SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (April 23, 2016) – As the national election continues to heat up, it’s almost overwhelming. Even attempting to escape the ongoing rhetoric becomes next to impossible, and the most we can hope for is the outcome to be in accord with the will of the people and not special interests when such decisions do not adhere to the policy of serving the public at large.
The population’s unrest and discontent appears to be at an all time high, and that is largely due to questionable decisions and lack of cooperation by our elected officials. When personal agendas and egos take precedence the public frequently is forced to take a back seat, and the result is what we now witness with the unpopular ratings of Congressional leaders and the direction of our country in general.
Not to be forgotten, Sedona will also be having an election. When the State of Arizona changed the voting dates a couple of years ago, from the Primary in March and the General vote in May to August and November, respectively, it created somewhat of a snag for Sedona registered voters considering many residents vacation during the summer months, leaving them out of touch with local issues and potential input for important changes to our future. It also affords an opportunity for presently seated council members to slip through and approve controversial issues during the absence of so many citizens.
Sedona City Councilor Mark DiNunzio
Along with the two-year term for Mayor, four city council positions are also up for grabs: the slot for the two remaining years vacated by Angela LeFevre, and four year terms of John Martinez, Mark DiNunzio, and Jessica Williamson will be decided.
Reports of a recent health issue pertaining to Vice Mayor Mark DiNunzio raises questions of his potential to enter the race again after having served for seven years. He is presently recovering at home after undergoing bypass surgery.
Via a “Sedona City Talk” column that’s shared with all local media sources, in February of this year, it was Mr. DiNunzio’s turn to express his personal opinions and thoughts. The following are some excerpts from his article:
“I volunteered to be of service to a community of people that I had come to love. I dedicated myself to participate in municipal government as a servant and guardian, not as a governor or ruler. I pledged to listen; to study; to engage and to make decisions based not on what I thought or what I wanted but rather on facts, information and the will of the people.”
“More often than not there was more than one way evident to proceed. Always the questions were asked ‘What do the people want?’ and ‘What is the will of the people?’ When the peoples position clearly favored a particular conclusion, for me that was the course of action to be taken.”
“Over the seven years, there have been topics that had broad implications for the majority of us that stirred the citizenry to action. Taking ownership of Highway 89A in West Sedona was one. More recently, asking the federal government to declare greater Sedona a national monument was another. Based on citizen reaction to Council’s action, your City Council got the first one wrong and got the second one right.”
“Now we are confronted with the idea that turning our household trash collection and recycling effort over to the city and a chosen single company is better for us collectively.”
“As word of the issue became public knowledge, literally hundreds of residents, if not more, have written and called the city with direct feedback on the idea. The overwhelming majority of respondents to date have expressed opposition to the city government expanding its reach into trash collection service. Most write that they want to retain the choice of how and by whom their trash is collected and disposed of. For them, it is not a matter of personal benefit. They are against increased government rule.”
“As expressed, the position of limiting government and protecting individual freedom of choice seems consistent with the principles of our Community (General) Plan. It also reminds me that as a new city (incorporated in 1988), our community and many of our community services existed long before there was a central government here. Our public library, animal humane society, adult community center and food bank are a few examples. All continue to serve us privately without government management.”
Sedona AZ
Mark DiNunzio stood tall in recognizing and acknowledging the “will of the people” and proved it by speaking against moving forward at the recent city council meeting when the remaining six supported approving an additional approximate amount of $40,000 to obtain bids from garbage haulers for the city contract.
Of the seven, only Mark DiNunzio was willing to put aside his own agenda or beliefs in what he might have personally preferred and thought was best for the community. He had the courage to remove himself from denying the reality of the vast opposition to this proposal. It will remain appreciated that at least one of our elected officials acknowledged the “literally hundreds of residents, if not more” that “want to retain the choice of how and by whom their trash is collected and disposed of.”
Has Mr. DiNunzio always made favorable decisions to suit the residents? Of course not. But by reflecting on at least one past decision that had a resounding reaction via ballot measures – Referendum & Initiative – he is astute and aware of potential repercussions. However, because of the timing of this critically unpopular issue, it’s apparent it allows the remaining council members perhaps a solid opportunity to approve the deal with chances being slim to none for repercussion, considering the decision will be made during the summer vacation months when an effort to undo the unpopular action would be difficult to obtain signatures.
We will see what they are made of very quickly. They will either serve themselves because they can or embrace the opportunity to uphold the Oath of Office they swore to when they agreed to represent us.
