Editorial 

The role played by the Sonoran News in the Cave Creek recalls

by Lyn Hitchon - 1/10/14

 

 

The Sonoran News is once again spearheading recalls in our desert foothills community.  Well before the voting took place in Cave Creek's last election, Don Sorchych threatened recalls if the Council candidates of his choice were not seated.  Since the election he has been actively counting down the days in print until recalls could begin, belittling any efforts made by the seated Council to move the Town forward.  He is now making good on those threats as the obvious sponsor to recall the 4 members he opposed, and he is actively soliciting for a candidate to run against his former "Iconic Mayor for Life", upon whom he has now viciously turned.  Mayor Francia's "crime" is working with the Council elected by the voters of Cave Creek, which includes those on Mr. Sorchych's hit list. 

 

 

The December 24th front page news article by Linda Bentley labeled the recall paperwork pulled against the 2 remaining Council members the following day, "an apparent act of retaliation", her opinion, rather than responsible reporting.  It is my understanding that those who supported the candidates the Sonoran News opposed were prepared to launch a recall attempt on Councilmen McGuire and Bunch should long threatened recalls be launched on Councilmen Monachino, Spitzer, Durkin, and Vice Mayor Trenk.  They had no desire to be the instigators, but were prepared to respond in kind should Mr. Sorchych's followers initiate the nuclear option.

 

 

The defined function of a PAC is to influence elections.  Mr. Sorchych has always been quick to denounce PACS and slates, but the Sonoran News has for years been a defacto PAC, endorsing their chosen slates, while demonizing their slates' opponents.  In my opinion, the  Sonoran News is the single most hostile and divisive entity in the Carefree/Cave Creek area.  This "newspaper", which has no oversight, is nothing more than the personal bully pulpit of its owner/publisher/editor.  In 2009, this openly biased paper actively promoted an unwarranted failed recall attempt against Carefree Mayor David Schwan.  

 

 

The legal bar to initiate recall attempts is low, however the recall mechanism should ethically be reserved for use against those who have committed gross negligent or criminal abuse of their elected office.  I have been here longer than Don Sorchych, and I have never witnessed that degree of offense in any of the unpaid, volunteer elected officials in either Carefree or Cave Creek.  None of those 6 men currently under attack deserve this foul treatment, anymore than did Mayor Schwan.  Mr. Sorchych and his cult of True Believers should hang their heads in shame for inciting these bitter actions. 

 

 

But scratch the surface of the recalls demanded by the Sonoran News, and you will find strong financial incentives to remove the current administration.  With a new Council majority, the Sonoran News lost the Cave Creek municipal advertising dollars, which constitute a significant sum.  He lost the Carefree advertising dollars years ago, and during the 2009 recall, was attempting to install a Mayor and Council that would return those to him as well.  It matters not that it tarnishes our communities and the reputations of innocent people. Follow the money.