To:Carefree Town Council

Sonoran News

Cc:Gray Neiss, Town Administrator

Date:January 21, 2010

The January 20, 2010, edition of the Sonoran News contains the article “Carefree Councilmen Openly Back John Traynor in Recall Election”.

Councilmembers Koteas and Stavoe make several large errors of fact in this article.

•I resigned from the Foothills Caring Corps Board of Directors on May 26, 2009.  A copy of my resignation letter is attached.  I was not a Board member when the check from the Town of Carefree was issued in January, 2010.

•Members of Carefree Town Council were notified of Carefree’s application for the SFY2009 LTAF II Grant and matching fund contribution on September 21, 2009.  A copy of this letter to Carefree Town Council is attached.

•The monies transferred through the Town of Carefree to the Foothills Caring Corps are a grant that is specifically for the transportation services supplied to citizens by the Caring Corps. 

•I approved using $1,826.27 of Carefree funds as a match to the grant amount of $5,478.82.

I acted properly in this matter; this was not a “free will” contribution.  My action brought needed funds to a local 501c3 that provides many services to Carefree citizens.  Councilmembers Koteas and Stavoe used the good name of the Foothills Caring Corps for political purposes and that reprehensible action is not appropriate for members of Carefree Town Council.

In my opinion Councilmembers Koteas and Stavoe made serious charges in the article based on egregious errors of fact.  In my opinion elected members of a public body have a duty to get the facts correct before they make accusations. 

I look forward to a prompt correction of the facts and apology, from both the Councilmembers and the Sonoran News, to the Town of Carefree and the Foothills Caring Corps.

Mayor David Schwan

Town of Carefree