SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock
Sedona AZ (March 23, 2016) – SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock shares an email sent to the City of Sedona City Council members:
From: Eddie Maddock
Date: 3/22/2016 7:33:13 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 23, 2016
TO: SEDONA CITY COUNCIL March 22, 2016
RE: CITY CONTROL OF RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE REMOVAL
Chances of this additional writing at this late date were slim to none as most likely the possibility of it being read are even more remote.
However, having briefly reviewed the expanded agenda information to be presented at the meeting tomorrow afternoon, 3/23/16 at 3:00 PM, Council Chambers, certain elements are very distressing.
First, it seems quite disingenuous for you to claim concern for saving the earth when conditions in Sedona continue to degenerate on a daily basis. If such a concept were true, you would have long ago obtained fair RFPs for other service contracts and made more efficient demands on the effectiveness of the service being provided. Case in point: How much has the recent contract with the Chamber of Commerce for Destination Marketing contributed to the ever-growing and obvious number of day-trippers that have for years become an increasing problem due to inadequate infrastructure to accommodate the vast numbers.
In fact, that hindrance is the main reason I’ll not attend tomorrow’s meeting. In order to get out of my subdivision onto SR179 just for shopping to accommodate needs for the entire Easter weekend, it was necessary for me to do so in the early morning hours and be home by noon. Traffic backup will be prohibitive this Wednesday afternoon to reach City Hall at 3:00 in the afternoon, especially considering this is the week before Easter Sunday.
The obvious poor planning with the expansion of Tlaquepaque will exacerbate this already congested situation once completed. This is just one example of an active demonstration of realistically failing to practice what you preach: Conservation and sustainability of resources.
The focus of the witch-hunt in Staff’s presentation is clearly directed at Taylor Waste for having done such a shameful thing as to notify their customers of the potential change in arrangement of Sedona’s trash hauling. To put the blame on a company for displaying a competent business practice and then further insinuate it is only their customers opposing the proposal is unfounded and unfair.
Attempting to blame garbage trucks for damaging our roads is absurd. And to further imply that tourists, jeep tours, ATVs, motor homes, moving and construction trucks do not invade our neighborhoods is simply not true. Garbage trucks, realistically, are among the least intrusive.
And you will save us money? Try to convince those of us within the estimated 85% who presently recycle that we will not be paying more for dragging out two bins weekly or biweekly, especially when we currently have efficient means to either support Sedona Recycles with assistance from their volunteers or in person.
Have you considered the effort it takes for those of us with dual hip replacements or other physical nuisances to drag one bin out and in every week let alone the added effort to do so with two?
What about those who leave Sedona for three or four months during the summer to vacation with families who will be denied the fairness of dropping the service during that period of time after the city takes over controlling garbage hauling? And no opt-out options?
But, of course, these questions were all raised during the public meetings and the answers remain void.
Some of us will never have need for bulk hauling, which is presently available through private enterprises on a needs basis.
Clearly it is your determination to force this on us, but kindly refrain from rationalizing and making inaccurate assumptions that objections are solely the result of the letters from Chris Taylor and being made by the customers of Taylor Waste. Going on record for not the first time here, it makes no difference to me who it is would get the bid. Denying the option to have a choice, the same as I had with getting service to my automobile this week, is insulting if not potentially damaging.
This has nothing to do with being uneducated or ignorant because we do not know the facts. Wake up. We see the writing on the wall. You are not practicing what you attempt to preach when you continue to approve for the demise and living conditions in Sedona, for both residents and tourists.
It obviously doesn’t matter to you how many residents move out of Sedona since you do little if anything to enhance our quality of life. I will no longer walk my dog in our neighborhood because of the filthy, ugly, almost dangerous patched roads, and heavy tourist traffic - yes within the neighborhood. No blame on garbage trucks is justifiable for this. Where is your great concern for protecting the environment? Selective and self-serving clearly is the answer to that.
