SedonaEye.com Columnist Eddie S. Maddock opines on the struggle to maintain Sedona Arizona’s red rock splendor and quality of life in the face of commercialism, tourism, favoritism, and the resulting eco-unfriendly biohazards.
Sedona AZ (October 21, 2017) – With a flurry of hard core issues presently on the drawing board such as the Fire District Bond, amendments to the Sedona Community Plan which will increase land development density, and the increase of Sedona City sales tax, maybe it has or has not been an oversight to more prominently address the current “Citizen’s Survey” which was mailed to a select number of Sedona City residents.
Not having personally received the survey, several outside contacts related concerns with some of the questions, which resulted in obtaining a copy of the survey via online research and which, with approval of the Editor of SedonaEye.com, is shown in a text format for informational purposes only so as NOT to be confused as an official document to be completed and mailed back to the source contracted for the research.
The results of this “citizen’s survey” may or may not have a tremendous impact on the direction of Sedona’s future. However, considerable unrest exists relating to ongoing troubling changes in the quality of life for those of us who are permanent residents and who moved here to enjoy life with a small town atmosphere.
Although difficult, this informational offering is submitted without comment or editorializing – which will not prevent me from making future comments if it does, in fact, appear on SedonaEye.
SedonaEye? Who dat?
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The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Sedona AZ
Please complete this questionnaire if you are the adult (age 18 or older) in the household who most recently had a birthday. The adult’s year of birth does not matter. Please select the response that most closely represents your opinion for each question. Your responses are anonymous and will be reported in group form only.
Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Sedona:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Sedona as a place to live
Your neighborhood as a place to live
Sedona as a place to raise children
Sedona as a place to work
Sedona as a place to visit
Sedona as a place to retire
The overall quality of life in Sedona
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 5%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Sedona as a whole:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Overall feeling of safety in Sedona
Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit
Quality of overall natural environment in Sedona
Overall “built environment” of Sedona (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
Health and wellness opportunities in Sedona
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Overall opportunities for education and enrichment
Overall economic health of Sedona
Sense of community
Overall image or reputation of Sedona
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following:
Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Don’t know
Recommend living in Sedona to someone who asks
Remain in Sedona for the next five years
Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel:
Very safe Somewhat safe Neither safe nor unsafe Somewhat unsafe Very unsafe Don’t know
In your neighborhood during the day
In Sedona’s downtown/commercial area during the day
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Sedona as a whole:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Traffic flow on major streets
Ease of public parking
Ease of travel by car in Sedona
Ease of travel by public transportation in Sedona
Ease of travel by bicycle in Sedona
Ease of walking in Sedona
Availability of paths and walking trails
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Air quality
Cleanliness of Sedona
Overall appearance of Sedona
Public places where people want to spend time
Variety of housing options
Availability of affordable quality housing
Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.)
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Recreational opportunities
Availability of affordable quality food
Availability of affordable quality health care
Availability of preventive health services
Availability of affordable quality mental health care
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 15%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Sedona as a whole:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Availability of affordable quality child care/preschool
K-12 education
Adult educational opportunities
Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities
Opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities
Employment opportunities
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Shopping opportunities
Cost of living in Sedona
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Sedona
Vibrant downtown/commercial area
Overall quality of new development in Sedona
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Opportunities to volunteer
Opportunities to participate in community matters
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
Neighborliness of residents in Sedona
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months.
No Yes
Made efforts to conserve water
Made efforts to make your home more energy efficient
Observed a code violation or other hazard in Sedona (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.)
Household member was a victim of a crime in Sedona
Reported a crime to the police in Sedona
No Yes
Stocked supplies in preparation for an emergency
Campaigned or advocated for an issue, cause or candidate
Contacted the City of Sedona (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information
Contacted Sedona elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if at all, have you or other household members done each of the following in Sedona?
