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Opinion: Around the Bluhmin’ Town PAGE
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This Week
NEWS.................. 6 Chas Roberts to give away two A/C systems
Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
APS shares wildfire plan to council BY SCIANNA GARCIA Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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o prepare for possible wildfires, APS shared with the Cave Creek Town Council a response plan and advised about possible outages. Jeff Spohn, APS director of distribution, and Scott Dearth, APS manager of distribution and maintenance, attended the June 6
Cave Creek Town Council meeting to inform the public of a plan they hope to be effective. It’s been two years since major brush fires tore through the area in May 2020. The East Desert and Ocotillo fires burned more than 2,700 acres, impacting several structures. According to reports from Maricopa County, the Ocotillo fire alone caused $1.2 million in damage, destroying 20 buildings, including eight homes. The Arizona Depart-
ment of Forestry and Fire Management sent air tankers to help control the fire. The Cave Creek Complex Wildfire of 2005 was the third largest forest fire in Arizona, scorching over 2,500 acres. APS officials warned of the unpredictability of the wildfires, and the prevention of overgrowth of fuels, and reduction of possi-
see APS page 4
Child Crisis giving away pool fences
BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
FEATURES......... 17 Barro’s Pizza, Pepsi raise funds for pediatric cancer
FEATURES ........ 18 Pastor Ed Delph discusses “somewhere good to go”
OPINION.......................8 FEATURES................. 17 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone 2
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wimming is top of mind for children in search of fun and a break from the heat. To create awareness and keep children safe around water, Child Crisis Arizona has relaunched the Pool Fence Safety Program in conjunction with Salt River Project and the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities. “SRP and UPFC launched the free pool fence program about 20 years, which provides funding for families that are financially unable to afford pool barriers and have young children,” said Caitlin Sageng, family resources manager of Child Crisis Arizona. “After a program hiatus, we are now join-
see FENCES page 4
Applications for the Pool Fence Safety program must be sent by July 5.
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NEWS
An edition of the East Valley Tribune The Foothills Focus is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the North Valley. To find out where you can pick up a copy of The Foothills Focus, please visit www.thefoothillsfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 623-465-5808 | Fax: 623-465-1363 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-348-0343 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@timeslocalmedia.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@timeslocalmedia.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timeslocalmedia.com Advertising Office Manager: Tricia Simpson | 480-898-5624 tsimpson@timeslocalmedia.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@timeslocalmedia.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timeslocalmedia.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timeslocalmedia.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timeslocalmedia.com
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APS from page 1
ble ignitions. The prevention plan highlights the vegetation management program that is executed on cycle, the introduction of detailed line inspections, which are conducted to identify high-risk fire areas, and customer programs put in place to help support the community in fire prevention. Defensible space around poles — or DSAP — is a program enforced to proactively create defensible space around poles to prevent wildfire ignitions and
clear vegetation 10 feet in all directions. The Right Tree/Right Place program sets regulations on spacing between low-growing trees and wire zones, which has proved to be effective in wildfire scenarios. APS also initiated a team of fire mitigation specialists that coordinate APS response with local responding agencies. If a wildfire happens, power outages may occur and APS will not restore power until it is confirmed the line is not compromised. Fire mesh is another APS recommendation as a smart infrastructure technol-
ogy that will reduce damages to poles in the line of fire, which will help to prevent outages. If an outage occurs, APS advises to avoid downed power lines, to use flashlights and candles, keep refrigerators and freezers closed, and to unplug unnecessary electrical equipment to prevent the system from overloading. “We are foundational in our approach to the wildfire scenario and its increasing volatility over the last 20 years, we’re an extremely reliable utility and a top performing utility,” Spohn said regarding their fire response efforts.
ing the effort as the program coordinator, which aligns perfectly with our Safe Kids of Maricopa County program. We are excited for this new opportunity to serve families.” Families living in Maricopa County can apply to be awarded a new pool fence at no cost if they meet certain eligibility criteria. The application process
ends July 5. “As the largest provider of water in the Valley for the past century, water safety is paramount at SRP,” said Regina Lane, SRP community engagement strategist. “Research shows that secure pool fencing can prevent about 75% of water-related drownings of unsupervised children. SRP is committed to improving the quality of life for the people
we serve. Through our various drowning-prevention outreach programs and contributions, we hope to help parents with the education and resources they need to keep their children safe around water.” The total sponsorship is $35,000, with $25,000 funded by SRP. The UPFC pledges to raise $10,000 to support the program. “The installation of pool barriers continues to be a key factor in the prevention of child drownings,” said David Ramirez with United Phoenix Firefighters Charities. “There is nothing more aggressive in preventing tragedies than putting in a pool fence. Child drownings are truly a community problem. We are encouraged to have organizations like SRP and Child Crisis Arizona step up and lead this effort.” Applications are available in English and Spanish. Families may apply on the Child Crisis Arizona website, childcrisisaz.org/pool-fence-safety-program. Requirements: • Must have a child 6 years old or younger living in the home • Home must be owner-occupied, no renters • Family must reside within Maricopa County • Family must be income-qualified and participation in one of the following assistance programs will be used to verify income eligibility: Food stamps, Medicaid, WIC, energy assistance, unemployment or a recipient of the 2021 Child Tax Credit.
