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!
No, Not Robert
Joke all that you want but my business has increased during the past years plus I’m proud to say that I have been able able to afford to be fully staffed like the old days. I hope it lasts and credit the chamber. I’m a member even though I don’t need to have my business cards in a rack at the visitors center.
We all can see the silly game you are playing @R O’Donnell. Crack pot. Using taxpayers money for a club sick…
To “No, Not Robert” – why is it you don’t deny being “No, Not Stevie?” You sound like his same old broken record. Of course you don’t need to have your business cards in a rack at the visitors center. You have free publicity at city council meetings in addition to being the questionable brains for the chamber’s sweet deal with the city.
To Laura W
To answer your asinine question, everyone on this site has been saying that we should put our names to postings. Well my name is: R O’Donnell and I am trying to be polite so as not to be confused with Robert O’Donnell that guy who ran that dismal campaign for city office.
I don’t deny being Stevie because my name is not Stevie or anyone else.
I am a business owner in town and it is my personal view that the chamber has been successful in helping my business come back from where it was in the early years. I guess you barrel of chamber haters are too closed minded to embrace other views. Sounds sort of like the wacko who won the White House.
I guess Eddie Maddock should rename this site from Sedona Eye to Chamber Basher for posters that don’t agree in bashing the chamber the writers get bashed.
Responding to R O’Donnell:
FYI – Except for the occasional columns I contribute, I have nothing to do with the production of Sedona Eye.
Eddie Maddock
The following is submitted as an “opinion” from Eddie Maddock:
All is neatly falling into place for “Business As Usual” to move forward. Accompanied by 20 pages – yes 20 pages – of hype and propaganda endorsing and short of bestowing sainthood to Sedona’s regional chamber of commerce, the plan is a done-deal.
In case no one is aware, it appears this “chamber” has replaced God as being the responsible source for having discovered Sedona – put it on the map so to speak.
In the 20 page diatribe it appears the Chamber of Commerce is the ONLY partner the City has. No others – including Sedona’s voting residents. And be prepared – they (Chamber) will be sanctioned to move forward to purchase property on behalf of the city and their bed and sales tax kick-back will be increased from 55% to at least 60%
“Special City Council Meeting Wednesday, March 1, 2017, 3:00 p.m. City Council Chambers 102 Roadrunner Drive Sedona, AZ 86336
1. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence
2. Roll Call
3. Special Business
a. AB 2204 Discussion/possible direction how best to structure and memorialize the partnership between the City of Sedona and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (SCoC&TB) for future destination marketing and tourism promotion services, and to establish goals and objectives for the fiscal year 2018 tourism promotion program.
b. Discussion/possible action on Future Meeting/Agenda Items.”
Not to be overlooked, at the regular City Council Meeting the day before (Tuesday February 28th), under the “Consent Items” for approval, is this interesting proposed change:
“d. AB 2200 – Approval of a resolution amending the Public Participation Procedures for Major Community Plan amendments to allow for discretionary, rather than mandatory, Citywide notification.”
Yep – any property in Sedona “at the discretion” of those in charge will be allowed to move forward with a proposed zone change without public notice for a major amendment to the Community Plan. Watch what happens to that privately owned vacant land – especially along highway frontage on SR179.
New definition for Sedona: Silence the people that live here. There are no lambs.
Does this mean that you’ll step up and attend that meeting and voice your objections like the last meeting a few weeks ago, oh yeah YOU AND YOUR FOLLOWERS DIDN’T. You have no credibility on this topic whats so ever.
257 comments?????????!@# People ARE talking. . . . .
Yes indeed, slick deal under way here. The d. item AB2200 gives the go ahead to amend the Community Plan for rezoning the Jordan Property for the first of no doubt many real estate transactions with city/chamber partnership. Now every available lot will be up for grabs without public notice of what’s going on. And worse yet, this entire boondoggle is in complete violation of the portion of the Community Plan Vision Statement – that part about keeping the small town atmosphere here in Sedona. And what about protecting the environment? Ha. Paved parking lots. And they moan about global warming. Phony hypocrites should be run out of town. How about funding a rail to accommodate that assignment?
And so are you saying there’s no credibility in the agenda items I copied directly from the City’s web site? (Oh Come on Eddie Maddock) No possibility the city won’t use the discretionary option to amend zoning to benefit unspecified purposes other than keeping in compliance with the Community Plan? And there’s no credibility in not being afraid to identify myself with my real name? Oh – OK – if the face under the mask makes the claim surely it MUST be true. Right!
@mark
Yes but 200 of the comments are by the same person posting under different names……hashtag “CRAZY”
So it’s basically ESM having a back and fourth with 1 other crazy person
Same ole same ole
@wsr. Are you real or a total bully idiot? We like & enjoy the Eye around here. You need to get on the jeep if you live in Sedona. Might be Not one person but you thinks the way you say. If you want gainful employment post your name, telephone number, email address and a brief outline of why you are hirable and my HR department will check your references and qualifications. Have a blessed day.
