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A Good Time Was Had by All

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

Sedona AZ (February 25, 2015) – As a concerned citizen I exercised my right to send an e-mail to the Sedona City Council members explaining my concerns about the following agenda item on the City Council meeting held Tuesday, February 24, 2015:

AB 1896 Presentation/discussion/possible direction regarding the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (SCoc&TB) tourism promotion efforts during the first six months of the new contractual agreement between the City and the SCoC&TB, and an analysis by City staff of sales tax generation between visitor and resident spending.

——-Original Message——-

From: Eddie Maddock
Date: 2/23/2015 1:32:16 PM
To: SMoriarty@sedonaaz.gov;  mdinunzio@sedonaaz.gov;  John Martinez;  Jon Thompson;  ALefevre@sedonaaz.gov;  SJablow@sedonaaz.gov;  Jessica Williamson
Cc: Karen Daines;  Audree Juhlin
Subject: RETURN ON BED TAX

TO: Sedona Mayor and Members of the City Council

This is simply to present another side of the coin. As you are all aware, Sedona has many problems to be resolved that would much better serve the lodging council and community in general as an alternative to contracting for Destination Marketing.

For example, the traffic in Sedona the past few weekends has been horrific. Gridlock, to be specific. If those funds were used to purchase property for parking, relocate to an official Sedona Visitor’s Center in West Sedona, or use even if only as a temporary measure to establish parking at the Brewer Road Property . . . all would serve the community, tourists, and economy in general if for no other reason than people would be interested in return visits to Sedona.

Mr. Segner fails to acknowledge that national economy has been on an upswing, gasoline prices, although slightly on the rise again, have been at an all time low, the Super Bowl in Arizona drew in thousands of tourists, severe inclimate weather on the east coast versus seasonally mild in our own area during this time of year . . . how can these plausible reasons not have accounted for an undetermined upswing in tax revenue? Also, has payment of past delinquent taxes been accounted for?

The professional recently hired by the City to advise on economic development said, in his own words, that Chamber of Commerce companionship with city/towns should be exclusively to benefit and promote members and economy within the area providing the taxes. You are well aware that your current policy is in breach of that premise.

Please, revise your thinking and unchain yourself from a bad situation that remains unproven for doing much of anything except causing community bad blood and possibly increasing membership to a Chamber of Commerce representing the region or even businesses in other states besides Arizona

Respectfully,

Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona Registered Voter

sedona city view

Sedona AZ

Dear Sedona Lodging Council:

PLEASE ATTEND:  The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau will be presenting our mid-term report to City Council on Tuesday, February 24th at 4:30pm.   Be there!  (Sorry, I am out of town that night and won’t be in attendance.)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  Next meeting March 10th at 8:30am at Sound Bites.  Agenda coming soon.

Also, we are working up a Letter to the Editor to send to the media/press in support of the Bed Tax renewal coming up.  Here’s our draft:

Dear City Council

This letter is in support of the Bed Tax and use of funds by the City and Chamber of Commerce. 

The City of Sedona recently reported that during the month of December 2014, total bed and sales taxes collected rose 24.2% over the same month of the previous year. Given that the hotels in Sedona have experienced unprecedented growth in the last 6 months of the year despite the canyon fires in late May and June and the closures at Oak Creek.  January and February of this year will also be way ahead of the last year. This is all due in no small part to the City and Chamber’s off-season advertising campaign being a great success.  

Karen Daines, the Assistant City Manager, was recently quoted as saying, “Technically we added some general fund dollars last year to cover the loss of the bed tax to the general fund, but moving forward we are considering that the entire amount comes from the bed tax.”
 
