SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (April 15, 2015) – After a five hour City Council Meeting (4/14/15) dominated by more discussion about the CVS pharmacy, it concluded with another stalemate requiring yet an additional proposed meeting to revisit the inevitable approval, one way or another, of the controversial development on the corner of West SR89 and Airport Road.
An attempt will be made to contact the people who signed the legal opposition to the project, source of the required super-majority vote of six, to ascertain if those folks exactly understand the two choices presently on the table now that CVS has purchased the acreage.
Plan A (or one): The original proposal for a larger, more aesthetically designed pharmacy with a perpetual guarantee for an open-space buffer between the development and adjoining residences; and Plan B (or two): To downsize the pharmacy to accommodate building on one acre, without benefit of improvements offered with Plan A (one.)
Conclusion: There WILL be a CVS pharmacy on that corner. In order to continue to cooperate with surrounding property owners and even after two and a half years of design planning in compliance with Sedona development codes, P & Z Commission approval, and delays at the City Council level, a clear consensus is the ultimate goal, if possible, in order to amicably resolve the issue.
Fortunately, upon the recommendation of City of Sedona Attorney Michael Goimarac, the task of “polling” the residents will not be added to City Staff and Planners who have already exhausted all efforts in order to accommodate all parties involved.
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If the residents in that area concurred to withdraw their legal majority then wonderful. We had some hiccups with agreements being broken in the past like Councilor LeFevre stated in the City Council meeting. Council and City management changes. I recall a few incidents in affordable housing agreements and seen it happen with developers in regard to retention ponds in drainage basin areas. Our Legal department I am sure could write a cause that would be forever binding, no loopholes.
Donna you make a lot of sense. Maybe if you worked with all of the parties involved you’ll be able to be a big part of helping to keep our small town character.
Oh how sweet @Rockin Roger. I guess you didn’t read the post, emails and watch city council meetings. After living here for over twenty years, volunteering for a non-profit, running a business or two within the city limits I been told in many ways I am not welcome. I have offered ( volunteered) to help in so many ways, the city along with chamber- lodging council declined.
Didn’t you hear I am “extreme” and “negative”? I have been “Labeled” called names, boycotted and had some pretty interesting rumors told about me. I was told there is a “front door and back door in Sedona”, “that is the way we do it” Steve Segner actually posted on Sedona Eye that I was personally responsible for all the hate posts on this website as I refused to join the chamber. I never met the man.
This all started after I refused to endorse the gifting Regional Chamber Taxpayers money. I come from a place that advertising the region of a membership organization exactly like our chamber is illegal and prohibited. Our Chamber membership composition email sent to City Council can be found here https://sedonaeye.com/future-weddings-will-be-few-small-and-close-to-home
I am extremely thankful that all this was done and came back to me. An official even said several times in public they didn’t want to hear my name “Donna Joy”.
After a council person asked me some questions about the rumors they heard at city hall I decided to speak up every chance I get. Those rumors are awful. Disffuse lies by being honest and out there.
So here I am, transparent, happy and moving forward. Thank you for such nice words, I appreciate that. Hope you have a great week.
Warm Regards,
Donna Joy Varney
Since no one has refuted points made by Mrs. Varney, then her statements must be true. (Surely if they weren’t someone would have immediately disputed.)
If this city council and city staff condone such despicable behavior as to strong arm businesses to become members of the Chamber of Commerce – or else – don’t let the back door hit you in the rump (politely speaking), then I have absolutely no desire to spend one cent of my money in any business, City of Sedona or elsewhere, that sports a Sedona Chamber of Commerce Membership emblem.
Sure, big deal. I’m a lowly Sedona registered voter and city tax coffers don’t need my meager contribution anyway. Well, guess what. When the money drawer registers empty don’t come crying to me with idiotic demands for new money.
It’s always been my policy to shop local whenever possible, if for no other reason than it’s convenient. However, except for groceries (unless and until city taxes them to get more money for the Chamber) no way, no how will I contribute to this blatant corruption. It’s unacceptable.
Time to boycott businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce unless you support our current Mafia regime.
@ Marge
While we are all boycotting the members of the Chamber, both in and outside of Sedona, lets not forget to support our businesses that stand on their own. We can also help the stand alone businesses with free advertising by using our ‘word of mouth’ as locals to all the tourists we meet with inquiries.
Back to the topic. Will CVS join the Chamber?
