Cave Creek election: Where mayoral, Town Council candidates stand on water, growth
Cave Creek voters are deciding on a new mayor and six Town Council positions in the Aug. 2 election.
Early ballots went out July 6.
Every elected post in Cave Creek's government is up for grabs this year. Voters who want a say in who will run their town can register, check their status or request a mail-in ballot at beballotready.vote. Residents can also call the office at 602-506-1511 to request a ballot through the mail.
Four council incumbents — Thomas McGuire, David Smith, Kathryn Royer and Ron Sova — are hoping to defend their seats against eight challengers including Mayor Ernie Bunch, who decided to run for a council spot this year instead of keeping his current position. The other council challengers include Tom Augherton, Susan Clancy, Paul Eelkema, Charles "C.W." Jensen, Katya Kincel, Anna Marsolo and Bryan "Dusty" Rhoades.
Councilmember Bob Morris, on the other hand, is hoping to trade his council seat for the mayoral role. He's running against former council member Eileen Wright for the top spot.
The Arizona Republic asked each of the candidates to share their views on key topics facing the town. Here's what they had to say.
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What would you do to ensure Cave Creek is using its water resources appropriately?
Mayoral candidates
Bob Morris: "Putting very high costs on very high water use. Requiring new subdivisions to bring water for their supply, conservation."
Eileen Wright: "There are two major issues facing Cave Creek relating to our water resources, Desert Hills Water Company and managing our CAP allocation.
Desert Hills Water Company: aggressively implement a plan to spin off ownership of the Desert Hills Water Company either through a sale or setting it up as a water utility district governed by the residents of Desert Hills.
CAP: continue to work with the Town’s Water Advisory Committee to protect our valuable CAP allocation and proactively seek out and secure alternative water resources and arrangements such as the Salt River Project Bartlett Dam expansion project to augment/supplement the CAP allocation.
Strictly enforce our updated Water Master Plan.
Prepare a Drought Preparedness Plan.
Consider the absolute essential resource of water in every decision I make."
Council candidates
Augherton: "Cave Creek water — “Yes, we could have had bottled Fiji, Pellegrino or Perrier waters delivered to homes, for less."
"Provide actual historic and current costs of municipal water and sewer facilities in the Town of Cave Creek and operational upkeep, paid by town utility ratepayers; ($150 million plus?)
"Disclose the planned increase in water rates for municipal water customers before the primary election on Aug. 2.
"Provide a public analysis of why the town purchased the Desert Hills Water company, outside of town limits, a summary of expenditures, and provide a recommendation of its sale back to the private sector.
"Address the issue of the unmitigated plume of underground storage tank contaminants from the Town gas station, (now Big Earl’s restaurant), into the town-owned closed well on Black Mountain.
"What are the results of town inspections of business compliance with grease traps filtering downtown wastewater pumping to the town sewer plant?"
Bunch: "Since the greatest majority of water use is outdoors and there are hardly any grass lawns in the Town of Cave Creek, promoting xeriscape and drip irrigation is likely the best approach. Also continuing to request that Rancho Manana Golf Course reline their ponds and remove turf that is not actually in play with good shots. Incidentally, by ordinance there will be no more golf courses in the Town of Cave Creek."
Clancy: "Budgeting and planning for the future of our water supply and infrastructure. This requires setting aside a greater amount of funds to be potentially used in the coming years. Money should not be spent until an updated analysis of the water system is done by a highly qualified engineering company and agreed upon priorities are set into place.
"A water and sewer infrastructure analysis to be completed for Cave Creek and Desert Hills water companies as well as the sewer plant. This includes the physical and organizational structure.
The town's future water allotment. This is paramount now with ongoing drought conditions. My utmost concerns include the need to investigate banking water conservation programs, and restructuring water costs within the town."
Eelkema: "The primary water usage for Cave Creek water is residential. The town has a water conservation plan, and it contains suggestions for effective water use reductions. We must have greater levels of communication regarding conservation, community goal setting, and progress reporting on the water conservation efforts by our citizens.
"Water is our life and as a councilman I will create a greater sense of water awareness, insist on clearer and more frequent education and reporting on our water status. This will include conservation communication to specific interest groups such as our master gardeners, and equestrian community. I believe that our town manager’s reporting should include current water use data as measured against our conservation goals."
