meeting on December 1st for adoption. Any comments from the public are welcome and can be sent to Kandace@carefree.org.
11/18/20-Strategic workshop #3
https://vimeo.com/481079623
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.