STATE OF ARIZONA
COUNTY OF YAVAPAI
CITY OF SEDONA
CITY COUNCIL
OATH OF OFFICE – COUNCILOR
I, (name of candidate)
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of Councilor, according to the best of my ability, so help me God (or so I do affirm).
/signatures and date
Yes, those are the very words they promised and, as of this writing, Vice Mayor DiNunzio appears to be the only one that took them seriously since he has admitted and recognized the will of the people as being to drop the city garbage collection issue and disapprove of spending even more money for the contract bids. But it’s happening anyway.
Thank you, Mr. D. May you live a long, healthy, and happy life and remain proud of your honorable service to Sedona.
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Thank you, Vice Mayor DiNunzio, for speaking out and being a voice of reason. Even the city’s own telephone poll reflected opposition to city take over of garbage pickup service. But as it seems this deal was already decided before it ever went public. Oh how I hope citizen’s revolt as they did with owning the state highway.
@BenW says “But as it seems this deal was already decided before it ever went public.”
Then here’s a comment from Steve Segner under A Bit of Factual Fantasy – “John Martinez and I came up with a plan to raise the bed tax. We both want it to go up 1% but the City Council settled on the current .05% increase.”
So isn’t that interesting? Apparently it’s the way business is conducted in Sedona these days. Issues are all in a neat little package before ever going public. The only thing missing is the pretty gift wrap and bow tie which is simply a formality when the majority of the council gives the final nod. Wonder if Martinez is the brains behind the garbage scam. Or may Sandy since she’s all tied up in her own fancy package dreaming of another neato city service contract with Sedona Recycles. It’s a shame, too, thinking Sedona Recycles, well respected as was the Chamber of Commerce, might soon hit the skids once tainted with dirty city council/city hall special secret meetings and pre-arranged deals.
And by the way, wasn’t the bed tax increase .5%? (not the .05% as stated by Segner) It seems he’s getting more than he realizes. And he’s the expert? Gawd it gets scarier by the minute.
Here we go again. Did anyone catch the speaker at council meeting yesterday pleading the case for the Pilgrimage Site? He was the same man that spoke up at one of the public meetings in favor of the city controlled garbage contract. Well, this guy (Marty Lamkin?) clearly identified as a resident of Oak Creek Canyon, outside city limits, once again slammed the multitudes objecting to city interfering with the right to choose garbage service – said how nice it was to attend a city council meeting without a couple hundred people representing 5% of the population voicing an opinion (that didn’t happen to agree with his). There was almost a tittering from the city council.
Yes, they made a mockery of those of us who make what appears to be a futile attempt to speak up for what we believe. And to think this city council will take the word of one man – not even a voting Sedona resident – against the hundreds of us protesting about this ongoing attempt to enslave us in more local government red tape is outrageous. The writing’s on the wall. Under the flag of an officially designated International City of Peace the population residing within the confines of Sedona City Limits has now been unmercifully oppressed and kicked to the curb. We have NO voice! Not so the lone voice from the Oak Creek Canyon resident.
Ah yes, it’s amazing how all of a sudden the city council dismisses people in disagreement with something on their agenda as but a vocal minority. And yet they hang their hats on what is appearing to be a very dysfunctional revision of the Community Plan, with fast track implementation of the numerous Community Focus Areas (CFA’s) prior to any resolution of traffic issues. And keep in mind the Community Plan revision was approved by less that 2,000 people! And that they considered solid representation?
And that resident of Oak Creek Canyon, outside of Sedona City Limits who will not even be affected by city controlled garbage collection, had the audacity to make reference to the hundreds objecting to the proposal as a mere 5% representation? And the City Council found it amusing?
There you have it folks. Be prepared to surrender your opportunity to opt out or cooperatively share the weekly service. After all, only at least 85% of us are presently recycling but that isn’t good enough? And why is that? Because, IMO, it doesn’t offer an opportunity for the city to gouge us for a monthly bill, that’s why.
Remember the pledge about how the sewer would be funded? How quickly they forget. This brings up another point. At the council meeting yesterday Jon Thompson appropriately reminded everyone that in about three years the city will be out of money. This was a brief refresher course on the need for new sources of money.
Oh monthly garbage fees – you are a done deal. And they find it amusing to deny free enterprise, freedom of choice, opportunity to implement seasonal service, bin sharing, and other advantages we presently enjoy. Another monthly money grab is what this is all about. Capeesh?
What about the word Referendum? And how do we get this started?
What? The city bank account will be drained in two or three years and yet they continue to spend like drunken sailors?
