SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (May 8, 2015) – It’s that time of year for budget review and planning. Work sessions are presently taking place.
In two years, the Capital Improvement Fund will be depleted. Just last week a “professional service contract” was signed by the City to pay out over $2,000 a month ($25,000 annually) to Red Earth Theater for it to provide performing arts. Of course Sedona has been promoted as an art center, but since when haven’t artists been able to promote themselves? Where is the pride and confidence in their ability if they are unable to do so? Since when was that a financial responsibility of public tax funds? Why wasn’t that facility, the Teen Center, leased out for profit to the City instead of the other way around?
How much more will be “given” to non-profits? All worthy causes, but again not the responsibility of a municipality when creature comforts become neglected and there’s no funding in sight to make things right.
The primary responsibility of our elected officials is to provide for the Health, Safety, & Welfare of those living within the confines of the designated area – City Limits. They were not elected to continually over-use the words “I think” and base their decisions on their own wants, needs, personal agendas, and opinions that don’t reflect the will of the general population, those that elected them for the purpose of representing them and not themselves.
And, of course, in Sedona the same considerations must be extended to our visiting tourists since, yes, they are huge contributors to the tax base and also deserve, among other creature conveniences, decent roads and adequate parking while spending time in Sedona.
Spending millions to encourage more traffic when Sedona cannot accommodate what is already here is nonsense.
Giving away money to the line-up of many who should be self sufficient is out of control. What about the Sedona Film Festival? Has anyone bothered to request an audit in order to determine just how badly that very popular offering to Sedona is in need of enhanced funding?
Enough has already been reported on the absurdity of the outrageous and unaccountable amount of money allocated to the “regional” Chamber of Commerce to advertise themselves, increase their own membership, enhance their own web site, and operate a City financed Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center to promote only their members as they continue to shun in-city businesses that do not acquiesce to their demands: Be a Chamber member or else you do not get referrals from the Visitors Center. And at the same time they promote members that do not contribute to the City tax base!
As a Chamber of Commerce that is its responsibility – to serve its members. It is not the responsibility of the City of Sedona to use tax revenue to advertise the Chamber and their members – period.
Priorities appear to be skewed, and unless they are intensely reviewed and scrutinized current sources of revenue will dry up and, of course, then comes the question: What will be the “new” source(s) of money?
We all know what proposals have been on the drawing board and it’s highly unlikely they will be favorably received by the voting citizens of Sedona as long as the frivolous spending continues.
Heads-up! The process is under way – so now more than ever is the time to pay attention.
How many residents are in the position of grasping “new” sources of funds when we feel it’s a good idea? That notion, of course, is very unlikely as we must realistically alter our wish list to accommodate living within our budgets.
Why does the City of Sedona feel that rule doesn’t apply to them? Isn’t it time we insist they do?
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@steve Segner = Liar
Yes, it is not politically correct to call someone a liar, it is also not polite to continuously lie. You would be shunned in a more reasonable society.
Anytime the government takes your money it is a tax.
Sales tax, Sewer fee(tax), taxes and franchise fees on all your utilities, tax collected on your car registration, tax collected on your gasoline, building permit fees, business license fees, I’m sure there are more. Steve, it’s all a tax if you don’t get a choice.
Steve, even though you can’t stop lying, even when you have been called out on it many times, which shows your lack of character by the way, we understand why you like city taxes. You effectively get any taxes you pay returned through advertising on your tourist business from the city supported Chamber of Commerce.
We citizens, who can’t get our roads repaired and don’t like all the extra traffic, just get to pay. I think you can tell from the number of people angry with the city, we are getting fed up.
Steve, if you want to stop being called a liar, stop lying.
Jess, The government does not “TAKE “money, taxes are the price we all pay for this great town and America.
The point I am making is 65% go the cost of running Sedona does not come from the citizens of Sedona, even counting fees.
We are not over taxed, we are under taxed.
Jess said
We citizens, who can’t get our roads repaired and don’t like all the extra traffic, just get to pay.
Jess, that is the point, you do not pay enough in taxes to support the up keep of Sedona, the visitors do. 60% pluss and they do not even use your street,
.
