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.
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
Yes I will. As soon as you get (deleted by editor) to start putting her name on her posts.
@life is good
Know the shortcut already but no thanks….
VOC ain’t got much out there…..nothing I need to take a special trip for anyway…
It was a somewhat interesting exchange @PS Ms Maddock until you clearly jumped to unfounded conclusions.
My responsibility to Sedona Eye Editor/Publisher, as well as my own integrity, rests solely on acting as an individual which eliminates representing or directing anyone else. Therefore, that puts you in the driver’s seat since you clearly are better informed than I.
How about writing either a letter to the editor and/or your own article, thus taking the opportunity to divulge whatever dirty little secrets to which you think you are privy? But, of course, taking that high road would mean revealing your identity. – even though your true, unnamed self has already surfaced as nothing more than another coward lurking in the shadows.
To my knowledge the policy of Sedona Eye has been and remains fair game as surely you and others are aware.
If you really knew anything about me you would know your suggestion is absurd.
Sorry to disappoint you but, simply stated, you are way off base.
Eddie Maddock
@life is good
Give me a break, except for Webers Red Rock Cafe and Miley’s , there is nothing worth going to the VOC for except if you’re looking for over priced gas.
Big deal the outlet shops were sold. Until you know what it will turn into, I wouldn’t be so quick to give comments. Last I heard, the new owner was going to build a giant storage facility. Wow, that’s exciting and will draw crowds from near and far.
got dat right
No Sedona tax on gas in the VOC – or anything else for that matter. It’s good enough for the Sedona Mayor to promote events and businesses out here whether or not we’re members of your stupid chamber of commerce. Who needs to be promoted at your equally stupid and misleading visitors center? We get first shot at tourists out here anyhow since most of them think we ARE Sedona. Sweet deal all right.
Quote: No Sedona tax on gas in the VOC – or anything else for that matter. It’s good enough for the Sedona Mayor to promote events and businesses out here whether or not we’re members of your stupid chamber of commerce. Who needs to be promoted at your equally stupid and misleading visitors center? We get first shot at tourists out here anyhow since most of them think we ARE Sedona. Sweet deal all right.
——————————————————————————————————–
To whom ever the poster is that continues to spew hate filled uneducated responses to the Chamber.
You just might want to look into what the definitions are of a chamber? Unless the truth will make you look like a fool or liar?
By any chance do you follow the Cottonwood chamber? Bet not?
You may be interested in knowing they have members in Sedona,Cornville, Camp Verde and Page Springs…..Interesting hea?
This is just the restaurant section…..and you guessed it, even Enchantment is a member?…Wow I wonder why?…..
http://www.cottonwoodchamberaz.org/list/ql/restaurants-food-beverages-46
And what about the Hilton? @John Daniels. Then there’s the Golf Resort – no better views anyplace. Not to mention the restaurants at The Collective other than Miley’s. And, in fact, the golf courses alone are a big attraction and none to be found in incorporated Sedona. Then to boot VOC residents are welcome to participate in Sedona decision-making committees (Citizen Engagement) offering us yet another opportunity to play without paying. And we enjoy standing in line with the rest for free city money to help our own non-profits and special events. The best of all worlds out here, so get over it Mr. Daniels.
A tax savings of a few cents on gas in the VOC is nothing compared to the 30 cent higher price per gallon at all three stations (can you say price fixing to the tourists) who are you trying to BS.
Aren’t you tired of the same old rantings, you really should change your tune.
I can’t post your name or the type of business that you used to have in town before you were evicted because your friends at SE redact it. It’s so obvious to most of us who you are. There is no substance to your comments it’s just your hate for the CoC all because they wouldn’t give you a free slot in their business card rack at the visitors center.
The best is that you never had a business in the VOC nor lived their either. Just another pot stirrer with nothing new to contribute.
