canfield

My word of Thanks

Even as runner-up, I still believe residents deserved a choice. My goal was to bring focus and hard work to the council in order to make our economic future bright again, to help stimulate the business environment, to restore community harmony, and to begin rebuilding property values in Carefree. That is the reason I ran in this election, and no other.

Regardless of my disappointment in the result, this campaign was a great opportunity to meet more residents as well as those I've met in the past. We achieved record voter turnout for this local election – one of my goals following the 2009 election cycle. To all of you, your kind words and support made the effort worthwhile. To those who voted against recall, I believe I understand your feelings and I respect your choice; I thank you for exercising your right to vote.

My entrance into this election was cautious, as it was when I ran last May as a write-in candidate. This time my opponents (the PACs) were successful in painting me as a participant in the recall, even though that couldn't be further from the truth. In the long run, the majority of voters either believed that falsehood, or simply were upset at the notion of a recall in Carefree. In any event, the March 9, 2010 election is over. To the victors I say, the longer range struggle to save Carefree will continue with renewed energy, battle experience, and the sheer power of the truth and the law. Next time there won't be the recall card to play; your candidates will have to stand the scrutiny of voters based upon their record, and the pressing economic issues they ignored. The quitters from 2009 may feel they have a new life and even entertain a run for mayor (direct election of the mayor was something they all opposed); I'm taking wagers on a certain individual.

The 2010 election campaign was draining. The Support Our Town Political Action Committee (PAC) spared no expense or people hours as they rallied their traditional supporters to handle the heavy lifting to retain control. It really is a shame that David Schwan never addressed a single pressing issue, not a single one that truly matters. I had two important goals last time; one has been essentially achieved yet one remains outstanding. I'll renew my pledge to work for clean elections in Carefree, regardless of individuals who stand in the way or where that road may lead.

You have my sincere appreciation and my heartfelt thanks.

John Traynor | Carefree

Back

Totally unbelievable – Our Desert Foothills Posse needs us

This past year our Desert Foothills Sherriff’s Posse Organization set new records for member performance. The Posse members come from all walks of life, and most are still employed, with growing families. A few are retired former business owners or former corporate executives. But many people residing in the Foothills do not realize that the Posse is strictly a volunteer organization, and most importantly, an organization that owes it’s success to the out of pocket contributions of the members.

All of the uniforms and equipment worn by the Posse are paid for by each individual member, at a personal cost of $1,000 to as much as $6,000 for the armed members. The costs to acquire, equip and maintain the Posse fleet of vehicles is made up through donations. In 2009 the members drove over 50,000 miles in their own vehicles, at their own expense. The total of miles driven in Posse owned vehicles is over 100,000 per year. Five members have purchased their own patrol cars at an average out of pocket cost of over $10,000. And the hours worked, or should we emphasize, donated, to our community stand at 17,725! It is clear that our Posse adds tremendous value to our Foothills community through their generous volunteering.

This year the Desert Foothills Posse needs the help of all Foothills residents. They have mounting expenses, such as the radios needed to implement their new communications system, a vital connection to the Dispatch Center. Sixteen radios, at a total cost of $80,000, will be needed to insure that the lifeline of communications remains open…in order to serve us. This expense will be faced throughout 2010 and 2011. No State or County funds are ever shared with the Posse. This is why they need our help.

The Desert Foothills Posse deserves our admiration. They also deserve our donations. Every dollar donated will be used within the Foothills area. The Posse has done an outstanding job of fulfilling their mission “to serve and protect”. They are one of the finest groups of volunteers in our community. Now it is our turn to help them.

The Posse is a 501 (C), non-profit Corporation. All donations stay in the Foothills and are not shared with the Sheriff’s Office. Your tax deductable donation may be dropped off at the Sherriff’s Sub Station, on Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek. Or mailed to the Desert Foothills Sheriff’s Posse, Post Office Box 3848, Carefree, AZ 85377.

Virginia Brooks | Carefree

Back

Bobcat trapped

On March 10 I came home to find a Bobcat in our front driveway entrance with a trap on his front right paw.

I contacted Arizona Game and Fish about the injured Bobcat and they responded quickly. Kyle and Ryan from the Game and Fish came out and tranquilized the Bobcat in order to remove the trap with possible hopes that it would be healthy enough to go back into the wild.

Unfortunately the paw had been crushed by the trap, the bone was obliterated and the entire paw was being held by skin.

I think the people of Cave Creek need to be aware for their pet’s safety that someone is illegally trapping on private property with the improper traps and after the allotted time frame.

Brett Walton | Cave Creek

Back

Dear President Obama

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on Dec. 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the headman. So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.

You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:

" We're no longer a Christian nation"

" America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world,"America is mean- spirited.

" Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)

I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.
After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.
Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.

You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.

And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.

Harold B. Estes | Via e-mail

Back

The Hot Dog Man vs CCUSD

Hard on the heels of looking inept on the K-3 override it appears the urgent need for a public relations staff member has been upgraded to an urgent need for a damage control officer!

I sincerely hope that the quality of teaching exceeds their ability to deal with the public.

In another vote, mine goes to the Hot Dog Man.