Jess, you want the roads fixed ok pay up, let all chip in and fix all the roads
I’m in let go to 7% sales tax. You happy now.
No I think you will just say you pay already now and the city government is just wasting YOUR money.
You want a free ride I understand
ss
Not true Steve, the residents pay the vast majority of the city income.
There would be enough money for roads if the city did not give almost $2,000,000 to the Chamber of Commerce and various arts groups.
Ok Jess, show me the numbers, so you say vast majority, that must be way over 50% correct?
Then why does city staff put it at Judy 35 to 40%
Give them a call I did
Ss
“How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don’t think.- Adolf Hitler”
MASS MEDIA BRAINWASHING http://nstarzone.com/TV.html
Repeating something or saying it louder, does not make it true. “A lie told often enough becomes truth” – Vladimir Lenin, “There’s nothing so absurd that if you repeat it often enough, people will believe it.” – William James; these are quotes that apply to today’s political environment. http://thomasajohnston.com/2011/04/02/repeating-a-lie-does-not-make-it-true/
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/goebbelslie.html
Employees do as they are directed. Our city employess are controlled and directed by City Council. City Council is directed and controlled by the chamber who has a major conflict of interest. Look for yourselves at the city reports or if you don’t understand them go to where you can find neutral independent reporting. Sedona Eye! We have some pros that post here. Listen to them they have no conflict of interest and are not benefiting from MILLIONS of taxpayers money like Steve Segner chamber-lodging.
http://www.sedonaaz.gov/sedonacms/index.aspx?page=1060
Think about it Sedona’s Red Rock lie. People lie to protect themselves and their money! Think before you follow.
N*R*
Sedona eye ,all the hate that fits we print.
If what I am saying are lies, then point by point show us.
I totally agree with Waste..Penny. In today’s news, Airbnb has made a deal with the City of Phoenix to collect bed tax and send it in directly – short term rentals are now legal in Maricopa County. Another county bending to the will of the people, and an obvious way to increase tax revenues for the city.
Just because short term rentals are illegal, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. I’ve lived in Sedona for nearly 20 years — There’s been “The List” floating around Sedona for years — it was posted in our coffee break room at a boutique in Tlaquepaque — a list of short term rentals should any tourist inquire. Busting people for trying to make a few extra dollars by renting out that spare room just drives the practice underground, and the city misses out on the bed tax.
If you will read the list of rules adopted by Coconino and Maricopa Counties, renting without the owner present is not allowed. Having more people than the home can reasonably accommodate is not allowed. I recently had a house full of nieces and nephews and their children, and having 6 people sleeping on the floor is not an experience I’d like to repeat anytime too soon. Unreasonable noise is not allowed. All I can say is that you folks have some wild imaginations if you think every Airbnb host allows their home to be used like a flop house or party central. And if the short-term host can’t adhere to the rules, they won’t be able to participate and could be fined for disturbing the peace.
I recently attended a conference in California. I waited too long and the hotel where the event was being held was sold out. I found a cottage on Airbnb.com that was 1/2 the price of the hotel and within walking distance. It was a great find for me as I enjoyed the interaction with the hosts – a retired filmmaker with 16 Emmys and his wife who’s gorgeous organic garden provided me with lunch. It was a good fit for me and quite frankly, I doubt that I would have had that much fun at the (very corporate) hotel where I was trying to make reservations.
I certainly hope Sedona reconsiders and joins the rest of the world waking up to peer-to-peer housing, automobile rides and sharing, and even loans (GoFundMe). Letting Sedona homeowners rent out space for $ is one way to keep the money in our small community as homeowners will spend those tourist dollars at local businesses and restaurants – rather than send those dollars out of town to corporate centers. Peer-to-peer creates a better world, a more supportive community.
-J
And why @steve segner should Sedona eye be responsible for proving your points anymore than proving points made by all the other people commenting here? Just because the city council and staff think you are so special doesn’t mean you deserve special treatment by the rest of the world does it?
@Jerry, Sedona City Limits – You said it all well!
Isn’t it time for us Flatlanders to start screaming?