But, of course, it isn’t THEIR money. Must be fun to continue to write checks with public money when all they really need to concentrate on is how to extract more from the unfortunate prisoners within city limits. Sure, the guy from Oak Creek Canyon can come to public meetings and sigh with relief when legitimate residents don’t show up to voice opinions. He isn’t in any position to comply with city regulations – just freely tell them how to run things – including his insistence on city garbage control and now the PILGRIMAGE SITE which, incidentally the same as the Oak Creek guy, the Dells property isn’t even within Sedona city limits.
No more money – what a shame. That will really cramp the style of the chamber of commerce. What’s in their budget this year? $1.7 million? Not bad for another broken promise that the ad contract would be for one year followed by RFP’s at that time. And what happened along with NO outside professional audit? Well, a contract extended to THREE years is what happened and without discussion of Requests for Proposals.
And of the course the increased two-year give away $2,000+ per month to Red Earth Theatre – another financial loss to the city. Instead of leasing the Teen Center FOR income to the city, they PAY OUT $40-50 grand per year.
Wonder how much our monthly garbage bills will be in order to support the grand lifestyle to which these freeloaders have become accustomed?
Responding to the question about a Referendum, it’s a course of action available to take AFTER a decision is made by a governing body.
Technical definition of Referendum: The submission of a law, proposed or already in effect, to a direct vote of the people, as in superseding or overruling the legislature.
In other words, after the City Council approves to contract for garbage hauling, then that’s the appropriate time to implement the action. It must be done precisely according to specific rules and regulations but as proven with the situation of City taking ownership of SR89A, it can happen.
That was an interesting event since so many of the people that objected to the city owning the highway also didn’t want the lights, which was the initial controversy.
However, the elected officials betrayed the residents. When they were elected their charge was essentially to negotiate with ADOT a more preferred way to address making that portion of the highway safer at night. And even if necessary file some sort of court injunction to prevent the lights from being installed.
Of course, for the city to take ownership and assume liability for that State Route was never a consideration prior to the election of those calling the shots. They, too, didn’t take the negative reception to their proposed deal with ADOT seriously, and likewise ignored the survey the City paid for because the results weren’t to their liking. They claimed the professional polling agency asked the wrong questions.
Sound familiar? This most recent telephone poll about garbage service didn’t glean the answers they hoped for either, but instead of graciously accepting it, they slanted blame to Taylor Waste, humiliating the owners publicly at the Council Meeting, and belittling those speaking against the proposal, as even occurred to a lesser degree at the council meeting yesterday, instigated by the speaker from Oak Creek Canyon.
The most we could hope for is clear, objective thinking as was displayed by Vice Mayor DiNunzio. However, the mind-set of the remaining City Council appears to be solidified on the mission at hand, to eliminate choice and selective free enterprise, in this case garbage service companies, simply because they believe it is best for the community. That is not why they were elected, to implement their personal choices, and if they weren’t prepared to do otherwise then one might asked how they had the gall to swear to the Oath of Office that is featured in the above article.
To the anonymous inquirer (@Eddie Maddock): Jon Paladini wrote the successful 89A turnback Referendum. Although he was in private practice and had approximately 20 years experience in Public Law at the time, Atty Palidini is now the City Attorney for Prescott, AZ.
In an April 27, 2016 Letter to the Editor of the local pulp newspaper, former Pima County Attorney Stephen D. Neely, Sedona, stated he emailed the Mayor and City Council concerning opting for a single trash hauler. The response? The City Council addressed their power and intention to opt for a single provider–no reason given.
Mr. Neely indicates in his Letter to the Editor that he is “well aware of instances where such arrangements have degenerated into opportunities for graft and abuse of power.” He says he plans to elaborate during the public hearing (TBD). Perhaps he may not object to answering your question about getting started with a Referendum?
Thanks Jean J. for the heads-up on the Neely letter. Same as you it jumped out at me like gangbusters. Let’s hope it won’t come to the need for a Referendum, but anticipating anything other than going against substantial public opinion from this city council appears to be hopeless. That makes it even more imperative than ever to put a stop to their abuse of power.
Jon Paladini @JeanJ. He was the Assistant City Attorney for Sedona from 1996-1999.
Thank You and JeanJ once again for Your information. Always appreciated.
I realize that there is a cost involved if we needed to proceed with a referendum to have it put on the ballot. However as much as I am against wasteful city spending, I find that this would be much more justified then the wasteful spending the Council has been making for the CofC and tourist. This would be for ‘We’ the Residents. IMO it’s time for us to start taking back our city.
