May 09

Dear Citizens:
     Tonight the proposed 20009-20010 Town Budget was discussed. It has been estimated that revenue will be down 19% ($1.4 million), local sales tax will be down 15%, State tax down 14%, and development fees down 60%. As stated, these are estimates and will fluctuate with the economy, nationally as well as state-wide. It would appear that the next council is going to have to take a long, hard look at how to further cut expenses.
     Council approved street closures for the Porsche Club of America Car Show in Town Center on Nov. 14, from 6AM-3PM.
     Jo Gemmill gave a presentation on proposed plans for Carefree’s 25th Anniversary Gala to be held Oct. 3rd. The anniversary committee is planning to encourage school trips to the town and town facilities to familiarize our up and coming citizens with Carefree. A possible open house at Sky Ranch with planes available to see, and a festive dinner and dance at the Carefree Resort.

SPECIAL PUBLIC SECTOR: Black Mountain Sewer is smelling again, and is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission for a rate increase of 57.83%. In my opinion, this is a bit much. And, from some of the e-mail I have received, I am not the only one that feels this way. I would suggest that both individual citizens and HOAs contact the AZ Corp. Commission to express your concern with this increase. Please refer to Dockett #SW-02351A-08-0609. You can e-mail the Commission at mailmaster@azcc.gov or in writing to AZ. Corp Com., Consumer Services Section, 1200 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ. 85007.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC: John Traynor suggested that the town consider making a donation to Cave Creek toward their open space purchase since our citizens would benefit from the additional park and open space also.
     Bill Rintelman thanked the outgoing council for all of their work.
     Jim Peirce asked the mayor to update citizens on the Lewis Easy Street project. Gary Neiss responded that he has spoken with Ed Lewis who said that due to the economy, the project is on hold, but that he has plans to go forward as soon as there is an upswing in the economy.

SHERIFF’S SECTOR: for the month of March, there was 15 arrests, 1 stolen vehicle, 309 traffic citations issued, 124 for speed, 0 for noise.
     Capt. Barry Roska has been transferred to a new post. Capt. Roska was instrumental in helping Carefree to institute our Safe Drug Disposal program. Best of luck to him.

DID YOU KNOW?: The reason that you see so many signs on the NE corner of Carefree Hwy. and Cave Creek Rd. is because that small section of the corner (14 ft.) is within the Cave Creek jurisdiction, not ours.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH: Do you believe that the next council should take a more pro-active rule in Black Mountain Sewer?

LAST MONTH’S QUESTION: If there was a report card, how would you rate this outgoing council?
All I can say is... Ouch! We did not do well, nor will some council members have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Let us all hope that our citizens made themselves heard, loud and clear, for the next council.

CAMPAIGN CORNER:
     You will be receiving your ballot in the mail. There are four candidates and two write-ins (John Traynor and Jim Peirce), vying for the four open council seats.
  FACT: Your ballot will state to “vote for no more than 4.” You do not have to vote for 4; you only have to vote for those candidates that reflect your personal views and positions.
  FACT: Please remember that if you are voting for a write-in candidate, you must include his first and last name on the required line and then connect the arrow to complete your choice.
  FACT: Carefree requested that no early ballots be mailed. You have less than 2 weeks to return your ballot after receiving it.
Coady Comment: In my opinion, Carefree needs council members with not only financial background and experience, but who actively endorse citizen input. I believe they should also support your right to directly elect the mayor. Both Peter Koteas and John Traynor fit this criteria and are worthy of your consideration and vote.

  Proposition 404 Direct Election of the Mayor update:
     This is it people, we have our opportunity to finally decide if citizens should have the right to vote for the mayor, and I am hoping for a landslide.
     Do be aware that the next council will vote for the mayor and not you. As I said, we can only hope that the new council is more prepared to listen to our citizens when they are sworn in.
  FACT: Candidates Vanik, Schwan and Gemmill do not support the direct election of the mayor.

RECYCLE BIN: Please mark your calendar! We will be holding a special Recycling Triple-header on May 16th. We will be collecting electronic waste, document shredding and safe drug disposal. The first three (3) banker boxes of documents will be shredded for free, with a $5 charge per box for additional.
     The recycling site will be our usual site at Tom Darlington and Ho Rd. Hours will be from 9-1.
     We will take both prescription and over the counter drugs.
     Place all tablets and capsules in a clear, plastic baggie (drugs can be combined).
     All liquid meds should be in their bottles.
     All meds are to be handed directly to a deputy sheriff.

EVENT CALENDAR - 5/21, 7:00pm -Concerts in the Garden (Scottsdale Community Concert Band), Planning and Zoning- 5/11, 5:00 PM, Farmer’s Market-Fridays, till 5/23, 9:30 AM-2:00 PM, Town Council Meeting- 6/2, 5:00 PM.

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.

Councilman Bob Coady