Carefree Truth

Issue #266, July 9, 2013

 

 

Councilman Mike Farrar requested that the letter below be published in response to ex Councilman Arthur Gimson's comments made at Call to the Public. 

 

 

 

Dear Carefree Citizens,

 

On July 1, 2013, I requested to Mayor Schwan that we observe a moment of silence at our Town Council Meeting of July 2nd, for the 19 firefighter heroes (and their families) who died battling the Yarnell Hill Fire, and remember the many sacrifices of all our Community Hero's (i.e. police officers, medical personnel, etc..).

 

While attending  the Council meeting, I was deeply disappointed by ex-councilman Arthur Gimson’s personal attack on me and his seemingly cheap, under-handed attempt to mis-characterize my statement to Glenn Miller, and his attempt to capitalize on the Yarnell tragedy for his own political agenda. As Gimson very well knows, I was referencing Mr. Miller's qualifications and past experience in being, in any way, applicable to crafting an Economic Development Plan for our town, or any municipality for that matter. I feel the same way about Gimson’s past experience and everyone else on the council, including myself.

 

That is why most responsible cities and towns utilize the services of either their own internal Economic Development Director (Carefree does not have such an individual), or contract out to third-parties that have the necessary expertise, training, experience and skill-set to do the same. It is highly arrogant, ignorant and irresponsible for an elected official to presume that by their sheer election to a governmental office, that they have somehow been endowed with new and special knowledge and skills that allow them to draft such a highly important document that has long-term material significance and at great cost…i.e. such as an Economic Development Plan for their community.

 

For example, the City of Phoenix and Tucson currently has significant problems with the revenue shortfall and operations of their municipal golf courses. Thus, they have chosen to utilize outside experts in that field to provide recommendations to them. In short, both cities have engaged the National Golf Foundation to make recommendations to their Parks Department and Town Council on a solution.

 

Carefree needs to utilize experts as well for our Economic Development planning, etc.. That is the responsibility of its Council members to its constituents.

 

Unlike Mr. Gimson and some others, I have taken my position and fiduciary responsibility to our citizens seriously and will always scrutinize and carefully analyze how our town spends its public funds, and its future impact on our community.

 

Moreover, Mr. Elliot Pollack, a highly respected Economist in Arizona stated personally to me that our council would be foolish to attempt to craft an Economic Development Plan that was not vetted or analyzed and/or created by a third-party that has the specialized background, expertise and skill-set to do so.

 

To illustrate my point, "a person should not use an attorney, hairdresser, hotel manager, commercial broker, etc.., for their dental work.. and while Arthur might, and maybe he does,...a prudent, responsible person would use a "dentist" for their dental work."

 

In addition, I am continually confused by Mr. Gimson’s position, as he has publicly stated that he is opposed to any town funding for all the proposed capital projects within the currently drafted Economic Development Plan put forth by Councilperson Melissa Price.

 

Again, I have always been supportive of the proposed capital projects, but only if a third party expert confirms the same, and not just lay-people from our council. However, I do not see the need to spend three quarters of a million dollars for a garish splash pad in our beautiful garden and a sound system and lighting for the amphitheater especially as performers prefer their own sound system and lighting; especially given, we know we can do it for much less than what is being put forth.

 

Unlike many, I follow my own consequence (sic) and will never blindly follow other’s views on public policy decisions. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we don’t. It is the different views and voices and debate in our community and the ability for the same to be heard that make for a healthy democracy. I sincerely hope someday Mr. Gimson will understand that very important principle of our country. There was a reason for the American Revolution.

 

Thank you,

 

Mike Farrar

Councilman, Town of Carefree, Arizona

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muxxBElUiCs    

 

 

Lyn Hitchon    

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com

If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list please contact me, and feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. See what businesses and services Carefree has to offer at http://www.carefree-az-businesses experiencethedifference.com. Please support our merchants. Visit our Carefree Desert Gardens website at http://www.carefree-desert-gardens.com/Carefree_Desert_Gardens/Welcome.html