@steve segner – When will you pick one address where you actually live and stop all your BS with trying to play the game? Isn’t ” 95 portal lane is my primary residence Your Primary Business address? How you love to spin! And how you Love to play with State Laws.
@steve segner asks who was in Sedona first – “So Norma who was in Sedona first you are the Tourists? Just asking Steve” What the interloper Steve Segner doesn’t realize is that many people were in Sedona First and as a result of their settling the area and risking their lives to do so and working very hard to make a valley a very special place – this crazy ass man thinks He has some reason to have Credit that HE has a place in this town’s history? HA! All he is trying to do is take some money he made in another state and turn it into his retirement fund – regardless of the results on our town.
Steve S.: Please do not forget what @Sedona Sue wrote: “I enjoyed an event at your property on Thompson. We’re all not stupid. Either are the tourists. Chamber members are advertising how to save money. It’s by staying outside the city limits.”
steve segner doesn’t even know how to define the word “facts”….and I’m thinking he doesn’t even know where he lives – depending upon which law he is trying to live up to. What a guy.
As I recall someone asked @steve segner what address he used on his driver’s license and registration. Does anyone know if Segner responded to that question?
Since he’s such an honest guy I probably just missed it.
Maev
yes 95 portal lane on my drivers and registration, you got the answer and you will not even use your real name or address , and you nerve to ask for mine?
up date for all you new bees, we had a council person that lived in a p.o box for many years…. the voting law is not for you to decide how it works.
Sue wrote: “I enjoyed an event at your property on Thompson. We’re all not stupid. Either are the tourists. Chamber members are advertising how to save money. It’s by staying outside the city limits.”
Sue please do you home work before you comment,Please show us all a ad saying stay out side Sedona paid for by the chamber.
It wasn’t an ad that sent us outside city limits, steve Segner, it was a referral from the chamber of commerce visitor center. And that’s the truth.
For those who can not grasp the depths of Sue’s comments, here you go: Any one in the Verde Valley can join the Sedona Chamber, which is funded by the Sedona taxpayer. Even though a Sedona business isn’t a member of the Chamber, his tax dollars fund it. Even though his tax dollars fund a CITY of Sedona Chamber, that business will not get Chamber endorsement unless he pays (about $400/year) to be a member. A city funded visitor center will not mention to a tourist inquiring any business who does not pay that $400 yearly restitution to the Chamber.
On the other hand, any business in the Verde Valley can join the chamber. Volunteers at the city-funded visitor center will hand out brochures with a smile on their face and they will tell visitors that prices are cheaper out of town, because they are. Chamber members outside of Sedona get free advertising – advertising that the non-member Sedona citizen/business pays for. What Sue is saying is that outside areas businesses do not pay the city taxes and so gets free advertising thru the Chamber. The above business gets no mention at all.
Personally, I can’t see where this is fair.
@J. J.
Thank you for your clear understanding of the situation and you are correct. What and where is Fair when it comes to the business’s in town that our tax dollars are used to promote and support the chamber vs those outside our town ?
We were directed by the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center to stay at the Enchantment. We loved the name and did find it “enchanting” however very far removed from where the action is. Had we been offered a choice we would have gladly paid additional bed tax in order to be closer to activities. We didn’t learn about this unfair practice until we heard about this site and now follow comments very closely.
@Also Sedona Visitors
Wow, this person just made all the concise points of complaints of what the chamber does as it spends all our in town taxes etc and how that benefits most others outside our town.
This Steve Segner continues to harp about how residents don’t pay taxes. Well, Mr. Segner, are you aware the Sedona Fire District just approved a budget of $15.1M? Since you seem to be so well informed, how much of that rather sizable sum can be attributed to the millions of tourists you just love to take credit for bringing into this area? If we residents of the Sedona Fire District (different than City of Sedona) didn’t have to finance secure safety conditions for all of the world travelers you continue to brag about, how much would the property taxes we pay to either Yavapai or Coconino County be reduced to? A likely answer would be “drastically” because it would probably mean Sedona could revert to the very successful volunteer fire department that functioned remarkably well for so many years before the likes of you took charge.