That means only bed tax revenues are going back into advertising and supporting the visitor’s center, going to where they are originally intended-to serve and promote the active and thriving economies development spurred by Sedona Lodging Council Members and Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

Steve Segner,
President
Sedona Lodging Council

* * * * * * * * * * * *

question mark 4Much to my surprise, a gentleman by the name of Pete Sanders, a resident of Oak Creek Canyon, spoke before the Council and made reference to “a letter” which very much indicated it was the e-mail I had sent to the City Council. He made adamant objections, especially to my suggestion that Sedona considers their own Visitors Center, the same as Flagstaff, Prescott, Cottonwood and other municipalities. Clearly it appeared Mr. Sanders had been furnished my communication with the City Council and because I had not received even one reply from a member of the City Council, I sent the following e-mail to City Manager Karen Daines and Community Development Director Audree Juhlin who had been cc’d with my e-mail to the Council:

——-Original Message——-

From: Eddie Maddock
Date: 2/25/2015 11:27:43 AM
To: Karen Daines;  Audree Juhlin
Subject: THANK YOU SO MUCH

Hi Karen & Audree:

This is sent to both of you not only as Sedona city staff members but also because the two of you in the past have always expressed support in my efforts to disseminate factual information.

Realizing that all written material going to City Hall is immediately public information, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when almost point by point, word for word, most (if not all) of the contents of my e-mail to City Council, cc’d to you, was ripped to shreds by denial and really, at times, very lame justification for why it shouldn’t have been applicable.

Of course, maybe that’s part of your job, to make council members look good (or bad as the case may be).

However, the resident of Oak Creek Canyon who blatantly trashed “the person’s letter that suggested a real Sedona City Visitor Center” was about one of the lowest points of any city council meeting I’ve observed since the days of incorporation.

To think he was blatant enough to further suggest that if the city were to provide their own “real” legitimate visitor center he would be denied representation as a business owner because he wasn’t eligible to vote in Sedona elections. Really? At some point it would have been refreshing (if for no other reason than to be polite) to remind him that of course as long as he remained a member of the regional chamber of commerce he would be appropriately represented as a member of that special interest group, for they would not close their doors if the city were to open another visitor information center, strategically located at the other end of town, which would also assist in alleviating uptown traffic congestion. And it would serve well as representation to the “Western Gateway” into our incorporated city, in compliance with the newly revised Community Plan.

Further (and I don’t believe he made mention of where his business is located) but if it is within city limits then surely he must have a business license and as such would, indeed, have representation in the obviously obsolete notion for the City of Sedona to ever have their own legitimate visitor center.

question mark 4Lingering questions:  Why did Sedona incorporate in the first place and why is it that State Statutes continue to be ignored? Why the determination to discriminate against city limit businesses in favor of those who do not collect city taxes? Why ignore the advice from your professional speaking on economic development when he clearly defined the responsibility of a chamber of commerce as being to first represent their own members, but most assuredly if partnered with a city or town, specifically those that collect taxes within the designated area?

Mortified, disgusted, and very much aware of the extent and determination of the bullying beasties hell bent to allow this city to be controlled by a “regional” chamber of commerce is putting it mildly. Sedona most assuredly did not incorporate for that purpose and, of all people, Sandy Moriarity should be aware of it.

By all means, feel free to share this with Jennifer, Steve, and the gang to make their “day after” as much fun as they had at the meeting. You can all take pleasure in knowing your strategy worked, at least to some degree. But as the saying goes, “It ain’t over til the fat lady sings” and one day, when you least expect it and probably after I’m long gone, it will happen. It’s called “karma.”

Sincerely,
Eddie

* * * * * * * * * * *

City Manager Karen Daines notified me with reassurance that neither she nor Audree Juhlin had shared my e-mail with anyone because to their knowledge they had not received the copy I had sent. Therefore, I resent the City Council e-mail to them with the following message:

——-Original Message——-

From: Eddie Maddock
Date: 2/25/2015 7:03:04 PM
To: Karen Daines
Cc: Audree Juhlin
Subject: Fw: RETURN ON BED TAX

Hi Karen:

This is the letter to which I referred in my previous e-mail to you and Audree. I’m surprised you didn’t receive it because I cc’d both of you. Maybe this will clarify the other e-mail I sent.

