Op/Ed From The Sonoran News

NOVEMBER VOTE
 
King Solomon wrote, "Where there is no vision, the people will perish." 

In the same manner, "Where there is no vision, Cave Creek will perish." 

Our General Plan was developed by the then elected Town Council with much input from the Planning Commission and the general public and was passed by voters in 2005. Much has changed since then both economically and politically.

Based on what has occurred and continues to occur in this nation, Arizona and Cave Creek we are all living in a very different economic environment and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Cave Creek always sought to be "different." We wanted to maintain that small town, western environment with very low-density housing and none of the commercial growth that has defined our neighbors, Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Unfortunately, in order to maintain our western lifestyle, low-density housing and open spaces we must provide a financing source. We look to the Carefree Highway corridor as well as the Cave Creek Road/Carefree Highway intersection as the prime locations for commercial development to sustain our lifestyle.

The "heart and soul" of Cave Creek is its Town Core, that section of Cave Creek Road between Spur Cross Road and Galloway. This area must be kept as western and eclectic as it currently is and must be supported in every way possible by the town leaders to be economically viable. However, this area cannot, through sales tax even in the best of times, support the financial needs of the town.

The location of Walmart on Cave Creek Road south of Carefree Highway is only a part of the commercial development necessary in that area to support the financial needs of the town. 
We can no longer depend on development fees and construction taxes to meet our needs.
It is imperative for the survival of Cave Creek as a town that you vote YES on Propositions 400 and 401 in support of the General Plan Amendment and Rezoning as approved by your town council. A YES vote on BOTH Propositions will ensure the vision of Cave Creek as a community with low-density housing and open spaces.

Ralph S. Mozilo | Cave Creek