2 times a week or more 2-4 times a month Once a month or less Not at all
Visited a neighborhood park or City park
Used Sedona public libraries or their services
Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Sedona
Attended a City-sponsored event
2 times a week or more 2-4 times a month Once a month or less Not at all
Used bus, rail, subway or other public transportation instead of driving
Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone
Walked or biked instead of driving
Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Sedona
2 times a week or more 2-4 times a month Once a month or less Not at all
Participated in a club
Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors
Done a favor for a neighbor
Used the Sedona Hub
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 23%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Thinking about local public meetings (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.), in the last 12 months, about how many times, if at all, have you or other household members attended or watched a local public meeting?
2 times a week or more 2-4 times a month Once a month or less Not at all
Attended a local public meeting
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 26%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Sedona:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Police/Sheriff services
Fire services
Ambulance or emergency medical services
Crime prevention
Fire prevention and education
Traffic enforcement
Street repair
Street cleaning
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Street lighting
Snow removal
Sidewalk maintenance
Traffic signal timing
Bus or transit services
Garbage collection
Recycling
Yard waste pick-up
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Storm drainage
Drinking water
Sewer services
Power (electric and/or gas) utility
Utility billing
City parks
Recreation programs or classes
Recreation facilities
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Land use, planning and zoning
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.)
Animal control
Economic development
Health services
Public library services
Public information services
Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations)
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Preservation of natural areas such as open space, farmlands and greenbelts
Sedona open space
City-sponsored special events
Overall customer service by Sedona employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.)
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 28%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following?
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
The City of Sedona
The Federal Government
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please rate the following categories of Sedona government performance:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
The value of services for the taxes paid to Sedona
The overall direction that Sedona is taking
The job Sedona government does at welcoming citizen involvement
Overall confidence in Sedona government
Generally acting in the best interest of the community
Being honest
Treating all residents fairly
Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the Sedona community to focus on each of the following in the coming two years:
Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important
Overall feeling of safety in Sedona
Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit
Quality of overall natural environment in Sedona
Overall “built environment” of Sedona (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
Health and wellness opportunities in Sedona
Overall opportunities for education and enrichment
Overall economic health of Sedona
Sense of community
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 36%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Cities are faced with difficult choices with limited budgets. While the City is currently working on solutions to reduce traffic, please select up to two (2) additional priorities you would want the City to invest in over the next few years:
Additional cultural facilities (museums, theatres, etc.) Additional parks and facilities (playgrounds, sports facilities, etc.)
An Oak Creek park or walk Other
Increase the walkability and bikeability of Sedona None of these
Ensure housing for those who work in Sedona
Please select up to three (3) service areas for the City to contribute additional funding in order to expand existing services over the next few years:
Recycling services Arts and culture programs
Library services Social services (senior center, food banks, etc.)
Animal services Other (please specify)
Business development services None, I’m pleased with levels of service in listed areas
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to use each of the following sources to learn about City issues, activities, events and services:
Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Don’t know
City website (www.sedonaaz.gov) and eNotify emails
Local newspapers (Red Rock News) and websites (www.Sedona.biz)
Local radio stations (100.1, NPR on 103.3 or 88.7, etc.)
Channel 4, the local government TV channel
City Council meetings and other public meetings
Talking with City officials and staff members
City communications via social media
Word-of-mouth
To what extent do you agree or disagree that each of the following would increase your use of a bicycle or walking as a means of alternative transportation:
I would ride a bicycle or walk more often if…
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know
There were more off-street bike, sidewalks or multi-use paths/trails
I felt safer from traffic while riding a bicycle/walking
I had better health or physical ability to do so
I do not want to use a bicycle or walk as a means of transportation
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
To what extent do you support or oppose the City investing in creating sustainability policies and programs in the following areas:
Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know
Increasing use of alternative energy sources
Encouraging water conservation
Fostering National Forest stewardship (trails, access, etc.).
