(Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included. Here's the link to this week's Pictures of the Week.)
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-6519.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-6519.html
Ruthie, Loraine Simon's great granddaughter (Congrats, Loraine!)
Photo by Jeremy Bess (her dad)
This week's Pics of the Week is devoted to birthdays. Ruthie was born May 30th. Noah D'Aliesio just turned 16. Bob Jenkins turned 64. Happy birthday to all of you!
And here are your bonus rounds from Herbert:
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/530--6119.html
Photo by Jeremy Bess (her dad)
This week's Pics of the Week is devoted to birthdays. Ruthie was born May 30th. Noah D'Aliesio just turned 16. Bob Jenkins turned 64. Happy birthday to all of you!
And here are your bonus rounds from Herbert:
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/530--6119.html
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
https://www.carefree.org/345/Town-Newsletters
Correction: I wrote that Arthur Gimson sent out his letter about the water issues to the residents of the Canyon Ridge HOA. I meant to write Canyon Creek Estates, where Arthur is the secretary and is on the HOA board. Sorry!
Lyn,
I recall getting a similar letter from CCW within the last 6 months or so. Looked in my file but don’t see a copy of it.
Tom Surrency
(Lyn's note: I sent this notice to the residents of Sentinel Rock when I first saw it.)
Please see attached page from the Cave Creek Council agenda for their upcoming meeting tomorrow (Monday). You all should have seen the notice CC water sent out about their water quality issue. This is a VERY SERIOUS problem as evidenced by the fact that they are proposing to spend million of dollars for an immediate fix. This is money that is not in their 2020 budget.
https://cavecreek.civicweb.net/FileStorage/795DA6373A07471E839957FE860D76E1-Pall Membrane Aria Units Action Item Request.pdf
Tony Geiger
Lyn,
We are currently experiencing extremely high water pressure at our home today (Sunday), which blew off a water line to our refrigerator and flooded our kitchen. Our brand new water heater is also draining from its pressure valve (as it should). After testing the pressure at an exterior hose bib, it read 150 psi, which is too high. We’ve contacted the Cave Creek Water Co. and they said they’d look into it.
We’re reaching out to you to spread the word about the high pressure in case others are having similar plumbing failures; residents who are out of town may want someone to check on their homes if they know they’ve left their water on.
Thank you!
Anne Thompson
Joe Graham
(Lyn's note: CCW came out, found the issue, and fixed it, but it's always a good thing to know that if your pressure is too high, things can go badly wrong.)
Lyn, I wondered about this last night as my drip system regulators blew gaskets and my shower pressure was extremely high. Meant to check early this morning. Just went out and my pressure gauge is showing 118 lbs which is really too high. Also, sounds like my pressure regulator is not doing a good job and needs replacing. I have turned off the water to the house. A really good heads up for everyone to check their own pressure valve. You and Gary wrote a great deal about this a couple of years ago. Funny, I flushed my water heaters this afternoon and checking the pressure valve was next on the list. Yesterday late the jar tops on both of my sprinkler valved blew out the gaskets which I replaced. When I got into the shower last night I got hit by very high water pressure. This morning, the kitchen faucet was leaking even though I recently put in a new valve. I was going for my gauge when I got your email. Good alert system.
Tom Surrency
I recall getting a similar letter from CCW within the last 6 months or so. Looked in my file but don’t see a copy of it.
Tom Surrency
(Lyn's note: I sent this notice to the residents of Sentinel Rock when I first saw it.)
Please see attached page from the Cave Creek Council agenda for their upcoming meeting tomorrow (Monday). You all should have seen the notice CC water sent out about their water quality issue. This is a VERY SERIOUS problem as evidenced by the fact that they are proposing to spend million of dollars for an immediate fix. This is money that is not in their 2020 budget.
https://cavecreek.civicweb.net/FileStorage/795DA6373A07471E839957FE860D76E1-Pall Membrane Aria Units Action Item Request.pdf
Tony Geiger
Lyn,
We are currently experiencing extremely high water pressure at our home today (Sunday), which blew off a water line to our refrigerator and flooded our kitchen. Our brand new water heater is also draining from its pressure valve (as it should). After testing the pressure at an exterior hose bib, it read 150 psi, which is too high. We’ve contacted the Cave Creek Water Co. and they said they’d look into it.