Jensen: "I will say what I said at the forum (on June 14). Been here 12 years. We all have water as priority one. That being said, we have a town water advisory board. A town water department. A county water department. A state water agency. Interstate water agencies. We spend millions and millions of dollars. We depend on the water experts. But we must manage our local infrastructure to supply the water. I expect Colorado water to be cut soon. My question is, shouldn’t we unilaterally start conserving water before we are forced to?"
Kincel: "Water is paramount to the life of our town. We need to sell off the Desert Hills Water Company to put a stop to the citizens of Cave Creek emptying their pockets to support them."
Marsolo: "Growth is predicated on water and can't have one without the other. … Past and … current leaders … have taken our town for a joy ride running up debt to the tune of $60 million. Rather than build on our unique, historic town center … we bought the water company and failed to comprehend the cost. With debt came the need for big boxes and large chains in a Bell Road style mess at our border and the decimation of many neighborhoods.
"… My primary goal is to lower the risk of a Cave Creek water emergency and to moderate water rates. We must reduce some costs and make the utility system accounting more reliable so that funding subsidies in the millions given to the utilities from our General Fund will stop. Our Desert Hills company has declining groundwater production. We should limit growth in that area and try to sell it."
McGuire: "Education is critical. Cave Creek is using about three-fourths of our Colorado River allotment; our major source of water. In most homes, the majority of water is used outside for irrigation and swimming pools. Cutting back on those uses can greatly increase water available for everyone.
"With only one pipe bringing us Colorado River water, we are vulnerable. The new interconnect with Phoenix will give us greater water supply security.
"The town owns about a dozen wells. Many of them have marginally unacceptable levels of arsenic, but blended with Colorado River water, these well can be activated in the future.
"Because we own the Desert Hills Water system, we must contribute to their supplies. Selling that system can save more water for Cave Creek.
"My educational, humorous and entertaining PDF/PowerPoint, Arizona’s Water, is available on the Desert Foothills Land Trust website."
Smith: "Because of my time on the town’s Water Advisory Committee and my six years on the Council, I have a good understanding about the status of water usage in Cave Creek. With what is now happening relative to potential reductions in supply, we need to develop enforceable step-down actions for coping with restrictions. Since all municipalities will similarly be affected, we will be able to use other’s efforts to aid our actions."
Rhoades: "The town has sufficient ground water to meet our present needs and maintain our rural lifestyle. To ensure we can meet future needs we must ameliorate the contaminated well(s) that are in the town entertainment district and resolve an infrastructure issue on the west side of town that we have been admiring since before the town incorporated.
"We also need to make sure that we continue to fight for the Central Arizona Project allocation to allow for planned growth of the town.
"And finally, we need to begin discussions with the State of Arizona on desalinization projects and the Salt River Project to assess feasibility of accessing a portion of their water to meet future growth needs beyond what is in our General Plan."
Royer: "Cave Creek had hundreds of acre-feet of excess Colorado River water from Central Arizona Project (CAP) water that it was not protecting for the future. We were losing money and precious water resources. I led the effort to contact CAP, which has built “recharge sites” to bank water underground. We executed agreements and have budgeted funds to finally save water for future use by banking our excess water in CAP’s underground basins.
"Additionally, we approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Phoenix to provide water services to the area south of Carefree Highway. In an emergency, Cave Creek can request 60 days of water supplies from Phoenix.
"These were two huge achievements for our water management portfolio. I will continue to prioritize water supply and infrastructure issues as we potentially head into strict water conservation measures in 2023, as CAP’s water supply continues to be impacted by drought."
Sova: "Since 100% of our water is an allocation from the CAP, we need to maintain a complete and detailed inventory of our water usage and losses. This becomes extremely important as the drought continually lowers the water level in Lake Mead, our source of water. We need to prepare for a worsening situation by looking into ways to cut back our water usage, especially the usage outside of the residence."
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Ideally, what will Cave Creek look like in 10 years? How will you make that happen?
Mayoral candidates
Morris: "Just the same as now."
Wright: "For a moment let's envision what Cave Creek will be like after I have been your Mayor — what do you see?
We have safeguarded our valuable CAP allocation and have successfully partnered with Salt River Project to secure an alternative water source.
Our town is abiding by the basic laws of economics — cannot have everything we want, just all we can afford — resulting in a substantial reduction in the budget.
Bike Week is being run intelligently — abiding by all laws.
First time ever, after 10 years — noise and sign ordinances are being strictly enforced.
Our multifamily zoning ordinance has been revised to preclude multifamily in our commercial zone.
Desert Hills water company has been sold and our General Fund is no longer subsidizing the town’s water and wastewater plants.
