Schwan and Smith gearing up for May runoff
by Brian DiTullio

CAREFREE – The campaign for the final seat on Carefree Town Council has begun, with challenger David Burnell Smith taking on incumbent David Schwan.

“I’m running on the idea that Schwan is a man you can trust,” Schwan said about the focus of his campaign for the May 15 election.

Smith said the issues remain the same, in that he believes Carefree is spending too much money and that the town’s sales tax is too high.

“I think we need a new lookout for the town,” he said. “We also need to have the public elect the mayor so he or she can set the vision for the town.”

In addition, Smith points to the Easy Street project, saying he’s not happy with it and that if he had been on council, the project would have been completely different, such as lower building heights.

Smith also cried foul on the way public hearings were conducted regarding the Easy Street project, claiming there wasn’t enough opportunity for people against the project to voice their opinion.

“We held three planning and zoning meetings and two council meetings on the subject,” Schwan said. “Mr. Smith did not come to one of those meetings. He has been absent from this town until 2007. I’ve been involved in Carefree as a citizen, an appointed official and an elected official. Where has Mr. Smith been?”

Smith’s reply is that he didn’t become aware of the project until it had been passed, due to town council scheduling meetings while he was working.

“I could kick myself in the butt that I wasn’t more active about (Easy Street),” Smith said.

GOALS

Schwan would like to see the Public Safety Building finished, make sure the Easy Street project continues, and keep the “normal” business of a small town going, i.e. water, infrastructure and roads. He also is interested in developing an “appropriate” downtown lighting plan and pedestrian plan.

Smith wants to see Carefree stay Carefree by not trying to imitate Scottsdale in its development. He also would like a public park for kids and dogs, now that the town is adding younger couples and families as it develops.

“I realized in the legislature, the money we spend is your money, it’s not our money,” Smith added.

To be elected, a candidate had to receive 50 percent of the turnout plus one vote–in this election, a minimum of 563 votes. According to the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, 1,124 ballots were cast, 44 percent of Carefree’s 2,549 registered voters.

Schwan received 562 votes and Smith 532 votes.

The May 15 General Election is being conducted via mail‑in ballots. Those ballots will be mailed out to voters on April 16.