Carefree Town Council
Carefree Unity
On June 2nd Carefree Unity submitted questions to all Carefree Town Council candidates running in the August 2nd election. There are eight questions in total and today we are posting candidates’ responses to the first two. All responses are currently available on the CandidatesPage of the Carefree Unity website. Candidates Gene Orrico, Sven Maric, Kathlina Lai, and Duke Vukotic did not respond.
1. Briefly describe your qualifications and reasons for seeking office. How have your past actions improved Carefree?
Sheila Amoroso: I retired as the Director of the Municipal Bond Department at Franklin Templeton Investments in July of 2020 and moved to Carefree. I have 34 years of experience investing in public infrastructure and was the leader of over 30 investment professionals providing investment opportunities for individual and institutional investors.
Sheila Amoroso:
I retired as the Director of the Municipal Bond Department at Franklin Templeton Investments in July of 2020 and moved to Carefree. I have 34 years of experience investing in public infrastructure and was the leader of over 30 investment professionals providing investment opportunities for individual and institutional investors.
Our investment decisions required deep analysis of all aspects of government budgets, services, tax policy and public policy. I’ve seen the best, the mediocre and the worst government practices. I know what works, what does not and know practices to avoid.
I was a member of the Carefree Public Safety Advisory Committee. Our current sheriff and fire service contracts were coming up for renewal in 2022 and we were charged with evaluating current services, potential options for renewal or new contracts and revenue sources to cover the increased costs of public safety. Our report is available for review on the Carefree website.
Tony Geiger:
Since 2013 I have been volunteering my time to work on issues to improve Carefree. This includes 5 years as the Carefree representative to the Cave Creek Water Advisory Committee, including 2 years as Chair, the Mayors task force to close the Boulders sewer plant and one term as a member of the Town Council. I am well versed in the Town’s finances, budgeting process, public safety, infrastructure, capital improvement and economic development plans. I am fully prepared to meet the coming challenges we face.
I am seeking office to see the Carefree Water Consolidation Project to its conclusion and begin working on enhancing Carefree’s long-term water resources by participating in the study on raising Bartlett Lake and establishing a water recharge program for the Town’s unused CAP allocation. I want to help manage the Town’s evaluation of moving from Mutual Aid fire service to Automatic Aid and make sure that the proper due diligence is completed before the town makes a significant financial commitment.
Specific actions I have taken to improve Carefree include working to close the Boulders sewer plant and working to make the Carefree Water Consolidation project a reality. Both of these initiatives will ensure the quality of life of our residents and the long-term sustainability of Carefree.
Glen Grossman:
I want to keep Carefree the peaceful, serene, beautiful town that it has been since I moved here 16 years ago. We’ve raised our children here. I have been an active member of the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, including leading the Ambassadors for a time. Many times, my wife Tracey (who has lived in Carefree for 32 years) and I have worked the gates at the Thunderbird Fine Arts Festival. Prior to that, I was a Scottsdale Mounted Posse man for five years with the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office.
I’m seeking office to use my vote on the council to stop property taxes, wasteful spending and reckless development which may destroy the neighborhood feel of Carefree. Like all Carefree voters, I’ve watched while our town has adopted an aggressive development approach, which isn’t always consistent with our unique, small-town feel. I want to do what I can to foster more responsible development.
Stephen Hatcher:
There are several ways to define one’s qualifications. First, education; I hold a BS in mechanical engineering and spent twelve years in military research in the aerospace industry. In addition, I hold a MBA in finance and taught graduate corporate finance for twelve years for the Univ. of Phoenix. I also taught investment theory for the National School of Financial Planning. My graduate thesis was a statistical model for the city of Scottsdale to predict real estate activity based on state and national economic data. Currently, I work for Baird Private Wealth Management as an investment manager. Second qualification would be my experience in large projects. I spent three years on the town council working on economic development and the water consolidation project. In addition, I worked for five years on the board of a 22 story high rise in Phoenix. During this time we rebuilt the elevator system, all sewer lines, electrical upgrades, remodeled all the interior and exterior common areas, offices, and parking facilities.
