Home » Business, Community, General » Eddie Maddock: Business as Usual?

Eddie Maddock: Business as Usual?

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock

Sedona AZ – At a Special Sedona City Council Meeting, 3:00 Wednesday afternoon on January 11, 2017, after three long years of a contentious destination marketing agreement with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the City will again revisit the issue. We can only hope the negotiations will prove to be less controversial, fairer, and, in turn, result in acceptable transparency which will dismiss suspicion and mistrust of City Hall dealings. That might very well have been the case had the original commitment for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as well as certified outside audits been upheld as proposed during the initial negotiations. Ignoring both valid concerns was a disservice to everyone.

Five options will be discussed at this meeting as follows:

Option 1: Move forward with the negotiations of a new contract with the Chamber of Commerce.

Option 2: Issue an RFP for tourism promotion services.

Option 3: Create a stand-alone destination marketing organization (DMO) without ties to the Chamber of Commerce.

Option 4: Create a City Department to handle tourism promotion.

Option 5: Issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a travel industry consultancy to assess the current structure, funding relationships, etc. and provide recommendations to the city.

Pros and cons of each option will be discussed at length, such as concerns RFPs will include bids from for-profit agencies. That brings up several questions. Without an official outside audit from a qualified source, how do they know the Chamber has not been making a profit? How many employees have they hired? What has been the cost of improvement to its own facilities, etc? And what is the source of funding for those operating expenses?

And will the City acknowledge the Chamber currently offers its own RFPs for specific services, realistically reducing it to a mere middle-agency, acting on behalf of the City of Sedona?

And how do they justify the extended branding of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce that has occurred within the past three years? What has been the source of that promotional funding for the Chamber instead of the City?

By creating a stand-alone destination marketing organization, the City could avoid real or perceived conflicts between tourism promotion services and the various other functions of the Chamber of Commerce. Although they specify… it is unclear how local and regional partners would react… why should that concern the City? Should their focus at long last be redirected to the residents of incorporated Sedona? They are the people who created the City in the first place, clearly, and with the knowledge it attracted tourists.

Sure, a stand-alone destination marketing organization would result in the re-creation of an already established and successful local agency. However the extent of success of the present local agency has never been undisputedly proven. The source of increased revenue after the great recession coupled with a reduction in gasoline prices has never factually been factored into the increased tourism and resulting upswing in revenue. Nor has it been determined to what extent advertising monies have merely resulted in excessive daytripping, which the City’s infrastructure clearly cannot handle.

As for the suggestion for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a travel industry consultancy to assess and monitor the current structure, would that be nothing more than a babysitter for the contract with the Chamber of Commerce? Should the City have been serving that function for the past three years?

It has frequently been said the City could not afford to operate their stand-alone department. And how would they know? With a Chamber of Commerce now providing funding for USFS trail maintenance, contributing money back to the City for their traffic study, and other generous but questionably frivolous expenditures, most recently to propose purchasing property on behalf of the City with what appears to be leftover funds from the bed tax rebate, how can they make that determination without a precise and reliable audit from an authentic source? They cannot. Is there any reasonable explanation why the City should not take responsibility for allocating the bed tax revenue – all of it – including over and above destination marketing?

And the perfect opportunity to establish a genuine Sedona Visitors Center has been ignored by not including such a service at the Western Gateway. How long will this City tolerate discrimination of their own legitimate licensed, tax collecting businesses within City Limits unless they are forced to be members of what clearly is a regional Chamber of Commerce? And the practice of paid referrals is common, but should the City be involved by financing the activity with public funds and further discriminating against in-city businesses?

Molly Spangler recently hired by the city of Sedona AZ as its Economic Development Director.

With the recent hiring of a professional, Molly Spangler, to serve as Economic Development Director, there is really no need to burden our busy Chamber of Commerce with more additional duties besides servicing its members, which is the purpose of its non-profit organization.

