BY LINDA BENTLEY | MAY 4, 2011
Council members leaving office recognized by citizens and mayor
Carefree Water Company board leaves rate increase decision for new council
With Tuesday’s council meeting marking his last, following 12 years of service, Councilman Bob Coady posed with the plaque presented to each outgoing council member by Mayor David Schwan, expressing “grateful appreciation” for their “hard work and dedicated service.” Photos by Linda Bentley
CAREFREE – The Carefree Water Company Board of Directors meeting agenda for Tuesday was revised to add Item #4: “Discussion and possible action regarding 2011-2012 proposed budget in relation to WIFA (Water Infrastructure Finance Authority) loan repayment.”
When Carefree Water Company General Manager Stan Francom made a recommendation to raise water rates by 3 to 4 percent in order to make the town’s debt obligations, the board decided to postpone that decision until after the new council is seated.
The board is comprised of the sitting members of the Carefree Town Council.
The last Carefree Town Council meeting with the current council began on Tuesday with John Traynor during Call to the Public.
He said he was speaking this time, “not with concern or difference of opinion, but rather with gratitude.”
Traynor thanked all of the council members for their time and contributions, while acknowledging it is neither easy nor possible to please everyone.
He said, “In particular I’d like to thank Councilman Bob Coady for his special dedication to Carefree and for his tireless efforts to improve our environment,” enumerating Coady’s monthly recycling events, hazardous waste recycling program, as well as the innovative programs for proper disposal of florescent light bulbs, prescription drugs, electronic devices, Christmas trees and document shredding.
Traynor said he has had the pleasure of working with Coady on most of these projects for nearly five years, while noting some of those scorching summer days were “far from a picnic.”
Beyond all the volunteer work Coady has contributed, Traynor wanted to also thank him for his willingness to listen to citizens and help wherever and however he could.
Although that didn’t always make him popular, Traynor said “it did solidify his place in the hearts of many Carefree voters.”
Traynor concluded with, “I’m proud to call him a friend. Thank you, Bob!”
Councilman-elect Marty Saltzman, who will be taking his oath of office next month, while stating Traynor stole his thunder, also thanked council for a “job well done” over the years.
Town Accountant Jim Keen (left) presented the financials for the month of March and said revenue was 1.2 percent higher than last year, adding, “The year should end up pretty much how I predicted.”
Mayor David Schwan announced there would be a work study session/orientation at 3 p.m. on May 10 for the newly elected members of council and council candidate (Jim Van Allen, who is running unopposed in the May 17 election).
Schwan then presented each of the outgoing council members with a plaque, commemorating their years of service, and to show “grateful appreciation” for their “hard work and dedicated service to the town of Carefree.”
A plaque will also be presented to Councilman Doug Stavoe, who was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting.
