Only Traynor, Peirce file as Carefree Council write-ins

By Curtis Riggs | April 15, 2009

Now six going for four open seats
CAREFREE – Write-in town council candidates John Traynor and Jim Peirce were the only citizens to make the April 9 deadline to file for office for the May 19 general election.

The two write-in candidates are bidding for office along with first-time council challengers Peter Koteas and Susan Vanik. Council incumbents Bob Gemmill and David Schwan are also vying to fill four open seats.

“Maricopa County Elections (Department) doesn’t recognize candidates unless they are official write-in candidates,” Carefree Town Clerk Betsy Wise said about the importance of the April 9 filing deadline.

This is the first time in the history of Carefree there has been an official write-in candidate for the town council let alone two of them. The withdrawal of Mayor Wayne Fulcher, Vice Mayor Lloyd Meyer and six-term Councilman Greg Gardner after a poor showing in the March 10 primary election was a factor in the decision of both write-in candidates to throw their hats into the ring.

Incumbents Bob Coady and Glenn Miller were elected to the council outright in the March 10 primary as was council challenger Doug Stavoe.

Also on the May 19 ballot is Prop. 404, which calls for citizens to directly elect their mayor.