FENCES from page 1
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NEWS
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Chas Roberts to give away A/C systems BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
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has Roberts, a local family-owned A/C, heating and plumbing provider, is donating two brand new A/C systems, including installation, to two lucky winners as part of its 13th annual Cool Play
Giveaway. Nominations are being accepted through June 30. Must be an Arizona resident. Air conditioners are mandatory in Arizona so each year, Chas Roberts donates units to two families or nonprofits in need of a new air condition-
Chas Roberts will be accepting nominations for its Cool Play Giveway of two A/C systems until June 30. (Chas Roberts/Submitted) er. The Cool Play Giveaway was initially started by Chas Roberts President and CEO Sissie Roberts Shank to help local families or organizations that may be undergoing a hardship and are in need of a new A/C system. “The Cool Play Giveaway is something we started 13 years ago and it’s still going strong,” Shank said. “As we all know, summer is brutal in Arizona, so we want to do our part to help families or organizations that are struggling. Chas Roberts is a fami-
ly business — our community and our customers are part of our family — so it’s important to us that we help as many people as possible.” Chas Roberts’ vendors Carrier and Goodman donate the A/C systems each year. Smiley Crane provides the crane service, and Chas Roberts coordinates the program and provides the installation. For more information or to nominate a family or nonprofit, visit chasroberts.com/coolplay.
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OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Opinion TheFoothillsFocus.com
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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN
We’re facing another dark day BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist
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hurches. Movie theaters. Shopping centers. Hospitals. Concerts. Schools. We watch with horror the news coverage of mass shootings and then with further disbelief the fallout of blame, outrage, opinions, accusations, analysis and all manner of political warfare. Have an idea? A microphone? Then go ahead, tell us all why this is happening, how our culture is responsible, how this
country has changed, how messed up we are and oh, don’t forget to blast all your thoughts on social media. Have an opinion? OK, tell the world. Have a solution? We are all waiting. No reasonable dialogue can ever be had with the pundits screaming, the fingers pointing and the anger mounting. We have reason to be enraged. This shouldn’t be happening in the greatest country in the world. Our kids should have a safe haven in their schools, a place to go free of threat, not carnage. Yes, this is a tragedy. We can do better.
Politicians can’t fix this. God can’t stop this. And we can’t stand it. We all seem to agree that gun violence has gotten out of control. We just don’t seem, as a nation, to know what to do about it. Maybe we simply do not have the will to change things. We are polarized to the point of paralysis in implementing any workable solutions. Some folks believe that every teacher should be armed (won’t happen) and others say we take away all guns (won’t happen) and all possible solutions in between are debated, met with resistance and a “nothing we can do” sort of attitude. We point at “mental illness” as the source of all mass shootings. Other lament that the lack of morals and God in our culture is the problem. Well, who wants to argue with that? But tell us what the “fix” might be. There are lots of tired sayings out there that don’t really help mitigate the problem like, “Guns aren’t the problem, people are the problem.” Yep, seems to be true. So, I guess the goal would be to keep a loaded firearm out of the hands of deranged, evil, dangerous and/or mentally ill people who have the desire to harm others, or themselves. Firearms are the leading cause of death in children
ages one to 19! News like this brings us down. We love our country, our communities, our children. We turn to God and ask, “Why?” And by the way, God, where the heck are you? Need a little help down here! A young girl asked her minister if she should worry if she will die before God wants her. He said, “God never leaves your side and always wants you. Have no fear.” Words of comfort? Fear. I never experienced it too much, but now as I get older it is on my mind. Guess I am not alone. More people today are considering homeschooling their kids, not venturing out into “crowded places” and avoiding “dangers” like going to large venues. Please say it isn’t so. Sometimes, in our darkest hours, we feel bereft. We want answers and action. Mostly, we just want change. I keep the faith. Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.
How to get a letter published
Catalyst, Convener, Champion
E-mail: christina@timespublications.com The Foothills Focus welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. The Foothills Focus will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Foothills Focus, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Biden declares war – on himself BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist
In 1964, President Johnson declared “War on Poverty.” In 1971, President Nixon announced a “War on Drugs.” In 1977, President Carter said “the moral equivalent of war” was needed to combat the Energy Crisis. In early April of this year, the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue called his wife of almost 45 years Barack Obama’s vice president. No foolin’. Despite the thick “brain fog” enveloping Joe Biden, the leftist cabinet officers and staffers surrounding him have a mission they are pursuing with crystal clarity. Simply stated, it is an undeclared “War on the Law-Abiding.” Gone is the notion of improving the standard of living for an increasingly shrinking middle class. Also absent is any inclination to advocate for the “little guy who works hard and plays by the rules.” And long ago, what Hubert Humphrey called the “politics of joy” went missing in action. All that has been replaced by the politics of grievance. Deliberate steps have been taken to make sure that Lady Justice has lost her blindfold and that a heavy left thumb has unbalanced her scales. “Equal justice under law” has yielded to “special justice based on cultural consideration of ‘social victim’ status.” That’s the rationale behind the deliberate use of the term “equity” to replace the concept of equality. Rather than work to insure equality of opportunity for all, the Biden Bunch has chosen to short-circuit that process and manipulate outcomes favoring those regarded as “deserving.” So now, “cultural karma” displaces constitutional principles.