Thank you for your response and I want you to know that always I’ve respected the two of you for your intelligence, integrity, and patience to serve different members of an ever-changing city council. Of course that’s over and above your cooperation to deal with my many pesky questions of which you have cooperated to make my life easier.

Clearly this e-mail was circulated by one of the Council Members, and from the comments I inadvertently heard when the microphone was mistakenly turned on at today’s council meeting, it could have been any one of them. (subject of another e-mail I cc’d both of you I do believe)

Under no circumstances is it my intention to accuse or blame you for anything. All I seek are answers to questions and more often than not lately that seems to be mission impossible.

My respect and admiration for both of you remains at maximum and good luck with serving as Interim City Manager. A job I do not envy.

Sincerely,
Eddie

* * * * * * * * * * * *

boy computerNow for the kicker – grand finale of this most recent series of e-mails, the one to which I made reference in my communication to Karen Daines:

——-Original Message——-

From: Eddie Maddock
Date: 2/25/2015 3:44:17 PM
To: John Martinez
Cc: Jon Thompson;  ALefevre@sedonaaz.gov;  SJablow@sedonaaz.gov;  Karen Daines;  Audree Juhlin;  Sedona Sweet Arts;  Mike Goimarac
Subject: FYI

February 25, 2015
3:30 PM

Hi John:

When I tuned into Channel 4 to view this afternoon’s city council workshop, apparently you weren’t aware the microphones were turned on prior to when the meeting began.
 
It was really disappointing and shocking to me, John, to hear you say something to the affect you all must do something about “Eddie Maddock and Donna Joy.” Although muffled, it appeared others were in agreement.

Just what exactly gives you cause to make such an accusation? And to think the State of Arizona was in pursuit of changing the Open Meeting Law? Obviously there’s no need in Sedona since apparently it doesn’t exist.
 
For your further information and I speak only for myself, I’m an independent agent and work alone. However and apparently unlike others, I do try very hard to keep an open mind and maintain some semblance of understanding, compassion, and respect for views different from my own.
 
Another curious discussion was under way about just who all was going to ride someplace together tomorrow?
 
Not that it matters, but maybe it’s time for all of you to look in the mirror and be pointing your fingers in a different direction. Passing judgment and making accusations without merit can be a dangerous game, although it appears likely that more and more at least a few are heading in that direction.
 
Wow! Forgive me for feeling sick to my stomach.
 
Hope you reach a consensus about how to deal with the two “alleged” Sedona evil-doers.
 
Better yet, I hope you never have anything worse to deal with the rest of your lives.
 
Regretfully,
 
Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona Resident since March 31, 1977

* * * * * * * * * * * *
The above e-mail was sent with a request for a receipt, as I did with the fourteen e-mails I sent to Arizona State Senators. Seven of them acknowledged receipt of my e-mail. So far the only reply I’ve had is from Jon Thompson:

“Eddie,

This was very upsetting to read. I can only hope there is a logical explanation for what you heard that leads to a different, benign conclusion. But in any case I want you to know that I certainly did not hear anything said about you or Donna at that time and would not have participated in or condoned any such discussion.

JT”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Aopen closednd so you have it, another few thousand words about the ongoing saga of the mystery of how a little town of 10,000, more or less, has ended up with such complicated government and the unanswered question of the determination to allow it to be ruled at the whim of a regional Chamber of Commerce under the direction of a Lodging Council?

One might wonder if a deal had been cut prior to the approval of the increased bed tax?

Oh, and for the record, two Council Members will drive themselves and the remaining five will be riding together to the Intergovernmental Meeting in Clarkdale late Thursday afternoon.

A quorum?

Arizona Open Meeting Law, where art thou?

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

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

182 Comments

  1. Rumors says:

    Anyone can use any name they like on this website. There are some using pseudonym names to hurt, control, battle and manipulate others via their posts on this site.

    Anyone can say anything that does NOT make it true. Those willing to use their real names have to back up what they say as those pseudonyms don’t like that they are speaking the truth. Eddie does just that. You can see the emails, you have the links to council meeting videos. I checked her quotes she goes word for word via those meetings. Spot on. Thank you Eddie for speaking up and reporting the truth.

