SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (February 12, 2014) – SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock examines City of Sedona government inconsistencies when implementing its voter mandated Community Plan:
SEDONA, ARIZONA website, Home Page, states the following:
“The mission of the City of Sedona government is to provide exemplary municipal services that are consistent with our values, history, culture and unique beauty.”
Moving on to our EXISTING COMMUNITY PLAN VISION STATEMENT:
“The vision that the citizens have for the future of their City is . . .
- To be a city that is constantly vigilant over the preservation of its natural beauty, scenic vistas, pristine environment and cultural heritage.
- To be a city that retains its small-town character and creates its man made improvements in strict harmony with nature.
- To be a city that is animated by the arts, and lives with a spirit of volunteerism to help achieve our common goals.
- To be a city that offers equal opportunities for all and fosters a sense of community.
- To be a city that welcomes and accommodates all of its visitors and future residents with a spirit of fellowship.
- To be a city that retains and enhances a strong and vital economy, which preserves existing lifestyles without exploiting the natural beauty.
And finally,
- To be a city that lives up to the challenge of proper stewardship of one of the earth’s great treasures.”
The following is the PROPOSED VISION STATEMENT in the revised Sedona Community Plan, subject to approval by Sedona City Registered Voters on March 11, 2014:
“Sedona is a community that nurtures connections between people, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, and supports a diverse and prosperous economy, with priority given to the protection of the environment.”
The photographs accompanying this article were taken on February 10, 2014. The mighty antenna was installed several months ago, without prior notice to neighboring properties. This antenna is located on the residential property at 1005 Soldier Pass Road.
Concerned neighbors are being told by City Staff that a permit was approved and issued for the installation of the intrusive antenna which, among other overlooked consequences of ill-conceived policies, stands to negatively affect surrounding land values.
How consistent is this with either of the Vision Statements, both originally crafted for the purpose of protecting our properties and environment from flaunting disgraceful displays as portrayed here?
What areas will be targeted next – for implementation of questionable proprieties obviously inconsistent with the vision and purposes of a Sedona Community Plan?
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
quit looking at it and look at something else big babys. ham radio works when the government shuts the internet and cell phones down, you might be glad your they have one if there is ever a catastrophy via Facebook
@Tom G. But aren’t you fortunate to have the opportunity to point fingers about misstating facts when you have none to offer yourself?
Thank you Sedona Eye for sharing Facebook comments for those of us who do not have time to participate in that form of social networking.:-)
Okay Mary S. my facts are clearly stated on this site by the crying and complaining that a handful of people who hate everything on this site!! If they hate the government so much stop bitching and run for something instead of pointing fingers by those who do!
I like this give and take Tom G — it’s refreshing.
@Tom G.
You just don’t get it. This story isn’t about the evils or merits of ham radios. It’s about a small incorporated area in northern Arizona called Sedona. The reason for incorporation: To establish local government with local controls to include codes and ordinances to protect our environment, scenic views (gifts from a higher power), quality of life, and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of Sedona residents and visitors.
In the rare instance a ham radio operator might be of assistance during a rare emergency when other systems shut down, kindly check FCC to find numerous less obtrusive nearby locations where they presently exist and which should readily serve to accommodate such unlikely situations.
You write like you might be Hero R. Factor himself and really believe you deserve that statue at Schnebly roundabout. Maybe if you move and relocate your ham radio tower where it’s appreciated the art selection committee might reconsider their choice. Just a thought.
I just do not think there are going to be a lot of them since you do have to get a complicated license and if there is some sort of anything that happens for any reason you could ask your neighbors ” hey have you heard anything?” and he will know. JUST saying
I think you almost have it :-)
@Tom G. How about reading your own words? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You do have a choice you know. If you dislike this site so much why not change channels? No one is forcing you to read what you consider such despicable comments which obviously disagree with your own “opinions.”
No Steve actually not an art guy and don’t consider myself a hero. A paved roundabout with nothing on it is fine for me.
Think it funny how people love thief personal freedom and condone any governmental interference until they are bothered by something like a pothole or radio antenna and then cry for governmental justice!! You one of those guys Steve!!