The real truth, Mark, is it’s the crank identified as WSR, West sedona resident, and numerous others as identified by Thought Proctologist that loves to bang the gavel at anyone who dares to oppose the ongoing actions being taken by this corrupt city.
@Jay D
@Mike business man
Your both the same person…thnks for proving my point ☝️
Btw don’t need work I’m a retired west sedona resident. And don’t care about the C if C either…. just enjoys pointing out crybaby frauds like yourself
No Eddie what I am saying is that you’re real good at spouting your opinions but you never follow through. Then you and your 2 friends (who use 10 names) end up crying that no one listened to you.
At least this time you prefaced your post that it was just your opinion, that’s a good start.
Isn’t it time to pull the plug on West Sedona Resisdent, WSR ?????????
@West sedona resident, WSR and Wsr,
I see a deeper convoluted message in West sedona resident’s comments. He is, to me, so obviously a dovotee of Saul Alinsky. Alinsky, Hillary and Obama’s philosophical mentor, merely simplified Vladimir Lenin’s original scheme for world conquest through communism. Stalin described his communist party converts in the U.S. as “Useful Idiots.” These useful idiots, like Wsr, WSR and West sedona resident seem to worship, have destroyed every nation in which they have seized power and control.
It is presently happening at an alarming rate in the U.S. If people can read this and still say everything is just fine… they are “useful idiots.” “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere,” said Stalin about those like West sedona resident, Wsr and WSR. This explains the pure hatred of America spewing from this vicious troll.
West sedona resident’s, as well as Wsr’s and WSR’s obsession with the Tea Party evidences a deep psychological need to absolve themselves from worship of Alinsky and Stalinist communism, not to mention their ideological function as “useful idiots.”
West sedona resident, Wsr and WSR, I have just administered another cerebral enema to each of you. Pretty soon, there will be no brains left in your heads, not that there was much to flush out to begin with.
WSR’s been dead for a long time – but like most zombies doesn’t realize it and hasn’t been laid to rest yet.. Ignore the beast.
@ West sedona resident, Wsr, West Sedona Resident, West sedona Resident, WSR, WSR times 2, Anonymous:
It’s time for your regular appointment for an enema to relieve your intellectual constipation which sounds like a broken record that nobody listens to…Below is the proof that you can NEVER be believed since YOU’VE ADMITTED THAT YOU, YOURSELF, USE MULTIPLE HANDLES AT THIS SITE AND THEN LIE TO COVER UP THE FACT!
From The Thought Proctologist;
Apparently J. Rick won’t repeat his own comments here 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]
Dr J Rick AKA the Thought Proctologist:
I was wondering how long it would take for you to dump your 2 cents into the long winded posting. How did we manage without your posting of excrement.
In spite of the futile efforts of trolls to take down Sedona Eye, the more they rant the clearer it becomes they do not like facts to surface in Sedona. Maybe the most appropriate recently posted over & above the persistence of the blessed Thought Proctologist is the comment responding to yet another comment, as follows:
“WSR’s been dead for a long time – but like most zombies doesn’t realize it and hasn’t been laid to rest yet.. Ignore the beast.”
OMG – can’t stop laughing. The “beast” is the best description yet.
Posting of excrement is correct for (name deleted by editor)As always……bloviating goes on and on and on…Ad nasuem
@SE Fan
Obviously yet another fake name by the individual that post using 10-20 different names…
Can you say…….CRAZY
Sedona’s version of Beauty & the Beast as it relates to the City Council & WSR: All Beasts and NO Beauties – based on their overbearing attempt to disenfranchise incorporated residents by rezoning our properties without public notification. Shameful!
“d. AB 2200 – Approval of a resolution amending the Public Participation Procedures for Major Community Plan amendments to allow for discretionary, rather than mandatory, Citywide notification.”
Except for despicable low-life, who else would even try to control private property by imposing zone changes without public knowledge let alone consent? Our Sedona City Council.. that’s who .. present and former members (WSR?).
Sneaky, deplorable, unacceptable. They should all be recalled.
So the variations of WSR (west sedona resident) complain about the number of comments being made here coming from one or two people with whom he/she/it doesn’t agree?
Well a quick run through indicates WSR contributed at least 16 (not counting those referenced by @whomever he/she/it disagreed or other obvious by-lines such as @ho Hum and @Oh Come on Eddie Maddock and more with extremely coincidental(?) styles of writing. And then there are the allies @R. O’Donnell with 13 identified by that name and @West Sedona Dave adding another 12.
If the truth were known the Maddock adversarial comments most likely represent at least 1/3 of the entries or even, if the truth were known, closer to half of them. Before pointing fingers, have another meeting to plot how you can next take down Sedona Eye. Ain’t gonna work IMO.
