Dear Friends and Residents of the Sedona Fire District (SFD),

Recently a recall completed against Sedona Fire District Governing Board member’s Dave Blauert, Charles Christensen, and Phyllis Erick with overwhelming success.

As your former Fire Chief, I continuously communicated information to the citizens within the Sedona Fire District.  I now am running as your candidate in the Special Recall Election against SFD Governing Board Clerk, Charles Christensen.  It is critical to the success of the Recall Election to inform voters of the issues, as well as the platforms and qualifications of each replacement candidate.

The Special Recall Election will begin April 23^rd as a mail-in ballot only.  There will be no polling locations.  The ballots will be mailed to every registered voter within the Sedona Fire District.

Your SFD firefighters are well-trained professionals in Emergency Medical/Paramedic Services, firefighting including wildland firefighting, and in all Technical Rescue skills.   It is critical to maintain SFD emergency services throughout the District.  Our goals are to establish financial stability, protect our professional emergency services, and to work within the limits of authority.

It is through the financial support of the community to make the Recall Election a success.  Included is additional information, brief summaries of all three candidates as well the procedural contribution form.   Please support us in this effort through your contribution.  You may make check(s) payable to:  “Committee to Elect (Candidate’s Name).” Complete a Contribution Form and include it with your check(s).  Mail to:  Wendy Tanzer, Treasurer, 35 High Sky Drive, Sedona, AZ 86351.  (The completed Contribution Form is required by the County Recorder’s office.)

Here is some brief background information on the candidates your contribution will support:

Chief Hazime will run in opposition to recalled Clerk, Charles Christensen.  Nazih is the current Fire Chief for our neighboring Verde Valley Fire District.  It is quite common for members of one district to serve on the governing boards of other districts.  Fortunately, for the residents of the SFD, there is no conflict of interest.  Nazih has expressed his overwhelming concern over the disintegration of public safety at the hand of the current Board majority.  His candidacy is a direct result of that concern and is an example of his dedication to the residents of the SFD and the proud, professional employees who serve them.

Diane Schoen is a long time Sedona Fire District resident and will run in opposition to recalled Chairman, Dave Blauert.  Diane has been actively involved in civic leadership since 1994 and served on the Chapel Station Committee.  Her background includes service as a School Board President and as a Manager for Scholastic Inc., where she gained invaluable experience in the monitoring of million dollar budgets.   Diane’s consistent attendance at SFD Board meetings has led to her genuine commitment to the safety and welfare of our community.  She has publicly addressed the current Fire Board about their repeated violations of Open Meeting Laws, illegal practices of overspending of public funds and ongoing disrespect for the public they serve.  She stated that, “The safety of our community should be the primary concern of the Fire Board while at the same time representing the public fairly and instituting a responsible conservative approach to the spending of taxpayer dollars.”

Registered nurse, Corrie Cooperman, will run in opposition to recalled member Phyllis Erick.  Corrie has lived in Sedona since 2008 and has been consistently impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the SFD personnel.  Her observations at SFD Board meetings and her service on the Chapel Fire Station Study Committee convinced Corrie that the recalled members actions are threatening the quality of our fire district.  Her background in public health makes Corrie keenly aware of and uniquely qualified to assess the necessity for well-trained, experienced and dependable first-responders.  Corrie’s concern about potential erosion in personnel and services if current Board policies continue, has motivate her to take a public stance to restore safety, integrity and morale.

 A few reasons to replace Christensen, Blauert and Erick:

Flagrant violations of Open Meeting Law * Excessive and unnecessary use of Executive Sessions * Excessive expenditures for attorney fees  * Unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer funds for unneeded additional audit – reasonable recommendations were already contemplated by staff * Selection of most expensive and least experienced audit firm * Irresponsible consumption of virtually all District Reserve Funds * Abuse of power and micromanagement to the “nth” degree

* Disregard for the recommendations of committees they appoint – such as the Chapel Station Advisory Committee * Appointment of “crony” friends to the “Chief Selection Committee” – no public representation * Disdain, distrust and disrespect shown to all Fire District professional staff * Extremely low staff morale caused by the recalled board members is inexcusable!

 Paid for by the Committees to Elect Corrie Cooperman, Nazih Hazime and Diane Schoen

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Candidate Contribution Form

Check for Candidates (circle):   Corrie Cooperman             Nazih Hazime             Diane Schoen

Date:  ____ /____/______           Amount(s):  $__________ Phone: (_______)_________________

Contributor’s Name:  ______________________________________________________________

Address:  ________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________ State: ____ E-Mail:  ___________________________________________

Occupation:  ______________________Employer: _______________________________________

I give my permission to use my name in a candidate support ad.

Mail to: Wendy Tanzer, Treasurer, 35 High Sky Drive, Sedona, AZ 86351

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Thank you in-advance for your consideration and support.  Contributions will be utilized in the form of informational literature, advertisements, and direct mail.  Our success depends on the continued communication to the community.  Any amount you are able to donate will be greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to share this information with friends and neighbors.

Thank you for your continued support,

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