K-3/Hot Dog Man: 2
CCUSD: 0
3-0 and you are out!

Thomas Surrency | Via e-mail

Back

Creekers

I recently read the Cave Creek Chamber is working to re-brand Cave Creek. I strongly urge everyone involved to tread very carefully.

Proceed cautiously and only after giving thought to what Cave Creek really is and what we all want it to be. Knee jerk reactions to suggestions from outsiders trying to pass themselves off as Creekers, or hoping no one will notice they are not Creekers, could have tragic results. Short of committing that faux pas, you may see outsiders trying to convince Cave Creek business people they have our best interests at heart … why would they?

Recent and current efforts to bring people into town seem to involve a great many white tents. Although different groups sponsor them it is the non-profits we so love to honor with our hard-earned money.

White tents, however, by their temporary nature indicate a lack of trust in the ability to be successful. They imply shiftlessness.

Their presence means a lack of Cave Creek sales tax from businesses that choose to pay rent, utilities, etc. and operate a permanent business in Cave Creek.

Name withheld by request

Back

Amnesty Version 2.9

So here we are, sick and tired of Obama shoveling so-called Health reform down our throats because we are too stupid to see the importance of government intrusion into our lives. We are too stupid to understand that it is important to destroy our economy and negatively impact the lives of 300,000,000 people for 15,000,000. Not to mention that we would be better off with more bureaucrats to guide us through our lives, and deaths. Good stuff, Mr. President!

Now he is signaling a new initiative, immigration reform. Wait a minute … that is not new. I note that Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and Chuck Schumer (NY) are reigniting the call for comprehensive immigration reform, again. I also note that Senator McCain is pretty scarce on the topic while he makes his 6-year ritual run for reelection. I am sure once he gets back in for 6 years, he will catch up quickly. He is a fast learner. I wrote Senator McCain recently about his stand on immigration and got a letter back that was a carbon copy of his former position, with all of the stuff that will never be enforced, like fees, fines, etc. But the amnesty part would happen right away and off they go to a path to citizenship. Of course he never used the word amnesty. I will never understand why Republicans don't get the fact that Democrats want illegal people to be able to vote as they will get more votes in elections for themselves. Republicans: HELLO … Many illegals do not want citizenship, only to work.
However the Democrats and Graham and McCain seem to insist on a path to citizenship.
Personally I have no problem with changing work visa programs to allow for LEGAL immigration and work, but I would never reward breaking and entering into our country illegally with a path to citizenship. All we do is make being a citizen of the United States a political cheap trick designed to elect more Democrats, who always promise free stuff that others pay for. So if Obama can get amnesty done before election day 2012, guess what? He secures more votes for himself as he knows full well he will need them, and more. Better watch the cemeteries back in Illinois too. Those dead people vote back there.

Here is a simple danger sign in politics, the word COMPREHENSIVE. Comprehensive means a dog's breakfast of kickbacks, payoffs, bribes, and shoveling in anything else that politicians can think of to get enough votes to get the bill passed. Just like with healthcare reform, immigration will be a big omnibus can of worms, rather than addressing the individual problems within it. If legislation is written in simple and understandable terms, they cannot hide the pork and graft and corruption going on. Look how they are hiding the government takeover of student loans within the healthcare bill. But they exclude the Medicare doctor fix cost of around $225 Billion from the health bill. Then they tell us that they are separate issues. Huh? Student loan takeover is healthcare related, but Medicare doctor fix money is not healthcare related? This is our politicians at work. Don't they make us proud?

Steve | Cave Creek

Back

New Obama healthcare plan endangers 4,506 Arizona jobs

Buried in the latest government healthcare plan proposed by President Obama is a new tax on medical device manufacturers, who make everything from prosthetic limbs to pacemakers. The bill imposes a new tax of $2 billion per year (rising to $3 billion in 2017) on the industry. Congressman Harry Mitchell will have a chance to vote on this bill later this year.

This new tax will particularly hit the Cayenne Medical facility in Scottsdale, Arizona. It employs 45 people—workers who may find themselves with a pink slip instead of a paycheck if this jobs-killing tax hike goes through.

“Washington politicians like to talk about jobs, but speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama want to raise taxes on the medical device industry that will kill jobs,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Congressman Harry Mitchell can talk all he wants. Now he has a choice to vote with the Democrat leadership and kill jobs in Arizona or to summon the courage to vote against the Democrat leadership and protect those jobs.”

Statewide, there are 4,506 employees working for the medical device industry. The average medical device worker in Arizona earns $49,000, higher than the state average of $31,400. Statewide, there were $1.4 million in medical device sales in Arizona in the latest reporting year.

Congressman Harry Mitchell VOTED FOR this same tax hike just last year. How will the Congressman vote this time?

There are other medical device manufacturing employees in Congressman Harry Mitchell’s district who are endangered by this tax hike. They work at the following location:

• Sensys Medical in Chandler, Arizona – Sensys employs 40 people.

Americans for Tax Reform

Back


SS cover-up

Thanks for the article about B.O.'s SS cover-up!
Thanks for staying with this issue about the fraud of B.O. and his cronies.

Candace Chonka | Via e-mail

Back