    That would have been nice for the owners of each hotel in town to get one vote in regards to bed tax. That would have been the fair thing to do.

    By using real names, reporting emails, links to meetings and giving each hotel their own vote rumors would be eliminated, transparency created. This would make city councilors jobs easier, give staff direction and the ability to work focused with the real issues at hand. Move forward.

  2. Eddie

    Well after you rivotting story’s about a tree begin cut down, conspiracy theory’s and your focus on all things bad in city government. One would think that you aspire towards such a goal…. Or do you just want to seem important??

    Thier is such a theory called ” they law of diminishing returns”. The more story’s you write on here about the things referenced above, the more irrelevant you became… ” oh boy here comes another Eddie Maddock story”

  3. steve segner says:

    To West Sedona Resident
    You are correct, but when you let people make false statements and not call them on it people will start to think what whey are saying is true.
    So I usually just post when the bulls%#@$ get to deep.
    All this hate is because one baker in town will not join the chamber and can not even get along with the other wedding business in Sedona…. why did we have two wedding events this winter…. (same weekend) goes to character.
    SS

  4. Final Word says:

    OK, West Sedona Resident. I hear you loud and clear but what I don’t understand is if you find my contributions so distasteful, why do you read them as your remarks indicate is the case?

    For the last time, if you, yourself, are so important and virtuous, then why is it you remain apparently ashamed to reveal your own true identity?

    Although I do not agree with the policy the city has set with the Chamber of Commerce, at least Steve Segner has the integrity to use his true name when posting comments here. He deserves a lot of credit for that.

    Since you dislike the pages in my book so much, why not take a page from Steve Segner’s and identify yourself?

    End of report. My time is better spent on deciding what my next story will be to apparently make your life complete and give you something about which to rant.

    End of report.

    Eddie S. Maddock

  5. Jess Lookin says:

    @West Sedona Resident is a city employee that lives in the Village.

    She’s not too bright, either.

    What I would love is if the city would check her emails sent to the Sedona eye on her city paid smartphone. Then terminate her.

    The Sedona Eye could require proof of names before allowing posting. Instead they allow anyone to say anything they like.

    Many websites do, if you do not require positive ID you get trolls, personal attacks, lies and disinformation.

    The Sedona Eye can trace the originating sender. You may be doing this already, it would make a great expose. “Sedona City employee provides disinformation under alias on city paid smartphone”. Great headline

    Eddie, the best thing to do is ignore “West Sedona Resident” and all her alias,
    Tom G, Tom B et al. The multiple periods is her tell.

    I learned long ago not to argue with idiots, the bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  6. oh boy here comes another West sedona resident post . Always negative & hateful. Take some midol and get over yourself. Barf at your posts.

  7. sharlett says:

    @steve segner.

    To quote you: “but when you let people make false statements and not call them on it people will start to think what whey are saying is true. ” — Isn’t that exactly what you do – make false statements and when called on them your truth just folds and evaporates?

    How come you have not answered the true questions from both Eddie and me? Too tough?

    Now, in reference to your socialistic comments about “one baker in town” and “why did we have two wedding events this winter”……Steve, remember writing that?

    Simple answer is that we live in a country of Capitalistic business rights and adventures!

    If we believed your train of thought on the wedding events that would translate into you believing YOU should be the only lodging business in our town. OMG Steve!

    Having the “golden crown” of being a member of the chamber doesn’t mean squat! Why? Because the chamber, in reality, is not a partisan organization to protect it’s in town business’s vs those out of town – instead it will take money from any check book and therefore is not a keeper of the gates of Sedona’s council spending $1m to support and does so without ever providing a real P&L—-only a smile and the words “Trust Me” .

    Most fascinating comment you made was “but when you let people make false statements and not call them on it”…… Well Steve and west Sedona – it’s all relevant isn’t it? You are asked questions that you just side step and merrily go on your deflection routine away from the real issues merry way.