Realizing none of this will make a difference because of your determination to manipulate the results of your public outreach to suit your desires, it really is sad that you are so insensitive and determined to take matters into your own hands with little to no regard for those of us paying the price in more ways than one. And by the way, weren’t you elected to represent our preferences even when they were not in sync with your own?
You will be making a decision affecting the lives of thousands of people for years to come such as was set in motion by a previous council when they entered into multiple year service contracts with yet to be determined valid statistics on the wisdom of those decisions. Of course this time when you opt to move forward it will be only $75,000 of public money for something again we do not wish to have. But that will also be disputed by the use of your magical manipulative methods which are really far more transparent than you must realize.
Your choice will be either to serve the will of the people and not the will determined by voodoo methods or by using the option at your discretion of abuse of power as in this is what I think is best for the community.
Sedona roads are designed for slow scenic views and sharing the road drives and maintenance caused by rushing waters, shifting ground, and mountainous terrain contribute to transportation issues.
As time goes on and remembering how much my late husband loved Sedona, the one thing for which I’m grateful is he isn’t here to witness the demise of what we struggled so long and hard for – to make a living and remain here for so many years. To work for and promote the Chamber of Commerce, Library, Humane Society, Elks Club and now for what? Everything we left big cities for has now consumed our once small town for powerful big city politics that will tell us what’s best for us? Chuck, my dear husband, you missed only heartache by not living long enough to retire here.
With profound sadness that it became necessary to convey this, but the upside is I’m in no position to play God and make choices for a bunch of stupid, ignorant people that can no longer think for themselves. How lucky for you to have that option and the arrogance of power to exercise it. Good luck and even better luck to future city councils that will inherent the ongoing questionable decisions being made in Sedona on a daily basis.
Need proof? Take a drive around town.
Eddie S. Maddock
39 Year Anniversary will be March 31
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
How many people are happy having a monopoly on their cable provider?
In fact, when has a monopoly ever been good for citizens, I mean, citizens other than the politicians who sign the deals and the companies who own the monopolies.
The “City of Sedona – Public Maintained Streets, Scheduled Maintenance & Street Cut Restrictions” listing tells it like it is. Tons of City street segments have not been maintained since the 1990’s and tons more not at by the City. So great that our three trash haulers have been made fall guys by City Hall opportunism.
Here’s a totally laughable statement from the City of Sedona 2015 CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Report), submitted to the Council members and Sedona citizens by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager: “The City has attempted to manage its growth in a way to maintain its character.”
There is no money in the budget for road repair and maintenance. Yet millions for the Chamber of Commerce, the Sedona Film Festival, money for the Red Earth theater.
I firmly believe our trash rate, which in our association is $12 per month for weekly pickup with Talyor waste, will double or triple under City management.
The city of Sedona spending our tax dollars to encourage more tourists reminds me of the old saying” When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging !!!”
I would bet adding more tourists at this point actually nets you less revenue long term because people see the traffic and the bad secondary roads and say ” Never again.”
The trash trucks are not the problem. Tourists are the problem. I have far more lost tourists driving through my street than trash trucks. Bringing in more tourists are not the cities responsibility, roads and public safety are.
Will the Council get the message?
Taking a brief pause from watching the meeting at home on my TV, it’s been emphasized as expected that most of the complaints came from Taylor Waste customers. It’s also been stated that Taylor Waste has 60% of Sedona business. (did not define if that includes both residential and business and businesses will not be included in the city contract.)
However, wouldn’t that substantiate the increased number of Taylor Waste customers objecting to city control? Voodoo Woohoo?
Who gives a damn how much biz Taylor has and when did 60% necessitate a government takeover? Why isn’t Taylor suing this frigging city? I’d damn well would and join a civil suit against the city by joining with the 3 other waste companies & your customers. Get with it Taylor, Patriot & others. Stop being dragged around by 7 whackos who don’t have a bone of integrity between them all.