In progressive parlance, it’s called “social justice.” In the real world, it’s called “payback.” The vision of a “Post-Racial America” has deteriorated into a “Most-Racial America,” viewed through the prism of progressive politics. Disagree with leftist methods and goals? You’ll immediately hear the taunt, “Racist!” Misfits, miscreants, and militants comprise the core constituency of the American Left today, along with “conspiring capitalists of convenience,” who rely on the manipulation of government policies to achieve their desired business success. Think of the bevy of billionaires who reached that economic status based on their “timely investments” in so-called “green energy” policies propagated by progressives. Who made the largest investment? American taxpayers, of course. Who reaped the largest profits? Political patrons of today’s Democratic Party. Turns out the “green” in “green energy” isn’t the environment! Even life-long Democrats have dis-
see HAYWORTH page 10
OPINION
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OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Here’s a primer on Valley geography BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist
When I moved west in 1995 to be a newspaper scribe, one of the challenges was getting acquainted with the Valley’s geography. The grid system was easy enough, as were major cross streets like Broadway, Southern, Indian School and Van Buren. But the finer distinctions eluded me. I’m talking about, “Is Scottsdale in the East Valley?” Or, “Where exactly does the West Valley begin?” (To which I answer, it’s a lot like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s definition of porn: I can’t exactly say, “but I know it when I see it”). With 100,000 people moving here annually, I figure we need a user’s guide to the Valley’s terminology. Here you have it: East Valley: This moniker, allegedly coined by the editors of the Tribune back in the day, covers Mesa, Chan-
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dler, Gilbert, Tempe, Queen Creek – and Scottsdale. Apparently, the Scottsdale politicos and residents of the city’s tonier neighborhoods hate this idea, which is all the more reason to insist on it. South Scottsdale: The city south of Fashion Square, with a carve out for the bars and party spots of “Old Town,” which may or may not admit anyone over age 28 after 9 at night. A Realtor who specializes in the area describes it as “the heart and soul of the city.” Translated: You can afford it! West Valley: Generally speaking, this region includes everything west of the 17 freeway that is not in Phoenix – except Maryvale, which is in Phoenix, but poor, so Phoenix would like it to be someplace else. Glendale, which begins at 43rd Avenue, is in the West Valley. So are places like Peoria, Avondale, Buckeye, Tolleson and Youngtown, a small town ironically devoid of young people. Many of the western suburbs are named for their distance from Phoenix, like Surprise (“I’m surprised it’s so damn far”) and Goodyear (“it will take a good year to get here if there’s an accident on the 10”). Phoenix, which serves as the Valley’s central core, has its own naming nuances. North Phoenix: Notable for gated communities, mountain views and the prevalence of Walgreens at every intersection, North Phoenix oddly does not include Northern Avenue. It begins somewhere north of Paradise Valley – a Latin phrase meaning “home of photo radar” – and extends to about Flagstaff. Central Phoenix: An amorphous blob that begins where downtown Phoenix and the Central City areas end (say about Thomas Road) and winds north to about Shea Boulevard. East to west, Central Phoenix seems to span 44th Street to about
Seventh Avenue. To the east is “the east side,” which has lots of industrial stuff, and to the west is the “west side,” notable for random gunfire and drive-thru restaurants that offer excellent burritos and end in the suffix “-berto’s.” South Phoenix: The city south of downtown but north of South Mountain. The area includes urban clusters to the east and sprawling farms and warehouses to the west. However, south Phoenix does not include the southernmost tip of Phoenix. Ahwatukee: There’s some interesting arcana surrounding the name of the most southern ‘burb in Phoenix. Once upon a time, a huge house – Casa De Suenos, or “house of dreams” – stood out that way. Then a lady from Wyoming bought it and renamed the house “Ahwatukee,” which she said was the Crow Indians’ phrase for “house of dreams.” As it turns out, the Crow people – who don’t live in Arizona – don’t have that word in their language. But they do have the phrase “awe chuuke,” which
HAYWORTH from page 9
covered that this isn’t their Grandpa’s political party. AOC is no JFK… Kamala Harris is no Barbara Jordan…and though he may fit the demographic, there’s nothing grandfatherly about Joe Biden. Scowling, squinting, and shouting isn’t a display of leadership; it betrays a lack of confidence…or worse, confusion. While Biden’s befuddlement is personal, no such confusion is shared collectively within the Biden Administration. For the team allegedly “supporting” Ol’ Joe, the modus operandi seems to be “just put it in front of ‘Pops’ and he’ll sign it!” The comparative ease of issuing executive orders when compared with finding consensus for legisla-
means “the other side of the hill.” Consider yourself in the know, friend. But don’t worry if you’re confused. It only took me 27 years to figure this out. You’re probably quicker on the uptake. tive action was encapsulated in this comment from former Bill Clinton aide Paul Begala: “Stroke of a pen. Law of the land. Kinda cool!” Voters’ ardor has cooled for Joe Biden…his perilous plunge in the polls confirms it. So does the increasingly critical coverage from major newspapers, the alphabet networks, and their “cable cousins.” Charitably, it’s hard to imagine the Joe Biden who entered the Senate in 1973 at age 30 would recognize the Joe Biden of today. No, that’s not because of what leftists would label as “political maturity.” Instead, it is due to his sadly obvious cognitive deterioration. Given his rare moments of clarity, Joe Biden must realize that he is really at war with himself.
