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Rio Robson Bows Out of Council Race

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock breaks the news that Rio Robson bows out of Sedona City Council race

Sedona AZ (October 10, 2014) – The following is SedonaEye.com breaking news:

Date: 10/10/2014 1:00:10 PM

To:  Eddie Maddock

Yes I am confirming this it is over

Thank you

Rio

Sent from Son Silver West only the best!!

 

Date: 10/10/2014 1:00:10 PM

To: Eddie Maddock October 10, 2014

Attn:  Sedona press, friends and supporters

I have made a decision to end my campaign for election to the Sedona city council.

In the past several months there is a long list of incidents and aggressive, vindictive, hateful bulling actions against me, my family and my business. These are far outside the possibility of coincidence.

I have a whole list of names and even video of persons involved, including my opponent.

I thought that being on city council would be a matter of simple public service but it’s obvious that Sedona city councilors and Sedona Fire Board members have much more influence than I ever considered.

Some say it’s just politics but not for me.   I have a responsibility to my family business and my staff.  They are my priority and focus, not local politics.

I want people to know that I am not making this announcement as a ploy to get votes because I can tell you I won’t take the oath of office to serve even if I get the most votes.   The direction that this campaign has taken is not good and I am not going to run on that negative level.    I want to thank my many friends and supporters.   I have learned a lot during the campaign and apologize for letting their hopes down.

Thank you and sincerely

Rio Robson

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

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

34 Comments

  1. This is a very sad report. It once again goes to show that a good person doesn’t stand a chance in H— of being elected in this town.

    This is basically the same thing that happened to Cliff Hamilton. Who can win against a group of corrupt vultures that will do Anything to get their way. And now that Scott Jablow is being used by them, we are left with a lying egomaniac. Watch him carefully as he says things and says he didn’t, and doesn’t say things and says he did.

    I’m still voting for Rio just to let Mr Jablow know that not everyone wants him on Council.

    I received the following Email today (read between the tines):

    Hey there,
    We’ve been told that Rio is dropping out of the race and that he’s supposed to drop a letter off any time now. I wanted to get a comment on you, not necessarily on him dropping out but maybe something to the fact that even though he will still be on the ballot, barring anything major, you’ll be the next councilman.
    Think about it and email me if you want.
    Thanks,
    Ron
    Ron Eland
    Senior Reporter
    Sedona Red Rock News

    From: Scott Jablow
    Sent: Friday, October 10, 2014 1:16 PM
    To: Ron Eland
    Subject: Re: need a comment
    I’ll work on that ASAP please make sure that he knows that he has to drop a copy off at the City Clerks office.
    All the Best,
    Scott
    Candidate for Sedona City Council
    “When Experience Counts”

    Can you get me your response by 3:30 p.m.? Thanks
    Ron Eland
    Senior Reporter
    Sedona Red Rock News

    Ron:
    While I haven’t officially received the news from the Sedona City Clerk, I have been advised of my opponent’s resignation from the race for Sedona City Council. I want to assure the many residents and businesses in our city that I look forward to representing them on City Council for the next 4 years. Thank you all for your support during my campaign.

    While I am thrilled that I will fill the seat on City Council, I am disappointed that I was not able to complete my campaign. The voters should know that the ballots have already been printed with both my and my opponents name. I am still asking my supporters to still cast their vote in support of me.
    Scott M. Jablow
    Council Elect

  2. Warren says:

    If I had “a long list of incidents and aggressive, vindictive, hateful bulling actions against me, my family and my business” that were “far outside the possibility of coincidence”, plus “a whole list of names and even video of persons involved, including my opponent”, I’d being going public with it and using that information against my opponent. I wouldn’t quit.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEAYnJJdCSU

  3. Brendan says:

    Nice guy Rio worth 3x the present & future council people. No integrity, no soul, no character & lots of shame is their legacy & the future legacy of homeless people laying on our sidewalks, druggies puking & (deleted by editor) in doorways & businesses, crime skyrocketing, tourists leaving & not coming back. Listen up folks, you ain’t seen nothing yet when these new folks come in, Sedona as we know it is done.

    btw what moron thinks LIGHTING UP THE ROCKS AT NIGHT is a good idea? JMJ (deleted by editor)

  4. William S. says:

    @Warren: Good video. Catchy music and lyrics. However it makes me wonder if Rio actually has the evidence he claims maybe a hot-damn attorney would be a better direction for him to take at this juncture.

