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|  A Little About Me
I am not a politician. When I arrived in Arizona with my family 11 years ago, holding public office was the last thing on my mind. Finding a great home in a safe, stable, friendly community was our primary focus. So what influenced my past decisions to seek election to the Town Council? The simple answer is that a closed town government, often antagonistic toward its residents, which operates by fear, secrecy, and half truths has no place in Carefree.
Issues like unrealistic financial management, erosion of civil liberties, and ever rising Water Rates, threaten our future. Businesses are leaving, others are struggling to survive. Unprecedented and unwelcome attempts by Political Action Committees to maintain control of town government were menacing. It is clear that the time has arrived to end the discord, contempt, and character assassination that were so evident during several recent elections.
Civility in Carefree government seems to have diminished over a period of a dozen years. It is no longer agreeable to disagree; if a person chooses to disagree, they are branded with derogatory names and are attacked by Political Action Committees (PACs) - shameful behavior orchestrated by a handful of miscreants who bully their friends and associates while attempting to destroy the good name of others. A government that discourages voters by limiting voting time, proposing charges to vote, and providing erroneous voting information is dangerous - it threatens our political freedoms and diminishes our civil liberties - it is shameful, and does not reflect the will of residents.
Over the past seven years, I gained greater insight into Town government. Unfortunately gaining that insight was not always a positive experience. Until fall of 2010, I attended almost every Town Council meeting, Water Board meeting, Fire Committee, and Police Committee meeting since 2005; I listened, observed, and spoke out on issues I felt were significant. I fought tirelessly for equitable Water Rates and the elimination of the 'Conservation' Surcharge (I'm batting 500%). There are no outside, independent Directors, there are no citizen Directors. There has been a total lack of independent thinking which results in residents paying among the highest water rates in the State.
Last year, when no other resident came forward to offer voters a choice in the scheduled Recall Election, I did. There are some who fancy a conspiracy but that is utter nonsense. I have always been my own person and I have always felt voters deserve a choice instead of a default result. The campaign was brutal. I gave Schwan supporters tremendous credit for their energetic efforts, tempered only by my distaste for some of their very unsavory tactics. I lost that election, and by a substantial margin. I didn't, and don't, take it personally. I truly believe the high voter turnout, and the outcome, were driven by perception and the PACs; many voters were simply offended by the idea of a recall in Carefree. Although I disagreed with that reasoning I understood. Last fall, as I contemplated days of collecting signatures, and then beginning a campaign just as the Christmas Holidays were to begin, and thereby diminishing their significance, I came to the realization that some things are just not that important. I turned 62 in January. I have experienced the untimely passing of siblings as well as personal and professional contemporaries; many very dear to me and certainly far sooner than any of us would want for ourselves. I have seen the good names of good people trampled like used cups after a parade. I have seen their energy and spirit severely taxed, often trampled by so-called 'truth' peddlers who contribute nothing more than continuing to stoke the fires of discord and contempt.
My family matters above all else. We have a 17 year old high school junior who is 6'5" and is an outstanding basketball player for his school. He is maturing before my eyes and I don't want to miss another minute of it. The time has come to begin evaluating colleges and assessing his future career direction. His persistent passion has been basketball and his current aspirations include playing college ball at a good university. I believe he will succeed, and therefore I don't want to be distracted by trivial squabbling. We have two great Shetland Sheepdogs, brothers from the same litter, who are aging as am I; I would rather spend time with them than continue trying to open the eyes of people who lack an honest understanding of prudent financial management. Such people take money from the federal government, lose control over precisely how it will be spent, and then passively accept the utterly shoddy work performed on one of our most important arterial roadways. Government employees may tolerate working in an environment which encourages mediocrity, but citizen volunteers need not accept it. Throughout my professional life I have approached situations with an attitude of not simply doing my best, but encouraging the very best from others; people know a good job when they see it. If that is not possible then the challenge is unworthy of the effort. In the coming two years Carefree residents will be confronted with additional financial burdens. Continuing Water rate increases (check the recent letter) will be deemed essential and sold as 'uncontrollable'. The true total cost of 'free' fire protection service will continue to erode the town's dwindling revenue stream (accounting for about 50% of sales tax revenue, far exceeding the predictions of former councils), with little likelihood of any help from the floundering state economy. Blatant egomaniacs will attempt to convince you that Carefree must build a new town hall. Other people are outright lying to you when they say we are already protected from imposition of a local Property Tax by a simple majority vote of the town council - don't swallow that for a second. Two propositions appear on the 2011 Primary Ballot that WILL assure your rights are protected - vote for them. I may not be the sharpest tool in this shed but I can smell the setup a mile away. I cannot and will not accept being a party to plans and/or activities which I fundamentally believe are wrong. This election will afford a limited choice among town council Candidates; just about anyone who filed is assured of being elected. How sad and telling is that? I wish those who are seated the very best and I sincerely hope they have the courage to address the issues they will face with honesty and integrity. John | |
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