I looked at the 500 PLUS signatures on that petition on this site and took the phone book and counted almost 200 by the time I quit out of exhaustion that were listed there!!!!!! I’m betting almost every single one was legit !!!!!!! I also know that a meeting took place to run a slate against the sitting Council in the next election and it’s about time. They’ve cooked their golden goose and we need to get rid of them before they ruin our city. Didn’t mean for this comment to be long & thanks for reading. Enjoy the Sedona Times!
How many people went to the meeting?
Good job, Eddie Maddock.
Thanks, George, but it didn’t do any good. Procedure will continue – business as usual. M. DiNunzio wisely suggested to drop it but J. Martinez and the others stood firm to proceed and determine something about “sustainability” while at the same time wearing their blinders about all other Sedona issues contrary to that concept.
Traffic? Over development? Poor planning? Apparently not a problem. And of course when it comes to hiring more consulting service the sky’s the limit!
@Pam Neves – how many people? Difficult to assess because camera at council meetings does not as a rule scan the audience portion of Council Chambers.
Very disappointing but no surprise. We have dictators. Don’t believe it? Watch the meeting available on the city web site.
People don’t want to be informed about the benefits, needs us to persevere until they get it, residents are braying asses with bad ears. . . .city and staff’s going to get this money without effecting Sedona Recycles negatively they’ll say. LMAO Got to love it when the Dems smell your wallets. God bless entitlements. A Democrat never saw an entitlement without wanting for hisself first. . .
Thinking Points:
1)Council is nonpartisan.
2)Taxing ourselves for the common good is what America needs to do.
3)We don’t need more than one trash company in Sedona, it’s too small to need more.
4)We get to close Sedona Recycles in the city limits because it’s a health hazard and eyesore to the area it’s in. Taxpayers have to pay for its move out of town which is what its owners want to do. If you get one hauler delivering on a schedule and everything to them, then it can relocate and not lose business by determining that schedule and load capacity.
5)Everybody wants Sedona Recycles to move out of the city limits and this way it gets relocated on the city’s budget and not its private budget.
6)All the above makes sense. Stop whining and pay to get Sedona Recycles out of its current location and put it somewhere no one has to see its garbage, smell its garbage, or have it blown in our yards.
Regarding the number of people who attended, I counted approximately 75. Most all seats were full and as more people arrived, the policeman in the room, directed them to empty available seats. Of course, the consultant dragged on and so people got tired, bored and frustrated and left, including me. By 4:30 I’d say the number was down maybe to 50. Hope that helps.
Supposedly 30 people signed up to speak but some left by the time their names were called. Two from Sedona Recycles made it pretty clear they were in support of this. Means big-time city funding for them just like chamber of commerce. All council members but M. Dinunzio will see this through to the end. Lame excuse to use “community plan” as reason to do this. What about community plan and maintaining small town character and other breaches occurring on a daily basis? Selective bargaining.
This will be approved probably in July before primarily elections when many people are out of town. The indirect attack on Taylor Waste was despicable. These people, including the consulting agency, should be run out of town. Disgraceful display. Sedona’s reached an all time low.
No morals, scruples, or decency. Sedona residents are pawns for them to play games with. It’s all about a sizable city contract with Sedona Recycles and you better believe it. Time to quit supporting them as they are too greedy. Goodness has become corrupt. QUIT RECYCLING – fill up your cans with EVERYTHING – BOYCOTT.
Then get ready for a REFERENDUM to undo the contrived legacy being put in motion by those going out of office (except for Dinunzio): J. Martinez, J. Williamson, S. Moriarty. God help us if they run and are reelected.
Of course J.Thompson, S.Jablow, and the new kid on the block T.Lamkin are ardent supporters of this latest scam. Lamkin reports he will run for the two-year slot but he’s already shown his colors. NO respect for Sedona residents. Phony, phony, phony – all of them except M.Dinunzio.
Definition of Sedona Governmentt: Abuse of power and bullying.
