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Oh but for a bit of Whimsy

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock visits the Sunset Park splash pad project in progress
SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock calls for a bit of whimsy

Sedona AZ (April 8, 2014) – Not unlike having a craving for a certain food but not knowing what it is, or perhaps an itch that scratching will not absolve, sometimes an indescribable nagging persists for an unknown solution to an unknown problem. Finding myself in that situation, but not even realizing it existed, flipping through the pages of my cheat-sheet music book it jumped out at the most unexpected moment.

There it was. On page 272 sandwiched between “Over There” and “Oh, Dear! What Can the Matter Be?” was the Stephen C. Foster words and music to “Oh! Susanna.” Silently screaming for new words “Oh! Sedona” instantly became the challenge of the moment.

Why?

The unidentifiable urge suddenly was made very clear. With all the talented and creative writers who prolifically contribute brilliant, diverse, and rarely dull comments to Sedona Eye, how about assigning a challenge in an attempt to separate the men from boys, women from girls, the brave and courageous from whiners and blowhards?

So, pathetically at best, offered is the following version of my own thoughts regarding “Oh! Sedona” based on the musical score of Mr. Foster’s “Oh! Susanna.”

i1035 FW1.1OH! SEDONA

Oh, I’m from another city but I’m here with new ideas.

I dreamt all night, this place I’m at, should not stay as it is.

Oh! Sedona, what plans I have in store.

Some nips and tucks will quickly make you what I had before.

Big city life with performing arts, parks, zoos and all the frills,

More taxes? Not for some of us, only those with sewer bills.

Oh! Sedona, what plans I have in store.

Some nips and tucks will quickly make you what I had before!

And so, readers and contributors, let us have YOUR version of “Oh! Susanna” customized for Sedona.

Will “Zip” comments indicate that ALL of you are mere whiners and blowhards? Oh let’s hope not. Especially those who love to bicker, here is your opportunity to lighten up and have some fun for a change.

For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

 

13 Comments

  1. Al says:

    Oh Sedona don’t you cry for me
    I once was an Arizona state beauty,
    But along came Adams & DiNunzio swells
    Williamson Martinez and Litrell
    Outflanked Council sirs McIlroy and Ward
    kept demanding “let the citizens be heard”
    But ten deaf ears ne’er harkened a word
    while tourists and red rocks sailed the absurd.

    Oh Sedona don’t you cry for me
    I once was an Arizona state beauty.

  2. Devon says:

    Oh okay what?

  3. Charlie says:

    Al, Al, Al – I suspect challenging your superb display of talent will remain unmatched. I’m unable to even make verse out of a comment let alone compete with words to “Oh Sedona.” Bravo, Sir. Your message is well stated and sooo true.

  4. Betsy says:

    I can’t rhyme but thought this was a neat idea.

  5. Harold says:

    Oh Sedona you do not need home rule. Anyone who tells you differently is nothing but a fool!

  6. Erin says:

    Sedona you are the apple of my eye, thank you for letting me live here!

  7. Helen says:

    When we first arrived we stood in awe
    Not believing what we saw.
    Red rocks and vast expanses
    Caused a quick drop in the jaw.

    Oh Sedona, what’s now become of you?
    Time-shares in open spaces
    Have obscured too many views.

  8. Bettye says:

    I appreciate this column, and the opportunity to read people’s reasons for being here instead of the bickering that has been going on here on this great website. So here goes My attempt to join in…..

    Well We came Here many years ago,
    for the small town and the views.
    Then followed by the developers,
    who said ‘hum what can We use’.

    Poor old Sedona how I cry for You,
    instead of beautiful red rocks,
    We have houses for Our view.

    Once a beautiful rugid land,
    a place of milk and honey.
    But now that we’re a City,
    all They want is money.

    Poor old Sedona how I cry for You,
    once proud to put Her name here,
    now Her sewer bill’s over due.

    We once had clean water,
    and the summers always hot.
    Then in came the City,
    who wanted what was not.

    One wants it to be California,
    another Telluride.
    What’s wrong with old Sedona,
    and Her small town local pride.

    Poor old Sedona how I cry for You,
    instead of beautiful red rocks,
    We have houses for Our view.

    The city wants it different now,
    and that maybe just because,
    They showed up only yesterday,
    and don’t know what it was.

  9. Jill says:

    Response to Bettye in one word: BRILLIANT!

    (city big shots, read it)

  10. j. Aire says:

    Oh Sedona!
    You spend egregiously!

    When was the last audit
    To ensure you’re trustworthy

    You’re taxing retirees
    out of house and home
    Businesses cannot pay up
    and so they have to close

    In order to keep collecting
    You have to spend it all
    Each year you blow your budget
    then try to raise the tax collection bar

    You waste tax payers honest working wage
    You sit and go to meetings
    You cannot answer
    What do you do all day to justify your pay

    Your paycheck wages are inflated
    Your egos much the same
    You think that without the City
    No one would know Sedona’s name

    Oh Sedona!
    You spend egregiously!

    You’ve now erected streetlights
    So now there are less stars
    You want more garbage in the street
    to justify your street sweeper cars

    You say that without you
    the tourists would not come
    You must not sit in the traffic
    going nowhere in the hot sun

    With your over inflated budget,
    and a population that is dropping
    You find the tax payers adjudicated
    and want the City disincorporated

    Oh Sedona!
    You spend egregiously!

    You really should get clue
    And realize where you are

    You’re no longer public servants
    You’re merely revenue generators
    With oscillating bearings
    You’re merely masturbaters

    You line each others pockets
    You grease each others palms

    The City and the Chamber
    are in bed with Red Rock News
    and the Film Festival
    just to name a few

    Oh Sedona!
    You spend egregiously!

    When was your last audit
    To ensure you’re trustworthy

  11. Oh Sedona!
    We loved your clear blue skies with red rocks changing before our eyes.
    Developers stopped letting us love her the way she was.
    Best for us then, fair to middling for us now
    Oh Sedona we came and visited the way you WAS but never come visit now!

  12. Mildred says:

    Oh Sedona, it never occurred to us,
    That we’d have a City Council that we cannot even trust.

    We came from Minnesota to escape that mean deep freeze.
    And now we’re in Sedona barely able to meet sewer fees.

    Those who stand in line begging for a dime, or even a million bucks.
    Are graced with praise, given accolades, as “they” plot to stick cost on us.

    Oh Sedona, the deception that lurks within.
    Sadly surface beauty now serves best to conceal a nasty sin.

    That being to treat the bulk of us, opting to call Sedona home.
    At the best all that we get from “them” is now and then a bone.

    Oh, Sedona, it never occurred to us,
    That we’d have a City Council that we cannot even trust.

  13. Easter Bunny says:

    Oh Sedona how sad I feel for you. Only those po-lit-icly correct Dictate what you do.

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