"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 #948, August 10, 2021
Issue #948, August 10, 2021
Mayor Les Peterson explained that 5 Carefree residents, 2 women and 3 men who were geographically dispersed throughout the town, applied to serve the unexpired term of Councilman Michael Krahe. Dr. Krahe moved out of state, vacating his Council seat. Pursuant to Carefree Town Code 2-1-3, after meeting with each of the candidates individually, the Council members chose a replacement to fill that seat during the September Council meeting.
By the time of the Council meeting, 3 of the applicants had withdrawn their names but expressed a desire to work with the Town in various capacities, with an eye towards running for Council in the future. Mayor Peterson said all 5 applicants were very capable, and he welcomed the 3 who had withdrawn their names to participate in future endeavors. The 2 remaining applicants were Michael Johnson and former Councilman Gene Orrico, both of whom have worked with Carefree in the past. Mr. Orrico is also involved with Carefree Kiwanis and his wife runs a shop in Carefree.
Candidate Gene Orrico said his concern was all the people in Carefree. He believed that eclectic "Mom & Pop" businesses are what is needed. Over the past 5 years, he has brought in new businesses and is working on bringing in more. He thanked the Council.
Candidate Michael Johnson thanked the Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council for the opportunity to be there and to speak. He lives in Carefree Ironwood Estates in west Carefree. He has been on their HOA board for 8 years, 7 of those as President and now as Treasurer. He and his wife have owned their home since 2005 and became permanent residents in 2013.
He is a Certified Public Accountant who has spent most of his almost 40 year career as a Chief Financial Officer in both public and start-up telecommunications technology companies, 4 years as the CFO of a large metro newspaper in the Bay area, and even some time in the railroad industry. At that time, he worked for the largest black owned publisher (Robert C. Maynard at the Oakland Tribune) which worked for the largest lessor of rail cars in N. America (Itel Rail). Itel Rail also owned 6 short line railroads.
Carefree Ironwood Estates changed their name from Provence to the name on the plat to show support for the town. Ironwood Estates worked with the Town on rezoning the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road to commercial. The focus of Ironwood Estates was on achieving sustainable revenue to the Town because his community would bear the brunt of the impact from a commercial development at that corner. Mr. Johnson also worked with the Town to have turn lanes installed to improve traffic safety both at the entrance to Ironwood Estates and on 60th Street where people turn to go up to the schools.
He concluded by saying that Carefree faces challenges going forward, and that it would be his pleasure to continue working with the Town as he has done in the past, either on or off of the Council.
Vice Mayor John Crane called all the candidates excellent, noting that Carefree is very fortunate. This represents the quality of the people in Carefree and how they want to contribute. He thanked all of them. Mayor Peterson agreed.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio noted that he went through the process of volunteering and being interviewed to fill the late Jim Van Allen's vacated seat 4 years ago. Although he was not appointed at the time, he felt very optimistic during the next election, at which time he was elected. He encouraged all 5 of the applicants to stay involved regardless of what happened that night. There are initiatives and projects that need to be handled by qualified, caring, hands-on residents. He encouraged them to keep trying. Mayor Peterson agreed, saying that there are immediate needs that will require a lot of effort, moving forward.
The Council members were instructed to text of email Kandace Contreras with their votes. She would take screen shots of the votes for the record, and would report the results to the Council members.
While waiting for the results, Mr. Orrico stated that the Post Office building was getting a new roof and that Corrado's was spending a lot of money on a restaurant remodel. He wanted to see people do more than come to the PO, pick up their mail, and leave. He said Carefree needs more than beautiful Gardens, and reiterated the need for more eclectic "Mom & Pop" businesses and more eclectic restaurants to generate sales tax revenue and make Carefree a destination.
Mrs. Contreras announced that Michael Johnson, by a vote of 5 to 1, was selected to fill the seat for the interim Council term. The Mayor and Council congratulated Mr. Johnson, and thanked both of the candidates for their service to the Town.
By the time of the Council meeting, 3 of the applicants had withdrawn their names but expressed a desire to work with the Town in various capacities, with an eye towards running for Council in the future. Mayor Peterson said all 5 applicants were very capable, and he welcomed the 3 who had withdrawn their names to participate in future endeavors. The 2 remaining applicants were Michael Johnson and former Councilman Gene Orrico, both of whom have worked with Carefree in the past. Mr. Orrico is also involved with Carefree Kiwanis and his wife runs a shop in Carefree.
Candidate Gene Orrico said his concern was all the people in Carefree. He believed that eclectic "Mom & Pop" businesses are what is needed. Over the past 5 years, he has brought in new businesses and is working on bringing in more. He thanked the Council.
Candidate Michael Johnson thanked the Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council for the opportunity to be there and to speak. He lives in Carefree Ironwood Estates in west Carefree. He has been on their HOA board for 8 years, 7 of those as President and now as Treasurer. He and his wife have owned their home since 2005 and became permanent residents in 2013.
He is a Certified Public Accountant who has spent most of his almost 40 year career as a Chief Financial Officer in both public and start-up telecommunications technology companies, 4 years as the CFO of a large metro newspaper in the Bay area, and even some time in the railroad industry. At that time, he worked for the largest black owned publisher (Robert C. Maynard at the Oakland Tribune) which worked for the largest lessor of rail cars in N. America (Itel Rail). Itel Rail also owned 6 short line railroads.
Carefree Ironwood Estates changed their name from Provence to the name on the plat to show support for the town. Ironwood Estates worked with the Town on rezoning the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road to commercial. The focus of Ironwood Estates was on achieving sustainable revenue to the Town because his community would bear the brunt of the impact from a commercial development at that corner. Mr. Johnson also worked with the Town to have turn lanes installed to improve traffic safety both at the entrance to Ironwood Estates and on 60th Street where people turn to go up to the schools.
He concluded by saying that Carefree faces challenges going forward, and that it would be his pleasure to continue working with the Town as he has done in the past, either on or off of the Council.
Vice Mayor John Crane called all the candidates excellent, noting that Carefree is very fortunate. This represents the quality of the people in Carefree and how they want to contribute. He thanked all of them. Mayor Peterson agreed.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio noted that he went through the process of volunteering and being interviewed to fill the late Jim Van Allen's vacated seat 4 years ago. Although he was not appointed at the time, he felt very optimistic during the next election, at which time he was elected. He encouraged all 5 of the applicants to stay involved regardless of what happened that night. There are initiatives and projects that need to be handled by qualified, caring, hands-on residents. He encouraged them to keep trying. Mayor Peterson agreed, saying that there are immediate needs that will require a lot of effort, moving forward.
The Council members were instructed to text of email Kandace Contreras with their votes. She would take screen shots of the votes for the record, and would report the results to the Council members.
While waiting for the results, Mr. Orrico stated that the Post Office building was getting a new roof and that Corrado's was spending a lot of money on a restaurant remodel. He wanted to see people do more than come to the PO, pick up their mail, and leave. He said Carefree needs more than beautiful Gardens, and reiterated the need for more eclectic "Mom & Pop" businesses and more eclectic restaurants to generate sales tax revenue and make Carefree a destination.
Mrs. Contreras announced that Michael Johnson, by a vote of 5 to 1, was selected to fill the seat for the interim Council term. The Mayor and Council congratulated Mr. Johnson, and thanked both of the candidates for their service to the Town.
Mike Johnson
https://vimeo.com/600753860
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.
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.