"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 #955, October 4, 2021
Issue #955, October 4, 2021
Steve Prokopek reported that the Thunderbird Artists Shows for the 2021/2022 season would take place Friday-Sunday on November 5th-7th, January 13th-16th, and March 17th-20th. The shows run from 10 AM-5 PM each of those days, with set-up starting the Thursday evening before each of the 3 shows at 5 PM and tear-down starting at 5:15 PM on the Sunday evening at the end each show. The street closures being requested included Hum Road, Ho Hum Road, a large section of Easy Street, and Sundial Circle.
All of these approvals would be tentative, based on the Covid 19 status at the time, in accordance with state guidelines.
As requested by the new owners of Spanish Village, parking will remain open in front of Spanish Village, with access from Tom Darlington Drive. Because of the impact to the show from this, more of Sundial Circle, almost to Cave Creek Road, will be added to the street closures to compensate for the lost spaces on Hum Road. While the Galleria has a parking lot behind the building, they expressed concern about the lack of visibility for the businesses due to tents blocking the view. A route to access the Post Office coming from Cave Creek Road will be clearly marked and will be communicated early and often, as was done for the last shows.
The merchants liked the free flow of last year's shows due to the lack of significant fencing because wine was not included. However, inclusion of wine provides an important revenue stream to the Thunderbird Artists. This season, the Town worked with Thunderbird Artists to restrict the fencing to allow public access to the Gardens and would include specific entry points that would allow free access to the businesses. There might be small tweaks to the street closure plans made by the Town staff, but any major changes would be brought before the Council.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio liked Thunderbird Artists' willingness to work with the Town last time to keep the Gardens open. He asked if the number of attendees would be restricted again. Mr. Prokopek explained that they were not limited last time, and that the Town had no ability to do so, but the show had been left open so there were no clogged entry points. He was glad that Mr. D'Aliesio had asked the question though, because he had not mentioned in his presentation that the Pavilion would be enclosed. Seating there during musical events might be limited, according to guidelines at the time.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer praised the job done last time by Thunderbird Artists and the Town staff of following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and masking. She said Carefree would probably have the same procedures in place this season to keep people safe. If they can't keep people safe, the events would be cancelled.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if the Town would provide masks at various locations for those who didn't have them or whose masks broke. Representatives of the Thunderbird Artists replied that if the CDC still has requirements, they will again place signs for social distancing and masking, and they will have masks available at the entrances.
Councilman Tony Geiger said he was under the impression that the state legislature prohibited municipalities from imposing mask mandates. Mr. Prokopek noted that the Town can choose to impose mask mandates in government buildings such as Town Hall and the Council Chambers, but not in outdoor areas. However, he would investigate if that can be included in the permitting process when an event is held on public streets. If so, there is the ability to amend the permit to include that if it is warranted at the time. If Covid 19 conditions become extreme, the wine component can be eliminated and the number of vendors can be reduced. They had safe shows last winter.
Mr. Geiger asked if the event could be cancelled in mid to late October if Covid is "a mess", or is it "too little too late" because Thunderbird Artists had spent a lot of money? Mr. Prokopek explained that Thunderbird Artists understands the risk if The Powers That Be say there will be no events. Thunderbird Artists added that if there were a government mandate, they will deal with it at the time. But at this time, they are moving forward to produce the event. Mr. Geiger said he felt that people need to be able to make their own choice, as long as the Town isn't liable. Mayor Peterson stated that the approval would be based on the Town's ability to amend or cancel the approval up to the start of the show, based on the Covid 19 situation and the government guidelines/requirements at the time.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that the agenda only addressed the November show, and said that with the Hampton Inn up and running he felt that the street closures for the January and March shows would need to be addressed at those times. Mr. Neiss agreed that only the November show street closures could be addressed because that was how it was noticed on the agenda. He added that he has spoken with the General Manager of the Hampton Inn, and that the GM was looking forward to the Thunderbird shows.
Approval was unanimously granted for the street closures for the November Thunderbird show, with the understanding that if the situation with Covid 19 changes, it will come before the Council again before the show.
https://vimeo.com/601600669
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.
As requested by the new owners of Spanish Village, parking will remain open in front of Spanish Village, with access from Tom Darlington Drive. Because of the impact to the show from this, more of Sundial Circle, almost to Cave Creek Road, will be added to the street closures to compensate for the lost spaces on Hum Road. While the Galleria has a parking lot behind the building, they expressed concern about the lack of visibility for the businesses due to tents blocking the view. A route to access the Post Office coming from Cave Creek Road will be clearly marked and will be communicated early and often, as was done for the last shows.
The merchants liked the free flow of last year's shows due to the lack of significant fencing because wine was not included. However, inclusion of wine provides an important revenue stream to the Thunderbird Artists. This season, the Town worked with Thunderbird Artists to restrict the fencing to allow public access to the Gardens and would include specific entry points that would allow free access to the businesses. There might be small tweaks to the street closure plans made by the Town staff, but any major changes would be brought before the Council.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio liked Thunderbird Artists' willingness to work with the Town last time to keep the Gardens open. He asked if the number of attendees would be restricted again. Mr. Prokopek explained that they were not limited last time, and that the Town had no ability to do so, but the show had been left open so there were no clogged entry points. He was glad that Mr. D'Aliesio had asked the question though, because he had not mentioned in his presentation that the Pavilion would be enclosed. Seating there during musical events might be limited, according to guidelines at the time.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer praised the job done last time by Thunderbird Artists and the Town staff of following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and masking. She said Carefree would probably have the same procedures in place this season to keep people safe. If they can't keep people safe, the events would be cancelled.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if the Town would provide masks at various locations for those who didn't have them or whose masks broke. Representatives of the Thunderbird Artists replied that if the CDC still has requirements, they will again place signs for social distancing and masking, and they will have masks available at the entrances.
Councilman Tony Geiger said he was under the impression that the state legislature prohibited municipalities from imposing mask mandates. Mr. Prokopek noted that the Town can choose to impose mask mandates in government buildings such as Town Hall and the Council Chambers, but not in outdoor areas. However, he would investigate if that can be included in the permitting process when an event is held on public streets. If so, there is the ability to amend the permit to include that if it is warranted at the time. If Covid 19 conditions become extreme, the wine component can be eliminated and the number of vendors can be reduced. They had safe shows last winter.
Mr. Geiger asked if the event could be cancelled in mid to late October if Covid is "a mess", or is it "too little too late" because Thunderbird Artists had spent a lot of money? Mr. Prokopek explained that Thunderbird Artists understands the risk if The Powers That Be say there will be no events. Thunderbird Artists added that if there were a government mandate, they will deal with it at the time. But at this time, they are moving forward to produce the event. Mr. Geiger said he felt that people need to be able to make their own choice, as long as the Town isn't liable. Mayor Peterson stated that the approval would be based on the Town's ability to amend or cancel the approval up to the start of the show, based on the Covid 19 situation and the government guidelines/requirements at the time.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that the agenda only addressed the November show, and said that with the Hampton Inn up and running he felt that the street closures for the January and March shows would need to be addressed at those times. Mr. Neiss agreed that only the November show street closures could be addressed because that was how it was noticed on the agenda. He added that he has spoken with the General Manager of the Hampton Inn, and that the GM was looking forward to the Thunderbird shows.
Approval was unanimously granted for the street closures for the November Thunderbird show, with the understanding that if the situation with Covid 19 changes, it will come before the Council again before the show.
https://vimeo.com/601600669
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.