County treasurer steals the show
by Brian DiTullio

CAVE CREEK – Maricopa County Treasurer Dave Schweikart stole the show at last weekend’s Carefree candidate forum, reminding people to know what they own when it comes to their homes.

Four Carefree Town Council candidates made their pitches this past weekend, at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, on why you should vote for them in the March 13 primary election. Councilman Bob Coady, Jim Peirce and John Traynor all participated in the forum hosted by candidate David Burnell Smith. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio also was in attendance.

Schweikart talked directly to the homeowners, asking them to check their parcels and asking how many had their property surveyed when they bought it.

About half of approximately 50 people in attendance raised their hands.

“Wow. That’s a lot. It’s usually much less,” said Schweikart.

The reason for the presentation, according to Schweikart, is that the County Assessor’s Office has found several undeeded land parcels over the last few years, some of them very small and contained entirely within other existing parcels. The problem is this: Since some of the property owners never had surveys done, they are not aware that, for example, 500 square feet of their backyard and the family room on their home now have tax liens against them and are going through foreclosure.

“I actually had one person where we were foreclosing on one‑third of his house,” said Schweikart. “I don’t want to do that.”

Schweikart provided several examples of such properties around the county and said they have been attempting to notify everyone of the situation.

It usually costs just a couple hundred dollars to settle the tax lien and deed the property over, he stated.

“The best reaction I got was from one man who, when I showed the paper to him, his only response was, ‘No way, dude,’” said Schweikart, adding that three‑word response was later repeated on television when the news crews showed up to do a story about the unusual tax liens.

Coady was the first candidate to state his case, noting his eight years on the council. “Council needs to restore citizen confidence and credibility,” he said.

Traynor talked about his passion for the town and his desire to represent Carefree.

“The point of being elected to town council is to do good for the citizens,” he said. “I am angry at the way people are treated when they try and bring issues to the attention of the people who represent them.”

Peirce touted his record when it comes to public safety by reminding voters of his involvement in opposing the median break on Carefree Highway west of Cave Creek Road last year.

Smith, the last to speak, expressed his desire to keep Carefree, “care free.”

“You have to do the right thing, even if people don’t agree with you,” he said.

Smith closed his speech by saying it’s important to have a vision.

“We need a park in Carefree,” he said. “We have probably the nicest community in Arizona with no park. I promise you, if I’m elected, we’ll get a park.”

Arpaio spoke briefly at the beginning of the forum, endorsing Smith’s candidacy.

Also running for Carefree Town Council are Vice Mayor Wayne Fulcher, Councilman David Schwann, Councilman Lloyd Meyer, Councilman Greg Gardner, Councilman Gary Hayward, Glenn Miller and Bob Gemmill.

The candidates did not take questions from the audience.