And just how much of Cottonwood taxpayer money do they give to their C of C? Not the millions being tossed like Sedona does and without accountability. Get over yourself. You neglect to mention the hundreds of cities that give No Money to their Chambers. How about that? IMO Clearly you are on the take or you wouldn’t be so defensive?? That goes for @VOC too. What the heck are you even ranting about? Mish mash nonsense speaking of no substance. And the last time I got gas in the VOC no way was it 30 cents higher than Sedona. Another pot stirrer? Look in the mirror.
How about Sedona taking a page from the book of Barcelona, Spain with a new Limit Tourism with Visitor Cap Law? “The strained relationship between Barcelona and its foreign visitors goes back a few years, thanks to a massive tourism boom that’s put burden on the city’s services, overcrowded its streets and frustrated locals.”
Sound familiar?
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/01/31/barcelona-aims-to-limit-tourism-with-visitor-cap-law.html
And how much of our tax money goes to the Chamber here in Sedona?….Zip,Zilch, noda absolutely NOTHING!
Unless your having an affair with someone and your paying a bed tax!…Fool…
You people really need to find a better topic to light your hair on fire…..JFC!
Hidden costs – Tourism isn’t paying their fair share.The Lodging- Chamber Association are taking more than they contribute.
The cost of tourism is more than trash and pressure on natural resources. More traffic means more wear and tear on roads. More City Staff , traffic control, accidents. Tourists have a significant impact on local law enforcement. Tourist use the city and county resources at an alarming rate.
Other cities have the same problem just as Barcelona.
http://www.bendsource.com/bend/too-many-tourists/Content?oid=2740281
Too Many Tourists, say what????
How did you come up with those “facts” that the cost of tourism is more than trash and pressure on natural resources.
More traffic means more wear and tear on roads. well that’s a no brainer.
More City Staff , traffic control, – where are those facts? And accidents, how do you know that?
Tourists have a significant impact on local law enforcement.Medical rescue from SFD maybe but local law enforcement???? Really????
Tourist use the city and county resources at an alarming rate.Give it a rest.
You all make us Sedona proud.
Who cares? Greedy is the best word. All sales – bed tax are collected by the city for infrastructure. Goofy. The sales-bed tax was created for infrastructure at the time of incorporation. The chamber has been paid out of that. Wrong! The chamber is not part of the city and the greedy beggars have wesselled themselves into easy money on the backs of the taxpayers.
Can tourism kill a destination? yep it happening here in Sedona. Outside business interests are buying up Sedona and are getting paid by the city to do so. Impacting the quality of life, impacting the small businesses. Your being push out residents.
“Outside business interests buy up land for commercial and residential developments, eventually pushing farmers, ranchers and small business owners out of a job. ” http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/tourism-kill-destination2.htm
NO!!!!…Bed taxes are not for infrastructure….and were did you pull that from?
You really need to know what your talking about….
A BED TAX……https://tourism.az.gov/sites/default/files/Bed%20Tax%20Rates%202006-2013.pdf
Every city in AZ has one, in a county or a city limit…..
Now I wouldnt if it would go to street or infrastructure….But that would be illegal!
Prescott deciding where to spend bed tax money
Posted: Oct 25, 2011 5:32 AM
Updated: Nov 06, 2012 6:32 AM
© Hotel St. MIchael / Totsandtravel.com
© Hotel St. MIchael / Totsandtravel.com
PRESCOTT, AZ (AP) –
Prescott council members will be deciding where to spend about $657,000 in collected bed tax revenue. The city will likely propose distributing most of the money to more than 20 activities and organizations.
The money is collected from hotel and motel customers.
The Prescott Daily Courier reports the largest allocation would go to “tourism marketing and promotion” — at $234,000. That compares with $175,000 in last year’s budget.
Other major categories include the city’s “signature events,” which would receive a total of $70,000, including the Rodeo/Frontier Days, the Jazz Summit and the Prescott Film Festival.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.cbs5az.com/story/15867970/prescott-deciding-where-to-spend-bed-tax-money
Spot on! We have too many tourists. This is increasing our property taxes to pay for all those tourist and services. In return increases rents as the property taxes go up. Driving costs up and people out of town.
