Bob Coady
 

Age: 65

Occupation: Disability retirement from NY Telephone Co.

Family: Married 42 years. Wife, Sue; son, Christian; granddaughter, Morrigan

Education: Some college

Carefree residency: 13 years

Carefree council experience: 4 terms (8 years)

Place of birth: New York

Hobbies: Overseas traveling (45 countries), avid fiction reader, photography

Why should voters support you?

I support no special interest groups, only the citizens. I keep citizens informed by my monthly e‑mail newsletter, “Carefree Matters.” I have been the only independent voice in the past eight years. My votes are based on common sense, principle and citizen input.

While our citizens have always been concerned with maintaining our lifestyle and protecting our environment, the town was never interested in recycling. I have single handedly provided 7 recycling programs.

I have always been a strong proponent of open government. Citizens should know all of the facts and be given opportunity to voice their opinions in public.

What are the top three issues facing Carefree over the decade?

Financial restraint by council and considering citizen input when dealing with large expenditures should be our top priority.

Council must restore credibility with its citizens. We have ignored their concerns on new development and excessive spending. We have failed to provide full disclosure on major issues. After four years, the sewer system still stinks. Citizens must be allowed to have a major role in their town government.

We must expand our tax base without the implementation of a property tax. It is time for drastic measures. Our tax base has been stagnant for the past several years.

What will you recommend if the East Street project fails to live up to its promise of revitalizing the commercial core?

The entire concept of this project is geared to a large tourist base and not to our local residents. Carefree is not a “destination location,” it is a residential community. We need businesses that will attract

the locals, not visitors. We will have to pick up the pieces if the project fails. The council does not have the expertise to deal with these types of problems. I believe the only way to bring new vitality to our business community and increase our tax base, is to seek the services of a professional, economical development expert.

As crime emerges as a bigger issue, would you support expanding the MCSO contract or would you push for the town having its own police force?

Eight years ago, and every budget thereafter, I tried to increase police coverage. I failed, with the exception of adding two traffic control officers. Past councils were not interested in expanding police services. They did not understand that having 24‑hour coverage did not guarantee having that coverage within Carefree borders. I have supported 24/7 coverage, within the town limits, for the past eight years. I’m still waiting.

MCSO has always provided Carefree with professional and dedicated service. A town the size of Carefree cannot afford their own police department (at least not a professional one).

Is the character of Carefree at risk of being lost to development?

We are already on a slippery slope with the Lewis project. I believe council was in denial that a large majority of our own citizens did not support this type of Scottsdale concept. I am afraid this project will end up in our lost column.

The Lowe’s project is a good example of utilizing commercial property to the benefit of our citizens as well as our tax base. There are negatives; it will increase the traffic at a very busy intersection. But, three of the corners are already zoned commercial and there is little anyone can do about that. 

How should the town manage growth? And what measures will you specifically recommend to manage growth?

I believe the town missed the boat when it passed up the opportunity to remove special use permits from residential zoning. This would have saved us untold amounts of legal fees from law suits.

The new council should revisit this issue.
Glen Miller
 

Age: 56                                               

Occupation: Retired 24‑year veteran with the Chicago Fire Department and a part‑time electrical consultant

Family: Married with 2 sons and 3 grandchildren

Education: 4 years trade school, 2 years of college

Carefree residency: 6 years

Carefree Council experience: First time running as a candidate

Place of birth: Chicago, Ill.

Hobbies: Spending time with my family and helping people

Why should voters support you?

If you are looking for a personal commitment, someone whose qualifications include expertise, knowledge and hands‑on experiences and who will continue to be active in community involvement, then I am the person you should vote for.

I promise to listen to the concerns of our citizens and oppose any commercial‑type projects in the heart of residential zoned neighborhoods. I vow to help maintain the Carefree lifestyle we all cherish. I give my assurance that I will always base my decisions and council vote for all citizens and businesses of Carefree. My community involvement includes:

regularly attending town council meetings; Carefree Shadows HOA board member for four years; five years on the Architectural Control Committee (three as chairperson); co‑chairman of the Fire Protection Committee for the town helping to save every homeowner an average of $600 to $900 a year in fire protection subscription fees. I was involved in the procurement of the town’s new fire engine, including hoses, tooling and medical equipment and, I’m currently involved in the design, engineering and construction of the town’s new fire station. I also have 35 years of commercial and industrial construction of which I owned and operated a company. I can assist the town with new development projects, working with developers, infrastructure, water and street issues.

What are the top three issues facing Carefree over the decade?

The three issues Carefree faces over the next decade are: managing the growth of new residential and commercial development; improving on the infrastructure of the town and Carefree Water Company; and finally, improving on our public safety, such as fire, medical and police protection.

What will you recommend if the East Street project fails to live up to its promise of revitalizing the commercial core?

The $100 million Easy Street Project will not fail. The town interviewed 10 developers for this project and Ed Lewis came out on top because of his love and sensitivity for Carefree. Lewis’ reputation with the business communities throughout Arizona is extraordinary and never suggested nor indicated any kind of return from Carefree, such as a give‑back on construction tax, development fees, etc. Lewis invested $100 million dollars of his own money which tells me he is without a doubt confident in this project. And finally, our business owners want to invest in the storefronts because of Lewis, thus helping to create a vibrant business atmosphere for the towns’ existing businesses.

As crime emerges as a bigger issue, would you support expanding the MCSO contract or would you push for the town having its own police force?

The town is in the process right now for additional police protection and I would expand the town’s contract with the sheriff’s office. As for the town having its own police force, in the future, if the contract with MCSO becomes to costly, rest assured the town would look at forming its own police department. But for now, I firmly believe that the MCSO is giving us quality service at the best cost.

Is the character of Carefree at risk of being lost to development?

The character of Carefree will never be at risk when it comes to development as long as our present and future council continues to follow the town’s master plan and zoning laws. The town’s zoning is mostly low density use with single family residents; therefore not much will change except for a slight increase in population of which at least one third is seasonal.

How should the town manage growth? And what measures will you specifically recommend to manage growth?

I believe we can not stop growth, but we can control it. And I will rely on our planning and zoning commission while following the town’s master plan and zoning ordinances on a consistent basis. Therefore, achieving fairness to all our citizens, business owners and developers.