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
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OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
READER’S VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Carefree’s northeast corner: A brief history Editor: My name is Mike Johnson, and I was appointed to the Carefree Town Council in September 2021 to fill a vacant council seat. My wife and I have had a home in Carefree since 2005 and became permanent residents during 2013. Before that time, I had been involved with the town on several projects; the development of the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road, traffic safety issues and bringing Carefree Water to west Carefree residents. On June 1, The Foothills Focus published a letter headlined “To the people of Carefree — We heard you loud and clear!” The claims below were made by the authors about the town council’s plans for future commercial development in Carefree. “The current trend is calling for another new ‘boutique’ hotel at the northwest cor-
ner of Tom Darlington and Carefree Highway. The current plan is also calling for three or more “quick-serve” (code word for fast-food) restaurants, a shopping mall and additional commercial structures northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road. This out-of-control growth, reckless development and rezoning of every single available piece of land and real estate in town in the name of economic development is a great concern to the vast majority of the Carefree residents. Pretty soon we will be just like Scottsdale. Is this what the people of Carefree want?” The statements made about the northeast corner are based on what I believe to be uninformed opinion, hyperbole and not in the text of the actual rezoning documents or meetings of the planning and zoning commission or town council. How do I know? I was there and my community led the lobbying effort to ensure that the rezoning and deed restrictions pre-
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vented exactly what the authors of the letter claim the town council wants. Why? The northeast corner backs up to Carefree Ironwood Estates (formerly known as Provence) and that type of development would have killed our property values, been an eyesore, traffic hazard, and noise and lighting nuisance. At that time, I was president of Provence’s HOA board of directors and the point person for it. Starting in the late summer of 2018, we were notified by the then-developer of the property to meet with them and view their vision for the northeast corner. What we saw were dense, tall commercial buildings that backed right up to our western border, other high-density commercial development, a redirection of the natural wash, heavy traffic; and no border wall separating Provence and a development called Carefree Quarter. The developer wanted options for a 24hour emergency hospital, car wash, gas stations, and what we viewed to be carte blanche. The HOA immediately mobilized and engaged in meetings with the developer, the town and retained legal counsel to advise us on our rights as property owners and citizens of Carefree. Accordingly, we found the town council and administration to be completely sympathetic and open to working with us to achieve a solution that would be best for us and Carefree. Through those discussions, we came to believe that the best outcome was to work with the rezoning from residential to commercial to create revenue producing enterprises that would enhance Carefree. Why you ask? The other three corners on Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road were already developed as commercial properties; we needed to be pragmatic. On Nov. 13, 2018, agenda item No. 13, at a meeting of the Carefree Town Council, was a hearing to review the developer’s request for rezoning from residential to commercial as heavily modified from their original plan with input from Provence, the town of Carefree and developer. Unfortunately, the developer had not giv-
en up the 24-hour emergency hospital, car wash, certain height, architectural and traffic restrictions and other limitations. The developer made its presentation and then many people, including myself, spoke on the rezoning request. During the meeting, we negotiated the final rezoning with stipulations (deed restrictions) with the developer and the town. At that time, to his credit, Vice Mayor John Crane took the lead for the council and made sure all the changes and agreements made during the meeting were duly noted so they could be voted on by the town council and memorialized into what was to become Ordinance 2018-06. In the end, the 24-hour emergency hospital and car wash were prohibited, no drive thru pads or gas stations north of the wash behind Provence were allowed, height, architectural and traffic restrictions were set, among others; and a landscaped 2-foot berm with a 6-foot block wall was to be built with 50-foot offsets along our entire border with the development. This would keep our community safe from unwanted foot traffic and reduce noise and light pollution. Since that time, no changes have been made to Ordinance 2018-06. To be clear, the ordinance allowed for up to five drive-thru pads on the 27 acres. One cannot be built behind Provence, and neither can a gas station. The discussions for the drive-thru pads included establishments such as banks, coffeeshops, drugstores like CVS and restaurants such as Chipotle, among others—not the big-name, high-trafficked fast-food drive-thru restaurants. If Carefree Quarter was built as envisioned in that meeting, it would have been a tremendous asset to the town. It would have had an anchor such as Sprouts, Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, highend restaurants, shopping and garden offices for medical, dentists, vets or other professionals. Also, walking paths and adequate parking were planned with no parking allowed behind Provence.
see LETTERS page 13
OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
LETTERS from page 12
I truly believe Carefree Quarter — or no other development — has yet to be built because the water company that services the area has never provided a will-serve letter. If the Carefree Water Consolidation Project had been completed at that time, we might be enjoying fine food and shopping at the northeast corner. Please refer to the following documents: Town of Carefree, ordinance 2018-16: https://bit.ly/CarefreeOrdinance The Oct. 22, 2018, planning and zoning minutes: https://bit.ly/Oct222018agenda The Nov. 13, 2018, town council minutes: https://bit.ly/Nov32018minutes In conclusion, the claims of “out-of-control growth” and “reckless development and rezoning” by (my words) “an out-oftouch, tone deaf town council” are simply not true. The town of Carefree must objectively review any plans submitted for commercial development. All plans for commercial development must be submitted to the town, reviewed and approved by the planning and zoning commission and then the town
council with public hearings and input.
Mike Johnson Carefree councilmember
Keys to Carefree’s success Editor: Carefree’s success on significant projects and initiatives over the years has been directly tied to the involvement and input of Carefree residents, starting early in the solution development process. Once a problem area is identified for resolution, either through communications from residents or members of the town council or staff identifying it, the approach successfully utilized is for a fact-finding team to be assigned to analyze all pertinent aspects and recommend a solution. This team typically consists of councilmembers, town staff and Carefree residents with relevant experience who respond to a call for volunteers. In addition, outside experts may also be brought into the team to provide expertise in specific areas.