In the meantime the snakes at City Hall will commence to deny property owners their rights by discretion deciding which properties can be rezoned for purchase by the chamber of commerce beginning with the bank property on Jordan Road? An easy fix to move along their agenda. Change the rules the easy way. In a consent agenda. Rotten to the core. Wonder what their discretionary instincts would tell them if the property(s) in question were in their own back yards.
Even rattlers offer warnings.
@WsR,
But WsR, you’re the only gutless one who uses multiple handles by your own admission as recited and proved above. You’re the only truly nasty fraud at this site who is compelled to use the foul language of an illiterate. Meanwhile, look at all the missives here that evidence hatred of your putrid guts. You say the same person uses 10-20 names at this site, while you’ve added the new handle @J Rick the Proctologist who clearly is yet another one of your own false handles in addition to the ones you’ve already admitted to. You’re the biggest loser in Sedona man. Get a grip.
2 more comments from the crazy person posting under 10-20 different names..
Even if public knowledge and comment were still needed for a zone change…..Based on the complainers MO here…..no one would show up to voice their opinion…..They (you) would just complain here on SE
Same ole same ole
The suggestion to attend council meetings is foolish. As proven with the large turnouts during the garbage collection fiasco, the city council doesn’t welcome anyone except those people having to do with the chamber of commerce and their gang. Period!
Of course there are other ways to let your concerns be known – e-mails, mailed letters, and the telephone. However, this city council and those of the past few ;years have a one track agenda which is to service the chamber and justify (attempt to that is) the millions of dollars thrown at them annually.
The only thing this city government might heed will be class action law suits if they continue to drive our property values down by interfering with our residential zoning. If they continue on this downhill effort which wrecks our lifestyles and lowers our home values to nothing but vacation rentals to justify our mortgage payments, then how sad is that?
Our investments might soon equal the lowlife representation presently being displayed by our elected representatives.
@Richard D
Yet another name to add to the crazy person posting under 20 different names…
Like most suggestions on here”class action lawsuit” , call the attorney genera about the c of c… The lazy complainers on here either don’t follow through or nothing comes from it cause you don’t here anymore about it… just the 1 person posting under 20 different names and ESM…..
The beat goes on and on. Ad nauseum
If you truly believed this trash your write you wouldn’t repost it over and over.
Go get a job, donate time to the hospital, go take a class at the college.
Think about your lonely contribution to negative BS. Make a change go towards the light.
PS we don’t care about your pathetic comments your are a troll.
@@wsr
I believe every thing I post….furthermore you should direct your commnts to the complainers here on SE…complaining on SE over and over and over about everything in not a way to make a change….Direct your comments there..
Furthermore don’t you worry about my level of involvement in the community and being helpful to others….you have no idea how much of my time is spent in that effort….
It’s extremely inaccurate to include my comment as having been posted by anyone other than myself. Believe me, I’ve no personal contacts (to my knowledge) with any of the people contributing other than agreeing with those that object to having city control to change zoning to properties in my subdivision of single family residences. And people suggesting otherwise have unknown agendas but clearly it isn’t for the benefit of anyone except those pushing for more SELECTIVE government control. And that, Sir/Madam, is my opinion. You do not pay my bills or taxes, property and otherwise, so back off of pointless accusations , please.
@West sedona resident,
You say that you believe everything you post…LOL!!! Clearly, your problem is that you ingest entirely too much Delusion Fuel. So, you’re response to everything is…if in doubt, fire the whole clip as the Marines would say.
Having just watched the council meeting from the comfort of my own home, here is an e-mail to the City Council:
From: eddie maddock
Date: 2/28/2017 5:55:40 PM
To: SMoriarty@SedonaAZ.gov; JMartinez@SedonaAZ.gov; SJablow@SedonaAZ.gov; JVernier@SedonaAZ.gov; JThompson@SedonaAZ.gov; TLamkin@SedonaAZ.gov; JCurrivan@SedonaAZ.gov
Cc: JClifton@SedonaAZ.gov; RPickels@SedonaAZ.gov; AJuhlin@SedonaAZ.gov
Subject: CONSENT AGENDA
Congratulations to those council members that stood pat to defend the current practice of notification of zoning changes and supported leaving the rule stand as is. And, Councilman Currivan, having watched your presentation first hand, not for one reason was I led to even think you implied anything to discredit the staff. In fact, as the item was offered on the consent agenda it certainly was my impression the discretion would be up to the members of the City Council.
And as for the cost of mailings, how many times have council members in the past approved funding to non-profits and actually, verbally made remarks indicating $5,000, $10,000, or even $15,000 was such a small amount it was almost dismissed as pocket change and, voila, doled out with nary a blink of the eye. Honest. That isn’t an exaggeration and lucky for you I don’t have specifics to relate or this message would be even longer.