Many who went through the SR89A shebang are aware Jon Paladini was once an Assistant City Attorney for Sedona. Thanks again former Council woman Sheri Graham for forming and chairing “Let the People Vote on 89A,” hiring a very experienced private attorney (Mr. Paladini), registering the political committee with the City of Sedona, obtaining/filing 1295 referendum petition signatures with the City Clerk (more than required), and making the referendum vote a smashing success.
Moving on to the status of the unpopular City managed, single-hauler residential trash and recycling program. More dishonor for City Hall: On March 23rd the Council directed City staff to move forward with the request for proposal (RFP) process and to schedule a session with the Council regarding the RFP.
Interesting how it’s the SAME 5-6 people who keep spinning there wheels over and over with the same old complaints about everything government(ad nausem)
ESM loves to see her name written all over SE like she’s some type of celebrity..
Funny Stuff
While the others just go round and round from one complaint to another(must be their hobby)
Anyway until we see your name on the ballot for the next city council election to really FIX sedona guess we all have to settle for your EGO blowing around hot air on SE
So are you saying those 500+ signatures objecting to the city dictating who will pick up their garbage came from 5-6 people? Get real.
You cannot accept that people are fed up with the arrogance of power displayed by those abusing their control. Read Stephen D. Neely’s letter. Do you suppose that was composed by the same 5-6 people you claim contribute here?
You sound like you were a member of the city council that sat in denial about public opinion on owning that State Highway – West 89A. How do you know the same people aren’t very angry about what’s going on here? Read what was written by Vice Mayor DiNunzio.
Your obvious choice if you weren’t such an air head would be to refrain from visiting Sedona Eye web site since you find it so offensive. DUH!
500 out of 8000 ain’t a lot in case you can’t fiqure that one out…,
Garage may or not be a real complaint…. It’s the other 100 plus complaints about EVERYTHING that make you look like whining conscracy theorists (deleted by editor)… Get a grip and a life
BTW. Sincee Sedona Eye has the word SEDONA in it and and people who search Sedona my come across this site…. Then the see the constant cryi and bellyaching here by 6-8 people all the time… I have the right to pass on what frauds and complainers you are
Who’s complaining about “garage?” @West Sedona Resident
As for people coming across Sedona Eye as they search the web, when they see comments from you and read things like “ain’t a lot, conscracy theorists, Sincee Sedona Eye, Then the see the constant cryi” . . . the illiteracy you display makes other posts on this site seem like productions from geniuses.
Thanks for proving how truly honorable Vice Mayor Mark DiNunzio is by expressing his comments and upholding the oath of office to which he was committed, the subject of Mrs. Maddock’s article.
@West Sedona Resident SEVEN (7) out of 8,000 is NOT a majority. The ego of seven does not represent the people, nor do they know what is best.
Get a grip and get a life= SEVEN of 8,000 is less 0.0875% of the registered voters!!!!!!!
Yep u r one of the 0.0875% You are not even close to one percent, you are closer to ZERO percent!!!!! IMO you are a zero.
The future of Sedona under the direction of the City financed Regional Chamber of Commerce is concisely depicted in this one minute video. All tied in with future economic development plans as exemplified with a resort hotel on every corner and the latest frontage development on W89A. Of course that blocks City Hall, making it even more difficult to find. But then they only welcome a select few in the sanctified halls of secret meetings.
Oh, and does the traffic in the video ring a bell? So much for the Community Plan and maintaining a small town atmosphere.
Congratulations City Council(s) that allowed this to happen and continue to endorse such travesty. By all means stick with your picayune determination to force us to acquiesce to your self-imposed dictatorship. Controlling who picks up our garbage is only the beginning. You are phonies and hypocrites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Suu84khNGY
@nice work WSR
Thanks for the spelling and grammar lesson once again J Rick….
I can always count on you for that(it’s kinda hard to type properly from my phone FYI)
I saw you on the gym the other day….. How about instead of worrying about my grammar/spelling…….you start working on your weight control…..looks like you have put on many many pounds Big Ricky… Less talk in the gym more working out
Either run for council or move! Complaining in the friendly confines of obscurity is ridiculous! Sedona needs tourism to survive… Get over it!
An RFP for trash is good governance!!! Period.
Once again the vocal’ish minority continues to ruin this town… Just like the ineffectual roundabouts the vocal minority wanted installed… Here we are eight years later and the traffic flows worse, because of the silly roundabouts!
