Is it Something Positive, or is the “Open Space” Headline an attempt to Deceive Carefree Voters about its Real Purpose?
The upcoming Ballot in Carefree this summer will offer Carefree voters an Initiative relating to “prohibit (the) use of eminent domain to develop privately owned land designated open space/recreational in (the) current General Plan.”
But the Initiative also continues: “Measure is retroactive to January 1, 2021. Property condemned between January 1, 2021 and effective date must be offered for sale back to original owner at price paid plus interest. If repurchased, Town must restore property to condition at condemnation at town’s expense.”
Let’s be clear about what is being attempted here. This is not about preserving open space. It is about forcing the underground water storage reservoir currently under construction in the Boulders open space to be torn down and removed, thus forcing the rebuilding of a new reservoir in an alternative Carefree neighborhood at the expense of all Carefree Water Company ratepayers.
After the Boulders HOA Directors and their friends lost all 12 Court decisions over the last year and attempts to delay and halt the construction of the reservoir in an area reserved for the installation of utilities on the perimeter of the Boulders, construction is now moving ahead. This so called “open space” Initiative is a last gasp effort to force the new reservoir to be torn down and removed, requiring a new identical capacity reservoir to be built in another Carefree neighborhood and presenting the estimated $8 million bill for this senseless undertaking to all Carefree water users, 85% of whom live outside of the Boulders.
Why would the 85% of Carefree residents living outside of the Boulders want to pay for the removal of an underground fresh water reservoir only have it placed in someone else’s backyard at a higher cost to all residents?
Les Peterson
Carefree Resident