So, that being said – especially thanks to John Currivan, John Martinez, and Joe Vernier. Mayor Sandy, your point about recycling was well taken but in my own neighborhood, and Eric Shrode might well attest, we are so on that bandwagon in our area it shouldn’t be a concern. Unless I somehow missed it, it remains unclear where Tom Lamkin stood on the issue. And Scott Jablow seemed somewhat on the fence, but clearly Sandy Moriarty and Jon Thompson favored the proposed change. It was delightful the motion proposed by J. Thompson died due to lack of a second.
At any rate, thank you to those who actually reconsidered this matter, and the point taken about it being the entire city that’s offered to vote on the Community Plan, in my opinion, packed quite a wallop.
Respectfully submitted,
Eddie Maddock
@West sedona resident
She works for the City, “you have no idea how much of my time is spent in that effort….” She would like you to go away and just give her your money. After all, she knows better what to do with it than you do.
@julianna
@J Rick
Look who is chipping in….
The (deleted by editor)
Neither have any idea what they are talking about
Chirp chirp
@West sedona resident aka Wsr,
Are you smart enough to create one of these? I doubt that you’re even smart enough to understand its meaning.
(deleted by editor)
@julianna
You have no idea who I am, but I know who you are (deleted by editor)
Don’t work for the city moron, I was taking about giving of my time FREELY (deleted by editor)
Ignoring all morons above I wondered what you meant Eddie Maddock about Tom Lamkin? I voted for the 3 new guys and find agreement with them for the most part. Thanks guys! and thanks to you Eddie for bringing the council meeting to attention. (Must admit I find them excruciatingly boring after one time and appreciate your reviews and I can look at the meeting and see if I agree with you or not which is good for forming my own opinions too.) This cold weather has got to go, folks! It’s time for some AZ sunshine! Debbie Smith (address deleted by request)
With reference to the consent agenda item pulled for discussion relating to amending policy about notifying Sedona residents when zone changes are required in compliance with the Community Plan, all members of the city council offered their opinions with the exception of Councilman Lamkin. If somehow I missed his remarks, hopefully someone will fill in the blank and let us know. As Mayor Moriarty canvassed the vice mayor and other council members for their input I do not recall Mr. Lamkin being included. The rest of the council members each gave their opinions about the suggested option. If I missed comments from Mr. Lamkin, someone out there please let us know.Thank you, Debbie Smith, for your input.
Eddie Maddock
Oh thnk you ESM
Your such a gem….love the way you complie useless information and don’t show up when it really counts….keep on spinning girl …you go
I’m understanding now. Debbie Smith (address deleted by request)
@West sedona resident
She sure gets defensive when you point out she is a city employee. Of course, even with all her “FREELY” giving of her time, she will never give her real name.
How would you know who I am unless you work for the city?
@West sedona resident, Wsr & WSR,
Go to the following link and you’ll find out what you’re not clever enough to do since the publisher here at The Eye decided to delete it from the above comment for YOUR protection. Nevertheless, you’re going to be getting a lot more of these placed just where you deserve them most.
https://answers.yahoodotcom/question/index?qid=20081006230624AAWiBcH
@julianna
Cause I remember when you got (deleted by editor)……That’s how..
@thought Fart
Yea ok (deleted by editor)
@Anonymous aka West sedona resident, Wsr & WSR,
Who do you think you’re fooling you illiterate clown. Friend of The Thought Proctologist has it exactly right as to what you can do with your vapid thoughts. I checked out the link above and had to laugh myself silly. It’s so perfect a way to express the value of your imagined contributions here.
@little Ricky (thought Fart) As usual we have no idea what your chirping about….We can tell it you by your pontificating nature that goes nowhere..Just like a fart
Hey – wake up Sedona. Does the following scenario sound familiar? The collective emperors of Sedona continue their idiotic giveaway to the Chamber of Commerce while at the same time being challenged for the ill-conceived policy of charging vacant lots monthly sewer fees? Insanity running rampant. Too many fires continue to destroy this once most beautiful place on earth. No more. Same as Rome – it’s being burned to rubbish.
“According to a well-known expression, Rome’s emperor at the time, the decadent and unpopular Nero, ‘fiddled while Rome burned.’ The expression has a double meaning – “Not only did Nero play music while his people suffered, but he was an ineffectual leader in a time of crisis.”
Thank you (Sound Familiar) for bringing up pertinent information that actually relates to the subject at hand. The few that prefer taking advantage to turn this site into a petty squabble is unfortunate. But the best thing to do is ignore and continue to relate the ongoing steps being taken to abuse residents in favor of promoting business outside incorporated Sedona. Which isn’t to say the growing number of employees at the chamber of commerce, paid for by city taxes (including monthly sewer fees from owners of vacant lots). The great Sedona give-away except to those that voted to incorporate.