We, the majority can take back out town.
The city council, chamber of Commerce and many of the city staff believe Sedona exists to provide their salaries, benefits and perks. There are many ways to take back our town. I think the best way would be to vote to disincorporate the city, just end it. Another way would be to end “Home rule”. For those who are not aware, “Home rule” allows the city of Sedona to spend twice as much as the State of Arizona says a town of our size should spend.
This year the city of Sedona has a payroll of over $10,000,000. That’s over $1000 per year for every resident, just for payroll. That does not include what is paid for the School district or the fire district. The fire district and the school district are NOT part of the city budget. Did you get your $1000 worth?
Tell your friends and neighbors. Tell them by the city’s own estimate the city will be out of money in two years. What will the city do then? They will raise your taxes and your fees.
The city taking over the garbage just gives them another source of revenue to waste and overcharge you.
We can change this. You can be sure those at the city trough will not.
So where is your true identity @Bye? And you are so brilliant in thinking 4 lanes would have been better than two lanes and roundabouts? Why? 4 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic would have accommodated even more cars? Brilliant (is the name you should have used instead of “Bye”)
And as the others who don’t like the comments on Sedona Eye then why do you read them? Oh and back to the roundabouts – you think they are the reason traffic is backed up almost to Flagstaff coming north from Sedona? WRONG. It’s because of the crappy redesign the city did to the highway uptown.
And what abut the missing RFP’s for the destination advertising? That wouldn’t have been good governance?
You speaketh with forked tongue. Bye.
In rereading the above article the message, is it not primarily a tribute to Vice Mayor Mark DiNunzio for 7 years of service to the city? So therefore those who insist on being rude and nasty to comments that don’t agree with their own opinions are realistically being disrespectful to the Vice Mayor – not Maddock or other contributors.
Get a grip. Those casting stones here clearly are either those handing out favors to special interests or recipients of the gifts. They most assuredly couldn’t fill the shoes of Vice Mayor DiNunzio. And no, he didn’t always make decisions with which I agreed but on the matter of city control of our garbage disposal he was spot on.
And thanks to the person that made the Chief Iron Eye Cody TV ad available. That one minute for sure depicts the deterioration of Sedona. And did anyone happen to notice any garbage trucks in the traffic jam? NOT!
“When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work;
and your laws no longer protect you against them, but protect them against you;
…you may know that your society is doomed.”
Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand
Sounds like Sedona doesn’t it? Time for a change.
Chief Iron Eye Cody was Italian
Ayn Rand you say
Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest
says it all about the people that make up names and post on this site.
The State Department admitted last week that it had withheld a key email from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the 2012 Benghazi attacks for more than a year in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit brought by Judicial Watch, President Tom Fitton said Tuesday. “Had the department disclosed the email when first supposedly found, Clinton’s email server and her hidden emails would have been revealed before she authorized the alleged deletion of tens of thousands of emails…” Isn’t it amazing that Democrats want to kill the messenger? Why is it that truth can’t win with some of you? It’s simple. Either she lied or she didn’t. Everyone knows she did even her. Shame on you people. She is you.
am really amazed that ol steve segner tossed out the ‘tidbit’ that he and councilman john martinez concocted the great scam of raise the bed tax by .5% and give it all to the chamber and no one has realized the benefit that gives all lodging business in reduced advertising costs. instead his highness mr California martinez and his best friend steve segner should have realized the benefit of a reduction of aq1% state of Arizona sales tax that could have benefited the local business’s…oh no not their game plan.
pity all who have been touched by steve segner and john Martinez.
and that the .5% is just and only a portion of the big bucks going to the chamber out of our city coffers.
if the chamber is so damn good at promoting Sedona (which any thinking breathing person realizes makes the traffic is so bad that it takes almost an hour to get to town from the village or almost an hour or more from midgley bridge) and the chamber is only willing to give a pittance of $25,000 towards the traffic study then why isn’t the chamber better at becoming self sustaining instead of the beggar, beggar rich “business” in this town when other business’s are leaving because the city council doesn’t financially support them.
bottom line is I kinda think most all of us would have felt good if that .5% bed tax increase to the local lodging business’s only if the revenue went to capital expenses like roads and drainage and traffic control with boots on the ground at the roundabouts.
hey, just my thoughts.
“Chief Iron Eye Cody was Italian”
His biography (Chief Iron Eye Cody) makes it very clear he was not an American Indian. So what’s your point? A big reveal that the guy’s a fraud? Or is it that you have a thing against Italians? Do you discriminate against them – ban them from staying at your motel? If so that’s your problem. But the fact remains the message on the TV ad was the truth when it was made and today it describes Sedona.