Since when was the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau deemed the “Destination Marketing & Management Organization in Sedona for 65 years?” Up until just a few years ago was it not the Oak Creek Canyon Sedona Chamber of Commerce, then changed to Sedona Chamber of Commerce, and most recently “& Tourism Bureau” was tacked on? This elaborate extension of creating yet another illusion that simply does not exist is pretty much over the top. Wouldn’t you agree? Dumb question.

There is already a campaign in motion to “Make America Great Again.” How about a local endeavor to “Make Sedona Respectable Again”? Meet and greet our visitors with an authentic Sedona Visitors Center and related advertising?

Don’t we deserve it like other places?

Flagstaff (AZ) and Park City (UT) are but two examples that offer proof they survive very well without financial support to their respective Chambers of Commerce.

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1,387 Comments

  1. CONFIRMED says:

    City Council approved 0.5% sales tax increase. Will become effective March 1st. Keep that in mind when you pay your bills (including utilities) and especially when contracting for things like roofs, auto service and repair, furniture, clothing, etc. That’s when it adds up! And keep in mind – they give to the chamber that claim to have created the increased tourist traffic and ultimately the need for multi-million dollar road upgrades. Do not honor those council people with such disregard to those they swore to represent but now continue to pander to the chamber’s special interests. They are the same people that most likely support this Fire Board Bond. Tax and spend is all they know and preach

    VOTE NO – ON ALL THINGS THAT GRAB OUR OWN DWINDLING FUNDS!!!!

  2. Fire Chief Matt says:

    Seems to still be a lot of very ignorant people in this town.

  3. @Fire Chief Matt says:

    “Seems to still be a lot of very ignorant people in this town.” We will find out for sure if they vote to approve the outrageous amount of $18 million for this bond. They were ignorant when they approved the $70 mil for the high school frills & whistles – and has anything changed? Doubt it.

    VOTE NO

  4. @Fire Chief Matt says:

    Yep and it starts with those getting paid with TAXPAYERS money. faux people like @Fire Chief Matt overpaid city employees and fire district. Why don’t you all ask for a rolls royce We are Sedona! We pay for you high rollers. Disgusting IMO

    Vote NO PEOPLE!

  5. JessL says:

    As a taxpayer I find it offensive to be called “ignorant” by someone who feels entitled to my money. Would I be less ignorant in your esteemed opinion if I gave you all my money and lived under a blue tarp in the forest? I believe you feel we are stupid for giving you any of our money, so you insult us and ask for more.

    NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

  6. FCM says:

    @Jessl… funny, you just accepted the title – you were never called out – you came forward. LMBO!

  7. Marty (Sedona) says:

    FOr the time being we beat the battle with the SFD fire board …. but …. we still have the situation with the greedy city hall bunch …. staff, council, and the real source of the problems LODGING COUNCIL & CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

    They’re well on their way to officially rezoning the land in our subdivisions.

    They’ll NEVER be happy until they tax us out of our homes. The recent effort to play with words in the ridiculous surveys mailed and online is nothing more than another con job trying to trip us up with tongue twisting.

    Same old business as usual. Just eat all your fruits and veggies or da bogie man might git ya! Worse is city hall monsters out for blood!

    Where dem vegans? (Deleted by editor)

  8. Mary Lee says:

    Eat your fruits and veggies. RIGHT! That sounds like a pitch from Jon Thompson who would have us all bussed out to the sewer plant and work in the fields (good fertilizer out there) “pilgrims” to join hands and sing “Kumbaya, My Lord.” That will be AFTER he gets the council to approve amending the rules even more to allow them to rezone our properties without even going through the steps presently in place. And who is this “kumbaya, lord?” (and the fight begins) Pick a number, folks.

  9. Here We Go Again says:

    And how much money does the City of Sedona fork over to the Film Festival year after year?
    And where is it a Masked Gala will be held on November 19 to benefit the Sedona Film Festival?
    WTF It will be held at Enchantment Resort OUTSIDE City. IT WILL NOT CONTRIBUTE A CENT to city tax revenue!!!

