Bad press is better than no press, or so the story goes.

Let me follow that thought with a thank you for the promotion you gave me in The Desert Advocate’s May 10, front‑page article “Neighbors claim ‘no notice’ of firehouse project.” I have somehow risen from the levels of “concerned Carefree resident,” “malcontent,” and “CAVE person” to the lofty levels of notable community activist. I should be thrilled, but I’m not.

Your publication is well‑known for being soft on the Carefree Council, especially its leader, Ed Morgan. Could revenue from Carefree public notices have any impact on your softening approach? Whatever. The sad fact of the matter is that Carefree Mayor Morgan (and most of his hand‑picked council cronies) is demonstrating how easily and predictably history can repeat itself.

A few short years ago the Carefree Council approved the Town Center project for an expected $2.5 million total project cost–it was completed for right around $5.5 million. In June 2005 the combined intellect of that same body proposed a fire protection plan for Carefree that would cost $2.5 million, complete with master contract, fire truck, and fire house, and yet cost the residents nothing at all.

The real facts, glossed over in this article, are these: the truck will actually cost $570,000 thanks to Gardner’s creative financing (we don’t pay until July 2007, but we will pay $570,000); the land was such a deal at $516,000 that it stood vacant for 45 years; (if you are keeping a running total you should be up to $1.086 million) and let us not forget the current construction estimate of $2.5 million for the fire house bricks and mortar. Add to that the impressive and upscale architect fees that will run just under $400,000, and presto, you have a $4 million project that hasn’t broken ground yet. Want to take any bets about the final cost of this fiscal fiasco?

John Traynor - Carefree