Live with it.
Steve Segner complains “says it all about the people that make up names and post on this site.” Does that include West Sedona Resident and a couple of others that defend Segnar and his big deal with Councilor Martinez to scam the city coffers for millions of $$$$ to the chamber of commerce? Or is it more selective bias as he attacks the actor that portrayed Chief Iron Eye Cody?
As for Martinez, maybe he should read the above article and take a page out of Vice Mayor DiNunzio’s book and review the Oath of Office he took when elected four years ago.
Unfortunately it’s looking more and more as if this city garbage scam deal is just another set-up and who knows which council members have been doing the wheeling and dealing? My guess is Martinez, Moriarty, and Thompson – with backup at least from Williamson. Seems the new guy, Lamkin, hand-picked by council to temporarily replace LeFevre was also prompted to agree with the majority of the council. And probably the other guy, Jablow, will just vote with the crowd. At any rate, it’s a done deal. Maybe a solution is to rethink the National Monument proposal if that’s the only way to put a stop to this disgraceful manipulation?
You guys are so funny, so much easer to sit back and spew conspiracy theory’s.
I have talked to every council member and I have no idea how they will vote because they want to see the staff report first.
Get off your collective asses and just call and ask the,
and god help us if we have one vender and it cost less….
steve
It never ceases to amaze me how people that do not even live within the city limits of Sedona continue to preach to the choir. That holds true for Segner.
Businesses will not be affected by the city control of residential garbage removal. And since even tho Segner claims his business address as his residence in order to vote in Sedona elections, it’s clear by other admissions he makes daily trips into Sedona to his business from his home in Oak Creek Canyon.
He should join forces with the Oak Creek Canyon gent that slammed Sedona residents at the council meeting for objecting to this city council’s attempt to deny us of choice and free enterprise. If they were to restrict the number of lodging facilities how would he (Segner) accept that? Not too well I would imagine since he’s fiercely fighting against the state’s proposal to legalize short term vacation rentals.
And what Segner fails to acknowledge is saving a few bucks a months (which is doubtful) isn’t a concern to most objecting to losing their choice of service.
Even if initially it might cost slightly less (maybe) how long would it last? Talk to those paying monthly sewer rates if you don’t believe people are justified in their determination to stop the council for approving it.
Seems he’s pretty involved in something else that’s none of his business if he’s taken time to talk to every council member personally, as stated in one of his comments.
With both west sedona resident and Steve Suckner, you can’t insult them, they are too dense. When called or proven to be liars, they don’t even notice. They have nothing constructive to offer, so it is best to ignore them. Keep in mind, one is on the city of Sedona payroll directly , the other profits from city money indirectly. One gets a special tingle when she enters her rants on the Eye from a city paid phone. The most hypocritical thing is neither live in the city limits.
” Don’t wrestle with pigs, you both get dirty and the pig likes it.”
The last thing they want is change, as their gravy train ends. Knowing they will get what they deserve, and how miserable their lives already are by their comments is satisfying enough.
The Sedona energy amplifies everything, the positive gets more positive, the negative more negative. Be positive.
Karma baby!!
If Sedona doesn’t wake up you will be in the same situation as Cottonwood. My last trip to Sedona indicated over-development without lack of adequate infrastructure is about to consume what was one of Arizona’s most attractive and admired areas. As I read in other comments on Sedona Eye your city will also run out of money in maybe two or three years.
We in Cottonwood rejected for the town to take over garbage collection but they will most likely go after us for more do-re-mi in the form of increased taxes and/or higher water bills. Don’t allow them to control all of your utilities and vote NO when franchise fees are on the ballot later this year. No need to vote otherwise because what choice is there for electricity or natural gas? It’s a scam by the city to collect more money for phony right-of-way access. Don’t buy into it!
Cottonwood residents will be held responsible for the very bad decisions made by irresponsible elected officials. This is no joke. But maybe bankruptcy would be a blessing.
I like the suggestion made by someone about DISincorporating or something but for Cottonwood I’m afraid it’s too late. But who knows? Anything is possible so the saying goes.
Good luck but your trend indicates otherwise.
@ Tom Z
Why Tom you must be a genius…..
As I have said many many times I’m not a city employee nor never was… Just a simple retired Wrst Sedona Resident…
You sound like a complete idiot..
