Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included.  If your photos are for sale, let us know and we will put them under that category.  We have a special section for that purpose.  If anyone would like to buy a print of any of Herbert's photos, all profits will be donated to one of the local non-profit organizations.   Here is the link to this week's Pictures of the Week. Enjoy!)

http://www.carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-week-22216.html

 

Photo by Herbert Hitchon

 

 

 

 

The 2016 Carefree Desert Garden calendars are now available at Carefree Town Hall, 8 Sundial Circle, Carefree, and they are gorgeous! If you like to take pictures, visit the Gardens.  Our entry period for the Carefree Desert Gardens Photo Contest is January.  Your picture could be in the 2017 calendar.

 

 

 

Town of Carefree Newsletter link:

http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4b736631f153ae846e0670316&id=1c548bde21

 

In The News-Town of Carefree link

http://www.carefree.org/DocumentCenter/View/1250

 

Desert Foothills Chronicle link:

http://www.desertfoothillschronicle.org/

CITYSunTimes link:

http://news.citysuntimes.com/

 

 

 

Perhaps it’s the political season we are in, but a lot of misinformation and truth-twisting about Carefree is floating around town these days.  I’d like to set the record straight on three issues that have cropped up in local media.

Bike Lanes:  The bike lane projects along Tom Darlington, Cave Creek and Pima Roads are being undertaken for the safety of the increasing number of bicycle riders traveling through our area.  Critics complained that the cyclists don’t generate enough extra business in our town to justify the expense. But safety is the primary objective – not economic development. The town has a legal obligation to provide for the safe use of its public roadways. To do otherwise would expose the town and its residents to financial liability in the event of an accident.

Other people have inquired about the impact of the landscaping in the medians after the project is completed. Keep in mind that Carefree only removed six plants from its medians, so a high percentage of our existing median vegetation will remain. We have recently been discussing various landscaping options to supplement this existing vegetation, and I will be supporting a full landscaping package for these medians.

Critics have also complained about the timing of the construction project.  We certainly would have preferred a July-September schedule. But the federal government is reimbursing Carefree for 94% of the construction costs to help make our roadways safer for all. Because of this, the project was placed under the supervision of the Arizona Department of Transportation. They determined the final construction schedule.  We think everyone can agree that was a very worthwhile trade-off for the town. 

Commercial Building Heights: The suggestion the Planning and Zoning Commission or Town Council were considering permitting building heights up to 70 feet is total balderdash.  Here’s some background on what really is being considered.

Virtually all the existing commercial buildings in downtown Carefree were built when the zoning code permitted 30-foot-high structures. About 12 years ago, however, the Carefree commercial height restriction was reduced to 24 feet to match the residential code. Since then, we have had very little new commercial construction. Developers and other knowledgeable people have told us the current height restriction - lower than virtually all other communities in our trading area - is a primary reason for lack of development. 

So P&Z and the Carefree Town Council are considering whether it would be advantageous to the town and its residents to modestly increase the permitted commercial height in downtown from the current growth-stifling 24 feet, perhaps back to the previous 30-feet level.  They also are looking at what other towns have done in permitting some growth slightly above 30 feet, but requiring “form based zoning,” which specifies architectural elements that would preserve the appearance and “feel” of downtown. 

The January 11, 2016 Planning & Zoning workshop was a third in a series of open public workshops that illustrated how other towns have managed the height situation and engaged our residents in a dialogue on the subject.  We urge participation and a vetting of ideas between the residents and feel that’s part of being a transparent government when we can have healthy and educated conversations. It surfaced during these conversations some residents were under the impression we were focusing on a 70 ft. building in downtown. Rest assured, no one I know is contemplating any 70-foot building in downtown Carefree.

Boutique Hotel:  The idea of a boutique hotel at 100 Easy Street did not originate with the Carefree Town Council or the P&Z Commission. It came from current experienced boutique hotel developers who contacted the property owner. They had completed their independent preliminary market studies, which confirmed to them a unique boutique hotel in downtown Carefree could be successful. These developers are also deep into developing other properties, however, so moving forward in Carefree could well depend upon how fast their other developments proceed and the stage of the national economic cycle when the Carefree option rises to the top of their projects.  

We don’t know if there will ever be a boutique hotel on the property, but if not, there are other options for this land under consideration by developers.

