Dear Citizens:
     Council voted unanimously to incorporate vendor’s fees for special, events.  The cost would be $50 for one event and $95 for three events.
     Council approved (7-0) a wine license for a Thunderbird vendor, after Councilman Coady ascertained that the town was now in compliance with State Liquor Laws.
     Since Judge Scull was not in attendance, the agenda item requesting an update on the Town Court was continued.  Mayor Schwan stated that he was “flummoxed” that this item was even placed on the agenda.
     The rest of this meeting pertained to a long and contentious discussion on the legality of the mayor to spend money on a non budgeted item without council approval.  Many citizens spoke on this issue.  Most under the mistaken belief that this was an attack on the Caring Corp.  Rather than try to explain this issue, I suggest that you use the hyperlink at the bottom under the CAREFREE ELECTION-MARCH 9 section.
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Judy Combs, owner of the Thunderbird Festivals, stated that the Carefree event has been listed as one of the top 100 events in the nation.
     David Schwan (leaving the podium and speaking as a citizen) complained that the Sonoran News never calls him for interviews and that Councilman Stavoe was “unfair and totally wrong” to deal with only cash flow in his letter to the newspaper.
     Tom Rawles requested that the mayor address the fact as to why he violated state statute on spending money on non budgeted items. 

QUESTION OF THE MONTH: Unlike many towns, Carefree does not do council meeting minutes verbatim.  It is up to the transcriber (Court Clerk) to pick and choose what she considers important.  Therefore, there is no guarantee that accuracy is a given.  Do you believe that the mayor and staff have made an appropriate decision to now charge council members $7.50 for a copy of the verbatim CD?

DID YOU KNOW: The Green Initiatives Committee is planning a Town Event for Earth Day on April 17.  There will be many booths with information on conservation, the environment, hiking and protecting our wildlife.  Please mark your calendar.

SHERIFF’S SECTOR: MCSO Dec. Stats-7 arrests, 1 aggravated assault, 1 burglary, 112 citations were issued, 31 for speed.
 
CAREFREE ELECTION-MARCH 9TH
 In just a week or so, you will be receiving your ballot in the mail.  You have heard many differing opinions on the Town’s financial situation.  The real truth is that Carefree is in serious financial difficulties.  The December/09 revenue alone was down -15.53% from December/08, even with the Christmas Parade and festivities.  Decisions to address our shortfall should have and could have been made long before this, but were not.  Your vote will determine if Carefree is to survive as the town we all love. 
 In the eleven years that I have served on this council, I have never seen the extent of mismanagement as we have had to endure under Mayor Schwan.  For this reason, I believe that Carefree needs John Traynor on the council and I urge you to vote for him.  If you have questions, please visit his web site to learn more http://traynorincarefree.com
 Councilmen Koteas and Stavoe voiced their own opinions and concerns in the Jan. 20th edition of the Sonoran News.  Here is a hyperlink if you have not read it: http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2010/100120/FrntPgTraynor.html
 This is a very important election for Carefree. Please remember to vote, it’s your right.  

GREEN SEMINAR- Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:30 am, in Council Chambers, there will be a seminar given by Arid Scape and Pace Stone on water conservation and retention. So come and find out how to cut down on your water bills.
     Our first seminar with speaker Erik Koss, went very well.  My thanks to those of you who attended.  My thanks especially to Mr. Koss, his presentation was very informative.

    If you wish to contact me, be included, or removed from my email list for CAREFREE MATTERS, write me at BobCoadyaz@aol.com. Or, if your e-mail address should change, please let me know that too, so you can continue to receive CAREFREE MATTERS.