We have not had such a large field running for Town government in recent memory. There are 11 people running for six Council seats and two people running for Mayor. Of the 13 candidates asking for your votes, seven are incumbents or have served on Town committees. The remaining six are newcomers calling for change. They are not only saying it is time for change, but that the experienced people who have been running the Town have made a mess of things and need to be replaced.
What exactly have we made a mess of? We have seen to it that all Carefree residents have access to a reliable, quality source of water; we have studied ways to increase revenues through sales taxes without sacrificing the character of our Town.
Yes, we approved a hotel in the Town core (which is in the commercial center). Not only will the hotel generate tax revenue, but it will also help the businesses already in the Town core, attract new businesses and provide a convenient place for our guests to stay. The Hampton Inn by Hilton, is unlike any other Hampton Inn. Take a tour, walk through the lobby, pool area, rooms overlooking the sundial and rooms with views of scenic vistas. What you will experience is more like a boutique hotel than the square box airport Hampton Inns.
We are investigating ways to ensure that we have the best fire protection available. We asked a group of volunteers from the Town to look at the issues surrounding Rural Metro Services and their ability to participate in Automatic Aid, as well as assessing the City of Scottsdale’s and Daisy Mountain’s ability to act for us in that regard. Coming out of that committee’s assessment we have hired two independent consultants: one a financial expert to help us figure out how to pay for our new fire services and financially vet potential partners and a firefighting professional to help us figure out the best resource to use.
We hired an Economic Development Manager to help us attract new business in those areas designated for non-residential uses to minimize any disruption to nearby residential areas.
We hired an independent traffic engineer to help us make our streets and crosswalks safe for pedestrians and motorists.
And we are currently working with a signage company to make way finding in to and around our Town easier.
All these things took an understanding of the workings of our Town and the knowledge base to prioritize and make good, solid decisions.
It took me almost all of my first term to study all of the issues that affect our decisions and to understand what could be changed and what couldn’t and why.
The candidates who want to get rid of us, say experience doesn’t matter. I say not only does it matter but it is critical to success. Direct experience in the specific challenges needing to be addressed and a knowledge of the legal and regulatory situation is critical.
Sadly, they don’t know what they don’t know. Prior to running for office, why didn’t they attend more than one or two Council meetings, budget meetings, or at least volunteer to serve on a committee or attend a few Town events?
I would like to ask them to identify what they would do differently to better our Town? So far they have only offered criticism but no solutions.
That is why I wholeheartedly endorse John Crane for Mayor; Vince D’Alesio, Tony Geiger, Stephen Hatcher, Michael Johnson, Sheila Amoroso (who was part of the volunteer fire safety committee) for Town Council. I, too, am asking for your vote. We have the experience, the expertise and drive to continue keeping Carefree the place we all moved here for in the first place…let’s keep it Carefree!
Cheryl Kroyer
Carefree Town Council Member
