(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.  Check out Tom Baker's photos for sale.  He's the photographer who took that gorgeous photo in the Carefree Gardens Photo Contest that was both the judges' first pick and the public favorite.  It's now featured on the Town of Carefree website, and will be the cover of the 2014 Gardens calendar that will be for sale later this summer at Carefree Town Hall.  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's the link to this week's Pictures of the Week. 

http://carefreetruth.com/Carefree_Truth/Photos_7-1-13.html

 

 

 

 

Hi Lyn,

I'm told quite often that the Town Council doesn't "toot it's own horn enough".  I would like to use every avenue possible to get the word out to the citizens of Carefree that  this Council is working to target market businesses and position the Town Center for the future.  Below is the latest status on our Economic Development efforts:

July 2013 Status:  Carefree’s Economic Development Strategic Plan 

Carefree has approximately 40 some empty spaces that are available for lease.  As part of our Economic Development Strategic Plan,  I arranged meetings with various Developers (Goal E: Initiate Key Planning With Developers) at which time Gary (the Town Administrator) and I sat down to discuss retail contacts they (the Developers) recommend we explore.

During February and March of this year, as part of Goal F:  "Implement Key Planning & Target Marketing", the Town Administrator and I held meetings with several REALTORS that represent some of our larger retail spaces so that we can offer the Town’s ideas and help in pursuing new restaurants or retail business.  

For the past two years, Gary, our Town Administrator, has arranged meetings with potential businesses, submitted pertinent Town Center Building/space information to several potential businesses and I have facilitated meetings between prospective businesses and various building owners to facilitate target marketing. 

As part of the Plan's "Goal D:  Partner with Commercial Building & Land Owners", we have scheduled meetings through June, July and August with various Town Center Commercial Building & Land Owners to discuss their ideas for the Town Center’s future.  

Indirectly, I feel all of the above has helped us keep pace with businesses that have left.  New businesses to Carefree include:  Brix Wines, Arizona Territory and a new upscale restaurant scheduled to open the first of September or October in the Galleria Building.  So, despite allegations of "turning out the lights" -- we're succeeding at  "keeping the lights on and working to make them brighter," unlike others who just complain.

Thanks,

Melissa Price

Council Member, Carefree, AZ

 

 

Support First Responders - 100 Club of Arizona
In light of the recent tragedy in Yarnell, we are encouraged to remember and support our first responders.  The 100 Club of Arizona supports first responders and their families, and is actively working with the families who lost 19 firefighters on Sunday.

A donation jar and information about the 100 Club are available at the Town Hall and several Carefree merchants. The 100 Club can be reached at (602)485-0100 or www.100club.org.  

(Lyn's note: Excerpted from Carefree COINS.  According to Glenn Miller, this organization is wonderful, and not one of those who keep most of the money donated.  The 100 Club of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that provides immediate financial assistance to families of public safety officers and firefighters who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, and provides resources to enhance their safety and welfare. Read more or donate directly by clicking here.)

 

Nice information on the Carefree Fire Station and Mr. Miller but it could be enhanced. Like should a resident of Carefree call 911 and the Carefree Fire Department (Rural Metro) or the Scottsdale Fire Department (should Carefree not be available) responds to the 911 call and they transport the person to one of the local hospitals. Then who pays for the 911 call and onsite medical treatment plus who pays for the transport and any medical treatment during the trip to the hospital. By who, I mean the resident pays or is it included in the Carefree service to its residents given that Rural Metro is under contract and paid by Carefree for their services and supplies and Scottsdale and Carefree have an assist agreement in place to help each other. Point is that it doesn’t appear to be spelled out to the residents of Carefree (I’ve never seen it) and should be for the various 911 call situations.

Thank you,

Robert Brenner

(Lyn's note: I reported on the issue of ambulance service in a previous Carefree Truth, but some may not have read it, and it is good to repeat, so thanks for asking.  The original Carefree-R/M contract paid for both fire and ambulance service.  The most recent one discontinued the ambulance coverage, since most peoples' medical insurance covers it.  I believe that the on-sight medical care is considered part of the ambulance service, so would be covered under the individual's health plan, less the deductible.  The ambulance part of the contract cost Town $52,000 a year on a five year contract for something generally covered by health insurance, so discontinuing it saved a significant amount of money.  The new contract went into effect on July 1st, 2012.)

