CAREFREE TRUTH
Letters from Readers & Events: 3/10/16
Everything is going out a day later than usual because I was having some computer problems. My computer has been in the capable hands of Tech4Life for much of the past 2 days. Thanks, Mark and Patrick!
Lyn
(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://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-3716.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:
March 10, 2016 – Letter From Mayor Les Peterson
Carefree Adopts a “Code of Conduct” for all Elected and Appointed Officials
People who are elected or appointed to a position of responsibility serving the residents of Carefree are expected and required to handle all of their actions involving Carefree with the highest level of integrity. On March 1st, 2016, the Carefree Town Council adopted a written “Code of Conduct” for all of its elected and appointed officials so there could be no ambiguity in the definition of the “highest level of integrity”.
This Code of Conduct was developed by a team involving the Town Council and staff, past members of the Carefree Town Council, the Town Attorney and other knowledgeable individuals. Developing the Code was a result of the team’s review of a broad cross-section of Codes of Conduct in place in over 80% of the cities and towns in Arizona, and a legal review of recent changes to Arizona statutes. Using these sources, they drafted a Code of Conduct to meet the unique needs of Carefree.
An excerpt from the recently enacted Carefree Code of Conduct is reproduced below.
“It is the policy of the Town of Carefree to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics and behavior from all of its officials, whether elected to Town Council or appointed to advisory boards, commissions or committees. Accordingly, all members of town council, advisory boards, commissions, and committees shall maintain the utmost standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as public servants, comply with all applicable laws, and never use their town position or powers improperly or for personal gain.”
Elected and appointed officials are often called upon to make decisions that affect various groups and individuals. Balancing diverse constituent interests is a difficult task. While someone will always be disappointed in decisions, both elected and appointed officials shall adhere to ethical standards that eliminate disappointment borne of dishonesty, conflicts of interest, unfairness or illegality. Preservation of public trust is critical for the preservation of democracy.
All elected and appointed officials should strive to operate in the following manner:
· Honesty and Integrity
· Fairness, Impartiality and Respect
· 100% Effort
Developing and establishing the Code of Conduct is another example of involved residents of Carefree working together to help continue to make Carefree a wonderful place to live. I would like to personally thank all those involved in this project for their outstanding effort. This Code can be found in its entirety at www.carefree.org
Bike Lane Project Now More Than 60% Completed
The construction of the bike lanes in Carefree along Tom Darlington Drive, Cave Creek Road and Pima Road is well along the road to completion. The construction of this project is now more than 60% completed, and the contractor has communicated that they are on schedule to complete this project in June as called for in their contract with the Arizona Department of Transportation. For a description of this project and the construction schedule, please click on the following link: go to www.Carefree.org and click the “About” tab, and then click the heading “Bike lane Project Info”.
The final component of this project includes re-surfacing the roads affected and striping all of the travel lanes, including the new bike lanes.
The addition of bike lanes to these major traffic arteries in Carefree helps to achieve greater safety for bicyclists. According to a major academic study of protected bike lanes by three major universities, designated bicycle lanes “greatly improve bike safety with 28 percent fewer injuries per mile compared to comparable streets with no bike infrastructure.”
Constructing designated bicycle lanes is a growing trend among many cities and towns in the country, and competition for available federal funds is intense. According to the Regional Council Activity Report just published by the Maricopa County Association of Governments, many cities and towns from throughout Maricopa County are seeking grants similar to the one received by Carefree and Cave Creek to complete a bicycle lane project in their town. As quoted in the Report recapping this past year’s activities:
“Thirty-seven applications were received for the funded bicycle-pedestrian program. An evaluation process was conducted. Nineteen projects were recommended for federal funding, for a combined total of $36.5 million.”
In addition to increased safety and available funding, this project also enabled Carefree to incorporate the construction of right-turn lanes at the major routes into downtown Carefree and the roadways around the Gateways to be constructed at substantially reduced costs.
Carefree and Cave Creek applied for the federal grant to pay for the bike lane project currently underway three years ago. Out of the total project cost of approximately $4,221,087 for both towns, the federal government is funding approximately $3,997,370, 94.7% of the total cost. For more information visit Bike Lane Update.
Monica lives above me and I’m the one who recommended Carefree Bistro, because you introduced me to the place, and he was willing to come and open up when my father died.
May they be a success.
Susan Martin
(Lyn's note: Carefree Bistro had not yet opened for lunch; they were only serving dinner at the time. Carefree Bistro owner George kindly came in and opened for lunch that day to accommodate Susan in her time of grief.)
My friend Cathy and her husband bought a new condo on Cave Creek Road - not sure if it's considered to be in Cave Creek or Carefree - but it took just minutes to get to Carefree Bistro. Excellent recommendation. We really liked it. Service was excellent and so was the food. Cathy said she was going to bring Don back for brunch or dinner. If someone says they are interested in returning, then you know they really liked it. She said there is something going on in Carefree every weekend, like free concerts. It was peaceful and beautiful. I understand why people want to live there.
Monica Rushton
Hi Lyn... FYI.
I love this!
"In fact, the most compelling reason is simple:
veterans are often the best-qualified candidates. Period.
While they may not have worked in a traditional office, or have an MBA, they do have strong leadership skills, understand how to work with diverse groups, work well under pressure, know how to solve problems, and appreciate what it really takes to work as part of a team.
Veterans have been taught to win, often against overwhelming odds, because their lives depend on it. Veterans bring true real world experience to the workplace.
If you want your organization to have a competitive advantage, consider hiring a veteran with at least a few years of active duty under his or her belt. Better yet, hire one with combat experience."
(Read the full article here) http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/03/04/real-reason-to-hire-veteran.html?intcmp=hphz17
Semper Fi to our veterans...
Bob Jenkins
Managing Partner
VETSBUILT CONTRACTING
Veteran-Owned Small Business
978-578-0647
Bob@VETSBuilt.com
WE SUPPORT ALL VETERANS
VetsBuilt Educating the citizens.
Well stated. Why would anyone want to be hired for the wrong reason? It’s like being asked to dance out of sympathy.
Given today’s young labor pool, there has never been a better time or better reasons, as expressed in the article, to hire a vet.
Best regards,
John Crane
Amen John. A vet is what I call a "go to" person. These are people that report to you whom you can always rely on to get the job done so you can assign them to tasks that absolutely, positively have to get done and on time. It is part of the culture.
Mike Wold
Many of you know about the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center located off 156th in North Scottsdale. I have personally experienced their care when I called to have a baby javalina rescued from a pack of young coyotes at my home. They rescue, rehabilitate and return to the wild desert critters. They are now under attack by a neighbor, and are being forced to reduce their tours, thereby costing them about 70% of their income.
PLEASE watch this story from NBC 12 News, then sign the petition. They need ALL our help. If you want to support them please email Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Chucri at chucris@mail.maricopa.gov.
Popular in Arizona
Save the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center from Shutting Down!
Jackie McDermott
GREAT LIST. I finally got through all of it.
Sara
(Lyn's note: The Carefree Truth ads)
We couldn’t agree more with James Raymond’s letter of Wednesday, March 2nd. Maybe there’s still time to stop construction of the unnecessary “gateway arches”.
Pat and Gerry Higgins
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