The same as when the World Series was in held in Phoenix, tourists were in abundance and who took credit for it? The Sedona Chamber of Commerce because naturally good weather coupled with the global event in Phoenix drew tourists in this direction.
Now this year conveniently tied in with the Sedona Marathon, funded substantially with Sedona city taxes. is the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament which will also most likely offer Sedona an influx of more tourists.
So prepare yourself for yet another ample serving of Beef Stew (aka BS) from this local yokel C of C that thanks to all the money from questionably justified millions of public $$$$ they can frivolously toss here and there and take credit for whatever vehicle might venture into Sedona as being the reward for their efforts.
Moral of story: Beef Stew (with the emphasis on ‘BS’).
Thanks for clearing that up. We just never thought about all the impacts those tourists cause. They are driving our cost of living up. Why are we paying the chamber to cause and drive cost up. The only ones benefiting are the lodging council. Very selfish ingrates.
I am still laughing at your comments@West Sedona Dave. Unfortunately you only talk in lies.
Every element of you long rant is false wrong and BS.
1. There is NO County bed tax
2. NO law requires money to be gifted to Lodging or Chamber ( 2016 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 9 – Cities and Towns
§ 9-500.06 Hospitality industry; discrimination prohibited; use of tax proceeds; exemption; definitions )
The city is entitled to USE it as they feel necessary THAT includes parking, planning streets, ect
3. The Sales Tax and Bed Tax is the City of SEDONA which is OWNED by the residents. Not the Hotels
4. Prescott ???? Come on Davie is that the best you could come up with? Still laughing at their whopping big $234,000. You want to compare Sedona to Prescott??? 2.01 million to a special interest group aka Chamber from the city in one year while beautiful Prescott has their own City owned Visitor center, City owned website, City owned CVB that is EXCLUSIVE to those businesses in the city of prescott. I could list tons more Davie but everything above proves you ain’t telling the truth. Cause your hand is in the cookie jar.
Why your laughing is beyond me…..I prove my points with links that are spot on…
Here is the imaginary bed tax of every city and county in AZ..
https://tourism.az.gov/sites/default/files/Bed%20Tax%20Rates%202006-2013.pdf
Yep…..Just keep laughing when your proven a fool….Enjoy laughing at truth for a change!
Here is the link to your title 9, now you show me any of the garbage you spew.
http://law.justia.com/codes/arizona/2011/title9
Yep….not one word of what you say is true…..Where is the line I can build a bridge or road with the bed tax?……Maybe a stadium?,,and BTW…..its not infrastructure by law.
Universal Citation: AZ Rev Stat § 9-500.06 (1996 through 1st Reg Sess 50th Legis)
9-500.06. Hospitality industry; discrimination prohibited; use of tax proceeds; exemption; definitions
A. A city or town shall not discriminate against hospitality industry businesses in the collection of fees. For the purposes of this subsection:
1. “Discriminate” means any increase of fees on hospitality industry businesses by any dollar amount on or after April 1, 1990 without a corresponding equal dollar amount of increase in the privilege license fees or other fees imposed on all other businesses in the city or town.
2. “Fees on hospitality industry businesses” means annual liquor license taxes or fees or annual renewal or reissuance fees for municipal business privilege licenses, however denominated.
B. On or after April 1, 1990, if a city or town establishes a discriminatory transaction privilege tax or increases its existing discriminatory transaction privilege tax on hospitality industry businesses greater than any increase imposed on other types of businesses in the city or town, the proceeds of the established discriminatory transaction privilege tax, except as provided in subsection D, and the proceeds of any increase above the existing discriminatory transaction privilege tax shall be used exclusively by the city or town for the promotion of tourism. For the purposes of this section a tax which is in effect on April 1, 1990 and is subsequently renewed by a majority of qualified electors voting at an election to approve the renewal is not considered a tax increase.
C. For the purposes of subsection B, expenditures by a city or town for the promotion of tourism include:
1. Direct expenditures by the city or town to promote tourism, including but not limited to sporting events or cultural exhibits.
