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.”
OH! 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.
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.
Oh okay what?
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.
I can’t rhyme but thought this was a neat idea.
Oh Sedona you do not need home rule. Anyone who tells you differently is nothing but a fool!
Sedona you are the apple of my eye, thank you for letting me live here!
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.
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.
Response to Bettye in one word: BRILLIANT!
(city big shots, read it)
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
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!
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.
Oh Sedona how sad I feel for you. Only those po-lit-icly correct Dictate what you do.