Carefree residents have a stake in town’s economic future

What is an “economic stakeholder”? I consider myself one, along with anyone else who owns property in Carefree.

I like cash reserves. I think that the town should have adequate and reasonable cash reserves. As an economic stakeholder, I consider some of the current cash reserves to be mine and the town is simply a fiduciary with check-signing powers over my money and the monies of other Carefree residents.

In the past, I supported paying off the mortgage on the Town Hall building, Fire Station No. 1 and the fire engine. It made good economic sense.

No objections from me if the town determines that it makes better economic sense to own, rather than rent, its council chambers. If this involves a loan, now is a good time with interests rates as low as they are.

The idea of a building for the Desert Foothills Theater or an Arizona State University museum sounds good. But, does the plan make good economicsense?

I believe it is the town’s responsibility to make Carefree a great place for people to want to live, work and play. I do not believe that it is the town’s responsibility to do marketing for the town’s merchants, except the efforts already in place using funds related to permits from events The biggest unanswered question should possibly be directed at Ed Lewis and Butte Development. If the planned development is as good as it sounds, with demand for downtown living and 17 newbusinesses, all generating new tax revenues, one would have to assume that it is economically viable. If that is the case, there should be many banks and financial institutions lining up with offers to provide financing regardless of what the town may do.

I would not like the town to become involved in building a Taj Mahal and have it turn into a white elephant.

Arthur Gimson lives in Carefree. He is a former member of the Carefree Town Council.