We’re reaching out to you to spread the word about the high pressure in case others are having similar plumbing failures; residents who are out of town may want someone to check on their homes if they know they’ve left their water on.
Thank you!
Anne Thompson
Joe Graham
(Lyn's note: CCW came out, found the issue, and fixed it, but it's always a good thing to know that if your pressure is too high, things can go badly wrong.)
Lyn, I wondered about this last night as my drip system regulators blew gaskets and my shower pressure was extremely high. Meant to check early this morning. Just went out and my pressure gauge is showing 118 lbs which is really too high. Also, sounds like my pressure regulator is not doing a good job and needs replacing. I have turned off the water to the house. A really good heads up for everyone to check their own pressure valve. You and Gary wrote a great deal about this a couple of years ago. Funny, I flushed my water heaters this afternoon and checking the pressure valve was next on the list. Yesterday late the jar tops on both of my sprinkler valved blew out the gaskets which I replaced. When I got into the shower last night I got hit by very high water pressure. This morning, the kitchen faucet was leaking even though I recently put in a new valve. I was going for my gauge when I got your email. Good alert system.
Tom Surrency
2 Arizona towns are locked in dispute over who should provide water to residents
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2019/05/26/cave-creek-and-carefree-arizona-locked-dispute-over-water/1190721001/
Lorraine Longhi, Arizona Republic Published 11:00 a.m. MT May 26, 2019 | Updated 3:42 p.m. MT May 26, 2019
Tony Geiger has lived in Carefree for almost 20 years but gets his water from the neighboring town of Cave Creek.
When Geiger joined the Cave Creek Water Advisory Committee in 2013, he noticed problems. The system was small, unreliable and had not been maintained properly, he said.
So he told Carefree about his concerns.
The concerns prompted Carefree, on the northeastern edge of metro Phoenix, to make good on a 2005 agreement with Cave Creek. The deal allowed Cave Creek to provide water to about 20 percent of Carefree's residents, but it also outlined how Carefree could take over that role.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2019/05/26/cave-creek-and-carefree-arizona-locked-dispute-over-water/1190721001/
Lorraine Longhi, Arizona Republic Published 11:00 a.m. MT May 26, 2019 | Updated 3:42 p.m. MT May 26, 2019
Tony Geiger has lived in Carefree for almost 20 years but gets his water from the neighboring town of Cave Creek.
When Geiger joined the Cave Creek Water Advisory Committee in 2013, he noticed problems. The system was small, unreliable and had not been maintained properly, he said.
So he told Carefree about his concerns.
The concerns prompted Carefree, on the northeastern edge of metro Phoenix, to make good on a 2005 agreement with Cave Creek. The deal allowed Cave Creek to provide water to about 20 percent of Carefree's residents, but it also outlined how Carefree could take over that role.
A fire hydrant in Carefree buried extremely low to the ground. Issues with fire hydrants are just one problem Carefree residents are having with their current water system. (Photo: Courtesy of Town of Carefree)
Carefree sought to do just that in January, filing a condemnation notice in Maricopa County Superior Court to acquire the portion of Cave Creek's water distribution system that serves its residents.
But Cave Creek is fighting back, saying Carefree went about its takeover in the wrong way.
"One thing is for sure, our customers in Carefree will face higher water rates to pay for the cost of the system, legal fees and the expense of separating a portion of Cave Creek's service area from our fully integrated utility," Cave Creek Mayor Ernie Bunch said in a released statement.
Cave Creek has pushed to dismiss the takeover and touted a survey they say shows Carefree water customers on their side. The survey told the customers their water rates would go up, something Carefree officials say isn't yet known.
Why are they breaking up?
Geiger told The Arizona Republic that he knew Cave Creek's water system was small but had never experienced major issues or water outages. It wasn't until he joined the Water Advisory Committee that he said he became concerned the system wasn't properly maintained, that Cave Creek relies on a small, unreliable pipeline of Central Arizona Project water and finances.
Carefree residents have voiced concerns to Cave Creek's water committee over the years to make sure the town properly manages their water resources, but those complaints have gone unheard, according to Gary Neiss, Carefree's town administrator.
Concerns have circled around fire hydrants that have not been properly maintained, Neiss told The Republic.
Carefree contracts with Rural Metro Fire to inspect its hydrants, including those managed by the Cave Creek water system. The fire company has reportedly been told by Cave Creek not to open certain fire hydrants for inspections, Neiss said.