But this, and the other issues I’ve cited, are good examples of the damage that biased viewpoints and manufactured “facts” can do to our efforts to help make Carefree even better for our residents and achieve economic progress.  Rather than fighting these skirmishes, we much rather would be discussing and sharing our perspectives with one another in open and constructive forums. This is how transparent government works.

With that objective, Vice Mayor John Crane and I will be meeting with HOAs and groups of residents in Carefree this spring. Our objective will be to explain our progress and to include the residents who want to have healthy discussion and get their questions answered about anything on their minds. We are looking forward to providing information and working together to make Carefree the place which all of us are proud to call home.

If you would like to schedule a visit by Mayor Peterson and Vice Mayor Crane to your HOA or group, please contact Carefree Town Hall at 480-488-3686.

 

Mayor Les Peterson

Town of Carefree

 

Lyn,

Thanks so much for forwarding the video of David Schwan being recognized for the Foothills Caring Corps Humanitarian of the Year award. I agree whole-heartedly with the selection of David for this award, and want to thank David for all of his efforts and contributions over the years. He is a wonderful person.

Best regards,

Mayor Les Peterson

Town of Carefree, Arizona

 

 

Awesome!  Well-deserved and well done!

Gary Neiss, Town Administrator

Town of Carefree

 

Very nice.  I'm glad they are giving him the award.

Marie Christensen

 

 

Hi Lyn:
Well written.  Even better than usual. Ray must inspire you.

Best regards,

John Crane

(Lyn's note: I think Ray inspires most of us.  He's not only talented and creative, but is also nice and very down to earth.  Such a neat guy!  I love Ray.  Carefree is incredibly lucky that he fell in love with us too.)

 

Thank you for sharing, Lyn!

Ray Villafane

 

 

Lyn, as always you have a wonderful way of capturing the moment. Thanks to you and Herbie, and let’s get ready for Mr Toad’s wild ride.

LeAnda Merrihew

(Lyn's note: Although Gina Kaegi had a pumpkin festival in mind as a possible fall event, LeAnda is the Carefree citizen who brought reams of information on them to Gina, helping her to decide to go in that direction, and LeAnda was there a lot to volunteer during the event.  She has boundless enthusiasm for Ray and his wonderful pumpkins, and a real appreciation of Gina for scoring someone of Ray's amazing stature.)

 

Hi Lyn,

So happy to hear this and loved reading all about it. I agree that the Pumpkin Festival was absolutely fantastic in every way possible. Martha and I were there just about every night and couldn't get enough. It seemed that there was something new almost every time we were there. With so much negativity out there, whether in politics or otherwise, It's refreshing to read something this positive and we're so looking forward to the Pumpkin Festival and, of course, The Carefree Christmas Festival once again, later in the year. We love Carefree!

Thanks,

Kevin Glenn

(Lyn's note: Kevin's response to Ray Villafane, pt. 1.  Kevin is the singer at the Carefree Veteran's Day event, and at other events in Carefree during the year.)

 

Wow! This is so incredibly exciting! Martha and I met and talked with Ray several times over the course of the pumpkin festival last year and loved his enthusiasm for his work. As with us, his work is his play, and I agree that he and Carefree are a perfect fit.

Thanks,

Kevin

(Lyn's note: Kevin's response to pt. 2)

 

 

Too kind:). Very nice write up. Thank you Lyn!

Ray

(Lyn's note: Ray's response to pt. 2)

 

This is a great idea.  If he does the scarecrows, Carefree could make some money by selling Halloween costumes that match the new scarecrows, which I assume will be fixed.

Put me on your committee if this proposal grows legs.

Sara 

 

Hope we do it again!!!!  It was great!

Eileen Crowley

 

 

Lyn

This is very exciting!  He is such a creative person, and Enchanted Pumpkin Garden was fabulous! And to have his creativity all year long will be great!

Sherry Blakeley

 

 

That was one of the best events I have attended anywhere. So fun and UNIQUE!!!  It really showcased the town, with the interaction of the restaurants, stores, everyone was just wonderful. I am ready to move lock, stock and critters there asap.

As I write this English Rose Tea House is running an ad on  PBS.. too cool.

Laurie Palace

 

 

Experienced restaurant server is needed at Alberto Restaurant. Please apply in person after 4PM.  7171E Cave Creek Rd., Carefree AZ 85377 PH: 480 488 5800