    NO BS about trickle down benefits yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah. The main event is the main event and any subsequent squandering of money by attendees will be just that. CONSIDER THE AMOUNT LOST IN SALES & BED TAX BY NOT HAVING IT AT IN CITY RESORT!!!!!

    BAD DEAL, business as usual & let’s bet SS not happy he was given the finger & snubbed?

  10. Back at.....Here we go again says:

    Aren’t you getting tired of complaining about all things Sedona????

    So let me get this straight; you’re bitching that the Film Festival is hosting it’s Masked Gala outside at enchantment? Well if you knew everything about Sedona then you would know that Sedona doesn’t have a ball room big enough to host an amazing party that big.

    Now if our elected officials would allow for the building of a convention center at the cultural park then I’m sure that the Film Festival would be happy to host their future events in the city.

    But, I’m betting that you already knew the answer but you’d rather “stir the pot’ with nonsense.

  11. Business as Usual - NOT!!! says:

    Wasn’t it just a few years ago the idea of a Christmas oops Holiday laser light show projected onto the red rocks uptown was widely opposed by Keep Sedona Beautiful mostly?

    Well guess what? Dec 14 to 17 3D art will be projected onto Camelhead Rock uptown, located next to the well identified Snoopy Rock formation in attempt to turn our natural landscaping into a projection screen to be seen miles away!! And how will our wild life react to this?? How will residents?

    And how did this outrageous display slip by the public opinion process and how much will it cost??

    Sneaky buzzards – the millions the Chamber has in their bank account is how. Generally at public meetings the discussion of how the money (even more) given to the Chamber of Commerce for Christmas decoration will be spent is made known. NO MORE!

    Ever seen the reaction of a deer to headlights? What will happen when this penetrating light fiasco invades their own habitat??

    SHAMEFUL!!

  12. LIGHT SHOW FIASCO says:

    More than just KSB objected to the stoopid idea of lights blasting on the red rocks. Is this disgusting proposal to exploit and degrade the beauty of the red rocks any less obscene than showing pornographic videos or movies to our children? What’s wrong with you people???????? Practically the entire population was up in arms when this idiotic idea popped up after the Chamber failed so miserably at their crumby display (Holiday Central?) up at the Posse Grounds and last year at Los Abrigados!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Anyone with any brains will Boycott !!!!!! the indecency of this invasive intrusion to the wildlife and red rocks as they represent the only REAL scenic attraction Sedona has to offer. Pox on all of you who so brazenlymove forward with such disgrace. Bad Karma !!!!!!!!!!!!! You money grabbers SUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. Trash loves trash says:

    most people raised w/o parents with class reflect it in their lifelong decision making

    fact is, you’re trash

    light shows are the chuck e. cheese universe, the Disney universe, not the educated and eco-knowledgeable universe

  14. Not a Woo Woo says:

    Give it a rest already you Woo Woo’s are against everything.

  15. SS BS says:

    Look around at the changes since the city gave away millions to the regional chamber. It has cheapen sedona. Taken it from a world class to a LL socialist crappy place. cheap cheap they want you to pay more so ss bs can play more.

  16. Steve segner says:

    To build new roads and work on traffic hasn’t been worked on years hope that helps The school district the fire district in the city of Sedona or three separate political areas the Vertie Valley it’s where people come to play on vacation I don’t understand what you don’t like one that I like some new housing regulations and housing for middle class or two they were tourist town when did you move here and were you were tourist at the time . First off read the paper it’s a half cent increase and that’s much better than having a city tax although I’m all for city tax

  17. Marty in Sedona says:

    @Steve segner three times now I’ve attempted to read (translate) your comment (12/3/17 -7:19pm) and have yet to figure out what the heck you wrote. Vertie Valley? That quite possibly is the only thing I was able to sort of maybe get?. Must have been a fun weekend for you. What were (are) you smoking or drinking? Yippee!!