Cave Creek officials say fire hydrants are in working order. Cave Creek has conducted 135 inspections on fire hydrants in Carefree so far this year. The only hydrant reported out of service was at Sunset Trail and Carefree Highway and it was repaired in five days, according to an inspections report.
But several hydrants cannot be serviced because of broken valves, and while the inspections do occur, corrective action has not been taken in several situations, Neiss said.
"Carefree is worried about liability to their citizens and community," Neiss said. "This is the culmination of a lot of different factors, including a lack of representation and Cave Creek not living up to its obligation.”
Agreeing to break up
Cave Creek provides water to 2,795 customers in Cave Creek and Carefree based on the 2005 agreement. Of those, 536 are Carefree residents.
In the deal, the neighboring towns agreed that Carefree could one day acquire its portion of Cave Creek’s water system through a condemnation, followed by a 120-day negotiating period to determine the value of the system.
Carefree has now come to collect.
“While Carefree may have the right to buy a portion of our system, they still have to follow the law.”
Cave Creek Mayor Ernie Bunch in a released statement
Cave Creek says Carefree violated Arizona law by not making a good faith offer and providing an appraisal before filing the condemnation action.
“While Carefree may have the right to buy a portion of our system, they still have to follow the law,” Cave Creek's Mayor Bunch said in his released statement.
But Michael Wright, an attorney representing Carefree, said nothing in the agreement, or state law, requires Carefree to make an offer on the system before filing the condemnation.
"These guys in Cave Creek are totally off the mark," Wright said.
Carefree filed the condemnation action on Jan. 29. Under the 120-day negotiation period laid out in the agreement, the towns have until May 29 to negotiate a purchase offer.
If the two towns cannot agree on compensation, Carefree will seek arbitration. If the matter is determined through arbitration, Carefree will be entitled to the system six months after their payment to Cave Creek, according to the agreement.
What will Carefree pay?
Carefree began requesting data from Cave Creek last winter to assess the value of the system, but Cave Creek has refused to provide it, according to Neiss.
Carefree looks to acquire approximately 20 percent of the current water system, minus some tanks and pumps. The town, earlier this month, offered Cave Creek just more than $2 million to acquire the system, according to Wright.
“It is not a good faith offer and does not follow Arizona law on what just compensation should be in a condemnation case.”
Joe Conner, an attorney representing Cave Creek
Cave Creek purchased the full system for $19.8 million in 2005. Bunch said the town has invested millions more to upgrade the system to provide quality service. "We didn’t buy it and sit on our hands," he said.
But Cave Creek overpaid for its system at the time, Geiger said.
The agreement between the towns says that compensation must include the cost of physically separating the system, and be based on what Cave Creek paid for it.
Carefree has conveniently separated portions of the system which they are not acquiring and are only trying to attribute value to the distribution system, according to Joe Conner, an attorney representing Cave Creek.
"It is not a good faith offer and does not follow Arizona law on what just compensation should be in a condemnation case," Conner told The Republic.
Neiss said Carefree does not need to buy into the CAP line or treatment facilities for the system, as they will rely on Scottsdale for delivery of their water.
Higher water costs for residents?
Cave Creek's mayor has raised concerns that turning the water system over to Carefree will lead to higher water rates for Carefree water customers.
A survey commissioned by Cave Creek last month asked Carefree residents to weigh in on the most pressing issues in the town. Approximately 140 residents were surveyed, according to Conner.
The survey told residents that an acquisition of the system would cost more than $10 million, and increase water rates and taxes.
Carefree leaders say that's ridiculous.
Cave Creek provides water to 536 residents in Carefree, which looks to take over that service. (Photo: turk_stock_photographer, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
"The survey was misleading, dishonest and stated things that were not true at all," Wright said. "Cave Creek is doing everything they can in the public arena, this survey for instance, to get out from underneath this agreement."
Neiss said the town is still negotiating and it's too soon to tell if rates will increase,but he said the town would work to mitigate that.
"Nobody wants to pay more for anything, but there’s no more important resource in the desert Southwest than water," he said. "It’s an investment in our future, it’s an investment in our community, and it's the most important thing we can provide to our residents.”
Have a tip out of Scottsdale? Reach the reporter Lorraine Longhi at llonghi@gannett.com or 480-243-4086. Follow her on Twitter @lolonghi.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
(Lyn's note: More on term limits)
The Mayor expressed his opinion regarding the Term Limits.