    IMO he has shown remarkable intelligence by withdrawing when he knows full well the line was drawn in the battle when Jablow received financing from Segner and LeFevre, both in the pocket of chamber of commerce and “select” local lodging establishments.

    I’m hoping we haven’t heard the last from Robson but seriously I believe he stands a better chance of showing what he’s made of from outside the circus ring.

  5. Mr. Erland, I am shocked by that exchange — and disgusted at the slaps on the back between a reporter and a candidate during an election. The attaboys were heard several states away where I live.

    If it weren’t for this news source, your once stellar community would be kept in the dark. Please renew my $30 subscription and, not because the Sedona election reason, but because you serve a necessary role in the community. If not for your news, we wouldn’t have been wiser about the VOCA board issues to become more involved or the sleight of hand in the city. Truly power corrupts.

  6. @Katherine OR the sedona fire board & sfd – here was the go-to info for both sides then – scott got a fair shake then & he did this go round – his backstabbing the eye is out of line – fair is fair & burning bridges w/o cause to curry favor proved ignorant – robson dropped out w/o rrn help. Lesson here scott, pay attention.

  7. Desert Dano says:

    You’re right. SJ’s dirty tricks left a bad taste in city workers craw. He needed nobody but his own bad self to do the nasty.

  8. I will be voting for Scott Jablow. He is a nice man. Thank you.

  9. I have known Rio and his dad for years. He is a decent hard working young business man.

    For him to back out of this race is very discouraging.
    There must have been some nasty things happening for him to make such a decision.

    Dirty politics is the reason I would never run.
    Thank you.

  10. City council IS bullying….top to bottom….over and over. It is all just about what THEY PERSONALLY want…they do not – and never have – represented the PEOPLE.

  11. After the mud-slinging piranhas took over this election who would be stupid enough to throw their hat in the ring two years from now?

    If this is the best Sedona has to offer maybe it’s the solution to the traffic problem. Who will want to come here to visit or live?

    Good luck to Rio. And remember, what goes around comes around. A huge loss for our city just in order to sate huge egos.

    I’m voting for Rio anyway.

  12. Gene says:

    Voting for Scott.

  13. Marge says:

    @Gene: Why? He’s already elected.

  14. Jablow is trashing Sedonaeye why? I heard him. Not second hand, Rose…

  15. I POSTED BEFORE THAT I’M VOTING FOR JABLOW.

    THAT GUY JUST CALLED MY HOUSE TO TELL ME ABOUT HIMSELF AND ASK FOR MY VOTE. I HIT HIM HEAD ON ABOUT RIO AND THE SEDONA EYE TRASHING.

    NOT ONLY DID HE NOT SAY ONE BAD WORD ABOUT RIO BUT HE PRAISED S.E. FOR GIVING A VOICE TO SEDONA.

    HE STILL HAS MY VOTE!

    CAN’T WE JUST GIVE THIS ELECTION STUFF A REST!?!

  16. Steve E. says:

    Harvey Weinstein:

    Of course he would deny it. Would you expect anything else? The only problem is he told the same thing to so many people how could he possibly keep track? Isn’t it a bit of a waste of time anyhow for him to be making phone calls now? For Heaven’s Sake, the guy is elected.