  18. @light show fiasco says:

    @light show

    Did you say something about a light show on the red rocks at New Years?
    That sounds like great family fun!!!

    Do you know where I can get info for the best viewing spots..
    Thanks for the heads up

  19. steve Segner says:

    Sedona Northern Lights
    CELEBRATE SEDONA’S: BEAUTY, ART SCENE & DARK SKIES

    Celebrate the holiday season in Sedona, and witness the country’s largest 3D holiday light show in The Most Beautiful Place on Earth.

    For 4 days only, don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to see this spectacular light event and celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Sedona Arts Center. Viewing areas throughout Uptown Sedona and Gallery Row.

    Celebrate Sedona’s beauty, arts, dark skies and stunning landscapes with the largest 3D mapping project ever done on a natural canvas.

    Dates: December 14 – December 17
    Times: 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm (approximately 5-6 minute show at the top of each hour)
    Where: Art Show projected on Camelhead Rock (next to Snoopy Rock). The light shows can be seen from numerous spots throughout the Uptown and Gallery Row areas. See designated Viewing Areas for the best vantage points. Other public areas include the sidewalk just below the intersection of SR 89A and Forest Road in Uptown or on the upper level behind the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.
    Listen: Tune to KYBC 96.3FM and AM1600 in your car or on a radio for holiday music to accompany the light show! Not available via live streaming on a smart phone application due to time delay.

    89a best spot

  20. Jim Poole says:

    Here he rants again. Can’t understand a word. Pure Lobbyist stealing taxpayers money. The only people that shining lights on a mountain are going to attract are the homeless. No return a waste of money.

  21. Mike says:

    You sure are outdated and Slow Sedona. Lights on the rocks. You MISSED it when you didn’t support Los Abrigados. There are tons of real light shows throughout our state. When the fantasy of lights tradition stop you had nothing but failures. You drove the thousands of tourists and locals elsewhere. They shopped, ate and went to the light show. All ages enjoyed this event. But the chamber felt they could get move money from the city…blah ba They did!!!!What happened to the lights at Tlaquepaque, ice skating? now ice skating is back at posse grounds. Lost cause give it up with lame ideas.

  22. Richard D. says:

    it was reported that people will be able to see the light show from miles away. My bet is it won’t be nearly as spectacular as the Super Moon the last three nights. And that didn’t cost upwards of $40,000! Yep – best things in life are free. Try telling that to the big spenders at C of C. Well, with all that money in their slush fund what else could you expect?

  23. Jessica Cruz says:

    Did the USDA / USFS agree to allow this? Shining lights on USFS property? I have doubts that the Forest Service allows this use of its lands, and that Wildlife Management would not have issues with this.

    Impacts are taken very seriously by the USFS. A very good point has been impact on wildlife. Hikers in the area might also become disoriented and fall. This is outside the parameters of allowable impact, would be my professional opinion, and I would suggest that the city have a paperwork trail that allows this or cease and desist before USDA, EPA and others file paperwork.

    Whatever happened to the nighttime astronomy viewings the city used to offer through a local association at no cost?

    Why can’t the light show be on a big screen in one of the city parks? Even NYC doesn’t do this in its skyline because of planes. What happens if a plane tries to land – it’s a self controlled landing strip? Or cars navigating the 89A switchbacks? Dangerous precedent for Coconino and Yavapai counties. The animals though are the victims here, people make choices, animals are reliant on ours.

    Our roads are narrow and do not accommodate gawkers. An accident waiting to happen?

  24. Tony T says:

    @steve Segner 12/4
    “Sedona Northern Lights
    CELEBRATE SEDONA’S: BEAUTY, ART SCENE & DARK SKIES”

    Are these people real? One of the main reasons I moved to Sedona is to see the stars. Many tourists feel the same way. So what do these idiots do? A LIGHT SHOW !!!!! Celebrate the dark skies by lighting them up. Gee, If I had wanted bright night time sky’s, I would have stayed in the city. I think the tourists would agree.