    Karma and intelligence and Facts will haunt you.

  8. Just Sayin' says:

    @Jess Lookin

    Wow, be careful what you wish for because if SE were to track emails they would see that you are J Stewart. After all, they also allow YOU to say anything.

  9. Jess looking

    You sound a lot like Sharlett…both contemptous big mouths and completly wrong as usual ..

    Your the girl that got fired..
    I am a happily retired Sedona Resident ..

    Lest use our real names…you first..
    I know who who are your that women that looks like a man whose boyfriend is Tony correct…
    My posts are correct… You did get fired.. As I said before(congratulations for that Julianna….

  10. This city council thinks it’s perfectly OK to give all that money to Steve Segner’s Lodging Council when he publicly attacks some bakery in Sedona because they will not become a member of the Chamber of Commerce????? Isn’t it the non-paying VOC wedding event that he’s supporting???? At the Hilton which does NOT collect city bed or sales tax??? What Steve Segner just went on record with should be reason enough for the council to exercise that 30-day Destination Marketing Contract cancellation clause. Slamming one or all businesses choosing to not be a member of a Chamber of Commerce is very bad for everyone – – – – especially the economy.

    Just when you think you’ve heard everything there’s always another bomb being dropped on Sedona. Sad, sad, sad.

  11. The sbove post by very disturbing is Sharlett once again…. FYI

  12. G & E says:

    Tahoe, Aspen have higher development standards. Examine their planning concepts. Charm translates into higher revenue.

  13. Sammy says:

    Hola Angry Sedona Birds.

    1. The sport of choice for urban areas is BASKETBALL.

    2. The sport of choice for maintenance level employees is BOWLING.

    3. The sport of choice for front-line workers is FOOTBALL.

    4. The sport of choice for supervisors is BASEBALL.

    5. The sport of choice for middle management is TENNIS.

    And…

    6. The sport of choice for corporate executives and officers is GOLF.

    THE amazing facts are, the higher you go in the corporate structure, the smaller your balls become.

    There must be a lot of people in Sedona playing marbles.

  14. steve Segner says:

    To, Very Disturbing

    Sorry once aegean, you are wrong. the city has never give the Sedona lodging council any money, nor has the chamber.

    I said a Baker in town? I named no business? Must have hit close to home.

    Why all the hate for the Hilton? Oh> ja they must bake their own wedding cakes and they hosted a wedding show this winter
    ss

  15. First of all, I’m NOT Sharlett. Have no idea who that person is. For all I know it’s the West Sedona person.

    As for you, Steve Segner, my, my, my —- your rage is showing. Speaking of “hitting close to home?” How easy is that to accomplish with “marbles?”

    And just who is the recipient of the $1.2 (more or less) million dollars for alleged “destination marketing” without competent accountability? Are you saying that contract isn’t with the Sedona “regional” Chamber of Commerce? Are you denying that the Lodging Council, of which I believe you are the Chairman/President or something, is not an affinity group of the local C of C?

    I’ve nothing against the Hilton. In fact, when we have friends planning to visit Sedona we recommend outside city limit accommodations because it’s a better deal —– no bed or sales tax. Unlike the City of Sedona and their inconsideration for non-chamber member businesses, we look out for the welfare of our visiting friends.

    Thanks for your reply, Steve. I admire your creative writing.:-)

  16. Jess Lookin says:

    @ West Sedona Resident,

    Sharlett and Julianna must be the new Guy Fawkes

    She’s everywhere. Look it up.

    Then again it could be a larger number than you think of Sedona Citizens who are mad about how their hard earned money is frittered away.

  17. C of C Options,

    We all have options.

    As far as the C of C goes, I’ve given up trying to get an invitation to speak to their group about encouraging their businesses to reward the local ADOT Adopt-A-Highway groups that clean our local highways.

