The “My Turn” below was published in the Scottsdale Republic on Wednesday (5/16).

I would appreciate it if you would send it to the readers of Carefree Truth.

Thanks,

Mayor David Schwan

Town of Carefree

480 488-3686

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Progress, Not Politics, Key to Keeping City Carefree

One year ago the current members of the Carefree Town Council took our oath of office.

We came into office with a particular mindset and an agenda. The mindset was, “No politics”. The agenda was, “Progress for the Town of Carefree.” Today I think we have the same attitude and the same agenda.

Before we took our oath of office the Councilmembers talked about how we could calm the political environment in Carefree. Fundamentally we talked about behaving like adults.

We discussed the ideals of treating everyone with respect and dignity, of not attacking people because of what they said, of debating the subject matter at hand. We agreed to avoid “gotcha’s”, to eschew squabbles over semantics and to renounce small town politics. We agreed to disagree without being disagreeable.

As Mayor, the person who conducts the meetings, I’m happy to report that we have lived up to our ideals. And, our citizens have noticed. I’m astounded how many people have told me that they are extremely happy with the manner in which the Carefree Town Council is doing the business of the citizens of Carefree.

Carefree has also made progress.

We surveyed our citizens and our businesses. On one subject they were unanimous, “Keep Carefree carefree”. Carefree’s proposed General Plan 2030 does that.

Vice Mayor Melissa Price led the Council through the development of a proposed capital investment plan. This plan gives us an overview of potential investments in Carefree to improve our economic vitality.

Three citizens developed a Ten Year Financial Study that confirms the soundness of our economic structure for the foreseeable future.

Juanita and Mark Wdowiak gave Carefree a magnificent gift – the Carefree Desert Gardens – that has become an attraction for visitors from throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Through the efforts of the Carefree Staff and Councilman Glenn Miller we have a new Fire Protection Contract that is sustainable for the next ten years.

Town Council has made a number of small, but significant, additions to our Town Center such as free public WiFi, upgraded street name signs, and colorful banners on our pedestrian light poles. In the coming months Carefree will add additional pedestrian lighting to our business district and the Carefree Desert Gardens to attract people into our business core in the evening.

In the Fall of 2012, Carefree will complete the largest road improvement project in our history.

I’m proud to be the Mayor of a Town and a Town Council that is effectively representing the citizens and promoting the best interests of the Carefree with civility and decorum!