He has his right to his opinion But the people of Carefree voted in favor of Term Limits and it is up to the Town Administration and Town Council to uphold that vote.
If the Town needs to affirm that position then have another vote to confirm the will of the people.
A successful attempt to overturn the original Term Limits by Carefree officials should be negated by the recent law introduced in Arizona.
My opinion
Joe J DeVito
(Lyn's note: The court decision isn't negated by the new State law. The court decision was made because AZ State law didn't allow for the enforcement of term limits for a town like Carefree, for very solid and sensible reasons. Mike Farrar self-promoted by talking a legislator into introducing this new bill, which passed because term limits is a popular buzz phrase. The new law allows for term limits in places like Carefree. If the original term limits Ordinance had stuck, we would not have someone excellent like John Crane, who is as good as it gets. If the voters want term limits to apply again, it will have to go on a ballot and be approved again. I hope our voters will listen to reason instead of just voting for a popular buzz phrase.)
Please publish my comments. I have always been in favor of term limits. This has nothing to do with Mike or you or the Mayor. I’ve been in favor of term limits for decades. And yes John is an outstanding individual as well as an excellent Council member.
Joe
(Lyn's note: I told Joe that his email had already been placed in Letters. But also told him that I am at a loss to understand how it is beneficial to limit the choices voters have, which term limits do, and how it is beneficial to tell someone excellent like John Crane that although they are doing a great job and are willing to continue to serve the citizens in a volunteer position, they can no longer do so. This makes zero sense to me. What happens if all the good people are termed out, and the voters are stuck with nothing but bad candidates? And that could very easily happen. In fact, there are potential candidates who are counting on it. Or what if there are not enough candidates to fill the seats? These are very valid concerns.)
Reference TERM LIMITS - I am definitely in favor of "throwing all the current Council members out"! I asked a simple question of the Mayor and City Manager (albeit through Lyn - who did an excellent job as usual of "asking the question") AND neither one of them even had the common courtesy of addressing the issue - not even to tell me "go pound sand". Typical bureaucrats - and my fear is that once Carefree has CONTROL of our water (the infamous 526), pricing, i.e., cost will GO UP SIGNIFICANTLY. By the way, my question was simple - "do you have a guess (SWAG) relative cost - higher than Cave Creek water, lower (a dream I had), or about the same. I have tracked my water cost from Cave Creek over the past year to this year (approximately same usage - maybe more) and my billings have gone DOWN (probably another nefarious action by The Town of Cave Creek - jk).
Grant Hintze
(Lyn's note: I put Grant in touch with Tony Geiger to explain the water situation.)
Grant,
I spent my entire 35 year career in the water works industry working for major equipment manufacturers. I have worked with thousands of water companies and Cave Creek is one of the worst I have seen.
They have no preventive maintenance program with old deteriorating equipment, no reserve fund for improvements, no capitol improvement plan and worst of all have mismanaged their limited CAP allocation. Their only source for water.
These guys are heading for SERIOUS trouble in the coming years when the drought on the Colorado river really take hold and tough choices have to be made. It’s not if, it’s when.
As far as all the future of water rates, Cave Creek has not had an increase in over 10 years. However all their cost have gone up. I know they are working with Wildan Associates on a rate study as it started in 2017 and I was on the committee. I also know that currently the Cave Creek Water Advisory Committee and Town staff is working on a $20,000,000 capital improvement plan to try and catch up on deferred maintenance.
Grant, there is just too much information about this that is down right terrifying and I can back it up with documents from the public record.
I would be happy to talk to you if you want to get real facts that are based on 1000’s of hours of work by myself and others.
Tony Geiger
Sorry for the confusion here - I am not sufficiently knowledgeable reference the transition of the 526 Carefree residents (and obviously I am one of them) to weigh-in yay or nay. I am certain Tony Geiger is right. What I was addressing is TERM LIMITS. I appreciate your position RE: TERM LIMITS. That said, I asked a simple question of the current Carefree Town leaders - and they have not had the courtesy of proving me ANY ANSWER - as I said, even just to tell me to WAIT. Why can't they answer with your input here - pricing is in "negotiation and confidential". Negotiation with whom? Who is negotiating? Why confidential? What happen to transparency in Government (especially local Government). I would be more than willing to have input behind closed doors. This is why I believe in TERM LIMITS - especially for the current members. If they cannot be transparent and COMMUNICATE and hide what they are doing, they need to go.