    But hey, the chamber has lots of money from the city that MUST BE SPENT. Product development after all. How do you develop something by destroying it?

  25. From Dumb to Dumber says:

    Steve Segner “Celebrate Sedona’s beauty, arts, dark skies and stunning landscapes with the largest 3D mapping project ever done on a natural canvas.” 12/4/17

    Celebrating “dark skies” with “largest 3D mapping project ever done on a natural canvas?” HUH – how can that be? Truly, the inmates have taken over the asylum.

  26. Newcomer to Sedona says:

    My God Man

    Never in my life have I heard so many people complain in Sedona..

    Most i have met are friendly happy people. Complaining about a couple day light show on the Red Rocks!!?? Really?

    Then making things up like a hiker night get disoriented and fall off the rocks..
    Come on man….get a grip

    Perhaps a squirrel may cry.

    Is Sedona Eye the place where hateful people go to vent thier angry and make stuff up?

    I am enjoying my stay here and love Sedona..Perhaps those crybaby’s have lived here to long and should move along..

  27. Newcomer to Sedona says:

    Oh Yes I forgot to say this..

    I looked at my county tax bill and don’t recall a tax for the Chamber of Commerce!?

    What gives? Why you complaining so much about the C of C?
    I own a home here and don’t sleep in hotels, thus the “bed tax’ money has nothing to do with me and I don’t contribute to it… why you hating so much?

  28. George N says:

    Clearly an act of desperation in order to use up some of that slush fund burning the innards of those that possess it??? Where is Keep Sedona Beautiful on this issue? Have they too sold their souls to the bad karma that has taken over Sedona? Greed clearly has no limits. City Council shame on you for allowing this to happen.

  29. West Sedona Dave says:

    Oh Newcomer!

    This is the hate capital of Sedona…..And please dont try and use any logic with people that have a hate filled hearts!
    The excuse about the Chamber will be its their money, and they want it spent their way!…lol
    Like I can control any of my money that has been wasted in 2 quagmires called Iraq, and Afghanistan….

    Thanks for speaking out…..you will just be attacked…..Have a great day! :)

  30. Hotel Owner says:

    You must be one of the clan stealing taxpayer’s money for PRIVATE companies to pay for their ADS!

    The Businesses inside the city limits collect the BEDTAX NOT a regional Chamber!!!!! We are tired of PAYING for the competition outside the city limits. WE want to speak for ourselves and NEVER gave up our rights as business owners to a crappy money grabbing regional chamber. The chamber does notta asking for FREE FREE from the hotels and biz ENOUGH Jen!

  31. MaryC says:

    @West Sedona Dave

    Since you find the Sedona Eye so hate filled why do you come here to read and contribute? You are one of the people that constantly mention hate. I see you trying to throw out disinformation. Quit your city or chamber job, do some work for a change.

  32. Curious says:

    @Hotel Owner – You say “ENOUGH” in your comment here but why is it you do not take it up with the Sedona City Council? Ask them why it is referrals at the City financed “visitors center” ONLY go to Chamber members – unless you, yourself pay to be a member of the in my opinion – Sedona Mafia? Nothing will change unless those city based licensed businesses operating under discrimination stand up and protest!

  33. Newcomer to sedona says:

    @hotel owner

    Wow!!!! Just wow.

    Please tell me what hotel you own/run..
    I want to make sure I never recommend your place to family and friends..
    Based on you Anger outburst I’m sure your place isn’t the friendly of places..

    Do tell cause I have some friends coming in for the light show now…

  34. Sedona Mafia says:

    Yes you are right @curious we do have a Sedona Mafia and they are chamber members and all those they pay using TAXPAYERS money. The City council is bought and paid for by those that benefit from this.