2. Contracts between the city or town and nonprofit organizations or associations for the promotion of tourism by the nonprofit organization or association.
3. Expenditures by the city or town to develop, improve or operate tourism related attractions or facilities or to assist in the planning and promotion of such attractions and facilities.
D. If a city or town has not imposed a discriminatory transaction privilege tax up to a two per cent tax level on hospitality industry businesses as of April 1, 1990 and thereafter imposes or increases such a discriminatory transaction privilege tax, the first two percentage rate portion of the discriminatory transaction privilege tax is not subject to the provisions of subsection B.
E. The collection by a city or town of a fee or tax prohibited by this section shall be void and unlawful. For a five year period following the unlawful collection of the fee, the city or town shall reimburse the hospitality business for any reasonable expense incurred in collecting from the city or town any fees or tax unlawfully collected.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Discriminatory transaction privilege tax” means any transaction privilege tax rate imposed by a city or town on hospitality industry businesses which is above the transaction privilege tax rate imposed by a city or town equally on all businesses subject to a transaction privilege tax.
2. “Hospitality industry businesses” means:
(a) A restaurant, bar, hotel, motel, liquor store, grocery store, convenience store or recreational vehicle park.
(b) A motor vehicle rental agency in a county stadium district which has imposed the car rental surcharge pursuant to section 48-4234.
Yep indeed. City of Sedona has played one-sided economics, gang rule in our region.But USA today reports:
“Economic Effects — Negative
Successful tourism relies on establishing a basic infrastructure, such as roads, visitor centers and hotels. The cost of this usually falls on the government, so it has to come out of tax revenues. Jobs created by tourism are often seasonal and poorly paid, yet tourism can push up local property prices and the cost of goods and services. Money generated by tourism does not always benefit the local community, as some of it leaks out to huge international companies, such as hotel chains. Destinations dependent on tourism can be adversely affected by events such as terrorism, natural disasters and economic recession.”
And there is more.
You ladies keep complaining and after years and years of it where has it gotten you???
In spite of the few with many names who still complain, the city is thriving, traffic still comes new businesses are interested in coming. Did you ever notice that your nothing has ever changed from anyone on SE your opinions mean nothing and never will. I guess it’s better for you all to vent on SE or else you may all look for a bridge to harm yourselves.
The “Village People” will be thrilled to know that they will have the biggest attraction in the whole valley coming their way a 2 story storage facility. Oh Boy can’t wait for the SE comments to start when they begin construction. Also interested is Trader Joes they’re looking at that open lot across from the Estados and In-N-Out is coming across from the Chevron. Oh yeah and the VOC gets not one cent in sales tax to use to improve the area since they’re not an independent city.
If Trader Joes and In-N-Out is coming to the VOC, I say yippee! And no Sedona city taxes is just another bonus. Way to go! YIPPY!
Guess you know from personal experience why one would choose that option rather than listen to your bs. As you know there are other methods than jumping off a bridge.
@GREAT IDEA wowzers the Barcelona Field Report discloses even more “Tourism development of infrastructure (airports, roads, etc.) can cost the local government a great deal of money.”
Lie after lie by the chamber and lodging members benefiting from taxes collected for the city of Sedona. They need to learn to legitimately earn their own money. To lazy
As “oh Hum” points out, in spite of all the complaints documented on SE, nothing ever changes. But does that mean the decisions being made are really in the best interest of those that should matter? And those that “should” matter but don’t are the voting residents within incorporated Sedona. And keep in mind very few will even run for city council because they will be attacked by those in charge – manipulated elections by guerrilla campaign tactics and smearing those that won’t stick with the current plan. Even the three newly elected have jumped on that band wagon.
Morally and ethically decisions remain questionable not to mention dangerous conditions created in the event of flooding or, worse yet, wild fires. And don’t say it can ‘t happen. If winds during the Slide Fire had changed direction the outcome could have been far worse.
Scoff with your SE comments as well as city council members and experts on staff that continue to uphold the bidding for bad decisions when alternatives are available.