“Just Thinking” and “Donna Varney” got me to thinking, too, about not long ago when I had the distinct honor(?) of being identified by a current member of the Sedona City Council as “a blight on Sedona” or such similar reference. So you see, one needn’t be a Chamber non-member city based business to rate defamatory remarks.
And, yes, it will be interesting to find out if CVS is desperate enough to join forces with current strong-arm tactics by hooking up with the Chamber, etal.
On another subject: Friday morning, (5/1 @ 7:30 AM) my phone rang, identified as a call from New York, (607) 756-9642. Because I don’t know anyone in New York, I didn’t pick up but was surprised when later I noticed a message had been left. Listening to the voice mail I was informed the IRS was suing me, and it was important that I return the call for more information.
Of course I ignored the phone call, but in discussing this incident with a friend who made a little Google search, the following information was discovered. http://wnep.com/2015/02/03/irs-phone-scam-reaching-more-in-ne-pa/
The voice message I received was identical to the one left by in the woman’s voice on the link which included no other information besides “the IRS is suing you.”
So beware, folks. Gremlins are lurking about all over the place.
Sincerely,
Eddie Maddock aka “a blight on Sedona”
Yea Right Eddie Your so inportant that the “Sedona mafia” wants to take you down..Please……there you go again with your conspiracy theroeys
WE checked that link out. Plan to spread it round via email. WE like reading SedonaEye.com with always something going on an d provocative being said. Food for thought Most times. Surprised how people can be total asses too. Have a beautiful day in Sedona folks.
Ron (PS Editors, You noticing More businesses closed? Lost another outlet store. Lots of Commercial real estate signs. Something going on?)
@West sedona resident: “conspiracy THEROEYS?”
Never heard of such a thing but whatever you say must be true. It’s great to know the “blight on Sedona” here can still provoke an illiterate response from probably my favorite fan. Thank you!
To others, why’s time wasted on responses to and from (deleted by editor)? Substance or be quiet. Here are a few observations and questions on topic.
I read the posted CVS financials. Everybody should. Now ask why so little CVS stores opened and why so many of them were closed? Why would CVS want to be in the Sedona market when it’s not lucrative except to provide it with a paper spreadsheet of distribution costs offset by Cottonwood and Phoenix and Flagstaff? Did Chamber of Commerce inflate their numbers to attract business? What happens when CVS finds that out? Who gets sued? ADOT has done traffic counts that dispute Chamber of Commerce numbers! The Grand Canyon advertises less visitors annually than the Chamber of Commerce in Sedona! What about that doesn’t smack of corruption or deceit? Council, CVS doesn’t need or want Sedona EXCEPT when medical marijuana becomes legal. Then the market is theirs and Walgreens. Let them go on by. We don’t need or want them. We don’t need more druggies hanging around waving medical marijuana cards and lifestyles. We have enough losers here already. Council, did you pick a Colorado city manager for his state and local medical marijuana business experience? If Walgreens leaves us, the city can offer its location. We’ve gone commercial enough already. You’re trading the cachet of Sedona acre by precious and few acres. You let Baskins Robbins in, you let Chipotle in, you’re not keeping the commercial district in tact while allowing random commercial placements. Short sighted planning. Lousy oversight. A Council killing Sedona slowly and surely. We and Sedona deserve better. We deserve to save Sedona scenic beauty not sell it off to global corporations. The same reason uranium mining in the Grand Canyon isn’t worth it neither is Sedona fast foods and fast pharmas. Grow up Councilors. Move on to Plan Cojones.
One of my favorite Hillside stores closed.
Thanks Eddie for the alert on the IRS scam phone calls. I’ve gotten that one as well as several telling me that my computer is about to crash unless I allow immediate access to it by the caller who can hardly speak English.
How amusing and predictable that “West sedona resident” always takes a positive and turns it into a negative.
Have you figured out what “conspiracy theroeys” means? What a sweetheart that person is as they continue to provide us with knee slapping laughs of amazement at that level of intelligence and continue to runoff at the mouth, like the little energizer bunny. I can only assume that sooner or later the battery in the little bunny will wear out!
Good post “Mort” – seems like you’ve got it.
A second phone call came in this morning (5/4 – 9:33 AM). Caller ID showed New York number: (607) 737-0186 (different than first call).
The call-back number left in voice message, however, is (509) 587-4585.