Cave Creek’s unique western heritage, lifestyle and large parcel residential zoning and land use patterns have been preserved."
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Council candidates
Augherton: "I would hope to see a “restored,” rural-appearing Cave Creek downtown. This could include burying all overhead electric lines, removing all sodium-vapor street lights, their replacement with natural gas lamps in a Territorial style, (like a Tombstone, AZ look), and the restoration of native trees and landscaping in the asphalt stretches which tragically replaced our planted downtown medians.
"Hopefully, no ‘roundabouts’ ‘speed bumps’, ‘traffic calmers’, overhead pedestrian bridges and all of the modern paid-consultant recommendations popular in urban wastelands. Return the horse hitches, watering troughs, provide a wide tree-shaded bridle/walking path through town, to Carefree; move the bike route off the asphalt and onto a separate dedicated parallel.
"Create offsite public parking, restrooms and swinging street gates temporarily closing two lanes for large special events, restricting traffic to the opposite side. Town should reactivate the Tree City USA program. Desert shade makes time outdoors possible and includes traditional ramada structures."
Bunch: "I would expect Cave Creek to look very much like it does today with the Town Core being the heart and soul of the community and (the) Carefree Highway, Cave Creek Road area being the "Goose that lays the Golden Eggs." Historically there have been no zoning changes away from these areas, but existing zoning has been honored."
Clancy: "I have lived in Cave Creek for 42 years. The town has changed in many positive ways! It can continue to do so.
"My priorities are the health, safety and welfare of all citizens of Cave Creek. To ensure that we focus on these priorities and secure the unique character of our town, I believe we need to emphasize the following:
Secure open space.
Protect our zoning.
Secure and protect trails.
Protect our wildlife.
Improve our road maintenance.
"Commercial development in the core is now virtually complete. I seek the highest and best use of future development along Carefree Highway in order to maximize city sales tax revenues.
"Residential development should continue to be primarily low density, in part to keep water consumption under control.
"Town Council must keep water consumption as a limiting development priority."
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Eelkema: "Defining our brand … and aligning our decisions … regarding growth is critical. The outline … is in our 2021 General Plan.
"Our town is unique because we have a commercial center at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway, and … an equally important commercial area in our Town Core. Both … areas will benefit from increased recognition and advertising …
"Tourism is our industry and … I will work to expand the town’s understanding that our rural and Western lifestyles are why we have visitors. I began the Local Landmarks Program … to celebrate our iconic buildings and local businesses. In addition … we can look to our neighborhoods that are unique. ...
"We will be a town that has … greater communication, … (a) safe haven for quirky voices, and … our own version of what being rural means as we live next to a city of 1.6 million people."
Jensen: "In 10 years we will gain population and demands will increase. That’s life. That is manageable if we keep with our general plan (that must be constantly updated). And keep density low. Ensuring we stay a neat little Western town just north of the fifth biggest city in America."
Kincel: "Ten years you say? Unless growth is managed smartly, it will look like a ghost town. My goal is to foster better communications with the citizens and bring them back to the council meetings. They deserve it, it’s their town!"
Marsolo: "The future of our town is right now! Cave Creek is at a historical crossroads. We can assure our future will not be like Anytown, USA if we protect our rural, open space, low density and Western quality of life.
"Everywhere we look now our lifestyle is in a full retreat. Long time incumbents, along with their eagerness to please developer after developer, have pushed us almost to the point of no return. We must stop our lifestyle from being traded away in myopic and odious deals. Many citizens feel our General Plans, Codes of Ordinances and themselves have been mostly ignored for several years by these elected officials.
"I support managed growth, and will let our General Plan 2021, Codes of Ordinance and listening to citizen's desires guide my vote going forward. I will vote for maintaining our rural, eclectic, Western, historical, artists haven, and tourists 'day destination' Town."
McGuire: "We’ve made Cave Creek a desirable destination for people who value the natural desert. The citizens who incorporated Cave Creek in the 1980s set important priorities that make Cave Creek unique. They established large lot zoning and protected natural desert areas including the top of Black Mountain and the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. They initiated our 31 miles of trails.
"Our challenge is to keep our rural lifestyle. Working with property owners for limited housing development and enforcing codes for homes and businesses has protected our Western identity and draws tourists dollars. Expanding Carefree Highway businesses has yielded important income. That, and smart financial management, has enabled us to greatly enhance our fire security, even without a town property tax.