Shameful.
Idiotic statements are stupid. What does that say about you. A taker. Smoke and mirrors so that you and your buddies can keep on taking. The end is near. It just takes one agency to bring down a house of cards. Just keep on looking over your shoulder. Loser!
NOT to be confused with Robert O’Donnell
To “Jerry, Legitimate Sedona Voter” you think that the three newly elected have “jumped on the band wagon” do you???? Why because they voted to continue the Chamber contract? Could it be that those three took a seat at their desks rolled up their sleeves and saw that issues weren’t what they thought they would be? If your feelings were hurt and you feel that they “jumped on the band wagon” did you write them a snail letter to TELL THEM?? Maybe they’ll hand you a teddy bear to cuddle with a night or a lolly pop.
Neutral reporting by Barcelona Field Studies Centre S.
“Tourism follows a “product life cycle”, with a final stage of decline, where the destination no longer offers new attractions for the tourist, and the quality has diminished with the rise of competition and tourist saturation.”
Return visitors on the decline. Stays are shorter. Day trippers are up. City changed zoning to get more Hotels in. Competition with resident vacation rentals.
Tourism is using county and city resources at alarming rates in Sedona. Sedona’s path is clear.
Agreeing with Jerry. Three new council members and not even ONE opted for RFP”s on the controversial need for “destination marketing”. Even if they had ALL voted in favor it wouldn’t have been a majority so what did they have to lose by at least making an appearance they were concerned about how Sedona spends taxes?
And adding insult to injury the attitude displayed at the meeting by both staff and council was arrogant and almost in-your-face attitude as in “we will do this our way just because we can.” Very disappointing and admittedly hopeless for those of us asking for only fair and responsible representation.
And next in line after approving the abominable contract will be authorization for the crackpot (but wealthy) chamber of corruption to purchase property on behalf of the city! OMG – wonder what Barcelona, Spain would think of all this. (We already know by reading their proposal for a law to prevent this type of activity.)
Now you’d better be seated when you read this as it may come as a surprise that in my opinion comments, including my own, indicating opposition to the Destination Marketing Contract with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce are fighting a lost cause. It is true. The contract appears to be definitely locked in which doesn’t substantiate that decision as being the best choice for ROI (return on investment) and for certain leaves questions pertaining to what is really the best use of that .5% bed tax increase.
And in fact, don’t be surprised if the return is increased substantially from 55% as has already been requested by the Chamber CEO, citing such needs as for participation in the Canadian Expo and other elaborate and costly contacts in an attempt to expand tourism in our city, targeted but not necessarily resulting in “destination” accommodations. (As if a substantial number of Valley Snow Bunnies aren’t already from Canada and really quite familiar with this increasingly strange place called Sedona.)
Therefore, forget foolish suggestions like RFP’s, PDQ’s or other such nonsense including advertising via the Arizona State Bureau of Tourism.
Prepare yourself to watch the Chamber of Commerce as acting land purchasing agent, using public money, on behalf of the city. The slovenly operation of a questionable “visitors center” claimed to be the “official” one for the City of Sedona while remaining and clearly identified as the official Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. How can it be both? Or would a legitimate Sedona City Visitors Center require special member dues over and above a legitimate business license in order to be honored at such a visitors center if it did exist?
And there’s little to no doubt other proposals are being hatched on a daily basis by the C of C to further establish control over our little city that is already bursting at the seams for obvious reasons. Might one of those proposals be suggested methods to increase residential taxation, new sources of revenue, to solve the constant complaint that we are not paying our fair share? Don’t be surprised. The see all, be all, dictate all pets of the city are vigilant and on the job 24-7.
It might be better to become resigned to sit back and wait for one shoe to drop at a time, because the same as huge blunders of the past, as defined in other comments, it’s only a matter of time until consideration due to one reason or another will deem it absolutely essential to change the direction Sedona is presently headed. It will not be an easy task. History does surface, sometimes in mysterious ways. It’s just a matter of time. It’s just another opinion.