The development process’ key aspects as the team analyzes and organizes pertinent information is to make the learning they are developing available to all Carefree residents for their review and input. This typically takes the form of well-publicized public meetings which can draw upward of hundreds of Carefree residents. With the input of Carefree residents, the team then synthesizes all of the information and input into their recommendation to the town council for their review and potential approval. Examples of how this approach has worked successfully in the past include: Decommissioning and removal of the wastewater treatment plant in the Boulders. Following years of north Boulders residents suffering from odors and noises emanating from the plant, a team was assembled that worked with Liberty/Black Mountain, the Arizona Corporation Commission and a number of additional regulatory agencies to shepherd this project through a 10-plus year process reaching all of the way to the Arizona Supreme Court to secure the removal of the plant in 2018. Integration of all Carefree residents
into the Carefree Water Company System. Carefree residents on the south and west portions of Carefree have had their water supplied by the Cave Creek Water Company. Carefree is fortunate to have a more robust water supply than Cave Creek, and with the forecasted water cutbacks, Carefree residents from those areas were requesting that they obtain their water service directly from Carefree. A team was assembled in 2015 and, following strong requests from residents in a series of town hall meetings attended by hundreds, a town commitment to integrate these residents into the Carefree Water Company system. This complex project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. In addition, a major review of the fire protection and emergency medical services is underway. Important changes are taking place in how these services are being managed and provided throughout Maricopa County, potentially forcing a change in Carefree from how these services have been handled in the past. A team has been working on this import-
see LETTERS page 14
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OPINION
LETTERS from page 13
ant project for over a year, with frequent public meetings to share learning and gain resident input. Plans call for sharing what has been learned in additional open house meetings with residents starts this fall. As with the previous referenced efforts, community involvement has to shape the solution. Please look for these open house announcements this fall and help shape the future of Carefree’s fire and emergency services. Resident involvement is the cornerstone to help cultivate solutions. There are endless opportunities to become involved and informed on community issues and help design solutions. If you would like to participate, sign up for the town’s digital newsletter (carefree.org) so you may receive regular updates on Carefree related issues, opportunities for your input and participate in your community public meetings. We look forward to working together to find solutions that move this community forward. That is what community and public service is about.
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Les Peterson Carefree Mayor
Unhappy with water decision Editor: As a resident of Cave Creek whose home happens to be located in a subdivision in Carefree, I am in the unhappy situation of having lost my town water as a result of decisions made by Carefree councilmembers. Yes, I am one of the 500-plus poor souls who is “suffering” from “non-Carefree” water. The only protection I sought was to maintain service from my town water, but that was not to be. In the nine years we have lived here, we have had one instance of silty water following the flushing of hydrants in our development. A call to Cave Creek Water brought an immediate response that resolved the problem. But it seems that despite this history, we still need to be “rescued” from Cave Creek Water. I am stunned by the amount of money that Carefree, or rather its elected officials, have decided to spend, on behalf of its residents, all, purportedly, to save us from
Cave Creek Water. But wait. Is there another possibility? I note with interest that well before the term limits vote in August, work was begun swiftly at the Boulders site, along Tom Darlington to Carefree Highway and now onward to the corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road. Curiously, the large piece of open land at that corner, across from CVS, has no water to it (yet). In the 1990s, neighbors, including myself, as I lived in Carefree at that time, fought successfully to prevent its development and rezoning. Now this piece of property has been zoned commercial by this council and thus is ripe for a shopping center when it has water. This course of action was brought to you by the same council who brought the overpowering Hampton Inn to what was once quaint and charming little Downtown Carefree. I fear that it’s too late to reverse the alarming $32 million expenditure by your current council but hope that whatever they plan for the northeast corner generates lots of money to pay for the cost of running water to it and that you, the citizens, will be proud of it. I also hope that those who live in Carefree will examine and analyze the impact that your current council has had on your town and your pocketbook, and vote with prudence at your next election. Stephanie Bradley Carefree
Take a hard look Editor: With the Cave Creek mayoral and town council elections rapidly approaching, it is extremely important that we all take a hard look at the candidates running for office. I love living in Cave Creek and, like most of you, I endeavor to make a positive contribution to our community. For some of us though, the path to contribute has in part been geared toward disseminating halftruths and false information, thereby causing distrust in our local government. They question our elected and appointed officials’ integrity and motives, especially regarding development. Invariably, they draw conclusions without taking the time to accurately understand the relevant facts
and applicable laws that lead to the actions our government takes. It seems their minds are predisposed to think that our government disregards citizen interests regarding development, and therefore doubt and question the actions of our elected and appointed officials. I have experienced this firsthand on numerous occasions while serving as a member of our Planning Commission. For example, when a development such as Hidden Canyon was proposed — it was extremely favorable to the town as it substantially reduced permissible home lots, land disturbance, preserved open space and reduced future costs to the town — residents opposed it simply because the property owner sought six exceptions to our subdivision ordinance, and they believed that granting the exceptions would contravene our recently ratified general plan. Meanwhile, the six exceptions were sought to minimize land disturbance, increase open space, and reduce costs to the town, all in furtherance of the goals of our general plan. Classic hard positional negotiation by citizens without realizing that their interests aligned with the exceptions sought by the developer. Some of these dissatisfied residents are now running for elected positions in our town, and we have to contend with the spreading of propaganda and falsehoods. This is not acceptable in Cave Creek. Understanding and accurately expressing the facts, issues and applicable law(s) should be paramount, especially for people who seek elected positions within our government. Some of the candidates’ desire to play a role, influence others, and steer town decisions can lead us down a treacherous path. I fear that, if elected, the town could once again end up with significant legal problems/liability and there would be discord not just within our elected officials, but also within our dedicated town staff. Consequently, this election isn’t just about electing people that will help the town but it’s also about electing people who won’t hurt it. By way of example, articles regarding some of our candidates past conduct have been published in newspapers including The Foothills Focus. To review a couple
