I
want to thank the many supporters of my campaign
for Carefree Councilman. I greatly appreciate
your feedback and the opportunity to meet many
of you in person. Now that I am in a runoff
election with David Schwan, I need your support
more than ever.
I’ve
been contacted by numerous residents wanting
me to clarify my position. There has been an
attempt to misinform voters about my platform
and there have been unwarranted attacks on my
character (particularly through e‑mails)
by PACs with hidden agendas. To begin with,
I am independently running and my campaign literature
reflects that. I am a free‑thinking individual
with a 30‑year background in jurisprudence
(through private practice and as a local judge)
and value healthy debate, not block voting without
discussion.
I
want to keep Carefree carefree. Growth, development
and town resources need to be more smartly managed
or we risk losing our unique town character
and special way of life. We certainly don’t
want to become a mini‑Scottsdale.
I
do not support the downtown Lewis Project on
Easy Street. It is a three‑story, mixed‑zoning
project slated for condos, large Scottsdale‑type
stores and a parking area. It will be built
adjacent to our already congested post office.
Six members of the council voted to alter the
town code to allow this city‑scale project,
and they did so without making an effort to
ask you, the residents, for your feedback first.
I never would have voted to inconsistently apply
town zoning laws and make an exception for the
Lewis Project.
I
differ from my opponent in several other key
areas. I believe that any large‑scale
development or significant town code change
that significantly affects our town’s character
should be voted on directly by the people via
a referendum. Also, I believe the people should
elect the mayor, not seven members on a council.
Last but not least, I believe we need a more
open and responsive town government.
First,
council meeting times need to be changed from
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. so that more residents
can attend. Second, opinion surveys need to
be sent to residents so that the council truly
understands its constituents’ concerns. Third,
more advanced notice and more information needs
to be given about town council meetings.
As
your councilman, I will fight to safeguard our
small town way of life and protect our families
from crime, our communities from excessive noise,
and our natural environment from unsightly development.
I will actively seek your feedback and vote
with your best interests in mind. I will serve
as an effective town councilman because I have
the necessary background, work ethic, and–having
lived in Carefree for 25 years–in‑depth
familiarity with Carefree and its residents’
concerns.
Mark
your calendars and please remember to vote by
the May 15 deadline. Once again, thank you for
your support and I respectfully ask for your
vote.
David
Smith
Run‑off
candidate for town council
