Carefree Truth

Issue #245, May 7, 2013

 

 

 

Suzanne Nyberg stated that she is OK with most of the budget, but is opposed to the $850,000 for a splash pad, Veteran's Memorial, and amphitheater cover.  "Your focus is to promote business in the town center and spend money advertising to bring people up here and get crowds and have art fairs, and as a citizen here, I find that having all these art fairs and all these things happening in the town center is just annoying."  She said that Carefree is only helping businesses in the town center, "but I do not particularly want you to help any businesses and bring a lot of people into town and make it hard to drive around and to park and go to the Post Office; I find that annoying."  "What I would like is totally at odds with your idea of what you think you should do, promote business and bring a lot of people here."  She asked who agreed with her, and some of the 11 audience members raised their hands. 

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Melissa Price asked if she understood that  without sales tax revenue from the businesses, there would probably be a property tax.  That revenue pays for the roads and the services.  Ms. Nyberg replied that if the Town didn't spend money on attracting business, they could spend it on the roads.

 

 

 

Mayor David Schwan reminded the audience that everyone in Carefree now has free fire service, which used to be paid by the property owners.  That costs Carefree about $1,300,000 a year.  He asked if they would prefer to pay that out of pocket again.  Ms. Nyberg stated that she and her husband would.

 

 

 

Councilman Marty Saltzman said, "These items didn't just pop up."  He explained that these had been discussed at numerous council meetings and would be "beaten to death before spade is put to dirt".  He assured everyone that there would be plenty of opportunity for citizen input.  Councilman Glenn Miller said that the installation of the playground equipment, which cost considerably less, took three years to accomplish.  Mr. Saltzman added that the Town does make the effort to be pretty sure they're getting it right before spending money.  "It's not yes, expect to see it next month."  Town Attorney Mike Wright agreed that there must be a comment period.

 

 

 

Mayor Schwan said he had tried many times to explain the budget process to resigned councilman Jim Van Allen, and apologized that he had apparently still not been able to make it clear.   When the bottom line is adopted, the Town can't exceed that expenditure, so possible expenditures must be anticipated for the fiscal year.  That's why the $850,000 is there.  It will only be spent "if we get very lucky", and there will be a series of hearings and public information about any of these purchases.  A couple of years ago, the amount budgeted for the Christmas Festival was too low, and even though more donations were received than was anticipated, the money could not be spent.  The large bottom line anticipates future possibilities.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjTaeL6Cvx4 

 

 

 

Another lady said she loves the activity in Carefree.  She felt empty stores were a sad state of affairs for both visitors and residents to see.  She wasn't sure that a splash pad would attract the types of customers desired, and favored a study to evaluate who we want to attract and what would attract them.  She is pleased that the Town is proposing some development insight and does think that change has to take place.   She is not against the crowds, and enjoys hearing people talk about having been in Carefree.  She said the sundial is a great attraction and she sees the crowds it draws when she's walking her dog.  She is in favor of some thoughtful growth.

 

 

 

A gentleman said he had been associated with the splash pad industry and that a lot of people were in shock over objections to the addition of a splash pad.  He was in support of a study to see what would be advantageous in bringing people up to Carefree.

 

 

 

Herbert Hitchon said that, as an oncologist and a bald guy, he thought that adding more shade to the amphitheater would be "wonderful!"  The literature stresses the importance of cutting down sun exposure, even for young children.  The saying goes, "You burn now, you pay later."  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGwcpzZustc    

 

 

The last speaker was John Traynor, the losing candidate in the failed recall attempt, who complained that his input was not accepted last year.  Mayor Schwan pointed out that Mr. Traynor left shortly before the Council discussion was finished, which is when public comments are heard at workshops.  Mr. Traynor responded that he didn't know it was going to be so "long winded", but it was "history".  Mayor Schwan reminded him of the legal requirement to limit comments to the item on the agenda, the budget.  Mr. Traynor said there is a need to evaluate projects "before blindly going down a road".  He added, "Staff needs to be evaluated.  We need to look at the way the Town does business."  "Just because you get elected doesn't mean you're representing all the people in the Town."  He expressed opposition to the capital projects, and thought they were "ill conceived", then claimed that this meeting was not substantially different than last year's. 

 

 

 

Mr. Saltzman said, "Since responses are permitted, and since umbrage has been taken, and since I ain't in the mood, you're complaining about how long winded things were last time.  You spoke quite a bit.  I have no idea what the heck you just said, other than to say you don't like stuff."  Mr. Miller said, "This is what John tries to do."  

 

 

 

Mayor Schwan told Mr. Van Allen, "I'm much more optimistic about the future than you seem to be."  Mr. Traynor said, "How'd your optimism work this year?"  Mayor Schwan replied, "Outstanding."  Mr. Traynor disagreed.  Mr. Miller said, "John, you're the most negative guy I've ever met in my life."  At that point, Mayor Schwan called for order.  Michelle Miller and Mr. Traynor exchanged hostile words by the door before walking out of the room.  Mr. Miller jumped up, concerned for Mrs. Miller's safety, with a cry of, "That's my wife!"  The meeting was adjourned.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L62_P9ke0WA

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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