  35. Steve segner says:

    That’s nuts there’s nothing to protest we love the chamber they send us tons of business through their website very small fee to join and most of us pay much much more to advertise on their website because I do such a wonderful job A good business person makes a wise and business decision on where to spend there ever Tyzine dollars and 99% of all businesses in the Vertie Valley or chamber members are ever ties with the chamber the ones that don’t well we know what happened to the Baker

  36. Steve segner says:

    One more time and I’ve asked several times in the past please tell us what advertising or Ads for any hotel paid for by the chamber . newcomers the negative comments over and over and over on the chamber I’ll buy one failed Baker went out of business just because she was a lousy Baker and blames it on the chamber the chambers done and amazing job of getting us through the depression and producing most of the money the tax money For Sedona city government

  37. Brace Yourselves says:

    What Steve Segner forgot to tell you.

    The light fiasco will actually begin with the testing process on Dec. 11 to 13, 5:30 PM to 10 PM.

    So our wildlife, already confused and searching for water, will have the glare of scary lights searching THEIR habitat so the Chamber of Commerce can market Sedona as the largest natural 3-D light painting experience in the USA! So much for more disturbing exploitation of about the only “natural” asset Sedona has left – the red rocks WITHOUT unwanted graffiti but now faced with garish lighting.

    So look for the intrusive invasion not for a mere four evenings as reported by Segner, but one full week: Dec. 11th thru the 17th.

    And if you can peel your eyes away from the distorted activity on the red rocks, please try to stay alert and watch out for deer and other wildlife who might out of desperation trot out into streets and highways, hoping to escape the alien invasion of the only territory they know.

    Is this despicable or what? (of course not will be the predicted response from Chamber, City, and Sedona Art Center – sponsors of this garish display). But let’s not leave out the Lodging Council, the organizers leading to the disastrous funding by the city to the Chamber for this latest example of “product development?”

  38. West Sedona Resident says:

    Silly silly and very dumb for the city of Sedona to pay for the region’s advertising.
    The city is actually smaller than the those outside the city limits in the regional sedona area. With a wastewater debt of $22,620,000 I would think the city manager would stop funding that regional- members of the chamber.A saving of 3 million a year. Doesn’t the city have city limits? Guess it time for Arizona to advertise California as the visitor MAY drive through on their way there

  39. Kilroy says:

    Personal lasers are cheap. I suggest we disrupt the light show with our own lasers. We write no to the Chamber of Commerce in laser light.

  40. Eddie S. Maddock says:

    Holy Smokes!

    Confirming the title of the article (Business as Usual) in checking back to the date it was written: January 7, 2017.

    Having received almost 600 comments during that period of duration (almost one year) does it appear to anyone out there that anything has changed?

    Is it still business as usual?

    Are conditions better or worse in Sedona?

    Are you looking forward to better times in 2018, or will it still be business as usual?

    Do you believe positive changes will be made with the election of new members on the City Council in November of next year?

    Any and all thoughts are welcome. I’m just the messenger!

    Merry Christmas, Splendid Holidays, and a Happy New Year.

    Respectfully contributed by: Eddie S. Maddock

    PS – Upside: Since it appears there haven’t been any significant changes, no need to submit a new article except for changing the date.

    PSS – Message from Bambi McGuire: Consider not staring too long at the upcoming light show. Eye strain can be frightening and disastrous.

  41. @Brace yourself says:

    @Brace yourself

    You sound ridiculously paranoid…..
    Glad it will be for an extra few days….
    Awesome
    ..

  42. @steve Segner says:

    Of course you would love the chamber. Since you are untrained,You are a retired Dog food saleman. Never been in the Hotel business and aren’t you technically a B&B? With 8 rooms? I would call you a hotel. That is what is wrong with this, you expect the taxpayers to market your club. While you are in training. It is up to the business owners or partners to educate their staff not the city’s. Not professional Steve. If you were you wouldn’t want the city to pay for your club. But take a look at all the hotels that went into bankruptcy. L B 3 times. EN 2-3 times, L A 2 times I could go on. Stop blaming the residents The economy recovered everywhere not just Sedona. Grow up

  43. Steve segner says:

    Just for the record ,1. I owned a dog food company 2, I was president of the world wide pet supply association,3. I own a small 12 room four star hotel in Sedona the last 15 years and I’m president of the Sedona Lodging council ,just for the record.
    hope that helps. People when are you going to understand the bed tax money by state law only can be used for tourism, not to help lower your already reasonable sewer fees or pave roads.