Steve E is just so correct in that Tom G just doesn’t get it! And the Public has become complacent – which only harms them.
The real issue is about how pervasive and dictatorial the council and staff has become and is continuing to be through their newest version of the Community Plan that promotes invasion’s into neighborhoods are not protected nor respected and just open for higher density and rentals and any other negative you can imagine in a single family neighborhood – all while the City does this to just bring in more tax revenues to pay for their follies!!!
Follies include: no closed door amount of money gifted to the regional Chamber of Commerce, as what ever they ask for they seem to get; the failed attempt to bring in revenue at Christmas with all the Freebies the Chamber put forth and the amount of $$$ the City gave them – AND STILL no Profit and Loss Statement on what the City gave Missy Jennifer and what she Actually produced; paying a $7,500.00 fee to the two architects who didn’t win the city bid; buying the termite ridden ancient old Forest Service land and buildings in order to have it become a heart of Sedona – how? take down the buildings and start over or just turn it into a parking lot?……..and the list could just go on.
OMG! When do any of us – the majority of us, learn how to just say COUNCIL – STOP THE INSANE SPENDING that is going on? When do we come down hard on this Council and say – forget your dreams lists and just get back to reality of Health, Safety and Welfare?
@sharlett Perfectly stated!
Sharlet, you are right I don’t get it, thank you oh smart one for enlightening me!! Been reading your finger pointing, tea party rants for a while now. That’s all they are, tea party rants!! If your so enlightened as to what’s wrong and what your brand love to call ENTITLEMENTS, why do t you run for Mayor!! Why not actually try to change things from the inside instead of blowing hot air from the outside!! Your getting stale and tiresome!!
The one point you right on @Tom G is that Sharlett would be an OUTSTANDING Major. All your other comments are wrong in my opinion. You got it backwards. But you are 100% correct on Sharlett for Major! it would be an honor if Sharlett would serve as Major.
Sorry Mayor …. The one point you right on @Tom G is that Sharlett would be an OUTSTANDING Mayor. All your other comments are wrong in my opinion. You got it backwards. But you are 100% correct on Sharlett for Mayor! it would be an honor if Sharlett would serve as MAYOR.
Not the mayor Julie ( Sharlet) just a guy who finds your rants amusing!! I welcome Sharlett as mayor( though she’ll never win cause there ain’t enough tea party folk in town). It would be fun questioning her every move, nitpicking and complaining, questioning her integrity, crying how big government is and then complaining when their not on the same page as my agenda, creating conspiracy theory’s!!, and branding public servers as Takers of entitlements!! Sound good, go for it!!
I have been reading the comments here for quite a while but have never joined in. This thread began due to a 60’ tall mast and its 39’ wide antenna being recently erected in a totally inappropriate location, and continued because of many questions about the City and its decisions. I have a lot of questions too, as I have the offensive structure in front of my home.
I have done nothing to harm anyone, but I am being harmed mightily from the ugly and dangerous, 1500 watt antenna. It is not possible to avoid looking at it since the ends are only 43 feet from my property line, and the sense of safety and seclusion I once had are gone. My view toward the east now reminds me of an industrial site.
Photos simply do not do tell the story… the antenna is BIG, powerful, and totally out of place! Also, thousands of people a year will see it as they exit the Sunrise trail. I have heard only outrage from those who have seen it!
If any of you do not understand the objections, please imagine such a thing it in your immediate view, and with unknown EMF emissions streaming toward you. This is not an ordinary Ham radio antenna… and it is infringing on my property rights!
What would you do in my shoes?
Lynda, if I were in your shoes? Have you complained to the city council and staff? Have you contacted Keep Sedona Beautiful or better yet the Chamber of Commerce. Actually it’s doubtful the C of C is much interested in anything other than receiving money from the city but they seem to be in control of everything. You will probably end up having to get an attorney if you haven’t already done so. If that monster tower has affected your property values, then a letter of intent from an attorney might be the only thing to get action. By all means don’t let them try to tell you it’s a civil matter between you and the inconsiderate people who installed it.
From my own point of view I regret having ever moved here and certainly understand why the population had dropped at the last census.