    You would think that the C of C and their member businesses would be interested in how to keep the volunteers that try to keep our highways clean happy and have opportunity to hear what we’re proposing. I’ve spoke to Jennifer several times and her response is always the same, “We’re booked” to which I respond, “When you have an opportunity could you let me know?” I’ve been waiting for six plus years.

    Wonder how much worse our highways will look when the “old timers” that clean our highways can’t do it any longer and there’s no one following in their footsteps because the seeds haven’t been planted.

    Have any of the businesses in Sedona considered NFIB? or to just quit paying their C of C dues? I have had many businesses tell me that they belong to the C of C just because of “small town” politics (go figure).

    The following list consists of our successes contacting the local businesses on our own and without any help offered by any of our local C of C’s. Our local businesses are very generous but I have no faith in any C of C’s at this time.

    Options, you have them.

    Gary Chamberlain
    “America the Beautiful & BagReadyJobs”
    Empowering our nation’s youth
    FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com

    Folksville USA “America the Beautiful & BagReadyJobs” Supporters

    Supporters-Phase 1 (2009-2010)

    Camp Verde, AZ
    Tire Pro Automotive and Verde Solaire Services.

    Cornville, AZ
    Bill & Mary Harrison, Biker Mike and Highlands Resort.

    Cottonwood, AZ
    Reese & Son’s Tire, Tire Pro Automotive, CTS Printing, United Uniforms, Road Runner Recycling, Larry Green Chevrolet (7 veterans), Lewis Rice Accounting, Allegra Design, Randall’s Restaurant,Tri-City Computers-Sedona, AZ, Heartline Café-Sedona, AZ, Rokzoo Screen Printers, Robertson Center PC, Dr. Bill Guth DDS & Mary Guth, Pawn Palace, George Boddy Insurance and Zoomer’s Bike & Gear.

    Prescott, Arizona
    High Gear Bike and Pawn Palace.

    Sedona, AZ
    Sedona Pines LLC, AZ, Moon Dogs Pizza, Tri-City Computers, Heartline Café, Sedona Healing Vortex and Biddle’s Nursery.

    National
    Dave Bell-Farmington, UT, Unger Quality Tools-Bridgeport, CT, BOB Trailer Inc.-Boise, ID, Barry Chapman-Portland, Or, Phil Behrends-Carlsbad, CA and Ritchey Design-San Carlos, CA.

    Supporters-Phase 2 (2011-2012)

    Camp Verde, AZ
    Energy Roofers, The Horn Saloon, Thanks a Latte, High Desert Cycle and ATV Services LLC, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6739, Ming House, Wells Fargo Bank, La Fonda Mexican Restaurant, Tax Preparation-E-File Valley Accounting, Camp Verde Auto Parts, Inc., Old World Guns LLC, Yavapai Title Agency, Camp Verde Realty, Arizona Central Land and Home, Ron’s Signs, Camp Verde Feeds & Country Store, Lori’s Lookin’ Good, The Valley View Restaurant, Tierra Verde Builders, The UPS Store, Tire Pro Automotive, Harris Garage Door, Snap Fitness, The Joshua Tree & Landscape Co. and Camp Verde Cycle & Small Engine.
    Cornville, AZ
    Axel’s Auto Repair, Reiner & Yolan Kreuzer, Highlands Resort, Northern Arizona Pump, Graham Robertson, Cornville Pet Clinic, Lois Kellenbenz, Windmill Gardens, Verde Solar Power, Northern Arizona Therapeutic & Medical Massage Center, Red Rock Masonry, Verde Valley Stoneyard & Materials, Wild West Equine, Breakthrough Medicine, Harry’s Hideaway Restaurant and Mr. Rooter.