Cheryl Kroyer:
I have served on the Council for 5+ years. I have brought my marketing and communications expertise to support the Town’s marketing and communications projects. During my time serving the community I have also either initiated or been a part of making our crosswalks safer for pedestrians and finding new ways to coordinate the Town’s various signage. I have studied the Town’s water needs and have been a part of the solution to provide a quality water source for all of the Town’s residents. And recognizing that we are sales tax dependent, have worked with the economic development manager to find new sources of revenue while protecting the quaintness and livability of Carefree.
Mike Johnson:
I’m a retired Chief Financial Officer/CPA with 35 years of working in startup, public and fortune 500 companies. Experience includes telecom startups that created jobs and helped build the internet infrastructure; print news and railroad industries. I managed high growth, mergers and acquisitions, forecasting, spending and fund raising. Companies included Ascend Communications, Oakland Tribune and Itel Rail.
I’ve been on the council for 8 months and seek to retain my seat. I’ve volunteered since 2015 to work on issues that affect Carefree and my HOA, Carefree Ironwood Estates; as prior HOA president. We led the effort to ensure the rezoning of Carefree Highway’s Northeast Corner to commercial, which backs up to us, worked for us and the town. We ensured it would not have fast food drive thrus, tall dense buildings and a 24-hour emergency hospital. I worked with Scottsdale to install turning lanes at my community and 60th street on Carefree Highway making it less dangerous.
The Carefree Water Project needs to be completed and we need to add to long-term water resources by joining the study to raise Bartlett Lake and establishing a water recharge program for our unused CAP allocation. The move from Mutual Aid fire service to Automatic Aid must be thoroughly evaluated before making a significant financial commitment.
Vince D’Aliesio:
2018-present: Carefree Town Council/Carefree Water Company Board
· Worked tirelessly to ensure all Carefree residents have quality water service.
· Council Liaison for Maricopa County Sheriff Office, working with Sheriff’s Captain on safety procedures during bike week and year-round
· Helped to appoint Carefree’s first economic development director in enhancing our downtown core.
· Served on town signage committee to enhance our downtown signage
· Council Liaison for Cave Creek Unified School District: served on CCUSD Strategic Planning Committee with community leaders & faculty to improve our district’s mission and enhance education for our children.
· Served on the AZ League of Cities & Towns Budget/Finance Committee
2020-21: Cave Creek Museum President:
· Led the museum during the 50 year old museum’s most difficult year (2020-21: pandemic), remained cash-flow positive through cost-cutting measures, donations, and increased membership, while outreaching all the desert foothills.
· Worked with Mayor Les Peterson to rename the Sundial Plaza in honor of our most treasured living pioneer, Gerry Jones. March 6, 2021 was designated “Gerry Jones Day,” in Carefree, and so named the “Gerry Jones Sundial Plaza,” with a boulder from Mr. Jones’ property and a plaque donated by the museum (inscription by Mr. Jones) adjacent to the Sundial, with a dedication.
2. What are your positions on the three Carefree initiatives that will be on the ballot?
Tony Geiger:
I am against proposition 472. This will require the demolition of the new buried water reservoir off of Tom Darlington. The reservoir is being buried to mitigate any negative impacts to the surrounding neighbors and the site was chosen as it was far superior to any of 32 potential sites evaluated. The Town needs the additional storage capacity provided by the new reservoir and if it is demolished it will have to be rebuilt at an inferior site. This will cost upwards of $10 million. Money that will have to be borrowed and lead to significantly higher water rates. This will be a total waste of resources.
I am against proposition 473. It would enact the most draconian term limits in the state. It provides for two 2-year terms with a retroactive provision counting prior service before this election. It will eliminate all experienced candidates and prohibits them from ever serving again. It will limit voters’ choices and lead to political instability, and the elimination all institutional knowledge. It is bad governance and a recipe for chaos.
I am for proposition 474. Four-year staggered terms will allow for 3 new council members every two years, blending the old with the new, allowing for an orderly transition of political leadership.
Glen Grossman:
Of the two term limits initiatives, I prefer 473, which limits officeholders to two, two-year terms. 474 does not go far enough to stop the group think that we have now. I believe that the initiative on eminent domain will throw open the windows on the Carefree Water Consolidation Project, which needs more transparency.