While you continue to take credit for increase in Sedona City revenue, you discount the amount of money being lost when the chamber of commerce refers people outside city limits. You claim those not paying city bed tax come and shop in Sedona. Prove it! You can’t unless you survey every single person that shops in Sedona – ask them where they are staying if, in fact, they aren’t among the vast majority of day trippers.
Enough of your BS Mr. Segner. You were able to buffalo the past city council with your “just trust us (me)” routine, and since you went to great lengths to have your selected candidates elected last year as was proven by your e-mails which went public, you cannot ride the gravy train forever.
If this ongoing increase in the Sedona Fire District isn’t related to the overabundance of tourists then what else is the reason? And unlike the misspending of city funds for “regional” advertising, this issue does indeed encompass the Greater Sedona Area which is a term most of us do understand.
@Harold W
Very well said! Appreciate and agree with your observations.
IMO both City (Council and staff and Chamber + their affinity group) and Fire District (Board and staff) best attributes are spending other peoples money! Just to be clear: those guys and gals who are in the trenches as first responders are the absolute best and I am not referencing them in any way.
And many of us remember, with great respect, the value and excellent service we received from the non unionized and all volunteer Fire District. As a matter of fact when I moved to Sedona almost 40 years ago my home insurance rate was reduced as a result of the reputation and excellence of the all volunteer Fire District. Bet that isn’t happening any more.
Harold, I have always said you do not pay a CITY tax, the fire district, has it’s own
Governing board
my little 12 room inn paid almost $12,000.00 to the fire district last year , what did you pay.? So please don’t say visitors do not pay they do, visitors did not ask for a new fire station in the village,
Do I think the tax is high, yes but it is not a city tax.
Steve
Segner you just don’t get it. Specifically I differentiated the Fire & School “Districts” as NOT being the same as the City of Sedona. Unlike incorporated Sedona which does NOT encompass the entire Fire & School “Districts,” those “districts” DO include incorporated Sedona.
You must also have inside information. Just where is this “new” fire station in the Village? The newest one of which I’m aware is in the Chapel Area within Sedona City Limits.
The point, however, is that without the zillions of tourists you claim to attract with your questionable and unaccountable advertising methods, it’s unlikely we in Greater Sedona would have the need for such extensive and sophisticated equipment. However it’s required in order to accommodate the safety of those zillions of tourists at OUR expense. So you contribute as do the rest of us. And how much profit goes into your own pocket from what the city is “GIVING” to the Chamber and your affinity Lodging Council. Also, how much revenue is being lost to the City of Sedona due to Chamber promotion of those lodging facilities outside city limits not collecting city bed and sales taxes?
Without the promise there would be NO CITY PROPERTY TAXES, it’s unlikely the area now included within “incorporated” Sedona would have ever been approved. Check it out with your Mayor Sand as well as Jim Eaton who both lived here when incorporation was approved.
To impose a City Property Tax would have to be approved by the registered voters of Sedona. How many of your Chamber members can pony up enough phony addresses in order to register to vote in Sedona? That would probably swing the vote and also might bode well for the next census count.
And what kind of credibility does Steve Segner have if he doesn’t even know where the new fire station was built? Really?
The only ones he seems to be able to bamboozle are those at city hall which, unfortunately, is where he does the most damage. Council & Staff should be held responsible and accountable for throwing money at the Chamber & Lodging Council. Clearly they are incompetent but they allow it to continue.
What to you expect? @Andy as well as others.
The past election was probably Sedona’s dirtiest. It was largely based on the theory of “do whatever it takes to get our supporters (Chamber & Lodging) elected so we’ll continue to get all that money.”
Of course this is old news but there will be another election next year. So be prepared for more of the same unless others with some integrity are willing to step up to the plate. However, if they are they should be prepared for the same battle. These people (Chamber & Lodging) do not want to lose their ride on this gravy train. Pitiful.
Locals are gathering. @Andy Council & Staff should be held responsible. They are
insulting and abusive to the PEOPLE. Time for change.