 

 

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glenn Miller

 

Dear Lyn: Great story about the “Carefree Fire Department”, its Fire Station #1, and its fire engine.  With the tragedy in the Prescott area it was a very timely reminder of what our first responders face on a daily basis.  You are also to be commended for the reminder that all homeowners should have their property identification clearly displayed.  It is recommended that house numbers be 6” in height.  With today’s LED, solar and battery technology, there are undoubtedly some single ‘stick-in-the-ground’ light fixtures that would keep them illuminated at night.  If Let There Be Light doesn’t have them in stock, I bet Bryan Gold can get them.

Arthur Gimson

(Lyn's note: Also, if you would like a nice sign made with your street number, you can contact our local sign maker, Howard Bertram.  Bertram Signs and Let There Be Light are located next to each other in Carefree.  Both places do great work and all are very nice people.) 

 

 

Thanks.  This is valuable information.   And especially timely as we mourn (even at a distance) the tragic loss of those 19 brave young men at Yarnell. 

Kathy Riemer

(Lyn's note: Yes.  Such a horrific loss.  So awful for their families too.  I suspect many had young kids.  Sad, sad, sad.)

 

 

 

AGAIN, a great article. Glenn is a hero in my book. A sweet guy, smart, and clearly, a HERO.

Loraine E Simons

(Lyn's note: The deaths of 19 firefighters on July 1st during the Yarnell fire brings sharply into focus just what our firefighters put on the line to protect us.  The video showing Glenn Miller rescuing the baby from a burning highrise apartment building shows the ever present danger firefighters face.  Out here, the danger comes more often in the form of wildfires, vs. city danger in highrises, but both are frightening.  It is a noble profession in the eyes of any clear thinking person.  All our firefighters are heroes.)

 

 

 

 

(Lyn's note: This is an excerpt from the Town of Carefree Newsletter.)

 

RESTAURANTS, WINE BARS, GALLERIES & BOUTIQUES 

Carefree Summertime Fun! 

 

PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE

 ~ by Council Member Miller

 

 

At least once a month the Fire Department, and or Sheriff's Department incurs a delayed "emergency response" to a resident due to a poorly marked ADDRESS. Sometimes there is no address at all! You can imagine this situation is made even worse during the nighttime and early morning hours.

 

Carefree Fire Fighters

We all know how to get to our own homes, but the 

firefighters and sheriff's deputies cannot possibly memorize every address in town.

 

One of the best ways for residents to ensure a timely response during an emergency is to have their address clearly marked in a visible location, preferably at the driveway and street entrance.

 

Visible Signage Example

 

 

Please help US help YOU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Lyn, Jan Misseri here.  Just would like to put a little something in the great "Carefree Truth".  I am searching for a position as an administrative assistant/customer service provider as well as a pet sitter. 

Will match prices you are paying now.  I've worked in all of these areas for the past sixteen years and can provide references.  I live in Carefree so I am readily available to all in the area.  Please feel free to contact me either by email - casbin@aol.com or by phone - 480-488-5182.

 

 

The English Rose tea room in Carefree held a royal baby shower June 21 and collected baby items to be donated to UMOM New Day Center. Ladies dressed in their royal best stopped by FOX 10 in a red double decker bus with all of the items they collected. All gifts will go to less fortunate mothers at the shelter in honor of Duchess Kate and her baby. This is the link to the TV spot. http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22714725/2013/06/28/carefree-tea-room-donates-royal-baby-shower-gifts-to-shelter

Press coverage orchestrated by Proven Media. Picked up by a Twitter 

post that Kim sent out for me about the Royal Baby Shower...social

media at its finest hour! :-)  The reporter called me and interviewed me

about the event after she saw the post...in the photo it's Princess Kate,

the former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard...and yours truly! 

Carefree named in National British Press :-) yay!

Jo Gemmill(Lyn's note: Jo's mum in Britain sent her the article that included Jo'sevent.  See the attachment.

 

Jo's next event partners with the Foothills Food Bank.  Thanks for all

you do for the community, Jo!)

  1 Attached Images