Dear Citizens:
     This evening council approved (7-0) 4 liquor licenses for assorted  Thunderbird Art Festivals, the closing of streets for the Christmas Festival and the 2008-09 fiscal year audit.  
     After numerous concerns by a number of council members regarding the placement and design of a pedestrian crosswalk @ Tom Darlington & Ridgeview Pl, council approved the crosswalk 6-1, Coady dissenting.  
     Coady Comment: For years I have supported installation of pedestrian crosswalks.  Because this is based on accepting the federal stimulus funds, there is a time frame involved, and I am not prepared to do this crosswalk  halfway.
     Councilwoman Vanik submitted a “Code of Conduct” to be adhered to by council members.  Council voted 6-1 (Coady dissenting) to continue this issue till a later time.
     Coady Comment: Considering the many important issues facing Carefree, I have little patience with this type of schoolyard behavior.  I was elected by you, the citizens, and I take my direction from you only.  If I misbehave, then you can give me a “time out” at the next election.  In the mean time, I will do my job and ask the hard questions that I feel are in the best interests of Carefree. And, I will not be stifled by outside interference.
     In what turned out to be the most interesting item of the night, Councilman Stavoe requested that council vote to extend the mailing time for ballots to the longest possible time allowed.  During the last election, there were a number of our citizens that had a problem receiving their ballots in a timely manner. Councilman Stavoe stated that this was simply a win/win for the citizens.  Much to my surprise, this was only approved 5-3, both Mayor Schwan and Vice Mayor Miller voting against it.

LAST MONTH’S QUESTION OF THE MONTH: Did you attend Carefree’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, and did you enjoy it (I’ve already gotten great reviews on the car show)?
     I didn’t get a lot of responses on this question, but those that did attend enjoyed the event. No one wrote regarding the cocktail party, so I have no data to offer. Unfortunately, I had a wedding to attend that day.  I did get some great suggestions for future events and have passed them on to Councilman Koteas who is in charge of town marketing.
 
QUESTION OF THE MONTH: Carefree has recently formed a Green Committee.  Would you be interested in attending seminars on environmental issues or new energy saving techniques?  If so, what topics would you be interested in learning more about?

DID YOU KNOW: At a special council meeting, Council voted (6-1, Coady against) to accept Federal stimulus money for resealing Cave Creek Rd. From Scopa Trail to Pima.

SHERIFF’S SECTOR: MCSO Sept. Stats-7 arrests, 1 burglary, 150 citations were issued, 86 for speed, 0 noise.
     As always, MCSO will be in charge of our Safe Drug Disposal Program this month (see below). 

TRIPLE-HEADER RECYCLING EVENT - NOV. 21ST, FROM 9AM -1PM  -     This is it, our bi-annual recycling event. We will be collecting outdated/unused prescriptions & over the counter drugs, document shredding, as well as electronic waste collection.
     Thanks to donations from dedicated supporters, there will be no charge for the shredding. To date, the following are supporters of this project: ABCO Recycling, Bad Donkey, Boland Law Group, Carefree Consultants Inc., Carefree Town, Estate Planning, Foothills Chiropractic, Jessco Electric, Sonoran News, Westech Recyclers.

                                                     DRUG DROP-OFF RULES
1. PRESCRIPTION/OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS MUST BE IN A CLEAR, PLASTIC SANDWICH BAG -NO  CONTAINERS ARE TO BE INCLUDED
2. DRUGS (PILL/CAPS) CAN BE MIXED
3. ALL LIQUID MEDICATIONS MUST BE IN ORIGINAL BOTTLES
4. NO SYRINGES OR NO BIO-WASTE
5. DRUGS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE DEPUTY ONLY
MCSO WILL DISPOSE OF ALL COLLECTED DRUGS

RECYCLING UPDATE: I have just returned from a week in Washington DC where I met with the staff of various members of Congress (including Sen McCain), as well as numerous organizations to discuss Carefree’s recycling program on fluorescent bulbs.  I was well received and Carefree received some great positive support for our recycling programs.  As requested by Councilman Koteas, I used these opportunities to promote Carefree as well.  
     On the negative side, Mayor Schwan has now decided that promoting Carefree does not meet his standards for town finances.  As a result, I will pick up the $460 cost personally.
     Coady Comment: It is a sad commentary when town concerns are driven by pettiness.  Carefree needs all the promotion and positive enforcement we can get.