We encourage everyone to speak up and get involved. It is now the time to organize. We have added more locations for you to sign the petition.
A more private form submit petition location that goes directly to Sedona Community Organization a non-profit 501 c6 is here:
http://sedonacity.com/Trash.htm
Paper petition and blank petition forms are located at the Sedona Sweet Arts.
For anyone wanting to get signatures paper petition forms are there. If you like to preorder forms please call Donna at 928-282-4635.
Encourage your friends and neighbors to speak up. Even those that don’t live here. Those that have homes or investments are important. Have anyone signing the petition use the comment section to identify why they are signing. For example “I own a house in Sedona”
If you want to help and join in, meetings will start up shortly. Contact Donna for more information.
Go get ’em folks, thanks to those organizing this, the rest of us will sign. Bring it to every HOA because it strips every HOA of its right to advocate on behalf of its homeowners. We don’t want to pay dues and have no right to rule!
Conniving, manipulative, control freaks. Thank you, Mark DiNunzio, for serving the will of the people, which is what you were elected to do.
The remaining “Gang of Six” (including the latest appointed puppet, Tom Lamkin) should also get a reward for being even more corrupt than the Federal government.
And how desperate must the staff be to tolerate and perform such a sleazy assignment to make the council’s dirty deeds become reality? To stoop so low as to make a family owned business the cause of public outcry is really an act of desperation not to mention one step short of slander. Lynne, Sedona resident – you are correct. Taylor Waste especially should sue the sox off the City of Sedona. This MUST be STOPPED. If not what will be next?
As customers of Patriot garbage company we didn’t have the opportunity to read the letters allegedly sent out by the owners of Taylor Waste. However, we wish to thank them for making known the intention of Sedona City to take control of garbage hauling services.
Since this effort began not long before the Holiday season it’s clear none of us would have been aware of the campaign until late in the game – when it was far too late to have a say – even though it seems our opinions won’t matter anyway.
If Taylor Waste has 60% of Sedona’s business then it stands to reason a majority of the comments could be linked with them. However, as Patriot customers our responses were made without the influence of Taylor letters but agree with the majority.
We are among the 85% that presently recycle and strongly object to being denied the opportunity to have a choice of garbage haulers.
Since our input wasn’t clearly reflected during this most recent council meeting, only an attack on Taylor Waste and their customers that opposed, we will continue taking our objections through whatever channel is available and most assuredly will sign and support a Referendum if this city council does, in fact, vote for the change.
Our main home is in Sedona. However we also have a townhouse in Scottsdale where we might be considered Arizona Snow Birds.
This means that we, too, haven’t cause to maintain Sedona garbage collection on an annual basis as we are now understanding will be the requirement once incorporated Sedona takes charge of that service.
We strongly oppose the injustice of the proposed policy that all roof tops will be assessed and expected to pay for a monthly service many of us do not require.
Our suggestion to offer here over and above others is consideration of a class-action law suit against the City of Sedona based on potential illegal charges for a bogus service, much like would be the case if properties not connected to the sewer system were charged monthly fees.
Also since businesses which, as we understand will include housing that is not considered single family will not be part of this take-over, then where does discrimination begin and end?
The best rule of thumb was expressed by several at that meeting: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
On the other hand, maybe this is a blessing in disguise offering up an opportunity to sock it right back to these arrogant control freaks and their love of money. How would they feel about parting with a good size chunk as rightful punishment for their blatant attempt at yet another scam?
It seems I made a huge boo-boo in signing off on the above letter to the editor.
It should have been:
Eddie S. Maddock
39 year anniversary as SEDONA RESIDENT will occur on March 31
Stay tuned:-)
@ESM Oh Eddie….your so full of yourself So you’ve been here 39 years…so what
What that that enable you have “more juice” as to what’s wrong or right in Sedona?
