I am a USMC Vietnam veteran. I have seen real leadership in war time and peace time situations.
I have not seen leadership in the meetings I have had with Vice Mayor John Crane. When I met with him, I had the feeling he was not in touch with what is going on.
Examples:
- The Town Administrator had written a letter to the Life Safety Council requesting that the Town be included in the Auto Aid program. Vice Mayor Crane said he was not aware of this. When I asked him why the Town Administrator was writing this type of letter which could encumber the Town for hundreds of thousands of dollars without his knowledge, Vice Mayor Crane had no response.
- Vice Mayor Crane and Councilperson Cheryl Kroyer did a salary survey in 2018 for the Town Administrator after he was allegedly offered the Town Manager position for the Town of Paradise Valley. When I asked Vice Mayor Crane if he had asked for or seen an offer letter for the position, he said he had not. Not only was the offer letter not asked for (it seems it would have been helpful in preparing a salary survey), the survey that he and Councilperson Kroyer completed was for that of a Town Manager, not a Town Administrator’s salary. Town Administrators make less than a Town Manager because their responsibilities are less than a Town Manager. The Administrator follows the direction of the Town Council. Yet our Town Administrator received a $30,000+ a year raise, placing him in the top tier for Town Managers, which he is not. Why wasn’t the offer letter requested?
- I have written 3 emails to all of the Town Councilmembers of Carefree. There was never a response from any of them, including from Vice Mayor Crane. I do not think this this demonstrates good judgement or excellent leadership skills.
- Residents passed a Proposition for Term Limits by a 65%+ vote of the electors. Ordinance 2-1-9 was enacted. Vice Mayor Crane sued the Town of Carefree. In his findings, the judge said the Ordinance was “unenforceable.” In my opinion, it does not show good judgement or leadership to go against the obvious wishes of the Town residents, and then sue the Town.
The suggestion I have made for the last 3 years is to include a page for information on Town events in the Carefree Water Company’s bills, which are sent out by US Mail or email. For example, the $18 million dollar water transition project — the Water bond never went to a vote—the Town and Water Department never sent out information regarding this project before the bonds were sold. In the July 2018 Water Company Board meeting, when asked it if this bond issue was going to go to a vote, Mayor Peterson stated there are 80% of them and 20% of you, you would not like the outcome. What was Vice Mayor Crane’s response? Silence. Now, I do not begrudge the residents in Transition Project A, B and C areas Carefree water. I just feel they should pay for the infrastructure to get Carefree water to their homes. Not the 80% of current Carefree Water Department customers who never had a vote on the matter. Isn’t it amazing that we have 3 current Town Council members and 4 Planning and Zoning members living in areas A, B, and C who will benefit from this project? I am sorry, $20 extra a month on A, B and C’s water bill does not cover this bond. I have asked for Councilman Gieger’s math calculations to see how this was derived. This question went with no response. Isn’t it fun when you can spend other people’s money, without asking them? I do not think so. - The 3 council people are, Vice Mayor Crane, Councilman Tony Geiger and Councilman Michael Johnson live in this water transition project. Interesting.
- The residents of Carefree need strong leadership, responsive Town government, and communication to ALL residents. In my opinion we do not have this and if the current people are put back in to do the same, Carefree residents will not be well served.
- The Carefree residents need a Mayor and council who demonstrate integrity and accountability. That is why I am supporting Peter Sample for Mayor. He embodies these qualities. Peter also will ensure “increased public outreach and transparency.” We have not had either with the current Council.
- I support Peter Sample for Carefree Mayor.
https://CarefreeMayor.com for more information on Peter and to contact him.
John Mattes
Carefree Resident