Stephen Hatcher:
Proposition 472 NO
The idea of requiring a super majority from council and a majority voter approval for any land development is just not practical. I don’t believe most of the community recognize all the time and work it takes to develop land or move any town project forward. It has taken the town over two plus years of open meetings in the council chambers, meetings with the Water Company, engineering studies, financial analyses, and legal issues. Then imagine the time it would take to collect a majority of votes from our residents too.
Proposition 473 NO
Serving on council with a lifetime limit of two terms is just not practical. We are a small town and there just aren’t many people willing to serve.
Proposition 474 YES
The ability to serve two four-year terms that are staggered makes sense to me. Staggering terms is essential in proving continuity of knowledge among new and old council members.
Cheryl Kroyer:
I DO NOT support 472 because it would waste millions of dollars, lead significantly to rate increases and reduce the reliability of our water system.
I also DO NOT support 473 because it bans people for life after serving a total of 4 years on Council (retroactively). In a Town our size in most elections it is difficult finding qualified people willing to volunteer their time to serve our Town.
I DO support 474 because it allows for 2 four-year terms. The terms are staggered with half of the Council running for election every two years. This preserves the institutional knowledge on Council while bringing in new Council members over 2 election cycles. After 2 terms Council members would have to sit out 4 years before running again. We have needed staggered terms for a long time and this seems the most logical solution.
Mike Johnson:
I am against proposition 472. This will require the demolition of the new buried water reservoir off of Tom Darlington. The reservoir is being buried to mitigate any negative impacts to the surrounding neighbors. This site was chosen because it was far superior to any of the 32 potential sites evaluated. The Town needs the additional storage capacity provided by the new reservoir and if it is demolished, it will have to be rebuilt at an inferior site. The cost is estimated to exceed $10 million; money that will have to be borrowed and lead to significantly higher water rates.
I am against proposition 473. It would enact the most draconian term limits in the state. It provides for two 2-year terms with a retroactive provision counting prior service before this election. It will eliminate all experienced candidates and prohibits them from ever serving again. It will limit voters’ choices and lead to political instability, and the elimination all institutional knowledge. It makes for poor government.
I am for proposition 474. Four-year staggered terms will allow for 3 new council members every two years, blending the old with the new, allowing for an orderly transition of town leadership.
Vince D’Aliesio:
Eminent domain is only practiced when absolutely necessary, and in this instance, to serve as the best possible option to serve our residents on the west side of town with a buried water tank constructed on property that would never be inhabitable, due to its location nearest our town’s busiest street. The land acquired was at the best elevation to move water naturally moving through gravity down to recipients and in the line of utility pipelines. I favor keeping eminent domain in place, and am against this initiative.
I am against term limits. Four years ago, six candidates ran for six council seats. Two years ago, our mayor ran unopposed. What would have happened if we had term limits in place in either instance, and did not have qualified or enough council candidates willing to voluntarily serve our community? I feel term limits are an insult to voters that have the power to decide who they feel should represent their best interests.A real term limit is your vote. If you do not feel your elected official is not representing the town in the best manner, vote for the person that you feel would do the best job.
Sheila Amoroso:
Prop 472- NO-This proposition is not primarily focused on protection of all remaining open space, as most of its language will apply only to removal of the underground water tank being installed in a utility easement along Tom Darlington Dr. Prop 472 is being put forth by a small portion of Boulders residents who are unhappy with the underground water tank. Since they have lost all lawsuits and appeals, this is their last-ditch effort to have the tank removed. The location of the tank is the most efficient and effective location identified by our consulting engineering firm and will provide water and fire safety to residents in the SW corner of Carefree. Though it would be difficult to predict the exact cost in the current environment, it has been estimated that the cost to remove and relocate the tank would be approximately $10-12 million.
Prop 473-NO-for a town our size, two, two-year terms would preclude experienced individuals from serving and potentially leave us without a full council.
Prop 474-YES-If you want term limits, two, four-year terms is rational.
Carefree Unity 