Home » From The Readers, Letters to the Editor » Vote Yes on Proposition 410

Vote Yes on Proposition 410

Dear Editor,

A requirement of a City Council is to protect the safety of its citizens. For both daytime and nighttime safety issues to be addressed, the City must own West 89A.

In November of 2007, after ADOT stated that it would install continuous roadway lighting (CRL) on West 89A, the Sedona City Council approved creation of the 89A
Pedestrian Safety Advisory Panel (SP). Its purpose was to study safety issues on 89A, and to make recommendations for the most efficacious safety solutions.

This panel was comprised of five ADOT experts, the Sedona City Manager and two other city employees, the Sedona Police Chief, the president of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, a senior staffer at The Naval Observatory, representatives of the International Dark Sky Association, a representative from the SFD, three private citizens, and a professional moderator. After this exhaustive study was complete, the SP provided City Council with a list of sixteen safety solutions which would resolve 24 hour safety issues. These were listed in order, from most effective to least effective. CRL is number 14.

Subsequently, an ADOT representative adamantly and consistently repeated to the City Council that ADOT was committed to installing the recommended measures. It later, adamantly, reversed itself.

In 2010, the City Council approved hiring CivTech, an independent engineering firm, to again study safety on West 89A. CivTech published its report in December, 2010, in which it states that West 89A does not meet minimum safety standards. CivTech’s recommendations to meet minimum standards are nearly identical to those of the SP.

Despite all this, ADOT continues to state its refusal to install recommended measures. Therefore, in order to improve safety on West 89A, the City must own the road, and fulfill its mandate to protect the safety of residents and tourists.

Vote “Yes”, Prop 410.

Rod Veach
West Sedona

Mark your calendars to vote in the City of Sedona Special election November 8, 2011

5 Comments

  1. Eddie Maddock says:

    “The City MUST own West 89A?” Really Mr. Veach? Surely you are joking.

    The responsibility of elected officials SHOULD be to represent the will of the people and not by manipulating professional polls because the results do not reflect their personal agendas.

    You mention that the Sedona Police Chief and the President of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce were participants on the Safety Advisory Panel. At any time was the option for Sedona to own a State Highway publicly made a consideration to your alleged pledge for safety? I don’t believe so; however, as I recall, and based in part in what you write, I do believe that the city council had made solid statements to take legal action against ADOT. Why did that never occur?

    Did you happen to read the presentation made before the State Transportation Board in Flagstaff by former Sedona Police Chief Joe Vernier? Also, to my knowledge the Sedona Chamber of Commerce is adamantly opposed to city ownership of additional miles of 89A. You fail to mention the entire area under consideration for the trade, including the portion of SR 179 from the “Y” roundabout to Ranger Road.

    At least, unlike Ms. LeFevre, you are realistic enough to acknowledge the State Route will continue to serve tourists and others driving through the State of Arizona insofar that is why it is there . . . to accommodate travelers from far and wide, including truckers, unlike our city neighborhood streets, purpose of which is to serve residents who live in a given area.

    It should not be the financial obligation for a population of between ten and eleven thousand people to foot the bill for a State Functional Highway!

    I see you reside in West Sedona and maybe a good suggestion would be for that section of Sedona to break from Coconino County side of town, form your own city, and you guys be responsible for constructing and maintaining State Highways as you see fit and leave the rest of us alone and financially solvent if such a thing is possible this day and age.

    People, get a grip. Trip down from outer space and hopefully land on your feet which might jolt you back into the real world.

    “The City MUST own West 89A.” How about trying to sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo?

    Eddie Maddock
    Sedona Resident

  2. Bettye says:

    In response to Eddie:

    – People can have differences of opinion, but that shouldn’t be an opening to name calling (“Beware of charlatans and quacks selling snake oil.”), nor outrageously misleading comments that You state in both of Your replies. Let’s all do our own research and be honest here.

    For those that truly understand the need for Safety here on Our Sedona highway, and the need for Our Dark Skies, I ask that You Vote “Yes” on 410 in November.

    Thank You,

    Bettye
    West Sedona Resident

  3. Eddie Maddock says:

    Hey, Bettye, since my reference to charlatans and quacks selling snake oil wasn’t directed to anyone in particular, how viable is it for you to use the label “name calling”?

    If you will please be specific in your charge of “outrageously misleading comments” made by me, I will be more than happy to address the issue(s).

    BTW, do you think it was appropriate and acceptable for an elected member of the Sedona City Council to blatantly refer to LTPV in a May 22nd article, “Hey Sedona, We’ve Been Scammed” as an obvious attempt to discredit people, many of whom were constituents but perhaps disagreed with the slim majority of four who approved action for a lifetime commitment of owning a State Highway?

    Or are your accusations biased as in what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily good for the gander?

    You are aware that my belief is the same as yours: Differing opinions when they lead to productive discussions serve to be beneficial, even if the end result is agreeing to disagree. As in this case, I believe voting “No” on 410 in November will be the better choice.

    (That’s the reason we are still capable of communicating.)

    You are welcome :-)

    Eddie

  4. Sanford says:

    I always agree with Eddie Maddox. She is always right.

    But why so angry, mean and disrespectful Eddie?

    That’s just not nice.

    BOCH

  5. Ricardo says:

    All this bickering over prop 410 in Sedona and what goes on in Washington DC reminds me of the line in Avatar when Neytiri refers to humans as “babies”. I am not a movie buff either but found much metaphysical themes in this movie. I am a two wheel rider and by no means would I call Sedona a bicycle friendly city. I have had a few close calls which only my years of experience saved me. Much of it has to do with the tourists who are unaware; and yes we do need them. I am all for bicycle lanes on 89A but am opposed to adding lights (I truly love the dazzling night sky here); how this is to be accomplished without slimming down the already existing lanes is beyond me. I don’t know where all these childish reactions about 410 come from. The roundabouts already proved to be more dangerous than the stop lights. Just ask the scores of drivers who have been in accidents in them. How adding lights is to make it safer is also beyond me. Is it not time to come into a period of cooperation and tolerance? No lights, but adding bicycle lanes is the answer. And for you fool bicylists out there who give the rest of us a bad rap, you need to be spanked just like babies.

Leave a Reply

Copyright © 2008-2017 · Sedona Eye · All Rights Reserved · Posts · Comments · Facebook · Twitter ·