As Ronald Reagan famously said, “Trust but Verify.” A recent Sonoran News letter to the editor is littered with inaccuracies about Carefree Park and blurs multiple topics. I attended the Carefree Town Council meetings referred in this letter. Contrary to the letter, the leader of Carefree Park, Wendy Mattes, DID NOT REQUEST ACQUISTION OR MAINTENANCE FUNDING. The Town can offer support in many ways, none of which require a financial commitment. Carefree Park has taken on the noble task of self-funding a project designed to save a pristine portion of our Sonoran Desert.
The letter’s comparison to Scottsdale’s Ashler Hills project is laughable. Ashler Hills is a multi-sport athletic facility, offering pickle ball, basketball courts, a playground, etc. Carefree Park is committed to preserving the natural Sonoran Desert, creating gentle trails designed for low- impact hiking or simply enjoying nature.
Reference was made to a failed property tax in Carefree, drawing a comparison to the funds required to purchase Carefree Park. Many of the same folks that rejected the property tax have graciously donated/pledged to Carefree Park nearly $1.2MM to date. Again, Carefree Park has NOT asked for Town of Carefree funding.
The letter then falsely claims work is underway on the Northwest corner of Tom Darlington Road and Carefree Highway. This letter, written by a former Councilman who resigned shortly after the property initiative failed 80/20 and who has rarely set foot in Town Hall since; needs to get his facts straight.
The simple fact is the Carefree Town staff is not working on a development proposal.
“Trust but Verify.” I encourage everyone to review Carefree Park’s website carefreepark.org I encourage anyone who did not attend the two above referenced Carefree council meetings to view them on Carefree’s YouTube channel.
Lon Johnson
Carefree 2024 Town Council Candidate