Keeping our inconvenient stream-level crossings and protecting our dark skies will help attract others who value the natural desert lifestyle over rampant development."
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Smith: "I am hoping that the actual looks of Cave Creek will not drastically change. Obviously there will be some change, but we should work to not damage what we now have. It is a tough goal, but a worthwhile one."
Rhoades: "According to our General Plan, Cave Creek is expected to roughly double in size over the next 30 years and remain rural in character. The biggest challenges will be to ensure that enough water exists to support planned development and ensure we don’t overdevelop.
"To remain rural in character, we need to review and update town ordinances to both manage growth and ensure they are consistent with the General Plan. Cave Creek is unique in that we are dependent on sales tax as our primary source of revenue. To drive sales tax revenue, we should be focused on encouraging family style Wstern events and other recreational activities. Parents and grandparents spend money on their children. Hosting those events will ensure sufficient revenues to enhance support for local artists, craftsmen, museums, and other attractions while at the same time obviating the need for a property tax."
Royer: "Based on the U.S. Census, between 2010-2020, Cave Creek added almost 1,000 new residents and is expected to continue to grow to almost 7,000 by 2040. Cave Creek has one of the older populations in Maricopa County with a median age of 57.7.
"We continue to see growth in our sales and construction taxes due to retail developments along the Carefree Highway Corridor and in new residential homes. Economic development must continue to be a priority to ensure our long-term financial security while maintaining the quality of life we value including open spaces, dark skies, and low-density housing.
"How we grow and accommodate new businesses and residents requires clear collaboration and interaction between the town and its residents. We have opportunities every year for volunteers to participate and serve on committees to help plan for the future of Cave Creek together, using our 2021 General Plan as a guide."
Sova: "Hopefully, Cave Creek will look like it does today, especially in our town core. The only noticeable changes should be to have more commercial development along our Cave Creek/Carefree Highway corridors along with maintain our large lot, rural lifestyle."
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What skill would you bring to the position that will benefit residents?
Mayoral candidates
Morris: "Chemical engineering degree and vast experience, corporate executive with expertise in management, mergers, consultant studies, finance, emergency management, marketing, real estate, etc."
Wright: "I am a leader with the integrity to tell the truth, the charisma to make people listen, and the guts to act on it.
"My substantial experience with town governance and enforcement of our Town Code and Ordinances. I have been an involved resident of Cave Creek for several years and educated myself on town matters having made it a priority to attend council meetings. I served as the vice chair of the Planning Commission and as a councilwoman from 2016-2018.
"I am not beholden to anybody and as mayor I would always keep the residents best interest at heart. I believe in this town and our residents, that is why I fight for them.
"As a former councilwoman, I authored and introduced numerous significant agenda items and earned the reputation as Cave Creek’s most effective council member. I look forward to continuing that legacy as your mayor!"
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Council candidates
Augherton: "Skills are relative to interpretation, but accumulating experience in the public sector provides a background for collaborative policy development, partnering with professional staff, and offering a roadmap for consensus-building that reminds: inclusiveness should never go out of style with government deliberation.
"Elected officials still work for the people. They have a special obligation to community residents. Town residents are not a special interest. They deserve governance that acknowledges they are the community’s prime interest.
"The special interests always find the back door to Town Hall. This is where private discussions about economic development, ordinance enforcement and zoning, out of public earshot, are most animated.
"Those who campaign say they are called to service. Then demonstrate who is our ‘first line of defense’ in the race to prevent community exploitation.
"Any fool can ruin a small town. Cave Creek knows the history of those who have tried, and those who succeeded."
Bunch: "I will continue to bring the historical knowledge of mistakes that were made in land use issues that cost the town millions of dollars in court cases that ended with "summary judgements" prior to my participation in local politics and do my best to avoid those type mistakes.
'It would behoove the voters to look at past history of the candidates' attitudes toward property rights and due process issues. Four wrong votes can be disastrous to Cave Creek's General Fund!"
Clancy: "It has been my honor to serve the citizens in Cave Creek for two terms on Town Council.
"Prior to that, I had the privilege of serving for 16 years on the Cave Creek Unified School District Governing Board, including terms as the vice president and president. I also had the honor of serving on the board of directors for the Arizona School Board Association.
"I have substantial relevant experience with codes, regulations, budgets, personnel, and intergovernmental agreements on a state and federal level. My broad experience helps me set realistic goals and expectations, and assures that goals are met for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Cave Creek."