Increasing recycling services
Developing plans to meet the goal of zero waste in Sedona
Requiring higher green building and development standards
To what extent would you support or oppose the City of Sedona encouraging growth in the following types of businesses/industries?
Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know
Technology (i.e., life science, R&D)
Outdoor recreation
Tourism (i.e., hotels, restaurants)
Healthcare (i.e., pharmaceutical, hospital, medical offices)
Arts and Entertainment (i.e., graphic design, interior design)
Light warehousing and distribution (i.e., truck operators, stock clerks)
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Our last questions are about you and your household. Again, all of your responses to this survey are completely anonymous and will be reported in group form only.
How often, if at all, do you do each of the following, considering all of the times you could?
Never Rarely Sometimes Usually Always
Recycle at home
Purchase goods or services from a business located in Sedona
Eat at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day
Participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity
Read or watch local news (via television, paper, computer, etc.)
Vote in local elections
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Would you say that in general your health is:
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be:
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Neutral
Somewhat negative
Very negative
What is your employment status?
Working full time for pay
Working part time for pay
Unemployed, looking for paid work
Unemployed, not looking for paid work
Fully retired
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Do you work inside the boundaries of Sedona?
Yes, outside the home
Yes, from home
No
How many years have you lived in Sedona?
Less than 2 years
2-5 years
6-10 years
11-20 years
More than 20 years
Which best describes the building you live in?
One family house detached from any other houses
Building with two or more homes (duplex, townhome, apartment or condominium)
Mobile home
Other
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Is this house, apartment or mobile home…
Rented
Owned
About how much is your monthly housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance and homeowners’ association (HOA) fees)?
Less than $300 per month $1,000 to $1,499 per month
$300 to $599 per month $1,500 to $2,499 per month
$600 to $999 per month $2,500 or more per month
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Do any children 17 or under live in your household?
No
Yes
Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older?
No
Yes
How much do you anticipate your household’s total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include in your total income money from all sources for all persons living in your household.)
Less than $25,000
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 or more
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc.
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Please respond to both questions:
Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino?
No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino
Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic or Latino
What is your race? (Mark one or more races to indicate what race you consider yourself to be.)
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander
Black or African American
White
Other
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 92%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
In which category is your age?
18-24 years 55-64 years
25-34 years 65-74 years
35-44 years 75 years or older
45-54 years
What is your sex?
Female
Male
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. Current Progress 97%
The City of Sedona 2017 Citizen Survey
Do you consider a cell phone or land line your primary telephone number?
Cell
Land line
Both
The National Citizen Survey © 2001-2017 National Research Center, Inc. (END)
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
@West Sedona Dave A few of your statements aren’t right. I wouldn’t use them to try and make your case for more taxes!
Counties provide services, my HOA provide services. Special taxing districts provide services. There’re state and county parks and rec facilities. There’re state and county policing stations (VOC has police substation & parks & sidewalks & street lights & every single one of our roads that are paved are in good shape & lots of shopping & it’s unincorporated).
Don’t forget @Dave.
WE GET TO USE EVERY ONE OF YOUR PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES EVEN IF WE DON’T LIVE IN SEDONA AND WE DON’T CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR TAXES. I’ve taken my kids to Cottonwood’s pool and rec center for lots of birthday parties including their own, and to swim afternoons when it’s hot. Took the kids once to the water park in west Sedona and it was too hot and they didn’t like it because no other kids were there and left in about 20 minutes. That’s the piece you old people forget. Kids want kids to play with not lots of toys! A box in a backyard and a lawn sprinkler EUREKA!
so sad u r ….. Barf barf
Surprisingly it isn’t all that common to fail online searches for individuals. Cell phones, PO Boxes, and other circumstances offer deliberate or not so deliberate methods to remain more private. So maybe I’m the one here LMAO. Especially since the thought of a Sedona shopping boycott soooo rattled your chain.
Of course no tax on groceries is an advantage in Sedona. But then there’s no tax on groceries at the VOC either. And taxable items are less. And the prices at Weber’s are much more competitive under the new management.
