It seems that Carefree Truth is becoming a popular forum for those who would like to express opinions other than those printed in the Sonoran News.  So, if you would like to send a Letter to the Editor style short opinion piece, I will start printing them on a regular basis.  I am also happy to publish longer, stand alone letters, as you have noticed.

Lyn

 

 

Letter on Carefree Truth #32

 

Two thoughts in response to your Carefree Truth #32.  One is that the Wizard of Oz analogy is applicable.  Sorchych, like the Wizard, spins lies and bombastic stories while pretending to have some extra power or insight.  Just peak behind the curtain, and you find a fake.  Sorchych is certainly no investigative reporter or political analyst.  He rarely attends the government meetings he writes about in his editorials, and I understand he has never interviewed Mayor Schwan or even contacted him to verify information he prints in the Sonoran News.  But Sorchych would never let a few facts get in the way of a juicy story.  He's merely an angry old man who has fooled way too many people into believing he has all the answers.  To carry the Wizard of Oz theme a bit further, I do recall how the Cowardly Lion, the heartless Tinman, and the not-so-bright Scarecrow cheerfully followed Dorothy to Oz, all the while singing, "If I Only Had a Brain." I can picture a few of the Carefree council members filling these roles.

 

Second, I noted your "Sorchych's Old Boys" comment.  Note the acronym!

 

A Reader

 

 

Letters on Carefree Truth #33

 

So, he opposed progress under the cloak of fiscal responsibility!  Another politician who just doesn't get it.  BALANCE, that is what is needed.  Some expenditures are important for public safety and quality of life.  Good note from you.  Thanks.

Bob Williams

 

 

Hi Lyn,

You forgot to add the NO vote on the Stimulus money  -  That's as stupid as you can get and he was the only one that voted NO.  I think the amount was $588,000.

Joe J DeVito

 

Lyn:

Great message, but you missed out Coady’s most recent “No” vote when he voted against taking $588,000 of taxpayer funded Federal stimulus money for improvements to Cave Creek Road and a cross walk on Tom Darlington.  He reason for voting the way he did was that he did not like the fee that was associated with the funds.  This was money that would be kept by the State and used to administer the funds.

 I am not a supporter of the administration’s stimulus program, but it is the people’s money and if Arizona and carefree does to take it, other states will have their hands out.

 Arthur

 

Letters on Doug Stavoe's article/email in support of John Traynor 

TO: Carefree Truth

 

     Having been a resident of Carefree for almost eighteen years and being fairly familiar with the workings of our wonderful Town, I was extremely upset when a friend forwarded to me a recent e-mail sent out by Councilman Doug Stavoe.

     The e-mail was disingenuous in its attempt to portray Mr. Stavoe as a neutral party in the ill conceived recall effort. Anyone who attends Town Council meetings knows that Mr. Stavoe constantly uses his council seat to undermine the Mayor, and staff. He does this in concert with the Sonoran News, while refusing to engage the staff or Mayor in an effort to find solutions to issues facing our Town. In his e-mail he brags about the big idea he has put forward to help the Town’s finances and retail health. His suggestions…form a committee! That may work in Washington, but not in Carefree!  We elect our Council to do their homework, get citizen input, evaluate alternatives, and make the hard decisions. What are your specific recommendations Doug?

     Lastly, but perhaps the most disturbing, was a statement made by Stavoe that the Mayor has complete authority over budget disbursements. This is simply not true. Town regulations say the Mayor is authorized to spend up to $4,000 that is budgeted and beyond that he must get Council approval. Mr. Stavoe should know this regulation as the Town Council’s financial liaison. Was this ignorance or a cynical attempt to mislead his readers for a hidden political agenda? You decide!

     Unfortunately this is the latest in a pattern of saying one thing while doing another. For several years Doug Stavoe has worked assiduously to get the Thunderbird Artists

weekend events thrown out of Carefree. These events bring substantial revenue to many of our retail businesses. But Doug has pushed for an art show that he would run. Yet recently Stavoe has said he supports the Thunderbird events.

Which is it Doug?

 

Dennis

Carefree

 

 

NO.  I HAVE NO INTENTION OF VOTING FOR JOHN TRAYNOR. DAVID SCHWAN WILL BE RE-ELECTED BECAUSE THE TOWN KNOWS WHAT A SLEEZY, IN YOUR FACE KIND OF GUY MR TRAYNOR IS. I ATTEND MEETINGS AND SEEN HIS PERFORMANCE YOU ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS RECALL. USING TIME AND FINANCES IS NOT LIVING UP TO YOUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES.

TAKE ME OFF YOUR MAILING LIST PROMPTLY. THE MAYOR WILL REMAIN MAYOR SO EAT YOUR HEART OUT. JUST RUN YOUR RESTAURANT AND BE HAPPY.

EPINAZ

 

 

    Doug, it is a huge disservice to our town that a group has chosen to disrupt its otherwise smooth and responsible operation by this special election.  It would seem that some of the actions taken that you say support this recall have to do with you not getting your way (re: recommendations for committees). 

 

    As to finances, we all have times when we spend more than we have in income.  If you have solid data that the economy will never turn around then your concern about spending some of the reserves this year might be warranted.  But, the town does have quite substantial reserves and the purpose of reserves is to cover expenses when current income is not adequate.  And, the economy will turn around.

 

    A greater concern is the attitude and style of those backing the recall.  It reminds me of a great phrase of Spiro Agnew in describing the press  . . . "nattering nabobs of negativism."  While Agnew was less than a paragon of virtue, the phrase seems to describe those behind and in support of this recall.  The recall is a chilling example of the irresponsibility of the group fostering it.  With a two year election cycle, the opportunity to adjust the membership of the Carefree Council is just a year away.  The out of pocket cost plus the enormous opportunity cost of this election should have, alone, been enough reason to delay this explosion of outrage over the pointless and vague charges on which the recall is based.

 

    You and your associates are wrong and are wounding an otherwise fine and well run community.

 

John Blair

 

 

    What a travesty....this whole recall is a sham and a manipulation of the system.  If John Traynor was sooooo awesome he would've been elected in the regular council election..the bottom line is...he can't be elected with more than one candidate..so he throws his hat in the ring because it doesn't cost him anything to run now against someone who's already done this ONCE before!  This is such a waste of taxpayer money and time.

 

    Doesn't anyone read the town charter?  Don't they understand that the Town Fathers wanted a strong mayor form of government?

 

Jamie Drinkwater Buchanan

 

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your opinion. If a Code Of Ethics existed in Carefree , you'd be in violation of it. I've been to a few Town Council meetings and I must admit you could easily be a target of a Recall.

You make no mention of the real attacks made by the SN Editor Don Sorchych, who seems to want to control our Town. A vote for Traynor is a vote for a man who has been a nay sayer at Council meetings & would consolidate Don Sorchych's control of Carefree. I guess that includes you.

Be careful what you wish for.

Annoyed,

Joe J DeVito