Accepting new regional members for the LLLL club. Join Suckner & Wesselbut in the world class city funded organization accepting all Low Life, Liars, and Losers, Become a chamber (deleted by editor) today!
There’s an article in the RRNews (7/24/15) “Acting bugs infest center” describing an event at the former Teen Center. As reported in this Sedona Eye article the “city” signed a “service contract” with this Red Earth Theatre outfit so the “city” can now be in the performing arts business. Seems already these people have renamed the Teen Center the Sedona Posse Ground Hub and now according the the RRN article those getting paid by the city for the next year close to a total of $60k will be making this “affordable performing arts venue to be available on a sliding scale rental to any in the community who wish to teach, perform or somehow weave the performing arts into their community event.”
What? City pays them over $2k a month, plus utilities and maintenance and now they can make money sub-renting the building they are being paid by the city to rent in the first place. (Did city council really understand what it is they voted to approve?)
Who in the name of the Higher Power thought up this insane plan? Certainly no one looking out for the best interest of Sedona voting residents and city based businesses. If one or more hair-brained city employees conjured up this nonsense as a friendly gesture for local buddies, they should immediately be given marching papers to move on and out.
If this city administration in the near future begins to whine about new ways to get money let’s all be prepared to remind them of one of the latest frivolous and careless “deals” that slipped through during the transition of top management.
This Is A Public Service Announcement
SHARLETT is at it again..
The post above by AMAZING…is the one and only CRAZY Sharlett
FYI
@West Sedona Resident – whoever it was responsible for the “Amazing” comment should be credited with contributing valuable information and definitely food for thought. A rat’s a rat even when one is sniffed out at city hall. Actually West Sedona Resident, if the truth were known you’re probably Sharlett. Crass is crass and rhymes with A- -.
Great point @amazing!
Our city staff really plays the council and the citizens for fools. They do a great job of f___ing everyone.
This is what happens when you have unprofessional staff running the city. They can’t figure out how to measure results and have accountability. Games. They are really good at pointing fingers, blaming everyone else for the bad environment. It starts at city hall.
Sedona is a city of artists and until now we haven’t had any venue for us struggling artists to hone our skills. Now you are faulting sedona city for providing the Red Earth Theater for the adult and children artists? OMG, if you haven’t stopped in you really should. It’s an affordable place for us to go? There’s not many places for kids to go in this town and now that we have the Red Earth Theater they have a safe place. What are you people thinking????
@What am I missing??? I think you must be in a vortex and lost all your reasoning. Since when was it a City job to pay artists?
It is not the taxpayer’s job to pay for your arts crafty crap. I am a artist from Laguna Beach. Laguna pays ZERO for the sawdust festival and Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. Millions of dollars, millions of tourists go there for these art shows in addition to all the galleries throughout Laguna.
Sedona is not operating as a fair city. They are letting the special interest groups run it with the taxpayers footing the bill. They are laughing all the way to bank. Money that should be spend on improvements are being thrown at special interest groups.
You need to think about it. Since when was it any city job to pay businesses to make money. Do you work for FREE? Ridiculous you are. Sedona is the city of handouts. Dumb meets dumber. ALL cities make money from their assets. Sedona gives it away. Really you’re missing your entire brain as you are not thinking. You must have lost it in a vortex.
Those at city hall that enable and endorse this should be terminated. It is BS.
@What am I missing??? a lot!
Sedona is a city of retirees. Accept it, respect it and do your job at City Hall. It’s fun to give away someone else’s money and gifts but that not your job. So they like you………Your suppose to make money not spend it!
And just why should it be the responsibility of city of Sedona to foot the bill for every sad story that goes before them? If there wasn’t a constant discussion about new ways to add taxes it might be another matter. But with the continuous notion to increase monthly sewer rates, form special taxing districts, and even attempt to impose city property taxes, the idea of spending thousands of dollars on nice but unnecessary benefits remains questionable. How fair is it to again think nothing of ignoring basic infrastructure needs in order to accommodate the special interests of the ever growing lines at city hall. That Teen Center was under discussion as a venue to bring money into the city, not the other way around. If any one on city staff promoted it for other uses how can they justify it if there isn’t enough money to fund capital projects. Sedona shouldn’t be Mother Theresa for the entire Verde Valley and it’s up to the city council to convey that message. Believe it or not we are not all wealthy people living here.
