Tommy Acosta

Sedona AZ (December 11, 2008) – Good day Sedona! Lot’s on the plate today for us to cover.

First, we should be receiving our hard-copy issue of the Sedona-Verde Valley Times newspaper in the mail today or tomorrow.

Be sure to check this issue out. In it we cover hunger in Sedona, something I’m sure some would rather sweep under the table but something those who care in our community need to know.

As with our past issues, we showcase some of Sedona’s top writers who contribute their articles and opinions for the betterment of the community, with no compensation asked.

I also invite the community to come see me play The Blues, Friday night starting at 7 p.m. at Olde Sedona Bar & Grill on 89A.

I’ll be playing harmonica, guitar and singing original songs with “Blues Dawg,” a talented-local blues band and at 10 p.m. with “Cool Waters,” my own blues band.

Come on down this Friday and meet me in person.

Don’t doubt for a second the 89A lighting effort has run into one heck of an obstacle. I know headlines are running that it is business-as-usual when it comes to the NEPA study but that was before the Feds were alerted to the magnitude of community opposition to the lights.

By the time the hearings are complete and all safety data is analyzed, it could be years before the Feds make a decision for maximum safety on 89A. The world could be bankrupt by then.

A bit on the government bailouts of all these private corporations and institutions – I was once a Republican but saw the light. I’ll tell you one thing, these bailouts don’t come free and what I see is the socialization of the private sector by government handing out the dole. Here, the GOP has reason to worry.

But it is too late. Fear will rule and the auto industry will be next on the hand-out club and it too will be ruled by a government-appointed overseeing czar.

And on Obama, as every day passes it seems to become clearer that the great change we all anticipated may not be much of a change at all. I hope I’m wrong on this one.

I still can’t believe the present administration let him win the election. We are a little more than a month away from his crowning and I fear something is still up the old-administration’s sleeve, and events might take a dire turn that will in some way suspend the inauguration. I hope I’m wrong here as well.

Twenty-thousand more troops for Afghanistan? We need at least a million there to have any real effect at all. But why win the war and kill a cash cow generating billions for those who arm the soldiers?

What a waste of time and lives. With oil so cheap and demand so down, I wonder if those who started this war for oil profit are rethinking their strategy?

Back to local events — I hear the majority on the city council are questioning the validity of mayor -formed committees.

Not surprising, really. The committees do not represent the will of the majority so why should they exist?

We shall see. It’s tricky here because the council would probably have to enact some kind of statute forbidding the formation of committees unless through council-majority approval.

It will be interesting to see if this appears on an upcoming-council agenda.

And let us not forget the upcoming trial of Ochser vs. the State set for Jan. 29.

As much as I think this will be a very telling and revealing trial, I don’t believe it will happen simply because of that.

I don’t believe Mr. Turner, the alleged victim, is going to show up. The trial is too sensational and embarrassing for all parties involved.

We welcome all comments and will print most anything sent to us in good faith.

Hard copies of our December 11 edition can be picked up at the Sedona Post Office; New Frontiers; Kaiser Restaurant; Coffee Pot Restaurant; RavenHeart; the Sedona Car Wash; and Java Love.

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