see LETTERS page 15
OPINION
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
LETTERS from page 14
of these, navigate to thefoothillsfocus.com. As vice chairman of the planning commission and a concerned resident, I support our incumbent elected officials seeking re-election, who have proven themselves as capable leaders. I urge everyone to take a discerning look at the challengers before casting your vote. Steven Brechner, Esq. Cave Creek
What will Carefree look like in 2030? Editor: Carefree needs a change of leadership before we lose our charming town forever. We have a budget hotel in the middle of downtown. A 300,000-gallon water tank now welcomes visitors and residents into Carefree. Instead of updating the 2030 General Plan for a resident vote, as required by law, the Carefree Town Council rushed approval of a special planning area amendment clearing the way for development of a 175-room resort on the busy intersection of Tom Darlington and Carefree Highway. Now the council is looking at a 48-acre parcel between Sky Ranch Airport and Stagecoach Pass for even more “resort and lodging” development. Never mind that resorts are considered some of the highest water users in the Valley. Carefree claims this extensive development is necessary to avoid a property tax but at the same time, they are hinting a property tax may be needed to address a long-range budget deficit. After repeated warnings from Scottsdale, Rural Metro’s mutual-aid agreement has been canceled, leaving residents vulnerable and Carefree scrambling to finance the cost of automatic aid. Despite this looming challenge, the town council spent lavishly—over $2 million with multiple law firms, new full-time staff members, a 25% increase in the town administrator’s salary, and over $360,000 for two arches leading into Carefree—to name a few of the more extravagant examples over the last five years. And the controversial water transition: a $32 million expenditure. You won’t see that $32 million on the
town budget because it comes directly out of Carefree residents’ pockets through our escalating water bills. Town councilmembers say they wish residents were more involved in town meetings. But this council has intentionally and repeatedly denied residents a say on important issues. And if you offer a differing opinion, these same councilmembers flood the media claiming “false and misleading statements” or disrespectfully labeling residents “the loud minority” and “privileged.” Is it any wonder most residents no longer bother to engage with this council? Carefree residents voted in 2011 for term limits by a two-thirds majority. In 2018, Vice Mayor Crane did not respect our vote. Instead, he sued Carefree to overturn term limits. In this August’s election, six of the 13 candidates running for office are new. To protect Carefree, we need this change. Vote “yes” on Prop 473. Prop 473 will guarantee Carefree never again breeds career politicians because it will establish well-defined term limits. Vote “no” on Prop 474. Prop 474 is being partly funded by our current town councilmembers because, if passed, it enables them to stay in office for another eight years. If these current council members continue to hold office, it won’t be long before we won’t recognize Carefree. “Yes” to Prop 473; “no” to Prop 474. Cast your vote Aug. 2: Peter Sample for mayor and thoughtful new town councilmembers candidates, Kathlina Lai, Sven Maric, and Duke Vukotic.
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see LETTERS page 16
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OPINION
LETTERS from page 15
his HOA position gives credence to how he would handle similar situations as Town mayor. We have also been fortunate to serve concurrently with John on the architectural control committee and HOA board over the years and were able to observe his ability to lead with passion and dedication. We believe that he will do a tremendous job as Carefree mayor. Serving as vice mayor has given John a seasoned past that will bring good guidance for the future of the town of Carefree. Many of our local organizations have benefited from the volunteer time that John has so graciously given. He has been recognized and honored for his efforts over the years by numerous groups in our area and has played a key role in events that have been hosted in our town center. He is a strong supporter of local business and is a leader in honoring veterans. Please join us in supporting John Crane for the mayor of Carefree. Allen Hobratschk Carefree
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Time for a change Editor: There is keen interest throughout Carefree on whether the town should maintain its status as a quiet and charming small town, or rush headlong into the commercial development of a few remaining open parcels to attract tourists and other nonresidents who pay sales tax here and thereby subsidize the Town’s operating budget. The town of Carefree has been on notice for several years regarding automatic aid. Current automatic aid participants have publicly stated that Carefree has “quite deliberately” chosen Rural Metro for its fire and emergency medical services with the full knowledge of Rural Metro’s limited capabilities — in effect requiring neighboring communities to subsidize another critical line item in the town budget. Who has the town hired to provide it qualified advice on the issues of fire and emergency services? Carefree residents that are part of the “water transition” want to know that they will not be receiving the same Cave Creek
water and only a bill from their new water company. The documents provided to bond purchasers observed that the town could resume its former arrangements to have Cave Creek Water treat Carefree CAP water to provide water to the new service area. Is this the plan for the near future? This huge expenditure and undertaking were done without asking for Carefree voter approval. Then, the town aggressively sued its own citizens to seize land for a water tank (spending millions in the process). The open space/eminent domain initiative will give a voice and vote back to the people — where it belongs. How can a town the size of Carefree legitimately commit to spend tens of millions of dollars on a project that it never asked it citizens to approve? Instead, town government said, “Trust us, we know better.” The town hired the well-known election law firm of Coppersmith Brockelman months ago and has paid that firm significant amounts for services related to “initiatives” based on the memo line of the town’s checks. What are the “initiatives” the town
has hired this firm to work on? Clearly it is not to support any of the initiatives. A limit of two two-year terms will bring new ideas, check the power of entrenched government, and bring fresh new faces to public office; faces like Peter Sample running for mayor, and council candidates Kathlina Lai, Sven Maric and Duke Vukotic. Current councilmembers (Hatcher and Kroyer) have donated to support an alternative four-year staggered term-limit initiative. This is supremely ironic because both of them were on the town council and did nothing to uphold the clearly expressed will of Carefree residents when Vice Mayor Crane went to court to overturn term limits. Why are they now expressing support for term limits? Everyone has a view, it seems, on what course the town should take. I urge everyone to vote and make your voice heard, particularly on the elections for mayor and town council, as well as the ballot initiatives. Maureen Benedetto Carefree Resident