  17. Old Sedona says:

    Good old Sedona doing what they do best. Sedona is to good, better then the rest. That is why City Council pushes everyone around. That is the way they done it from the beginning. Shut up and sit down.
    Flatlanders, residents, and businesses are not welcome. Not good enough. They know best. They do not care about the city, people or businesses. All they want is your money. This is why they participate in the shenanigans. Money makes the world go round. Controlling you through negative name calling. Threatening businesses. Use your real name and you will pay.
    Staff are the ones to pay. poor poor Sedona. You’ve gone backwards, to the cowboys and indians. The world is growing, Sedona is shrinking. Tourists don’t want to come back, Mom & Pop businesses closing, residents leaving.
    You changed into a cheap timeshare, lost your personality. Galleries bye bye. B&B’s bye bye. No attractions in Sedona. What does Sedona have to offer?

  18. AZ Voter says:

    There are many negative items about Rio that have have not been made public and that’s why decided to drop out. Best for him and his supporters if less is said about it. Let it be…

  19. Warren says:

    @ AZ Voter — If you can’t support your statement then all it is is innuendo. If the “negative items” are “many” then it should not be hard to mention some.

  20. Ted says:

    @PaulMiller AZ grandfathered law applies to Robson business.

    GRANDFATHERED … Black’s Law Dictionary defines “grandfather clause” as “an exception to a restriction that allows all those already doing something to continue doing it even if they would be stopped by the new restriction.” Thus, “grandfathering” is allowing an existing operation or conduct to continue legally when a new operation or conduct would be illegal.

    USUAL & CUSTOMARY … Black’s Law Dictionary … defines usual as habitual, customary, ordinary, according to usage or custom, commonly established, observed or practiced…

    Is city addressing septic systems for Oak Creek? It seemed a hot item couple years ago now we don’t hear about it. Why isn’t the city council doing something about it? A worse problem after fire and no trees to keep water from washing everything into creekbeds.

  21. Kevin W. says:

    Sedona city council “gives” Chamber of Commerce $1.3 million for destination marketing. Chamber in turn hires with city money a professional ad agency, Owens Harkey, in Phoenix to do the job they aren’t qualified to do.

    Partner Harkey contributes $1000 to help elect Sandy Moriarty as mayor of Sedona. (keep in mind this guy is from Phoenix) Steve Segner, head of Lodging Council, together with Red Rock News verbally attack and discredit Cliff Hamilton also vying for mayoral seat.

    Sand Moriarty wins that race by a nose.

    Of the two remaining candidates for city council seats, Rio Robson resigns leaving Scott Jablow to fill remaining chair.

    End of story? Hah.

    The Sedona Gang Rule Ghouls, taking advantage that Halloween is just around the corner, refuse to crawl back under their rocks. They continue to unmercifully bludgeon the corpse of Rio Robson even after they craftily managed to circulate a city of Sedona code violation notice to the Robson business.

    How stupid are those in control of shameful “city” government that they are tarnishing the reputation of Sedona in maybe the worse way possible?

    What makes them think that all the money in the world spent on advertising can undo the sordid publicity attack on Rio Robson that’s being unfolded by the unrelenting determination to continue to bash a young man that was forced out of a contest for reasons that perhaps none of us know. The ongoing frivolous determination to uphold the persistent pounding on a dead horse stands for no other purpose than continuation of a lame attempt to justify ongoing and seemingly endless dirty politics, even after the deal is done.

    People all over the country have access to the real truth about Sedona: Dirty, ugly, vial and under control of money and power mongers who are unmerciful. Blood isn’t enough. Will total annihilation satisfy their ravenous appetites? Probably not.

    Those of you refusing to give it up, how proud are you of that claim to fame?

  22. Jeff says:

    no bridge over troubled oak creek in Sedona

  23. Would it be okay to verbally slander Rio if he had been elected or was a City employee…. That all people on this site do is verbally assault everyone be it the mayor, council, sedona PD parks and rec, etc etc.. The list goes on and on..
    Now your gonna cry because some guy got his nose blooded running for council…

    Boo Hoo you can’t have it both ways..

  24. AZ Voter says:

    @Warren—Tonight’s article in the SRRN should cover your comments. Someone with Robson’s history of violations with the City of Sedona has no business running for City Council.

  25. News Flash says:

    Hey Folks! A blood bath, against Rio who is a good guy, that is driven by the Sedona political Mafia is just way too much for this little town!

