By the way, Sedona has a track record when it comes to raising money. The Cultural Park went under, and this was at a time when the economy was booming.

Were you not aware that ADOT confirmed that they would indeed be “abandoning” the roadway with four years advance notice (per AZ statute), if the City had accepted its continued management? They would not commit to when that might occur. ADOT is under the gun from FWHA since the late 1990’s for not eliminating maintenance expenses, etc. fast enough for roadways (e.g., highways) that run through the centers of cities and towns. For all we know, FWHA could cut the ADOTs future funding. In addition, because 89A is a highway (and not a main street), it would be contrary to their mission to install safety measures.

As far as not having enough money, there are always ways to raise money. In fact, the process of the route transfer in concert with the update of the Community Plan has the potential to attract more tourists and businesses to Sedona if we capitalize on this opportunity .

To stigmatize Sedona, again my opinion, with such a severe polarization by using national political affiliations, be it Democrat, Republican, or Independent is unconscionable particularly during this time of excessive global and national stress. The financial hardship you and your colleagues will burden future citizens of Sedona with is beyond my comprehension. When I supported the newly elected I had no idea I was in any way, shape, or form committing to the beliefs and strategies of the national Democrat party. There is no rationale that the meager 15 million dollars the city will receive from ADOT will anywhere come near to maintaining the State Highway, especially considering that over 4 million dollars is what improvements to Uptown SR89A ended up costing, far exceeding the initial projected expense. Wasn’t this same City Council supposed to be fiscally responsible? How can that be when you’ve dumped such an extraordinary expense on future Sedona residents totally what . . . ten, twelve thousand . . . when up to now we have had the entire population of Arizona (6 million) to pay for the upkeep and improvements of the two federally subsidized State Highways going through Sedona.

I regret having supported the candidates sponsored by Responsive Sedona Leadership 2010 and, because I voted for you, must now share my own blame for having been a participant in this devastating turn of events which has befallen our once inspirational and beautiful city.

If given the opportunity to vote for either/and/or a Recall or Referendum, you bet I will.

Eddie Maddock
Resident of East Side, Coconino County Sedona

Singularly well written is your article, Councilor. And your courage and integrity are unassailable. Meanwhile, since you’re a public officeholder, you have to maintain a degree of decorum. I don’t! So, I’ll say what you can’t.

The political faction you reference, who wants to effect a recall of the Councilors who voted for the SR89A turn-back, are wholly interested in a recall election that has nothing to do with the future financial stability of this town whatsoever. The only reason they want you and your fellow pro-turnback Councilors recalled is to regain the Council positions they lost in the last election. Of course, this faction’s loyal lieutenants in the local media and Chamber who also lost their power in the last election, are now striving to promote the same political faction. All these people are, simply put, just sore losers! None of these people care about this City. What they care about is their crumbling power and crumbling power base. You’ll notice that this same political faction is too cowardly to engage in orchestrated public debate with people like you and me on economics, the municipal bond market, the Series 2007 bond issue that financed the boon-doggle Chapel district sewer project, the complete mismanagement of the wastewater treatment plant and its associated Enterprise Fund, the complete mismanagement of the City’s outdated business model, the on-going failure of so many Chamber member businesses, City CAFR accounting, the unscrupulous attempts to manage local news with bogus polls and stories of which the opposing arguments are never mentioned, and…well, I could go on for hours. This political faction needs to quit playing games behind the scene and agree to moderated and orchestrated public debates. I’m laying down the gauntlet right here and now.