Don’t think so…. I paid my taxes last year and own a home in sedona as well.. Your time means nothing…Sad to see that all those years here has been reduced to negativity and finger pointing….BTW. You can always move. Nobody keeping you here….. There are plenty other towns out there that need the great Eddie Maddock’s slanted ‘straightening out”…
In a rather expensive inclusion in Friday’s Red Rock News (3/26) issued by the Chamber of Commerce on page 11, community services under “RECYCLING & TRASH” conspicuous by absence is Taylor Waste. Now if the information given at this recent sales pitch meeting, that Taylor Waste services 60% of Sedona residents, then isn’t that rather odd they weren’t listed? Oversight? Doubt it.
And was this publication paid for with a portion of that $1.5 million of Sedona city tax revenue? Without an official audit by an outside party how can anyone possibly have an answer to that? How much of that city money is actually paying for salaries, frills, trills and other funsies for the very very special interest group that has what appears to be unlimited funding.
Adding insult to injury are the many many listings not only outside Sedona city limits but throughout Arizona. Besides Flagstaff, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Jerome, Cornville, Prescott, and Camp Verde, you will find leads to Williams, Grand Canyon, Tusayan, Rimrock, Mesa, Glendale, Tuba City, Valle (Az), Phoenix, Payson, Tucson, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Carefree, Payson & Kearns, Utah, just to mention those observed by a mere quick once over.
So City of Sedona while you have NO problem financing the alleged Sedona Chamber of Commerce to the hilt with public funds to provide the masses with a galore of choices which don’t even necessarily contribute to City of Sedona’s tax base, you have no problem in attempting to deny legitimate residents the opportunity to select the garbage hauler of their choice while at the time apparently find it acceptable that the most popular provider to Sedona residents, Taylor Waste, is not even given acknowledged in a publication which mostly likely is primarily funded with city tax revenue, similar to 70% of funding to operate the visitors center.
Why is that?
@ESM Oh Eddie, I’m so sorry,I woke up with a hangover, ya know how I get on Friday nights. Then I mixed up my meds again. When I mix up my meds My negativity goes off the charts. I lash out at others, it’s either that or take a look at how pitiful my life really is. I’m so sorry to all the readers of the Eye, and I want to apologize especially to Eddie and Rick. Rick, you know how deep my feelings are for you. Anything Rick.
KD
Your predictable and need help. Sedona has many anger management counselors. go see one.
Why would someone like West Sedona Resident even read Sedona Eye? So unhappy and miserable that adding to misery is some kind of sickness? Maybe this person should consider running for city council which might better serve as a place to vent hostilities?
Now I will agree as to saying garbage trucks are the only thing destroying or streets!
But lets also remember we dont know the construction of our streets as the city only has been around since 1988…..and I will bet our streets havent been re-done, or added many new streets…..If anything just paying over existing street…
I find it down right funny people think that the right of them choosing there garbage hauler is such a big deal! Really? Dictators? Losing freedom???? lol WOW.
Many community’s have it come out of there taxes and the tax payer has no say..Many places use city employees to pick up trash! (gasp right? more big government)….Well Sedona hasnt put that on the table….(good right?)
I think common sense should be used on this matter!
The city will put it out for bid, and the low bidder will win right?…Just like anything else the more you have the better the rates…..So we will all save.
Now we have to have some empathy for the ones who dont live here full time…..Should they really be forced to pay for pickup if there not using trash? NO….It should be in the bid that people can opt. out and when they come to town start it right back up…
I dare anyone to sit on Shelby or Sunset on any day, and you wont believe the amount of garbage trucks that run down those 2 streets…..And if there full (which I cant answer) You dam well bet that that kind of weight has some factor on our streets upkeep, noise, and extra traffic….
I just wish that readers and posters here could learn not to light there hair on fire over such trivial matters that effect them!….I cant imagine how you would respond to a personal tragedy such as Cancer or a terror threat….or anything else that life loves to throw at us from time to time!!
Please get a grip?