@Cottonwood Resident. Sadly enough it isn’t totally the fault of elected city council for overbuilding and general poor planning. Those that voted approval of Home Rule are responsible. By just blowing the lid off the State spending cap they allowed for free money for things like the costly lease for Red Earth Theatre to use the former Teen Center and other mindless non essentials too numerous to mention. But those most guilty of all are people that do NOT vote. They cannot justify complaining if they don’t approve of what is happening. They are really the ones that allowed it. Wake up Sedona.
City council and the Sedona hotel group will have their panties in a wad as soon as they find out that SB1350 (easily) passed the House two days ago and is just waiting for the Governor’s signature before it will be LAW. Do we really need another 2 or 3 BIG hotels in Sedona when over 300+ rooms in local residences will soon be legally available?
(SB1350 makes short-term rentals legal in Arizona.)
Good news everyone!
-mj
@MagickJ
You make some good points but did you really think this whole SB1350 through?
Just to keep everything in perspective do you know how SB1350 will affect YOU, ME AND EVERYONE ELSE??? Please tell me what our houses will be worth when we go to sell? I mean after all, how many buyers really WANT to live next to hotel?? SB 1350 will only help those who want to make money on the back of their neighbors.
If your next door neighbors choose to rent out a few rooms and happen to have a pool…..well lets see how happy you’ll be then.
Interesting comment from “magickj”. Suggest you check out “and garbage trucks are a problem?” as listed at the moment in the recent comment column. The clowns running this big city of Sedona don’t know which direction the sun rises so it seems. Can’t stop laughing through the tears as this once treasured gift from God is being turned to trash. (garbage?)
It’s pretty interesting the State of Arizona allows the general philosophy for cities and towns to regulate themselves . . . except? (SR1350)
Considering many Sedona subdivisions have only one access for ingress and egress in addition to very narrow roads offering limited parking (referring to those established by both counties prior to incorporation), what’s to happen in case of disaster? Ridiculous? Think again.
On February 28, 1988, between 1:00 and 2:00 AM the house next door to us caught fire. My husband threw on some clothes to assist the owner with garden hoses (useless) as I called 911. Because the smoke was so bad the wind wafted it to SR179 on Morgan Road, visibility was reduced to ZERO and fire trucks had to be walked in to the scene of the fire. This, of course, made front page in the RRN and I maintain the article as a reminder of “don’t say this will never happen to you.”
It was an all night ordeal and very frightening to stand on our front porch, watching flames shoot high into the sky, fingers of flames flirting with our stands of Cypress, Juniper, and Pinon Pine trees while at that time excellent volunteer firefighters blasted the scene, including our own house, with water from the fire hydrant which fortunately had been provided as a neighborhood effort just earlier that same year. Even then, 28 years ago, with less dense development in Broken Arrow Vista, there was NO WAY for us to evacuate our property except to stand on our front porch and hope for the best. With the nuisance of two illegal vacation rentals we had to contend with in recent years, clearly the situation would have even been worse.
Point being: Our subdivisions have not been designed to maintain commercial lodging accommodations. In addition to inadequate infrastructure to support increased populations in single family residential zoning, some of us remain on septic systems that have limited capacity. Why are State representatives ignoring the responsibility of ADEQ and other State agencies by preventing from doing their jobs?
But maybe the biggest question of all is just who will be held legally liable in the event of disaster, which results will surely be exacerbated in overpopulated areas once the governor signs SR1350? It isn’t a matter of if, it’s when. And the very same situation persists with the unbridled traffic being allowed to infest Sedona without recourse for a Plan B.
Facts, folks – Not fiction.
@Robert O
Matter of fact, there’s four in our neighborhood who are now renting out rooms and mother-in-law units on VRBO and Airbnb. I say good for them — one neighbor has been sick and unable to work full time. Her home was in arrears until this month when she was able to catch up with her mortgage payments. I didn’t even know she was “entertaining guests” until I met a nice family from Germany walking up the street — they were sweet and friendly. I am more worried about the locals who insist on trespassing through my yard to get to the creek.
There are currently 300+ home-stay listings right now on Airbnb. Check the map. They probably are in your neighborhood as well.
Three years ago a friend of mine opened her home to guests after night-sky tours. This friend was interviewed by the New York Times resulting in a full-page article about her tours, which the Sedona Chamber said was worth $$$$$ in an congratulatory email to her. Her thanks? She was arrested, fingerprinted, fined $$$$ and placed on probation for allowing her late late tour guest to stay in her guest house. Due to chemtrails obscuring the sky in addition to monsoons, she was unable to keep her business going. She sold her business, her home and moved. So much for her full page article in the NY Times!
