Tommy Acosta, Sedona Verde Valley Times editor

Sedona AZ (November 12, 2008) – Welcome readers to Thursday’s wake up call to the danger Sedona faces. Yesterday I spoke with a number of business owners in our city and needless to say “panic” is in the air.

Sales tax-revenue for September decreased by more than 10 percent. The only businesses thriving are those that cater to very-well off locals while those serving the mainstream are surviving on the life savings of owners praying for a break in the economic plunge dragging down our planet.

Just six-months ago people of influence were gleefully reporting a healthy city budget and rosy future projections for increased revenue and shared prosperity.

Only voices in the Sedona-Verde Valley Times warned of the oncoming economic disaster Sedona would not be immune from.

Of course, we were accused of being negative, a typical reaction from those afflicted with ostrich mentality and the naive. Here we are and “oh baby” were we sadly right-on in our predictions. So, what do now that our cash cows are grazing at home rather than here?

For businesses, the hope is in the locals. Locals must realize that spending money anywhere outside of Sedona is a major boo-boo because every red cent of private expenditure is needed to keep our businesses afloat and our sales-tax revenues from total bust.

One can almost call it a perfect storm – the construction…the economy…the lack of a cohesive vision and a shared goal by the city, its businesses and its people.

It’s time for locals to break open their piggy banks and forget about saving for a rainy day. We need to shop and eat where we live, period. Forget those trips to Cottonwood, Flagstaff or Scottsdale. Here is where we need to spend.

Also, businesses need to realize we, the people and shoppers of Sedona are who, if anything can, help them weather the storm.

Now, more than ever, we need to stick together as a community, to find ways to support each other through the dark days approaching. That means the city government pitching in as well.

Think. The city approved $10 million to tear the Chapel Road community into a construction zone to install sewers.

Would the city ever approve such expenditure to help the small businesses now suffering?

Many on the council had no problem approving the installation of lights that will cost the city tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain and keep lit. Could that money be used to help ailing businesses?

Or what about those who are ready to build an alternate route through Red Rock Crossing. How much would that cost the city in the long run? Studies alone will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s more money that could be used to help our businesses.

Has anyone looked at how many Sedonans are lining up at the community food banks?

I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll say it again, unless the emperors with no clothes on our council wake up to the threat, and stop believing the economy will suddenly turn around and all will be nicy -nice again, Sedona, as we know it, will never be the same.

Article written for the Sedona-Verde Valley Times by Tommy Acosta, SVVT editor, with Sedona Times C. Bentley Hill.

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