Vol. 15 Issue No. 9 | March 4 - 10, 2009

Not the way to get out of doing laundry

By Linda Bentley | March 4, 2009


Photo by Linda Bentley: Rural/Metro paramedics are pictured loading Ronnie Schmitz onto a gurney last Thursday after he was hit by a brown Subaru SUV in the driveway between the Circle K and Rico Plaza. Schmitz, who is visiting from Weatherford, Okla., came to town with his wife Evelyn and another couple to do laundry. Schmitz was walking from the Circle K to Sonoran Suds Laundromat as the driver of the Subaru turned to exit the parking lot. It appears neither the driver nor Schmitz saw each other. Diagnosed with torn ligaments to his left knee and fitted with a splint, Schmitz was released from the emergency room with an appointment to see an orthopedic surgeon.

Did Fulcher use COINS to influence outcome of election?

By Linda Bentley | March 4, 2009

Resorts to possible malfeasance to rip council candidate as ‘reckless and irresponsible’

CAREFREE – As last week’s edition of Sonoran News had barely hit the stands, a COINS (Carefree Official Information Notification System) e-mail was sent out at around 3 p.m. as a “Public Information Alert” with the first item addressing “Sales Tax.”
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Two COINS from the mayor

By Linda Bentley | March 4, 2009

Fulcher’s use of town’s information notification system cause for alarm

CAREFREE – Following the Feb. 25 COINS Public Information Alert regarding “Sales Tax,” placed by Mayor Wayne Fulcher to publicly berate and advocate against council candidate Doug Stavoe, Sonoran News learned the second item wasn’t so innocently placed in the COINS Alert either.
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Alarmists without COINS use general delivery

By Linda Bentley | March 4, 2009

The ‘breaking voter news’ no newspaper saw fit to print

CAREFREE – Gary Hayward, Ron Nelson and Chuck Hoch, who are behind the political action committee Caring About Carefree, apparently had little luck peddling what their “investigation” uncovered about Carefree Councilman Bob Coady, who is seeking reelection, to a Scottsdale newspaper.
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Water system upgrades awarded Public Works Project of the Year


By Linda Bentley | March 4, 2009

Building department can review feasibility of switching to one-inch meter

CAVE CREEK – In addition to reminding everyone to vote this coming Tuesday, Mayor Vincent Francia made another announcement during Monday night’s meeting about Utilities Manager Jessica Marlow receiving an award, which he asked her to explain.
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Carefree approves moratorium on sign rules

By Curtis Riggs | March 4, 2009

Banner, sandwich boards OK until Aug. 1

CAREFREE – Town council approved a near six-month moratorium on rules governing banner and sandwich board signs used by businesses in the community on Tuesday as a way of helping businesses to survive in the challenging economic times.
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Carefree incumbents flip-flop on direct election of mayor

By Curtis Riggs | March 4, 2009

CAREFREE – Several Town Councilmen recently expressed a change of heart about Councilman Bob Coady’s proposal to have citizens directly elect their mayor.

Coady’s proposal, Proposition 404, will be on the ballot of the May 19 general election in Carefree. He was able to obtain the signatures of over 400 Carefree registered voters since the end of 2008, which ensured the proposition made it to the ballot.
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Remembering Paul Harvey

By Earl and Mary Ann Runte | March 4, 2009

CAVE CREEK – Numerous men and women of national reputation have blessed Cave Creek and Carefree with their presence but few have been more representative of humility and down-home good neighboring than Paul and Angel Harvey.
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