Eddie Maddock
Once again Eddie is having a conversation with herself and 1 other who posts under 5 different names….Rock on ESM another productive day for you..
Thank you all for not proving anything I posted was false!
If any of you stood on solid ground you could prove your points.You cant, and don’t…You answers with lies, hatred, and opinions……Thanks to all ….
Time to find a new fake outrage…
U R nuts, West Sedona Dave????? The single most important thing that’s been proven here is just exactly how corrupt this city is. Point of proof? They would have obtained RFPs for the ad contract just like they do everything else, including city take over of our garbage hauling. That, Mr No it All Dave is the one fact you and your clan fail to acknowledge and/or admit. CORRUPTION is alive and well in Sedona Arizona!!!!
quote: U R nuts, West Sedona Dave????? The single most important thing that’s been proven here is just exactly how corrupt this city is. Point of proof? They would have obtained RFPs for the ad contract just like they do everything else, including city take over of our garbage hauling. That, Mr No it All Dave is the one fact you and your clan fail to acknowledge and/or admit. CORRUPTION is alive and well in Sedona Arizona!!!!
==============================================================
With your overwhelming opinion take it to the States Attorney if your convinced of your righteousness!!!!!
Not only do you speak in complete utter fabrication of any truth…..You never even counter with any facts?…..I will call you a fool and be nice, you are so far out of your league that you continue to make yourself look worse by posting!
No its not your tax money!…Its a bed tax….rent a room pay a tax…..Are you renting rooms?
You have yourself convinced that it is unlawful for the city of Sedona to”gift”(your words not mine) money to the Chamber.
You think that there is something wrong with companies or businesses to be out of Sedona to be part of the Chamber.
You post some utter ridiculousness about some law that proves your point….I post it and there is no such thing?
Till you can prove without the shadow of a doubt ANYTHING you say, is just lies and opinions!
Now prove me wrong…..(or is it you cant because your so blind with hate and disdain of anything that is Sedona?
Best of luck with your public dilutions!
On behalf of ESM and not being one of the 5 others referred to by whomever he/she is, not being quality wise @Wsr you are a **** (self deleted PRI**) and I suggest you contribute something or crawl back under a red rock – Ms. Maddock, you express an opinion and facts well as do others – keep it up. At least it is evident by your responses that you listen well unlike a few unmentionables. (No reason for you to acknowledge the worm that lies in the bottom of a tequila glass.) Enjoy the Super Bowl.
As of July 1, 2014 the Chamber of Commerce gets 55% of the entire 3.5% bed tax the City collects, not 55% of the .5% increase.
Using public money to purchase the old bank building property at 401 Jordan Road for a parking lot, transit hub and staging area–asking price $1.125 million with property deeded to the Chamber–is in violation of Article 19 of the Sedona Land Development Code. Article 19 (128 pages) sets forth the design guidelines applicable to the Jordan Character District and other Main Street Character Districts. It incorporates the enhancements, additions, renovations and development of commercial and residential buildings that will help protect Sedona’s small town character. The “Jordan Pioneer Pathway” sidewalk runs in front of the old bank building and connects the Uptown Municipal Parking Lot to the Jordan Historical Park. Article 19 was adopted by the Sedona City Council on April 11, 2006.
Jennifer W. looks to gift plenty of public money to the USFS for trails and trail maintenance. Isn’t this against the Arizona Constitution’s “Gift Clause?” The Chamber has deemed giving away public money Product Development.
@sean
Did you say something?
I stand by my original post
E. Maddock writes in agreement with you West Sedona Dave & others that claim fame to having won the battle of Business as Usual (title of above article if you care to check it out.) The question has been answered, acknowledged by Mrs. Maddock. The chamber of commerce bad faith agreement will be renewed sans legitimate audit and authorized proof of return on investment.
So, yes, it is “Business as Usual.” Enjoy your victory by reveling in your own gloat with the city sponsored Red Earth Theater or, better yet, a gala event a at a non-tax contributing resort hotel outside city limits courtesy of the regional chamber, again made possible with Sedona bed and/or sales taxes.