The “CITY OF SEDONA – PUBLIC MAINTAINED STREETS, SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE & STREET CUT RESTRICTIONS” document posted on the City’s website tells it like it is. Engineering Services’ current five-year paving plan is appalling. Tons of street segments that have never been maintained by the City lack a “Scheduled Maintenance” date. Tons more, last repaired (i.e., reconditioned) in the 1990’s, are in the same boat.
I couldn’t agree more with Eddie that “Attempting to blame garbage trucks for damaging our roads is absurd.” Long-term exposure to the elements, lack of maintenance by the City, and an excessive number of day-trippers are the real culprits.
Good grief – there’s getting to be more “West Sedona something-or-others” than the total population of Sedona.
The latest”West Sedona Dave” mentions counting the garbage trucks on “Shelby & Sunset.” Well, Sir or Madam, are you aware that loop serves garbage collection primarily through the industrial section at the top of the hill? Are you aware that businesses will not be subject to an exclusive garbage contract with the City? If you didn’t know that, you do now.
Further, what will guarantee the price will be reduced if under City control. If you attended any of the meetings you would surely be aware that in order for the plan to work it will require at least 5000 subscribers. Now if that includes part-time folks that opt out of service 3 or 4 months of the year, how do you presume the city will maintain the necessary return on another absurd investment unless the cost were to be absorbed by the entire 5000?
Quite possibly you might study the issue a little more thoroughly and it also would serve you well to enroll in a remedial course of the basic English language. Just another unsolicited suggestion here – the same as yours.
Unless things have changed, former City Manager Tim Ernster informed me the section of road connecting Shelby and Sunset Drive is NOT dedicated to the city. Therefore, maintenance is the responsibility of those businesses controlling ownership of that portion.
Also at the council meeting it was confirmed that only single family residences will be subject to a city contract with a single server. Multi-unit housing and businesses will NOT be included in the proposed change. There’s really little else existing on those two corridors (if anything) that would affect the number of garbage services on Shelby and/or Sunset, contrary to what was implied by a comment posted by another reader.
You obviously don’t know Ringo Starr’s Law of Politics: Anything government touches turns to sh*t.
While we might get a break in price at first, any thinking person knows that will not last Like any bureaucracy, the trash bureaucracy will grow and have to be fed. Additionally, the City is always desperate for new revenue. They will not be able to resist tacking a little extra on the trash bill to make ends meet.
Furthermore, it’s not just part-time residents who will get screwed. People who share bins will get screwed. People who recycle everything and do not use a service (yes, they exist because I know one) will get screwed. Government is always ham-handed and one-size fits all. There will not be any allowed exceptions. If there were we’d have heard that in the City’s propaganda. Thinking the City will make exceptions for anyone is naive.
Much of the animosity towards the City monopolizing trash is not about the few dollars we will be ripped off however. It’s the principle of the issue. It’s because the current system is not broken, and because, in their zeal to get this done, the City has lied and wasted a lot of money ($20K so far) attempting to manipulate consensus. Many of us are just plain sick of these type shenanigans.
Will it be the the end of the world if the City takes over trash and screws it up? No, but many of us are sick of the City screwing things up.
Jean please tell us how day trippers are causing road damage?
99% of visitors use 89a and 179 state hwy not local streets.
If we need more paving ok let’s pave, but nothing is free, let’s step up and see what the cost is and tell the city we are willing to pay for it.
Remember Jean 70% + of city income comes from visitors.
Jean, what is it with you and day trippers? When you go to Phoenix or Flagstaff you are a tripper.
Ss
Goof Balls……Shelby or Sunset traffic is for commercial biz. That won’t change with a city program. Understand things before you bab @ West Sedona Dave
Steve, you are an out-of-towner living in Oak Creek Canyon. Claiming the citizens of Sedona might be willing to pay for the slew of streets the spendthrift City of Sedona has failed to maintain is super wacko. Time to bury your “they need to pay more” agenda.