    Cottonwood, AZ
    My Styles Boutique, The Mattress Center, Sherwood Jewelers, Reese & Sons Tire, Wells Fargo Bank, Nature’s Pantry Café, Caldwell Banker-Mabery Real Estate, The Picture Window Inc., Shadow Mountain Property Management, Larry Amis-veteran, K.A. Cycles & Service, The UPS Store, Brandi’s Kitchen, Hooked On Books, Courtesy Auto Sales-Matt Kightlinger, Main Place Floor and Window Fashions, Solar Works LLC, Gresham Painting & Remodeling, Maria’s Dulceria, Carla’s Pet Grooming, Art Glitter, A Scoop Above, Mr. B’s Music & Electronics, Papa Murphy’s, Home Depot, Mingus Self Storage, Selina & Associates, Tire Pro Automotive, Randall’s Restaurant, Rokzoo Screen Painters & Embroidery, Smoke-N-Guns, T&T Refrigeration Inc., Rockin B Saloon, Suzy Q Designs, Allegra Printing, Tae Kwon Do Unlimited, CTS Office Supply and Verde Events & Tents.

    Flagstaff, AZ
    The Joshua Tree & Landscape Co.

    Sedona, AZ
    Sedona Pines Resort, Sedona Pines LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, Tire Pro Automotive, The Joshua Tree & Landscape Co. and Point of Sedona Gallery.

    Prescott Valley, AZ
    Wells Fargo Banks (2) and Home Depot.

    Prescott, AZ
    Wells Fargo Banks (4) and Errol Sebastien Jr.-Prescott Honda and Home Depot.

    McGuireville, AZ
    Creek Side Grill, Stone Design, Inc., Candy’s Creekside Cottage, Rimrock Resales, McGuireville Tavern, Stone Design, Inc., El Patio Bar & Grille and Reliable Roadside Repair.

    Rimrock, AZ
    Bill Cowan and Allen Reynolds.

    National
    GarboGrabber-Stratford CT, Unger Enterprises, Inc.-Bridgeport,CT, Bob Crockett-Menlo Park,CA and Appraisal Services Co.-Andrews, NC.
    Supporters-Phase 3 (2013-2014)

    Camp Verde AZ
    Sweet Grace Restaurant, Sweet Grace Emporium, Camp Verde Promotions, Energy Roofers, Verde Solair, The UPS Store, Camp Verde Reality and Camp Verde Thrift Store.

    Cornville AZ
    Grasshopper Grill.

    Cottonwood AZ
    Randall’s Restaurant, Graham’s Auto Sales, Reese’s Tire & Automotive, Pawn Palace, Smoke-N-Gun, Sherwood Jeweler, Allegra Design-Print-Signs, CTS Office Supply and Road Runner Recycling.

    Prescott Valley, AZ
    Sun Valley Tire & Auto services.

  18. sharlett says:

    @West sedona resident, steve segner and all the rest of you who consciously deflect away from facts, and won’t answer viable questions – and only respond with their deflective spin answers – Sharlett – ME – only uses my name and no other!!!

    I’ve Never been an employee of the City and therefore I was never fired from the City. So bark your dumb ass up another tree!

    First and Foremost – Your bully garbage just smacks of a very weak person. Next the saddest part of your life is you forget people’s Constitutional Rights.

    Finally, I would like to nominate @Sammy as our new Mayor in the next election! Sammy you are terrific!!! I did think of one ball that is smaller than a marble and I think it is a Pellet gun shot ball.

    Oh and PS – I’m NOT Sammy – wish I were.

  19. RC Martinez says:

    SEGNER – CHAMBER- LODGING COUNCIL your post just proved you’re the Sedona Mafia. Controlling the city through Mafia techniques.

    Being bonded together by a code of honor, in particular the code of silence safeguards the Sedona Mafia (regional chamber) from outside intrusion (non chamber members) and law enforcement (city) action.
    Managers and employees are warned to keep their mouths shut. Go with the program.

    The city pays for you to keep the businesses silent, a big payment of 1.2 million under the disguise of marketing the city. Then you turn around and market the non-city businesses with city money. The city forces businesses to join your group, increasing your revenues as those who collect taxes get no benefit or say so in the taxes they collect unless they do. Anyone that doesn’t join in you slander and bully until they join.

    The last election is a perfect example of “gorilla” marketing …….who would be on city council. Only those that go along with the code of silence will be protected.