Grant
The thing I don’t understand about the term limits discussion is if someone on the Council is doing a bad job or is a bad actor why not just vote them out?
To me, term limits removes the responsibility from voters to get informed and make a good choice. With only 2 year terms and the ability to to recall any truly bad actors within 6 months of being elected, what’s the big deal?
Within our town I have seen some truly momentous decisions decided by one vote. That’s all it can take to put a Town on the wrong path. Why automatically throw out knowledgeable people?
The fact is a Council seat is a volunteer job with no perks or real power but it does require people who are willing to give a lot of free time. When I was chair of the Cave Creek Water Advisory Committee I was spending 20 hours a week on it.
As far as transparency on the water issue, if Cave Creek had honored their commitment to cooperate and not turned this into a adversarial situation the leaders of Carefree would not have been in the position of having to follow lawyers advice and keep their cards hidden.
Tony Geiger
As a long time advocate for the return of the sunburst, this past week
has been pretty “ historic”. Needless to say, thanks to the efforts of Mayor Peterson and others unknown to me, I am delighted to see this special piece of art return to its rightful home.
Yesterday (Friday), thanks to Travis providing access, I was able to show
the sunburst to Monique Reindersma and Larry Stewart, principals from the architecture firm SRA 360 located in Desert Ridge.
During the upcoming council meeting on Tuesday, June 4, I plan to thank
Mayor Peterson in person during “call to the public” and also recognize the Cave Creek Museum for safeguarding and returning to the people of
Carefree the iconic item that had been gone so long.
Larry Stewart has indicated that he would also speak to share his vision
for the restoration of the sunburst to its rightful place on the sundial.
Thank you,
Kevin Tully
(Lyn's note: Responses to CFT's Memorial Day Issues #752 & 753)
Captain Lambert's account made you feel like you were there with him witnessing the atrocities all around him. I couldn't think of a more fitting way to spend Memorial Day then at our Cemetery with fellow residents hearing his story.
Vince D'Aliesio
Thank you for publishing this very Carefree Moment. John is a special guy. We are lucky to have him as part of the leadership of our little town.
Phil Corso
(Lyn's note: John Crane did a great job. It was solemn and respectful, done properly in a cemetery, as is traditional.)
Looks like a great community to live in.
Walter Smith
YOU FOLKS HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL PROGRAM. THANKS.
RON KRAUSE
(Lyn's note: Herbert's Memorial Day still photos)
Lyn and Herbie,
Wonderful photos. Thank you both for all you do for Carefree.
Les Peterson
Great photos thanks for passing them along. Sorry we missed the event.
Mary Peterson
(Lyn's note: Mary and Les were out of town and missed the Memorial Day event. I sent them the photos Herbert took that day.)
Thanks friends! John Crane did an incredible job and it was a powerful Memorial Day presentation!
Eileen Wright
Thank you Herbie for the wonderful pictures to remember an absolutely amazing and moving Memorial Day program. Kudos to John Crane and the Town of Carefree.
Binka Schwan
Excellent photos, and I even found you in the front row. It looked like a fun but important event. Good for you and Carefree!
Larry Holland
(Lyn's note: Carefree Desert Gardens Photo Contest Awards Ceremony photos)
Thank you for all the work you are doing on this! Thank you for the link to the photos! Have a great weekend!
Cindy Berringer
Thanks for this collection of photos, Lyn! Nice to re-live it. My son was visiting me at the time, so he got to enjoy it too.
Hazel Vaughn
Lyn, Thank you for the photos and for your loving care of the contest. I was happy to be part of the day…Best.
Jay Chatzkel
From COINS
Every three years, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, in collaboration with health care and community partners, conducts a Community Health Survey to develop a deeper understanding from residents about issues that relate to quality of life, availability of services, physical and mental health, and more.
The survey is part of a larger review of community health. This goes beyond individual health to look at what is affecting the community overall, what health issues are affecting some communities more than others, and what other factors contribute to those issues.
This research is supported by Synapse, a collaboration of healthcare partners, and the Health Improvement Partnership of Maricopa County (HIPMC).
CLICK HERE to go directly to the survey.
Want to know more about how this research is used?
Click "About the Survey" for specifics on this survey.