Lynda:
I went to THAT house to look at the tower myself and I must agree with you. It’s sad that someone in Sedona would be that un-caring to his neighbors and this fantastic community to put something that ugly up in SEDONA.
It’s sad to say but, I believe that it’s legal. I don’t think that there is anything that anyone can do except shake their heads.
That being said, I know that you and your neighbors are frustrated and there may be only one thing that you can do. Demonstrate! Show that neighbor how upset you are.
Thanks, Joanne and Tom, for understanding my anguish. Having lost, in late 2012, my life-mate of 27 years, Al, I am dealing with this on my own, in addition to a huge load of other pressing issues. My two other neighbors have been of invaluable help, thank goodness, though I am clearly the most wounded.
I simply do not understand how anyone could be so inconsiderate as to harm me and my property value without cause, for a hobby! We had been friendly before this. My property is all about views… or was, sigh.
And yes, I have contacted KSB, several times, without response. I have met with all the City Officials, and have contacted a lawyer and the FCC. I am now holding on to see what happens. But it will take a long time to recover from this stressful situation, no matter what happens. It has hurt my heart and my sense of fairness to the core, while I am still grieving the loss of my beloved.
Thanks for any other ideas any of you may have.
So Sharlett!! When cry about how the city spends Our Tax Dollars, your talking about the money you spend on food, gas, etc!! Are u kidding me!!? That’s what your crying about!! I could see your point if that tax money was personally taking out of your property tax, but really, that’s what your always crying about! Get a grip, your crazy!!
No Tom G or Tom B- which ever and who ever you are: I’m not “crying” about anything at all. I’m just trying to help you understand the fact that everyone in this town does pay taxes which revert back (per ARS) to our city as revenue. Thank God we don’t pay Property Taxes – Yet – as a result of the level of sales and bed taxes our wonderful tourists foot the bill for.
To be extremely clear Tom G/Tom B: I’m not complaining about money I spend on any items or services I purchase where taxes are charged. I could very easily cry about the amount of property taxes I pay to two counties which are consumed by two Boards of Supervisors with very little given back to my community as they continue to attempt to make up the difference in lost revenue -by hiking property tax values – because of the economic downward slide.
I repeat: Where do you think our City Revenue actually comes from?
Oh, apparently I’m not so crazy that I don’t understand who I pay taxes to and have the sanity to write the checks to two counties and the city and state for sales taxes my business collects.
Personally? I do believe I have a grip on the situation and sure am sorry I upset you to the degree of your very unpleasant post to me.
Please slow your heart beat down Tom – you remind me of my petulant son, who is provided the majority of his income as a result of me being his momma jamma – who just loves to call me crazy when he can’t over power me and my knowledge.
opps! the above “Enter your Name” comment is from Sharlett. Please make that correction and thanks so much.
@Sharlett
Wow, I think you’re on to something Sharlett why didn’t I think of that, oh yah, I DID! That’s the same logic that I was trying to tell Richard Saunders a few months ago.
I am well aware that we all pay city sales tax. The beauty of that statement and what you wrote about is that we pay this 3% SALES tax along with 3 million tourists.
When you really think about this, all of the money contributed into the city till by those extra 3 million tourists, it really waters down what we as residents pay. The best thing about that concept is that, for the most part, those 3 million nice people GO HOME and rarely utilize the services that WE as residents get to enjoy.
Talk about not understanding a concept.
And Yes, the tourists pay a bed tax on top of the sales tax so what? How is that an issue that should really bother you?
Thank you Lynda for telling your story. Believe me I can relate. Fifteen years ago I was walking in your shoes although the issue was different. It was a matter of city’s breaching a permit by allowing a fence on an adjacent property to obstruct the drainage wash through our property which did, one day, cause flooding. Eventually it was resolved but my husband didn’t live to see the day. Good luck to you and God Bless.
Thanks, Eddie, for your support and understanding. With all my family in California and most of my long-time friends, I do need to know that people here understand what I am going through, and that others would also not want their property values, their views, and very possibly their health diminished. My property is taking a HUGE hit… and for one person’s hobby! And his hobby does not require such a large and powerful antenna. I can no longer enjoy my deck, and my living areas face the thing. This is just not fair, at all, and I pray that something will be done soon.