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This Week
Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
NEWS ................. 7
BUSINESS ......... 17 Pet Butler does the dirty work for dog owners
FEATURES ........ 24 Starlight Community Theater dances into summer with iconic musical ‘Footloose’
OPINION ......................9 BUSINESS ................. 17 FEATURES ................ 21 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 26 2
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Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Group says sewer rate hike ‘stinks’ BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
HonorHealth is hiring more than 1,200 positions
Zone
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Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree
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group of Carefree residents is accusing Mayor Les Peterson of “flip-flopping” on the Liberty/Black Mountain sewer rate hike. Maureen “Mo” Benedetto, Carefree Citizens for Responsible Government chair, said Peterson casted himself as a “warrior” against the wastewater treatment plant rates. Peterson ran unopposed last August. Benedetto said the sewer company’s $12.50 new monthly rate increase for its Carefree cus-
tomers “stinks.” Peterson said Benedetto’s information is misleading. “I’m not the decision maker,” Peterson said. “The Arizona Corporation Commission has 100% of that decision. We can show up with our attorneys and our accountants and make recommendations, but it’s up to the corporation commission. “Do I think it was fair and equitable? Yes. It was a big job. They had to put in new lines to connect to Scottsdale, take out the plant, etc. The town nor me never promised there wouldn’t be a rate increase. That’s totally un-
reasonable. “Do I wish there wasn’t an increase? Absolutely. We all do, but, again, it’s not how it operates.” Benedetto said she is upset about the $150-per-year increase. “What happened to the savings of $3.1 million? He’s not listening to the people, and I don’t like it — a lot of us don’t like it,” she said. “This is typical political garbage, talking out of both sides of your mouth, and it’s why we need reform and greater transparency in
Carefree Town Administrator Gary Neiss remembered Morgan as a strong leader. “Ed was an approachable, articulate and visionary leader,” Neiss said. “He was solution oriented, a community builder and a collaborator.” Neiss recalled how Morgan’s actions as mayor were crucial in securing the town’s long-term water resources by diversifying Carefree’s water portfolio. “Mayor Morgan saw the need to secure the town’s water resources, as the town’s aquifer was being overdrafted and resulting land subsidence was being experi-
enced,” Neiss said. He was instrumental in securing bonding in 1999 for the town’s purchase of the Carefree Water Company, which was a privately owned utility. Once the town purchased the water company it was able to secure additional allocations of Colorado River water, putting the town in a better position to store its water supply, according to town records. Under his leadership, Carefree forged partnerships with the city of Scottsdale and the town of Cave Creek to obtain ad-
see SEWER page 4
Morgan remembered as ‘visionary leader’
BY TARA ALATORRE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
F
ormer Carefree Mayor Ed C. Morgan died July 1 at the age of 88. He served as mayor from June 1999 to May 2007. Morgan is survived by his wife, Bobbie, their three children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. During his tenure, he led efforts to create the Carefree Desert Gardens, secured the purchase of the Carefree Water Company for the town, and brought comprehensive fire services to residents.
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