    Illegal in most places. Yep that’s how Sedona is run. Where’s the love?

  20. Jess Looking

    What hard earned money….you were FIRED remember…now you live off that idiot T…

    Sharlett…I also have a right to point out hateful frauds on this site.. BTW. I know you wrote a fake post by RC Martinz.. You have to be more creative then that..
    Once again cry baby’s complaining from the sidelines..

  21. @RC Martinez Where’s the love? It’s spelled MONEY!

    Your very astute evaluation of this endless blackmail Sedona Mafia and threats to non-complying businesses is right on the money. It appears there are two doors – front or back – so make a choice. In order to survive for some it becomes an offer we cannot afford to turn down. The games began so it seems with former City Council and cooperation of City Manager’s office. And there is no end with the bought and paid for newly elected on this new council.

  22. We love Sedona. the red rock hikes and views are the best, don’t ruin the views please. Happy Days

  23. Hank Mandel says:

    Demand transparency, use the tools given to citizens. Why reinvent the wheel? This talk of mafia, ridiculous, but power consortium that needs to be held in check, likely.

  24. Just Sayin' says:

    @Sharlett

    ATTENTION ALL PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT SHARLETT WAS SOMEONE ELSE YOU ARE ALL WRONG. SHE’S NOT SHARLETT. Because she say’s so.

    Also, please believe her when she says that she never posts under any other name.

  25. Mary G says:

    Just Sayin’ and West Sedona Resident

    You poor thing, Julianna must have really hurt you. There will be other loves. You have to let go before you can recover.

    Try http://www.dbsalliance.org, they can help.

  26. RC Martinez says:

    Segner has said it repeatedly on this site. The laws are made by city council. City council openly tells everyone they make the decisions. They don’t listen or represent the citizens. City staff stands behind the lodging and chamber. Many of us have @Hank Mandel they ignore us. What tools do you know that would help?

  27. @Mary G – The article you offered is a nice contribution but those who would benefit most probably won’t admit they need help.

    @RC Martinez – What this looks more and more like is that council member(s) made a deal with Segner & the Chamber before it ever went public. When asked about that in another comment someplace Segner never did answer directly.

    Problem is there’s no way to prove it and very unlikely anyone involved would admit the deal was made and the trade-off was the increase in bed tax. There’s no honor among thieves. What better example?

    We’re stuck in the muck. When the city was giving the Chamber a smaller amount for the Visitor Center contract, it made a bit of sense it was less costly than for the city to have their own. At this time, however, with over a million dollars on the table, it’s a farce.

    Total withdrawal of funding to the scam artists would solve the problem. But then trying telling that to an alcoholic.

    No amount of flim-flam BS justifies this rip off to, especially, city based businesses who no longer have the choice for legitimate city representation without being forced to be a member of the C of C.

    All that might be missing is the threat of “cement shoes” to those who will not play ball. How do we know that hasn’t already occurred?

  28. Do you suppose that maybe just maybe the new City Manager (Justin Clifton) will have the foresight and integrity to put a stop to this love affair with city council & staff and Steve Segner & chamber of commerce? Or has the Sedona Mafia already given him his marching orders? Time will tell.

  29. Point well made @”Consider This.” On a much less grand scale, of course, than attacks on Monica Lewinski, those who choose to use Sedona Eye to vent their wrath are among the minority and their comments more often than not have nothing to do with the topic of discussion. The bantering about of personal issues and vendettas about which nobody knows or cares becomes boring to readers, a deliberate method to discourage them?

    Continuing to share opinions which stimulate interesting discussions is far more productive and can even be educational. Ignoring the rabble rousers might be the best way to send a message that we are not interested.

    Eddie Maddock

  30. Rockin Roger says:

    @ Do you suppose?

    For the city manager to be able to put a stop to anything that you propose is not possible because the city manager does the bidding of the council folks not the other way around.

  31. Alarmed says:

    There are some exceptions, but it’s more like after being manipulated and fed B.S., the City Council folks do the bidding of City staff.

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