As for West Sedona Dave, Sedona’s tax has been raised to 10% for almost a month now so your feeble attempt to downplay so it looked like less was no more than that. FEEBLE.
If you can pay lower taxes for the same products at Ace Hardware in the VOC than Sedona why wouldn’t you? Same with gas. The one station is back to being a Giant again.
So you do your thing and others can also make a choice. That’s the beauty of it. We DO have a choice.
And many thanks to those who reacted like such babies – screaming ones at that. And just who is it that’s on the bottle here?
Cottonwood 9.350% and it taxes food>>>>>> sedona does not
I stand by my post…
You ain’t reAl phoney
Calling out local governments is crucial to setting the right example.
VOTE out MORIARTY – JABLOW – LAMKIN – THOMPSON
NO for Williamson or any other past council person that turned the city over the chamber.
VOTE NO on Alternative expenditure limitation City Council CAN”T be TRUSTED. YOU must CONTROL them with a NO VOTE!!!
They have fail, they must be held accountable. VOTE them and control them by voting NO on Alternative expenditure limitation (home Rule)
ALL food sold at restaurants is sales taxed. Prepared foods – hot are also taxes even at your local sedona stores. Look at your grocery store receipts.
SALES TAX on food in COTTONWOOD is only 3%
Here is two of my receipts
Bill #1 $190.50, Tax 1- 9.350% is $6.76 Tax 2- 3% is $3.55 Total 200.81
Bill #2 $124.45, Tax 1- 9.350% is $4.75 Tax 2- 3% is $2.21 Total 131.41
So the last bill I total up the food 73.71 total was taxed a whooping 2.21
Go get a life Steve, You are scrapping to have taxpayers fund your business IMO
If you had any integrity you wouldn’t. IMO
That meeting on April 10 relating to Home Rule Segner is crowing about. Will it be at 8:30 Am or 8:30 Pm? Or doesn’t he know the difference? Well, the City Manager should know the difference, and just why would he be representing a resident of Oak Creek Canyon at a meeting dealing with Sedona City business during business hours? What’s going on?
If Home Rule is denied, they continue to collect taxes but can’t spend it all. Therefore why the need for that extra half percent bed tax that pretty much created this overheated fury in the first place. Therefore, drop the 1/2% tax, eliminate the chamber contract and even do away with that new Dept. of Economic Development created to also benefit the chamber and the entire Verde Valley.
Time for them to STOP catering to the C of C & Segner & his Lodging Council. Cramp their style – keep their hands OUT of the City financial cookie jar.
Stop with the terrorizing of wildlife by the Lazer Light Fright Nights. No Red Earth Theatre unless THEY pay for it.
Deny us road improvements? Isn’t there another article someplace here called “Business As Usual?” We residents have become quite accustomed to being dumped on not that we appreciate it. Way of life minus a 7-yr. contract. Our city contract has become perpetual. No big deal, really.
But how about giving Segner & C of C a taste of their own medicine?
Vote NO – HOME RULE
Our quality of life continues to sink to new lows and all to benefit growing Sedona into a BIG city. Where’s City Council & Staff? Why are they overlooking that part of the Community Plan? The part about maintaining a small town atmosphere. They conveniently cite other aspects of the CP but only those that facilitate big time development. Higher density, height variances, more hotels etc etc – all of which go directly against the premise of SMALL TOWN. So threaten us, Mister City Manager and Segner??You’ve already beat us down many to the point of moving. That’s exactly what you want. Well I’m staying and I’m voting NO on Home Rule.
There are a multitude of ways offered how Sedona could chop $12,000,000 from the budget if forced to do so. But, of course, it might involve eliminating the stupid no-name Citizen Engagement groups and the employee who must monitor their activities. What a joke but who’s laughing. No transparency. You could probably offer the names of all involved because is it possible your name is among them?