Eelkema: "I offer the people of Cave Creek an opportunity to have a councilman who holds preservation as progress in every situation. I have extensive experience with chairing a large cultural heritage system and developing historic neighborhoods.
"I have years of serving as a volunteer in a variety of settings, and situations. Importantly, I view differing opinions as opportunities to learn and as a challenge to finding common ground. I am a successful leader and I get things done."
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Jensen: "I am a retired Portland police captain. I would like to bring community policing to Cave Creek. MCSO still seems too Arpaio influenced. You shouldn’t have to call 9-1-1 to discuss local issues.
"I was a TV reporter and a police PIO. We don’t have a traditional newspaper. The town needs to do a better job of producing topical information and make it available to news organizations.
"I volunteer at our Tourism Bureau. We need to increase people coming to enjoy Cave Creek, and I propose an advisory board made up of merchants and citizens responsible for developing new events for the town."
Kincel: "As an engineer, I have accumulated many managerial skills, and I’d like to establish good communication between the sheriff’s deputies and the different areas of Cave Creek. We pay for police protection, so it would be nice to know our deputies!"
Marsolo: "I consider being on Town Council a position of public trust. I want a limited but effective government, a balanced budget and to have residents engaged in the decision making process. I have proven dedication and responsibility as demonstrated in careers spanning over 40-plus years as an intensive care/surgical R.N, and real estate broker with a business motto 'save the desert buy preowned.' In Phoenix, I was on the Encanto Village Planning Committee and awarded for my work on open space preservation and historic neighborhood designations.
"Since 1997, I have served ... in Cave Creek as a volunteer at the library, Foothills Food Bank, Cave Creek Museum, Tourist Bureau, Trail Committee, preserve Spur Cross and on the Design Review Committee. I participated in hundreds of hours of Cave Creek Planning and Town Council meetings and led citizens in actions that implemented the goals and visions that would hopefully keep Cave Creek, Cave Creek."
McGuire: "I have effectively worked with different councils and with our dedicated town staff. Even through difficult political times, I stayed with the Town Council to make important policies and establish a General Plan to guide managed growth. I understand, share, and can implement the goals and values of our citizens. I was amongst those who encouraged the hiring of the best town manager we have ever had.
"Do we need new blood? You bet. We have found many talented and dedicated citizens and we need to attract others to volunteer their talents to our community. I know how successful local government works, and I can help new council members achieve their own goals for the benefit of the town.
"Before long we will need to select a new town manager. I have demonstrated an ability to draw good candidates and project Cave Creek as a challenging but personally fulfilling community."
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Smith: "My best skill is the ability to separate short-term benefits from those that have long-term benefits. I used this skill when negotiating the interagency agreement with Daisy Mountain Fire Department to bring quality fire and emergency services to Cave Creek without the need for additional taxes."
Rhoades: "Leadership. I am a retired US Marine Corps colonel who served in both infantry and intelligence including three combat deployments leading day-to-day activities of more than 2,000 military and civilian personnel.
"I am a part owner of a specialized technical consulting services company supporting the Department of Defense and intelligence community. I was formerly a vice president of a Fortune 500 Company managing a $150 million per year profit and loss center.
"I have received numerous awards and citations for excellence throughout my career. I am a member of Dream City Church, Scottsdale and I volunteer at church on the street in downtown Phoenix working with men who are recovering from homelessness, prison, and drug abuse."
Royer: "In 2016, I retired after 20 years as associate general manager of communications and public affairs from CAP, a premier government water utility in Arizona. I’ve been a Cave Creek resident and homeowner for 26 years, was elected to Council in 2018 and have 18 years of communications expertise as a news reporter, public affairs director and community relations manager in broadcasting, corporate and non-profit organizations prior to CAP.
"My strength as a council member is rooted in my actions and values as a communications professional: observe, listen, ask questions, respond, follow up, be timely, effective and people oriented. It was a natural transition to public service: I advocate for open and transparent public meetings and ensure we’re governing in the public’s interest.
"Additionally, I am quite knowledgeable and experienced in the business of managing and protecting our water supplies which will always be vital for Cave Creek."
Sova: "I served on the Town Council in 2016, served one term on the Water Advisory Committee and served one term on the Plan Commission. I served on the Rancho Madera HOA for eight years, being its past president.
"I have owned my own development and building business and was a consultant for property owners seeking annexation, zoning, platting and development while respecting the property rights and applicable laws for all parties."
Reach Sam at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @KmackSam.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cave Creek election: Q&A with Town Council candidates