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FEATURES
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Features TheFoothillsFocus.com
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Barro’s Pizza, Pepsi raise funds for pediatric cancer BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
B
arro’s Pizza and Pepsi are teaming up for the seventh year this June to raise money for children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Throughout June, all Barro’s Pizza locations will donate proceeds, up to $40,000, from the sale of any lunch special to the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, a local nonprofit whose mission is to help Arizona families with the high costs and challenging logistics while caring for their children during cancer treatment. “We are so proud to support such an amazing organization like the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children,” said Mike Barro, co-owner of Barro’s Pizza. “The work they do in our community for children and their families is incredible, so each June we look forward to helping support this critical mission. Thanks to our loyal customers, we’ve raised more than $180,000 to date and look forward to this year’s fundraising efforts.” Arizona Cancer Foundation for Chil-
Throughout June, all Barro’s Pizza locations will donate proceeds, up to $40,000, from the sale of any lunch special to the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. (Barro’s Pizza/Submitted)
dren was founded in 2013 by Chrisie Funari after she lost her young daughter, Ava, to cancer. Funari traveled the country seeking the best treatments and care for her daughter. Knowing the struggle and the toll it takes on the family, Funari started the organization to empower families by ensuring they have a secure place to live, access to medical treatment and continued support. They have since helped hundreds of local families and will continue to help more and more families each year. “Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children is truly thankful for the continued support from Barro’s Pizza in partnership with Pepsi,” said Funari, president and founder of Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. “Their generosity fuels our critical support and programs that we provide to Arizona families who have a child with cancer.” Barro’s Pizza is encouraging guests to choose from a selection of lunch specials at all locations. Lunch hours vary by location. For more information visit barrospizza.com.
Barro’s Pizza lunch specials range from a single slice of pizza at $2.50 to a large salad and a small drink for $8.50. Lunch hours vary by location. (Barro’s Pizza/Submitted)
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FEATURES
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Getting all dressed up with somewhere good to go CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist
Billy Graham was 92 years old with Parkinson’s disease when this actual event happened. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. He hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, “We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.” So, he agreed. After the opening accolades, Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month was honored by Time magazine as the ‘Man of the Century.’” Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t
find his ticket, so he reached into his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there. He looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find the ticket. Then he looked on the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it. The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.”
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Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle, punching tickets. Then, as he was ready to move to the next car, he saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees, looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are, no problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.” Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.” Graham continued with his speech. “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand-new suit. My children and grandchildren tell me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So, I bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. Do you know what that occasion is? This suit is the suit in which I will be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to remember the suit I’m wearing. Instead, I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am. I also know where I’m going.” Many of us would agree with Graham: “Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.” There’s a lesson here we can glean from Graham. We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience. Here are some quotes about dying by some current cultural influencers who would probably disagree with Graham: “I hate death. In fact, I could live forever without it.” “I intend to live forever, so far – so good.” “It’s not that I’m afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” “Life’s not fair. If life was fair, Elvis would be alive, and all the impersonators would be dead.” If the devil wrote a book, it would be entitled “You Only Live Once.” Please understand that life on this side of the curtain is temporal. Also, realize that life on the other side of the curtain is eternal. Graham knew the end was just a beginning in disguise. He knew who he was and where he was going. Often, when one door closes, another opens; but more often, we look so long and regretfully at the closed door that we do not
see the new door that has opened for us. Robert Millikan once said, “We have come from somewhere and are going somewhere. The great architect of the universe never built a stairway that leads to nowhere.” Death is nothing but a transition; it is the final step toward something better. However, we need to make the first step (earth) to get to the last step (heaven). Death is not a period but a comma in the story of life. But it takes faith to believe there is life after death. Faith is not the absence of doubt but the presence of belief. Faith is not something that goes against the evidence. It goes beyond it. God never made a promise that was too good to be true. Dwight L. Moody said, “Death may be the king of terrors…but Jesus is the king of kings.” Moody also said, “We talk about heaven being so far away. Heaven is within speaking distance to those who belong there. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” Don’t be all dressed up, not knowing where you are going. A. W. Tozer said, “Faith comes first to the hearing ear, not to a cogitating mind.” The Bible says faith comes by hearing a word from God concerning Jesus, and that word is Jesus saves. And faith is like a toothbrush. Every person should have one and use it regularly, but they shouldn’t try to use someone else’s. Graham had that kind of faith, and we can have that kind of faith, too. May each of us live our lives in a faith-filled way, so we don’t have to worry about where we are going when our ticket is punched. Fathers, Father’s Day is the happiest when you invite the Father of Fathers into your home. It’ll do you good and help you too. Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. Ed has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.