How much does it cost to maintain the Splash Pad at Sunset Park? Nice idea but it’s used by so few. Another problem, Sedona tends to plan for the entire Verde Valley and pay the price. School district is in financial trouble so they will probably close a school. City? Are you paying attention? Shut down some of those new unnecessary departments.
We residents have become accustomed to being the underdogs. We may not like it but if it forces City Hall to clean up their act, I’m all for seeing how it functions without Home Rule. If the Chamber contract were terminated wonder how they’d pay for all the new employees they hired in the past three years? Oh, that’s right. Their members will foot the bill as they did for the expensive remodeling at the West Sedona Location? RIGHT!
Home Rule: VOTE NO
You are small minded crazy and completely dishonest…
@Shut down the slash pad cause no one user it “
I repeat you are dishonest
@@steve Seger says:
March 26, 2018 at 9:30 pm
“@Shut down the slash pad cause no one user it “
What’s a “slash pad”? Little wonder “no one user it.” Now THAT’S funny!
And as our Sedona quality of life continues on the downward trend because EVERYTHING is to benefit tourists, maybe it’s time to jog your memories Oh Holy Beings at City Hall.
It was registered voters, within the designated area of Sedona City Limits, who voted to approve Sedona’s incorporation and NOT tourists, who came here well before the moment of incorporation. And it was NOT the regional Chamber of Commerce that made incorporation happen OR brought tourists. It began with word of mouth and that remains the most effective advertising.
Kindly take that into consideration as you insist on putting residents on the back burner. WE made City Hall and elected City Council become a reality – NOT tourists. (BAD mistake). But how many times must we remind you of that?
Another reason to vote NO on Home Rule and put these people in their proper place. PLEASE!
So Home Rule fails and THEY will cut road/traffic funding FIRST?
OMG Brilliant! (NOT)
Scare tactics, threats, anything short of blackmail? Or is it? What defines it?
Whose to say they’ll fix the roads anyhow? They’ve already robbed the wastewater fund only to benefit their beloved SPECIAL INTERESTS.
HOME RULE? No, No, No!!!
Sedona has NO STAHEHOLDERS! Vote no on home rule!
Some might argue the State should butt out of incorporated areas and let them manage their own affairs, run amok in some cases. Why then does the State set up rules and conditions (such as area of incorporation – “city limits”) as well as requiring certain services (roads for example) etc.? And why shouldn’t it be appropriate to monitor how taxes (public money) are being spent!?
C’mon, in spite of the efforts of AZ League of Cities & Towns to protect cities/towns from State interference, some of these jurisdictions will run out of control without State monitoring. In fact, some truly believe our State Representatives have dropped the ball here in Sedona for not having investigated misuse of public money by the “regional” Chamber of Commerce.
Time to pull in the reins and allow voters to decide whether or not Home Rule should be maintained or force city to slow their roll on runaway wasteful spending.
They city has GIFTED away the quality of life for everyone except the chamber-members!!!!!! Kick them out!
By VOTING NO on home rule you are voting
NO to traffic
NO to funding CHAMBER 2.5 million a year and rising (for their private use)
NO to steve’s Special interest running YOUR City
NO to no Checks & Balances
NO to out of control spending
NO to out of control city staff & gifting to every private entity who asks
NO to spending MORE 10 million the you bring in.
Are you HAPPY with what the CIty council has done to YOUR Sedona?
VOTE NO on Alternative Expenditure Limitation aka home Rule
Bravo Bravo Bravo @Jim Poole — You precisely made crystal clear a story that needed to be told. Enough said. Vote No on Home Rule.
There’s a small problem here (maybe). The election isn’t until August, 4 months down the pike. At a time many people are off on vacation and not even thinking about Sedona politics.
Nothing is going to change. Home Rule will be approved and it will be the same old tax and spend and feed special interests.