I highly suggest you watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16cM-RFid9U
This is a tourist town and the new shared economy will work well for the residents. I’m all for SB1350 and consider it very good news.
@RobertO
The horse of over development has long left the barn.
When I moved into my home I had good neighbors on either side and a 5 minute drive each way to the market. Now on one side I have a monthly vacation rental and on the other a second home that is occupied one weekend every other month, and the owners kids like to party. The most common people driving down my street are lost tourists. There is bumper to bumper traffic so often I try not to go out. When I do go to the market it takes 15 minutes each way.
My house, no longer my loved home, will be a short term rental as soon as this bill passes.
I’ll make a lot of money, but the direction Sedona has gone breaks my heart.
@ESM
That Fear-Porn you’re peddling about fires and disasters could happen in any city, any time, any where in the world. It’s true – some thought could have been put into the planning of the city, but this is NOT a planned community. Sedona is a city that has been grown by the sweat of brow in a beautiful setting. Thanks to all the millions of dollars spent on advertising, Sedona is on the map and is a “Bucket List” city. If we had any kind of disaster, we’d muddle through just as we always do.
Airbnb has been running ads non – stop on various networks. Airbnb is a simple app which finds great digs for reasonable prices all over the world. I took a look at the video that was posted above, and the thought behind Airbnb is what makes it great. I’m just not ready to throw in the towel against SB1350 because I don’t think it is bad for Sedona. I don’t think it’s bad for the world. It just makes people so HAPPY to be here when they can experience the city from a local’s level.
Times they are a’changin’
good luck to you.
Yup blame it all on the Chem Trails.
@ @magickj
That wasn’t MY comment – I’m just the reporter. But go ahead — shoot the messenger! Bwhahaha!
Really, we DO need to do something about the fouling of our skies by chemtrail pollution.
You are correct, DarrylZ. Sedona is NOT a planned community. But does that justify extending the “muddle through” policy as the city council continues to approve “millions of dollars” to be spent on advertising which only adds to the confusion. And BTW Sedona was discovered long before the wasteful ad campaign since word-of-mouth has long been documented as the best publicity. Not a good thing for Sedona these days as her reputation continues to decline.
As I see it Ms. Maddock’s point was to go on record that approving a State law that might effectively contribute to dangerous conditions should be given serious consideration. It’s government’s responsibility to first and foremost consider Health, Safety, and Welfare to the public in general over and above anything else.
When Gov. Ducey signs that document of approval isn’t he also agreeing that the State will assume liability for future disaster if the case scenario is reenacted within the confines of Sedona City LImits? Maybe if some of these hot-shot politicians were held personally responsible for liability they would rethink their reckless decisions. Just saying.
@Harold W, ESM and et
What a joke you people are
Complaining about government this and government that ad nausem..
” Governemt should stay outta our lives stay off our back ETC ETC”
Now the tea party state legislature and tea party governor are signing a law saying “hey do whatever you want with your property”. And still more and more complaints
Not only that ESM…..now you want the city government ” that you’ve been bashing for the past 10 years” to do something about it…. YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS…
IMO, West Sedona Resident, your mind is addled but it makes my day when you react on this site. Of course I can’t speak for others but your anxiety (again IMO) clearly indicates those you oppose are doing an excellent job.
And as for myself and FYI my political affiliation, not that it’s any of your business, indicates on my voter registration card – “NONE.” So clearly your ignorance continues to run amok.
Maybe if the city government would function within their designated jurisdiction, honor state statute limitations, and tend to the reasons they were elected prior to frittering away public funds for their special pet projects I would quit complaining. But by your own admission that would be having it both ways and the way of legitimate City Limit residents is definitely not the way of the voting city council.
You are so totally predictable but have actually been silent for a few day. Oh well, it’s Monday so my week is now complete.
Thank you:-)
R U 4 real @West Sedona Resident
You continue to hammer away at T-party and yet say they are the governor and state legislature that love for cities and towns to write and follow their own scripts and ignore state laws, statutes, codes etc.
If they had any brains they would revert to the policy of allowing AG investigations and withhold state funding to incorporated areas that don’t play by the state rules. That would hit Sedona hard in the pocket book and U no it!
So quit biting at the hand that so generously neglects enforcing their own statutes. If Sedona had any guts they would stick with their current policy and ban short term rentals. If the T-party folks down yonder stick by their current policy it wouldn’t matter anyways. Wonder why?