@What am I missing? Well, apparently what you are missing is: “In two years, the Capital Improvement Fund will be depleted.” (Quote from above article)
But obviously you couldn’t care less as long as your gravy boat is filled. And, City Council, probably none of you will be sitting on your thrones when that two year financial drought hits. But you can all look fondly from wherever you might be at the disgraceful legacy you are establishing.
Public service announcement
Psd off and I’m sure a few other hate fuel rants is really the one and only Crazy Sharlett.. That’s how she does it to make it seem there are so many people out there as hateful as her..
Lay off the Fox News..
FYI
hummm….. sounds like West Sedona resident- CC-chamber-sedona staffer-
Narcissists are notorious for placing blame on other people and not on themselves. Even when they clearly and definitely did something wrong, they cannot- and will not- accept responsibility. They almost always deflect the blame elsewhere. Narcissists either ignore their contribution to the situation or insist that the other person (spouse, child, co-worker or etc.) made them do it. Narcissists know right from wrong, they just cannot allow something bad to be their fault. It is another manifestation of their supreme self-centeredness as well as a protection for their fragile ego. It is also a primitive method of avoiding external repercussions.
Eye on Sedona Budget Review and Planning clearly the city of Sedona missed those classes. They spend more than the make. Hopefully the new City Manager will shake things up.
Many thanks to those who actually acknowledge this article is about the Sedona City Budget which in itself is an endless project.
And while we’re at it, just how many candidates for city council included in their campaign platforms the promise to be and remain fiscally responsible?
Is ignoring the two-year deadline depletion of the Capital Improvement Fund by continually entering into unnecessary “service contracts” and endless funding for non-profits “because it’s such a small amount” evidence of anything other than disingenuous lip service lavishly spewed for no other purpose than to get elected?
Only the shadow knows? (right!)
Only in your dreams is everyone Sharlett @west sedona resident.
@West Sedona Resident – Sorry to disagree with you but I, sharlett, have posted nothing since July 7th. What is your problem? I only post under my name and wish you could find another means of speaking to the writers on this site rather than accuse them all of being me. Thanks for the credits but you are soooooooo far off base.
The various writers have a wealth of much more factual information and they do it with out your despicable tactics. Could you learn from them?
But then it seems that if you only want to blame me rather than attending to facts – well that is your great failing and everyone is seeing this pitiful side of you.
Please find another and more professional way to deal with all the various comments.
Happy day and enjoy the rain tonight.
Does anyone suppose those in charge (city council/city staff) would be so generous with their own money?
Answer: Of course not or they would voluntarily be funding the line-up of “takers” with their own nickle instead of draining public funds (tax revenue) which should rightfully be assigned for Capital Improvements and safely secured in the General Fund, not meant for pie-in-the sky waste.
Ya’ll think things are bad now? Just wait till that National Monument designation becomes reality. Yep, it’s set to offer a whole new marketing program which will justify that “regional” chamber of commerce that shuns Sedona in-city businesses that aren’t members. It’ll justify them getting any and maybe even all funding to promote the National Monument concept. Why else is there that mutual admiration society situation going on between KSB & the Chamber on facebook?
Your right @jess Saying KSB is endorsing the chamber on FB they also plan on bringing in double the tourists. Restrictions on where you go, tolls, shuttles and more. Watch your property taxes rise. Toll roads, no more driving up the canyon. Hiking limited. KSB is stating double the tourists. Just image that? Take the region back vote NO here http://www.arizonaliberty.us/Sedona_Verde_Valley_Red_Rock_National_Monument.html
If you signed it already let KSB know to remove your name. If this passes it done you have no voice. You all better stop it now.
The real artists left Sedona long, long ago. The rock painters and new agers are not the artists that made this area popular in the art world. The Frank McCarthy’s have come and gone my friends.
FYI is spot on about “Restrictions on where you go, tolls, shuttles and more.”