Sorry if this sounds pessimistic but when push comes to shove those on the receiving end are the ones who will get out their supporters. Sad but true.
Hope I’m wrong about this.
@ Larry W
The question is, what are the residents going to do about it? Are you going to talk to your neighbors? Volunteer on a campaign? Run for city council?
I put in a few hours a day on this just for the future of Sedona. ” All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Even if I win the election as Mayor, I can’t change things by myself.
I need YOUR help. In the end, while I am willing to lead, do most of the work, take the heat and attacks, It’s not up to me. I’m not collecting over $200,000 per month of YOUR money from the city like the Chamber of commerce.
Well?
Can’t wait for the meeting on Home Rule by the city manager cause all yoybfet here on SE is misinformation and outright lies by the Tea Party..
@Thanks – you’re welcome to go sit and listen to the city manager rag on about how we will all suffer if we refuse to acquiesce to being blackmailed into supporting continuation of government under Home Rule.
So what? Aren’t we all suffering as is with the outrageous overspending for non-essentials and the great monetary give-away to the chamber of commerce. And that’s in order to market THEIR MEMBERS!
And what has been our reward, the peon residents? Well, one example a half % increase in sales tax. Hey, where’s the great rebate to US as they gave to the Lodging Council for their 1/2% bed tax increase? (now amounting to almost 3 mil. a year?)
More reasons to vote NO on Home Rule. We’re already suffering so what difference will a little more bleeding make?
@ Thanks
Wow “cause all yoybfet here on SE is misinformation ” Talk about gibberish on home rule !!
Vote No on Home Rule, end the gibberish and waste !!
senile Steve segner never did say if it was AM or PM. Since it will be gibberish it really does not matter. Who cares!
You are so original. We are behind you Tony. The people are
pissed off and not going to take it anymore. No on Home rule, No to incumbants.
To all the recent posts .
Thanks for proving my point.. How hate filled you tea party people are.
So we are not to believe our own city manager(whom we pay) explain “Home Rule but I’m to believe a small minded man like Tony who knows ZERO about what a mayor does and his claim to fame is twisting facts and managing a very very small HOA. Please !!!
@Thanks
You could get trained monkeys to do a better job than the current city council and management.
Facts
1) No bid contracts….yep, trained monkeys could do it
2) Gifting money to a local chamber when no other city does, yep trained monkeys could do it
3)massive over staffing, yep, trained monkeys could do better
4)promoting more tourism and hotels when the city is already overloaded,yep trained monkeys would do better
5) Spending $40,000 per citizen this fiscal year, yep trained monkeys would not do worse
6)We should believe “believe our own city manager(whom we pay)”, I’d rather listen to a trained monkey.
I don’t believe trained monkeys could do a worse job on virtually any level. Plus they work for bananas, not six figure salaries.
Based off of the performance the city managers, assistants, and directors should all be fired. They have proven to be donkeys without a brain wasting taxpayers money while they receive extra large paychecks IMO
Speaking of “hate” @Thanks 3/31- 1:26 am, in going through many of the comments it seems to me the most hate filled are from those who criticize people who object to the establishment. What’s wrong with an honest complaint? Could it be the REALLY hateful people just can’t stand that everyone will not cooperate and go along with the present system? All one need do is review that survey and zero in on the rigged questions created by unnamed people to realize the nature of this ongoing great Sedona scam. Citizen Engagement committees, no transparency. What are they hiding? Of course, is it all part of the plan and they do not want their house of cards to tumble? Sure indication it’s long overdue in my opinion.
I was just given a copy of “ADOT Verde Valley Master Transportation plan, dated September 2016.
HWY 89A in Sedona HAS MORE TRAFFIC THAN I-17
I-17 traffic volume 22,598
SR89A Red Rock Loop to SR 179 traffic volume 23,804
Sedona Roads at one of the two worst levels, either at or near capacity or Worst, has failed, a breakdown has occurred.
