Today we are publishing three endorsement letters from four current and former Carefree officials in the public interest.
Carefree Unity
Our first letter is from former Mayor Les Peterson: Supporting Vince D’Aliesio
I want to express my strong support for Vince D’Aliesio as he campaigns to be re-elected to serve his fourth term on the Carefree Town Council. Vince’s continued service would be invaluable to help keep Carefree on its proven “fiscally conservative / steady as you go” approach.
Vince, first elected to the Council in 2018, is a long-time resident with a thorough understanding of local issues and the operation of the Carefree government, which is less true of other candidates. Vince presents a reasoned approach oriented towards the future and has realistic plans that can be implemented immediately. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to our community.
The initiatives that Vince has been instrumental in driving to completion have significantly improved our community. Notable among his many accomplishments are bringing the remaining 500+ Carefree households into the Carefree Water Company, strengthening police coverage particularly during “Bike Week” activities, and supporting the Town’s focused “economic development with minimal impact upon the environment” initiatives. These efforts have addressed immediate needs and laid a strong foundation for long-term growth and stability.
One of Vince’s most admirable qualities is his ability to listen and to respond to the concerns of Carefree residents. This approach has ensured that the voices of Carefree residents, not just those few who show up at Town meetings and criticize past actions and current projects, are heard and considered in the decision-making process.
I wholeheartedly believe that Vince D’Aliesio is an excellent choice to continue leading Carefree forward. His vision, experience, and proven track record qualify him to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
I firmly endorse Vince’s candidacy for re-election and encourage all registered Carefree voters to support him with their votes.
Les Peterson Carefree Mayor 2015 – 2022
From current Vice Mayor Cheryl Kroyer
I would like to give my endorsement for re-election on the Carefree Town Council to Vince D’Aliesio.
Vince has proven his devotion to our community over the years. He takes the time to study and understand all of the issues facing our Town. He doesn’t always go along with the majority just because it is easier. He stands for what he feels is right. He is young, raising 3 children and still working full time but finds the time to give back. He shares the values of our community and is committed to keeping our Town vibrant and carefree.
I will be voting for him and hope that you will too.
And for my friends down the road in Cave Creek, I urge you to re-elect my fellow Vice Mayor, Kathryn Royer.
Kathryn has served with distinction since 2018. She has supported key improvements in the Town and has worked hard towards giving the town both fiscal sustainability and water resource protection. Check her out.
We are both small towns and every vote counts. You can vote by mail or in person at each Town’s Town Hall. Last day of voting is July 30. Make your voice heard.
Cheryl Kroyer, Carefree Vice Mayor
From current Council member Mike Johnson and former Council member Tony Geiger:
Vince D’Aliesio for Carefree Town Council – The Sensible Choice
Vince is an Arizona native who has dedicated himself to the Town of Carefree and our youth. He coached high school and college football and was on the staff of the ASU 1997 Rose Bowl Team. He was President of the Cave Creek Museum during 2020 and 2021 and authored the proclamation renaming the Sundial Circle the “Gerry Jones Sundial Circle.”
Vince was first elected to the Carefree Town Council in 2018. He has always served with an eye toward representing all of Carefree‘s residents and not interests.
In late 2018, he and then Vice Mayor John Crane, along with the rest of the Council, successfully negotiated with the property owners and the residents living on or near the Northeast Corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Rd, creating a new ordinance rezoning the Northeast Corner from residential to commercial status. Several conditions were included in the rezoning to protect the adjacent neighborhoods and to mitigate the negative impacts from commercial development. It is worth noting that members of the opposition group attacking Vince have suggested everything from a Costco, to high density apartments be built on that Corner. Apartments would not have generated any sales tax revenue for the Town.
Vince stood firm in doing the right thing to bring the Town’s water to almost 1,200 of
Carefree’s approximately 3,800 residents on the west side; without causing a rate increase to existing customers. This brought the water that will allow for the future commercial development of the Northeast Corner. It is one of the few viable remaining parcels in the Town that will be able to generate much needed future sales tax revenues. Vince also supported removing the waste treatment plant at the Boulders.
Vince was in favor of doing the proper due diligence and evaluating how to responsibly pay for a potential move to the automatic aid system for fire and emergency services. He believes it is in our best interest to be a part of the Salt River, Bartlett Dam Expansion Project, which will help ensure our water supply in the future.
Finally, Vince stands with and supports our town staff without hesitation, while providing proper oversight. He values their skills and the institutional knowledge they bring.
D’Aliesio understands the reality of how Carefree is financed. The town receives the majority of its money from local sales taxes and state and federal grants that fund the town. Therefore, in lieu of a property tax, carefully planned commercialization of Carefree’s last remaining parcels is a must to sustain revenues into the future.
Unfortunately, Vince has received, in our opinion, unfounded criticism of his sensible policies from the opposition group; some supported by PACs with unknown funding sources. Is this Washington D.C. or Carefree? Let’s look at the history of this opposition.
Carefree has faced and will face complicated issues that do not lend themselves to simple slogans or sound bites. There will be differences of opinion of what is the best path forward. This is healthy and should lead to discussion, debate and hopefully the best direction to move forward.
The group opposing Vince seems to believe that if you don’t agree with them, you are not listening. Vince listens to all sides of an issue, does his homework and then makes decisions based on his values and the best information available. He will tell citizens the truth about the issues. Accordingly, as much as this group attacks him, he will not be bullied.
During the election of 2022, the group attacking Vince vigorously supported automatic aid for fire and emergency services without a funding source. They supported candidates who ran on that platform but lost the election. Subsequently, after the proper due diligence was conducted by the Town, the issue was put to the voters in May of 2023. The Ballot Initiative required a property tax to fund the proposed 25-year, $3 million per year cost of joining the automatic aid system. The group attacking Vince led the misguided opposition against the initiative and unfortunately the voters defeated the property tax by 80%. Now this group of people claim that they represent 80% of the citizens of Carefree.
As long-term very concerned citizens of this Town, we find this to be just ludicrous, as it was a one issue vote. We need elected officials who recognize that they need to earn the support of the voters on each and every issue, and who do not take for granted any of the voters in Carefree. Vince is such a candidate.
During the 2022 election then, the same group attacking Vince was the group that was for automatic aid before they were against it, and they were also the people who sponsored and supported Proposition 472. This was a Ballot Initiative to remove the newly constructed buried water reservoir along Tom Darlington Rd. This was defeated by the voters by 71%.
These were also the same people who sponsored and supported Proposition 473. This Ballot Initiative called for draconian terms limits. Candidates could only serve two, two-year terms and then would be banned for life from serving again. The term limits were to be retroactive to any terms served prior to the 2022 election. This was defeated by 67% of the voters. Instead, Proposition 474, staggered 4-year terms with a two-term limit, was passed by 64% of the voters. The group attacking Vince who claim they represent 80% of the voters were against this proposition.
Finally, let’s not forget the small fortune the Town was required to spend to defend against litigation over this badly needed new reservoir.
We respectfully ask the voters to look past the rhetoric, personal attacks, misinformation, hypocrisy and negativity and support a candidate who has been doing the job the right way for all the citizens of Carefree. We ask you to vote for Vince D’Aliesio.
Respectively,
Mike Johnson and Tony Geiger
Carefree Unity 