![Les Peterson](https://s4745.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Les-Peterson.jpg)
By Beth Duckett, The Republic | azcentral.com
Carefree Vice Mayor Les Peterson will serve as the town’s mayor until the 2016 election, despite a push to allow voters to elect the mayor sooner.
The Carefree Town Council recently accepted a legal opinion that recommended the vice mayor take on the mayor’s duties.
James Peirce, a Carefree resident, has challenged the opinion, saying it denies voters the right to elect their own mayor.
Peterson replaces former Mayor David Schwan, who resigned in February after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.