E. Maddock
(Editor’s note: Thank you, Eddie Maddock, for your help and suggestion to alert SedonaEye.com readers of this active area scam. To assist our readers, visit this IRS phishing and scam update article found at https://sedonaeye.com/irs-dirty-dozen-list-of-2015-tax-scams.)
Why are Sharrlett and Eddie speaking off topic!!?
This is about cvs correct?
Since I wrote the above article it’s my option to take editorial license and post whatever comment(s) I jolly well please. And, as noted, I do not hesitate to use my own and real name.
As for Sharlett, I cannot speak for her and you might wish to address your question to the editor/publisher of Sedona Eye. @West Sedona Resident (all in capital letters this time)
Eddie S. Maddock
Thanks Eddie for this info. We’ll be on the alert and share it with friends and family. Give it a rest West Sedona.
How about we all files claims with IC3.gov and report the in-your-face scam the City of Sedona has going with the regional Chamber of Commerce? Since when are questionable activities limited to phone calls and on line fraud? Just a thought.
@JUST A THOUGHT – help me here as I don’t see the connection with phone calls and the City scams. What am I missing?
Hey I got a phone call from a 607 phone number saying the IRS was honing to sue me….they wanted my credit card number..
Oh thank God I read Eddie Madock’s post, never would of realized it was a scam!!!
I think that since Eddie “was called a blight” by someone on the city council the two items must be connected…
One never knows what evil lurks……
This is a scam that’s been circulating; we experienced same recently. Thanks for the warning, Eddie.
EDDIE,I GOT THIS CALL ALSO. I ALSO IGNORED IT, HANG THEM FROM THE NEAREST TREE!
Response to Sharlett: ic3.gov is a legitimate agency to file reports about scams, etc. http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Based on all the information popping up about the city council funding chamber of commerce, perhaps inappropriately and even illegally, what’s to lose by filing complaints with ic3.gov? No honor among thieves. In other words, scams and con-games aren’t limited to bogus phone calls and on line activities.
It did happen today. Another earthquake. We at the creekside (no need to mention the exact location) are talking to customers about it. In fact I just talked to one packing up early and headed back to Phoenix. Weather didn’t suit and toss in an earthquake and adios. Makes Sedona real popular. Keep pumping that waste water in the ground. Close those switchbacks like the last earthquake did. Toss in another fire. Some of us in here are lucky to rake in light money but not to worry.
@ANOTHER SEDONA EARTHQUAKE No matter how great the magnificent seven and their chamber and lodging allies are, the bottom line is they are NOT in charge and will NEVER be. That’s a very serious fact and one they should take to the bank as a future reminder.
Earthquakes=smart meters or chem trails.
When will this go back to council? Next Tuesday if there’s enough time after “moment of art?”
The deal is, CVS will build either Plan 1 or Plan 2. The one acre is zoned for it (or something worse) so let it be decided which number is drawn and get on with it and get over it. Please!
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – Tuesday 5/12/15 – 4:30 Council Chambers
9. Regular Business
a. AB 1903 Discussion/possible action per Sedona Land Development Code (SLDC) § 400.09, on the continued reconsideration of Case No. PZ13-00016 (ZC) (Rezoning Application for construction of a CVS Pharmacy at 20 Airport Road) of the following:
1. A proposed ordinance effecting a Zone Change to PD (Planned Development) thereby allowing the construction of a new 12,913 square foot commercial building (CVS/pharmacy) and associated site improvements at 20 Airport Road. The property is currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial) and RS-12 (Single Family Residential). A general description of the area affected includes but is not limited to the southeast corner of W. State Route 89A and Airport Road. The lot is further identified as Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 408-26-217A & B. Applicant: Withey Morris, PLC; Agent: Armstrong Development Properties Inc.; Case Number: PZ13- 00016 (ZC). Per SLDC § 400.07 ultimate approval of this rezoning could be contingent upon a favorable vote of 3/4 of the members of the Sedona City Council if there continues to be the requisite number of protests from adjoining property owners to require a super-majority vote; and
2. A resolution approving a development agreement setting forth among other things, terms governing the density of development, construction of improvements, and payment of fees.
Once this is a “done deal” those with Silverscript Part D will have to change insurers to still get our prescriptions at Basha’s.
Hillside is losing another store! That makes two recently! What’s up?
After the City Council agreed upon yet another time extension to decide this issue, they took a short break. When they reconvened Angela LeFevre made the stunning announcement that she reconsidered her vote on rezoning therefore enabling Council the necessary votes for approval of the original CVS Plan “A.”
E.S. Maddock