I do have to admit…..You people are so full of hate about just about everything…..Is there anything you actually like? Is it possible for any of you to have any assemblance of a conversation with your children or grand kids??? As for “Goof Balls”….So this highly commercial end of town has how much commercial business?…less than 20 and I know its way less than that….For those of you that have such hatred for any form of government and ” no matter what they touch goes to *%^#@ ! Have you ever thought of moving out of the country?….Hell sounds like they cant tie there shoes? My SS check is on time….My Medicare works very well for me…I feel that we won WW1 and WW2 and most conflicts since? .I am very sorry you hate your country and freedom so much……I can live with the highs and lows that it delivers…..But if you do hate everything so much, may I suggest moving, taking your 2nd amendments to the next level to solve your depressing situation your in? I think to any problem there is more than one answer….Using common decency and conversation, and the public forum to get people on your side…From far to many posters it sure sounds like they have all the problems of the world solved! No? Get off your butts and do something!!! Please do something…..But know like most of the mental midgets you rather complain about the system, but do nothing about it?…..I gave all of you some pro’s and cons…Instead you rather attack me….Does it make you happy?…Make you feel big? Better? More superior? Sounds like a bunch of angry people who hate where they live and cant function in the real world? NO? Well good luck with a world that is only black and white, which is rather far more gray….. May I wish you all peace and happiness through your hate filled world that you live in!!!! It is very sad…..
Your first post was provocative, not the neutral giving of “pros and cons” as you now insist. So then you reaped what your provocation sowed and now you are crying like a baby. Poor West Sedona Dave.
^To admin…Thanks for butchering all my pronunciations and spaces to make it as most difficult to read!^
Hysterical @West Sedona Dave …………….still laughing……..go take your meds
That cast of characters posting under different versions of “West Sedona something-or-other” really defeat their purpose if their intention is to support city control of garbage collection.
Well written and thought out suggestions it seems would go a lot further than the constant accusations against those who want the freedom of choice. It doesn’t seem those folks are so generous at using the word “hate” when exchanging rebuttals to their position. In fact, pointing out that Shelby and Sunset will be little affected, if at all, by a one-garbage company contract is a fact and not a hateful, mean statement.
Get a grip. You already have the city council on your side so why not pity those that disagree with the proposal as they are being treated like the scum of the earth by those in control.
It is with “Leigh’s” permission this is appearing as a comment. It was my suggestion to withhold her last name and e-mail address in order to prevent the possibility that publishing either might encourage unsolicited phone calls and/or e-mails. ~ ESM
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Thanks to you and Eddie
From: Leigh
Date: Thu, March 24, 2016 8:11 am
To: Editor@SedonaTimes.com
I am relatively new to Sedona, about 2 1/2 years. I have not been involved in community issues, primarily because I have a start up that takes 70 hours a week or so. Still, the garbage issue really got to me as something more than just an issue to let pass me by. Eddie Maddock wrote a bold article in today’s paper. I want to thank you for publishing it and for her to have the courage to write it. I actually took the time to attend a portion of the special meeting yesterday. It was as though the audience were not there as far as the council was concerned. This was as far away from a “small town” gathering to address a serious issue than I could have ever imagined.
Again, I just want to thank you and Eddie. I’m disheartened to say the least in terms of what I thought I had bought into when moving here and what we’ve got.
Here’s an idea…maybe it is time to get a pro bono attorney to represent “citizens” who are now measured by their council in terms heard yesterday: “number of rooftops, pounds of recyclable potential etc.”
Best,
Leigh
Here’s an article form late 2010.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/08/trash-tea-party-fountain-hills-arizona-_n_780345.html
This was in the gray box about 3/4 of the way down:
The problem that residents have with this measure is that it creates a system of hefty fines for simple sorting mistakes, such as misplacing a plastic bag. $3,000 fines are possible for a repeated offense, which will be observed by garbage men with cameras. That is akin to citizen spying and is not a value Fountain Hills residents want to uphold.