FEATURES
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
CAVE CREEK
they can learn drawing in anime style. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 3:30 p.m., free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Preschool Storytime The Foothills Focus publishes on Wednesday. The weekly calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue. Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Foothills Focus coverage area. Events such as concerts and theatrical performances that fall outside the Foothills Focus circulation area will be considered because there are no concert halls or theater venues within our boundaries. Weekly calendar items print on a space-available basis. The only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement. Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Wednesday to be considered for the following Wednesday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, christina@ timespublications.com.
Craft N Chat MONDAYS Those who knit or crochet are invited to the Desert Foothills Library for Craft N Chat. New crafters and experienced ones are welcome to join. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., free, dfla.org
Free Couples Dance Lessons THURSDAYS Learn how to line dance to country music with significant others, friends or alone Thursdays in April. Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 7 to 10 p.m., free, buffalochipsaloon.com
Yoga Fusion
local jams, jelly, honey and salsas. Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free admission, carefree.org
Crafternoon: Unsupervised FRIDAYS Kids from the ages of 2 to 18 are given the opportunity to craft to their heart’s content in the Imagination Lab, working toward the art of their dreams. With no staff to act as supervision, all kids must be accompanied by an adult. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Oceans of Possibilities: Summer Reading Program
THURSDAYS Join Elizabeth Boisson in an intermediate-level course of Yoga Fusion at the Desert Foothills Library from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays. The class will start with breathing exercising and then go through different types of stretching movements and then into Vinyasa or the Flow yoga. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, noon to 1 p.m., $10 cash per class, dfla.org
TO AUG. 1 All summer, celebrate the gift of reading with the Desert Foothills Library. All ages are encouraged to register for events. This summer, the theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” so expect plenty of ocean-related programs to help get your feet wet. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 3:30 p.m., free admission, 480-488-2286, maricopacountyreads.org
Carefree Farmers Market
All About Anime
FRIDAYS Vendors from around Carefree and the Valley head to the Farmers Market to sell goods like fresh, local, seasonal produce, herbs and flowers. They also sell
JUNE 15 Teenagers ages 13 to 18 can come by the teen room in the Desert Foothills Library and share their passion for anime and manga with like-minded peers. In addition,
JUNE 16 Take 4 to 6 year olds to the Desert Foothills Library for a full half-hour of storytime with Miss Heather. Join in afterward for craft or a fun activity based on the story, and help foster children’s love of books at an early age. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
house Road, Cave Creek, 2 p.m., free admission, reservations required, 480-4882286, dfla.org
Jubilate Music Classes STARTS JUNE 19 Join in-person music classes at the Desert Foothills Library, learning key skills about the violin, viola, cello, and choir singing. Classes are presented in an after-school format through the Jubilate Conservatory of Music. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free tuition on Sundays, instruments not provided, 480993-6147, jubilateconservatoryofmusic.org
Cave Creek Legends Nutrition Over 50 JUNE 17 Figure out a plan to eat and live a healthy lifestyle over the age of 50. Discover healthy eating choices and ways to stay in shape, including the philosophy behind intermittent fasting and adult nutrition. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, noon, $10 admission, 602-721-7714, rockinvibs21@gmail.com
International Film Noir Series with Gary Zaro JUNE 17, JUNE 24 Inspired by the films of German expressionism and America’s pulp fiction novels, film noir thrived in the 1940s and 1950s. The June films are “Aventurera” and “Murderers Among Us.” Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School-
JUNE 19 Join J. David Sloan and his band, the Cave Creek Legends, as they play at the Mountain View Pub. Join a local band and listen to traditional country rock ’n’ roll with good friends and good company. The Mountain View Pub, 7033 E Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 2 p.m., free admission, 480-575-7782, mountainviewpub.pub
Mom & Me Fit Family Boot Camp JUNE 20 Bring an exercise mat and your child to learn nutritious habits. Play a variety of games and join in on fitness activities designed for kids from infancy to 12 years old. Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., free admission, 480-980-3439, operations@deserthills.org
Coming June 29th BESTOF
2022 1720 E DEER VALLEY RD., #104
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Our reader poll is designed to let YOU tell us about your favorite people, places, shops, restaurants and things to do in Anthem, Carefree, Cave Creek and North Phoenix PEOPLE | PLACES | SHOPS | RESTAURANTS | THINGS TO DO
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THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022 | JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022
Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix SanTan Scottsdale Queen Creek West Valley
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Meetings/Events
Commerical/ Industrial/Retail
HIRING NOW- Gen. Manager & Asst Mgr, By the Bucket - fast food restaurant in Anthem. Seniors & All others please apply! Contact RON at: (602)550-5773
Alanon meeting : New River Serenity Thursday nights 7P Desert Hills Comm Church, 34835 N. 7th St. 85086 newriverserenity.com
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Glass/Mirror • Custom Glass • Shower Doors & Enclosures • Window Glass Replacement • Custom Mirrors • Glass Table Tops & Shelves Come and visit our custom glass showroom behind the Dairy Queen in Cave Creek.
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Irrigation
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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | JUNE 15, 2022