179, south of Schnebly Hill road, 179 Schnebly Hill road to 89A
Near capacity
SR 89A Shelby DR to SR179
ADOT predicts at current rates of growth, traffic will INCREASE 35% in the next 8 years.
The city can stop gifting the bed tax to the Sedona Chamber to advertise for more tourists, or we can put in a highway bigger than I17.
The person who provided me the ADOT Study said” Remember the song Pave Paradise and put up a parking lot?”
Time for a change?
Whether or not you like or dislike the direction our quality of life has taken and continues to head, think about this.
How much worse will it be if the surrounding forest catches fire and we’re all forced to evacuate? False alarm? Hopefully. Or maybe just for now.
Earlier this morning there was already a fire reported someplace uptown. Because I only caught a brief announcement on my scanner I cannot offer more details. Fire equipment, of course, had to deal with high traffic volume. However, not being aware of follow-up announcements it’s hopeful the fire was doused and all is well . . . for the moment.
It’s bone dry out there, Folks. One spark from an ATV or careless match or cigarette will potentially change our lives forever. Think about the recent fires in California and elsewhere before you even think “It will never happen to us.”
Wonder if Segner’s seen a former member of the city council who was soooo supportive of his “just trust me” spiel. Well that person is buzzing around town, rather high profile, touting Airbnb vacation rental(s?) Who woulda thought anyone so devoted to the Segner/Wesselhoff cause would now be a competitor in one of Segner’s worst nightmares? Oh boy, how sweet it is!!
It’s disgraceful for the regional Chamber of Commerce in Sedona to be co-hosting a Sedona City Council Candidates Forum along with the League of Women Voters. And using the results of this phony survey adds insult to injury.
It’s common knowledge survey questions are frequently designed to obtain results which will benefit those who paid for and circulated the survey.
And for this local Chamber of Commerce to be asking any questions to potential elected officials when they, factually, stand to benefit on the outcome of this election is morally wrong if not illegal.
Why isn’t this money grabbing self-serving chamber of commerce along with their cohorts, the Sedona Lodging Council, restricted from participating in what is promoted as a non partisan event due to conflict of interest?
After all they stand to lose their rip-off contract with the City of Sedona to the tune of in excess of over two million dollars a year if, by chance, Home Rule is denied by Sedona voters in August.
How many of you reading this actually received and responded to the survey made public in the above article?
If you haven’t seen it before, then take a few minutes to check it out NOW!
Wake up Sedona – vote NO on HOME RULE and DO NOT RE-ELECT INCUMBENTS!
VOTE NO on Home Rule
Check out this post from-
“Steve Segner, Red Rocks Estates·1h ago
new numbers The latest report I have calculating visitor vs. resident sales tax collections was done in 2016 and was 66% to 34% (attached). I have copied Cherie on this email because I also know she has been updating that, so she can let us know where that is in process.
Between 2008 to 2018 the adopted budget decreased from $60,597,694 to $47,752,118, or $12,845,576 and 21.2%. look at he the budget # down, !!!!! the numbers are from the city budget and are fact,… something Arizona liberty does not use”
If you want steve’s SUPER PAC to run the city then vote yes. VOTE NO to take the city back from the super pac Chamber
City budgets were unrealistical when Eric Levitt was City Manager.
According to the EYE ON SEDONA FINANCES WITH COUNCILOR MIKE WARD (June 27, 2012), “In the past, the city’s budget was set artificially high. For example, the FY 2008 budget was approved at $61 million when only $28 million was expended. Under our new City Manager, Tim Ernster, who joined the city in 2009, our city budget much more realistically reflects the real anticipated costs of running the city every year.
BTW, the SEDONA COMMUNITY REPORT SPRING 2018 states under the Sedona Facts heading: “FY 2017 city revenues generated by sales & bed taxes . . . .57%, two-thirds of which is paid by visitors.” 2/3 of 57% is 38%.
VOTE NO ON HOME RULE.