You’ve won – so either enjoy your victory with dignity or continue tooting your bitter hate just like the council does their arrogance of power . . . . . because you can.
@West Sedona Resident, West sedona resident, West sedona Resident, WSR, WSR times 2, Wsr, Anonymous and All Readers at The Eye:
“I stand by my original post,” says Wsr who is an admitted pathological liar:
Let’s not ever forget this~
From The Improved Thought Proctologist;
Apparently J. Rick won’t repeat his own comments since, I suppose, he feels to do so shouldn’t be necessary. So, I’ll do it for him, as follows, since I do happen to think the following comment needs to be repeated until the subject troll goes away forever:
Under Eddie Maddock’s column of November 23, 2016 is this comment;
J. Rick Normand says:
December 26, 2016 at 3:01 pm
@All Readers at The Eye:
Re Hecklers: WSR (the ultimate hater and fraud posting above on Dec 25), Wsr, West sedona Resident and Anonymous
Here is proof that hecklers like the one(s) below can NEVER be believed or trusted, not to mention that these trolls have no interest whatsoever in the articles which their attack targets have posted and labored to thoroughly research. See below:
Reply to JRN from>>>
West sedona Resident says:
December 4, 2016 at 9:08 am
J Rick Normand
Thought Proctologist
The above are both the same person….J Rick still can’t understand why you use your real name AND then an Alias
Yes that anonymous post was WSR…forgot to fill it in before I posted
*****
J. Rick Normand says:
December 6, 2016 at 9:21 am
@West sedona Resident, WSR, Wsr, & Anonymous,
Do you realize that you’ve just admitted that YOU’RE ALL FOUR OF THESE HANDLES while accusing me of being two handles with no evidence or confirmation of any kind? Can’t you ever do anything right?
JRN
*****
Reply to JRN from>>>
West sedona resident says:
December 6, 2016 at 2:16 pm
JRN
So what….
Wsr WSR west sedona resident. Yeah it’s all me …I repeat so what….[sic] there’s all the same…. I’m not pretending to be JRN. And the Thought Proctologist… what’s your point…..Or as in most of your posts….”there is no point”. Just a lot of huffing and hot air
*****
From JRN to West sedona Resident, WSR, Wsr, & Anonymous>>>
Aside from what is revealed through your own words, WSR/Wsr, you’ve proved some other things, namely, that you’re incapable of original research and authoring related articles, incapable of deductive logic, and incapable of achieving enough credibility to persuade anyone to believe in your drivel which you tend to repeat incessantly. You need to find a new game! [and venue (TTP)]
[End]
Not to be confused with Robert O’Donnell
If the question has been answered as you say and by a feature writer such as Eddie Maddock then why are you still tossing around your personal comments that don’t align with Eddies explanation? This stream already has 193 opinions with no end in sight. How about this ends here and now!
Yep – amazing and interesting how the chamber finagled that 55% rebate on the entire amount of bed tax, 3.5%, instead of the .5% increase @FYI. Slick operators, all right.
And just how many of those 193 comments have you and your anti-Sedona Eye cohorts contributed Mr/Mrs/Ms R O’Donnell? How in the world would you pass your time if you didn’t have the “free” opportunity to comment here – unabridged, fair and balanced? And why is it you couldn’t refrain from having your last two cents worth before your plea: ” How about this ends here and now!”?
Meaning what exactly?
Be happy West Sedona Dave, R O’Donnell, Senger, WRS, West sedona resident you are having your way and spending taxpayers money on your ads.
For those of you that disagree with that accepting what you can’t change helps.
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Read more: http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/famous_prayers/god_grant_me_the_serenity.html#ixzz4Y0rlvcYX
@What the ??????
One third of the comments are most likely you posting under 5-6 various made up names…..I’m sure of that
BTW. Sedona eye is not online news….. it’s simply a blog….the articles submitted are mostly someone’s slanted opinion……not investigative reporting