Jennifer W. brought up during a City Hall meeting about two years ago when the .5% Bed Tax increase was being hawked that: (1) Sedona is headed towards a Tourism Bureau Business Improvement District in the long run, with a 2% TBID levy; and (2) The Chamber has plans to restrict Sedona to shuttle buses.
There are no human artists that can compete with Sedona’s red rocks – the main attraction for tourism.
The arrogance of power displayed by Jennifer Wesselhoff, Chamber of Commerce and phony “tourism bureau” is disgusting if not illegal. Maybe it’s only equaled by those who allow it: City Council(s) and City Staff enablers.
Here we go again – BIG CITY “stuff” – Agenda Special City Council Meeting Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
AB 1983 Discussion/possible direction on the development and adoption of a Human Rights Ordinance for the City of Sedona, in order to promote diversity and economic growth and to prohibit discrimination based on certain characteristics.
Is anyone aware of such “discrimination” occurring in Sedona that warrants a formal written ordinance to enforce the obvious? What is it they really have in mind? Will it include forcing those of us with maybe a spare bedroom to take in a stranger based on “their” decision of need? Will they go so far as to enact an ordinance that will go against Federal government and insist for Sedona to harbor criminals who are in this country illegally? What kind of message are they attempting to convey?
Yes, folks, this is happening today – Wednesday August 12 – 3:00 PM. Cable Channel 4 will air the proceedings. Pay attention!
this may help.
http://www.sedonaaz.gov/Sedonacms/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=26619
ORDINANCE NO 2015-__
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEDONA AMENDING TITLE 9 OF THE SEDONA CITY CODE BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER, CHAPTER 9.30 RELATING TO HUMAN RELATIONS
WHEREAS, the Sedona Community Plan recognizes the fact that Sedona “is first and foremost a community of people representing different experiences, genders, age, ethnicities, ideas, values and expectations”; and
WHEREAS, as stated in the Sedona Community Plan, it is the vision of this City to be a community that nurtures connections between people and support and values diversity and inclusiveness; and
WHEREAS, existing practices in the City of Sedona already reflect a commitment to non-discriminatory practices and fair treatment among and toward its residents, visitors, and employees; and
WHEREAS, nothing contained herein should be construed as supporting or advocating any particular doctrine, position, point of view, or religious view. To the contrary, it is the intention of this ordinance that all persons are treated fairly and equally in the City of Sedona; and
WHEREAS, the City of Sedona desires to implement a process to resolve claims alleging discrimination, including those affecting businesses and individuals within the City of Sedona, that will observe and protect the equality, dignity, personal and religious expression rights, privacy rights, and interests of all parties involved to the maximum extent possible, and to provide mechanisms for balancing these rights.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEDONA, ARIZONA, as follows:
Section 1. That Title 9, Public Peace, Morals and Welfare, is hereby amended by adding Chapter 9.30 – Human Relations to read:
9.30.010 PURPOSE
The provisions of this Chapter are intended to supplement state and federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodations, and housing.
What that special meeting is about is more “human” rights for the LGBT population, even though they already approved an ordinance a couple of years ago. How many people are even aware there’s a problem of acceptance? Sedona has always been open to anyone who earnestly contributes to the community and aren’t just lined up and on the take for what they can’t get out of city hall. It seems the constant drum beat on this subject might be to just divert attention to more serious problems.
What we are aware of is the phony policy makers who continue to discriminate against Sedona City businesses, located within Sedona City Limits, that aren’t members of the regional chamber of commerce. Those businesses that contribute to the tax base for the biased Chamber visitor center but are not represented equally as those chamber members outside city limits. Also, Sedona residents are discriminated against if they don’t agree with city policy or even try to speak up.
Talk about being hypocritical! Phonies is what they are.
What about the rights of the businesses and residents? The city takes theirs every time they fund Segne, the chamber and the others that have the city pay their business expenses. They treat us like animals you have no human rights unless you are staff or a chamber member.
Norma please tell us how Sedona pays my expenses, and gives me money
neither I or the lodging council receive funds from city or chamber I in fact pat the chamber for services
Ss