    In looking at the front page of the Red Rock News I am appalled at their salivating in headlines where they are just so wanting to trash a very good young man and his business!!!

    It takes a lot of guts to step up and run for anything in this town and Rio took that “step Up” and was committed to our community – Until the Mafia took over!

    Ya don’t have to pledge to the Chamber of Regional Commerce, or pay them dues that don’t benefit your in town business, or any other BS “requirements” that you all define as “acceptable”…..to be successful or collect and then pay all sales taxes to the City. The business license – just like the chamber membership routine is just a method or means the City dreamt up to “Catch” what ever they want to catch as they got chump change to scare and supplement their falling revenues and try to shore up their huge spending appetites .

    @West Sedona resident – Oh get over yourself! What have YOU ever done to improve our dwindling population? Somehow you are confused with asking questions and taking a stance with getting some smart and non entitlement people on our Council.

    @AZ Voter – Are you kidding me that you actually believe every thing you read in the very self anointed and personal politically directed Red Rock News? Hey buddy- got a wet lands or even better the dead cultural park I’d like to sell you!

    Bottom line is that there are members of appointed and elected City rats that just want their Mafia to Rule!

  26. How stupid I believed this site and voted for Rio WHAT A WASTE OF A VOTE!

    Maybe someone should require proof before printing any more “I have it from a reliable source…”

    Well, I have it from a reliable source too – the RRN – Rio has no regard for the rules and should never have bothered to run let alone have my vote.

    I guess Warren is eating a bit of crow dont ya think

    IMO running in the first place he brought this on to himself.

    Sedona Eye no longer has credibility in my eyes.

  27. Joshua says:

    @Kevin W.—– Gang Rule Ghouls! Catchy name and an appropriate send off for a new Chamber of Commerce affinity group. Could also be put to good use for destination marketing: Sedona Gang Rule Ghoul’s Tourist Center – “Just Trust Us.”

  28. @ Sedona says:

    Well @ AZ Voter than half of Sedona lodging clan AKA Sedona Lodging Council should not get Sedona Taxpayers money. Most of them have claimed bankruptcy and DID NOT pay for their City services. If you want to follow rules then Sedona Bed Tax and Sales tax should NOT be paying to promote one business outside the city!
    Then you have Spector, he has gone from one to the next bankruptcy. Why is he so special? Why would the city approve anything he is involved in? Timeshares are also in on the dirty trick. They just claim bankruptcy, they don’t pay for services. Convert from hotel to timeshare to avoid paying bed tax and sales tax. Where is all the affordable housing? Miller got away with it also.

    Why do you let some do it and others not? Dirty Sedona, bullies. Play fair.

  29. Bill, Sedona says:

    @RRSteve What???? Your brain in a mass of disconnected wires.
    I pay city taxes. Here’s my POV.

    Your rant PROVES you’re a mindless drone. Calling RRN a reliable source proves you whiff Chamber ass. NOBODY would’ve been wiser what’s going on in this city or during this election without it being said here.

    Agree with everything here? No. I don’t. But I’m not G-d. I’ll keep being skeptical & liking hearing it ALL.

    To you running this site___you’re doing a damn right job for this city never done before & won’t get done without you.

    That’s street cred. That’s worth something.

    RRN question____Robson’s been in business how long??? NOBODY at RRN gave a damn to report or investigate or care until NOW???? when Robson might beat a Chamber bought & paid for flunky out of a bought & paid for Council position!!!

    This is me LMAOROTF!!!! Coincidences???? Snip those puppet strings to the Chamber and RRN RRSteve Shill___earn your own credibility.

  30. What a shame Rio Robson didn’t stay in the race to see if you won.

    Don’t pay attention to the jerks that want to keep you from winning. We’re voting for you anyway. Hoozah.

  31. E. Maddock says:

    IMO the game was over before it began. What better reason is needed to pursue logical methods to prevent future repeat performances?

    Another “hat’s off” to Peoria for acknowledging a problem and attempting to do something constructive to fix it.

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