  44. @ Kilroy says:

    Love it! Great idea!

  45. Jess Wundrin says:

    And why do you suppose the U.S. Forest Service is allowing the lighting-up of the wilderness? Do ya think it could possibly be because the chamber of commerce generously gave some of the money they got from the city to the FS to help maintain hiking trails?? Wasn’t that even called more product development even to a Federal agency that already gets public funding? Nah …couldn’t be. That wouldn’t look so good now would it?? But who cares. When it comes to money it’s generally up for grabs when the government so recklessly throws it out there. Too bad wildlife. Them’s the breaks.

  46. Norma says:

    WOW that is just horrible that the businesses – chamber are exploiting our incredible habitat. Shining lights????? We should shine some lights on their greedy behavior.
    It really makes you think about karma, aka vacation rentals & internet shopping.

    Poor animals. Can’t believe the forest service is permitting this.

  47. Red rock light show can’t wait says:

    You guys COMPLAUNING about the light show we’re probally agaisnt the Nat. Monument status for sedona as well..

    That new status probally would not of allowed the light show(which I think is great).

    But you hypocrites are now complaining about a light show?’ Rock on Xmas light show… Sedona is for sale…Let’s use it up … to hell with the crybaby’s and hypocrites. Yea

  48. Blah, Blah, Blah says:

    @Steve segner

    So you’ve been in Sedona for 15 years. SO WHAT? Why should the city council & staff feel you deserve a key to the city? Talk around town is most people disagree totally with what’s going on. Gov’t. spending is out of control. Too many examples to list.
    But for starters.

    Why city gives money to Red Earth Theatre for use of city property? Should be other way around. Like at a recent event “Tickets $10 at the door and online…..” Double dipping, Red Earth Theatre? Good for you.

    No Mrs. Maddock – nothing has changed. Things are even worse!!!! In too many ways to list. The laser lights among the latest intrusive decision to top off increasing building density. We were far better off be fore the likes of Steve segner came here but that of course is only my opinion.

  49. Jack says:

    @ steve Segner

    World wide pet supply association
    President : Steve Segner
    Secretary : Steve Segner
    Membership committee chairman : Steve Segner
    Sole member : Steve Segner

  50. Nancy H. says:

    Excuse me but @SSegner’s comment… ” People when are you going to understand the bed tax money by state law only can be used for tourism” does NOT hold up and here are a couple of reasons why!

    1.Allocation of city funds by the Chamber to the USFS for trail maintenance. What, residents aren’t allowed on the trails anymore?

    2.Purchase of Jordan Road property by Chamber, again with city money, as the Chamber holds title to it for a parking lot. Again is that lot off limit to residents?

    Now paving roads and/or improvements to the sewer system surely could be as justifiable as benefits to tourism as the two examples cited above. Because of the numbers of tourists, how can they NOT benefit from any and ALL infrastructure upgrades? And the city is desperately in need of funding those far more important projects than trivial fluff as an attempt to justify uses for the chamber’s slush fund. But city council, staff, and Segner are too afraid creature comforts would also improve the living standards for the residents as well. Heaven Forbid!

    Point being? Roads and improvements could easily qualify as product development just as much as throwing money at the USFS and/or projects like Chamber to assist in funding the much unwanted laser light show.

    And BTW where are all those anti-89A street lighting folks on this issue? The same people that managed to put in motion the great giveaway contract scam to the chamber which becomes more negatively discussed on the street each and every day.

    And they claimed to be environmentalists? Phony baloney buzzards is what they are IMO.

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