@All Current and Future WSR’s,
Hi there all you WSR’s. By my count, I am now the tenth WSR. It looks like pretty soon half of west Sedona will be using a variant of the WSR handle. Well, I’m just writing this to let you all know that I will be the best WSR ever. I am a better liar, thief of other’s research, and a more unethical cur than any of you and even more lazy than any of you while being prone to hide under rocks since I am totally gutless, like all of you. I pledge to never read an article to which I add my comments, much less work hard to research and write about a subject the rest of Sedona even cares about. I freely admit that my envy of those who can write persuasive articles drives me to join your ranks. I will even admit that, like all of you, I am ungodly unattractive, a failure at every endeavor at which I’ve attempted to make money, am not terribly bright and tend to be hated by all who meet me to the extent that I must hide my identity and keep a low profile while crawling through the grass like a snake. But, there’s one other personality characteristic I have that beats you all. I am a righteous backstabber without conscience! So, please welcome me into your ranks. You may rely upon the fact that I will never have the courage to do what is right, like all of you. Love you wussies who are the true haters. Keep up your hard work to accomplish not much of anything. And, be sure to offer your reply to this comment to which I will make an even dumber reply to you for the purpose of accomplishing nothing that anybody else in Sedona will ever care about.
I have stopped posting and the hate and ignorance continues?
I do have to say, some of you are very strange, and I feel sorry for you…
This must be your only outlet to vent your feelings?…I would have to guess in public you would have to tone down some of your rhetoric…
Have fun continuing on attacking me, its all you got I guess?
Enjoy your weekend. :)
Very distressing but not surprising. This entire scenario has reeked with deception from the get-go. The city must be stopped from controlling every aspect of our lives and binding us with uncontrollable monthly billing and additional unknown assessments. ENOUGH!
The reason they remain in such lousy condition? Your city financed Chamber of Commerce tax dollars at work loading up the two interstates with tourist traffic.
Solution: Reevaluate priorities, City Council.
End of report.
Well, I watched the video of that “special” meeting. It was special all right. Never have I seen such a display of disrespect to the public speakers. And the city council and staff was unmerciful to Chris Taylor and his wife. That Karen Daines – putting the blame on Chris Taylor for mailing letters to his customers. The action of a good businessman and what was his reward? Public humiliation.
Based on that despicable display by our elected officials – complete rudeness and put-down – kicked to the curb were those that objected to them controlling our choice of garbage hauler.
Little wonder so many people feel suicidal and jump off Midgley Bridge. This isn’t a laughing matter. Morale among Sedona residents is at an all time low. Great job you disrespectful holier than thou that really believe you know what’s best for us. Fix our roads, you creeps. Give us a reason for mistakenly thinking Sedona would be a great place to live. Hah! Far from it.
My husband and I live in Uptown and as we drove back from the VOC yesterday afternoon we followed a Sedona Recycles truck. Maybe I shouldn’t say we drove, we crept back from the VOC because traffic was heavy but we didn’t care. The view is gorgeous. That trucking issue hasn’t been addressed with the Council, only Taylor and others. And with newer and more modern trucks, there no substance for the government’s 1980s based weight charts. (A nephew weighed in who works for ADOT). That truck and the almost invisible other trash trucks don’t bother us and didn’t bother the road more than the dozens and dozens of cars sharing it.
My husband says it’s a power money grab by the city and he’s disgusted. We’ll reflect our feelings in any votes we can cast.
Oh there I go again posting under different names R & E. And little wonder as well as a few others are all me….I apologize SE…. You see I once again did not take my mess and I get hateful and resentful….like I said I’m bat crap crazy..
But there kicking in now …. I hate the garbage trucks roaring down my street all in one day tearing up my road
Oh well love you SE. I’m off to find a job
Bye bye
JS
does sedona recycle pick up now?
You said, Fix our roads, you creeps
Lets look at the facts.
One trash pick up a week is easier on our roads then three or four pick ups a week. Yes!
The city is trying to save the streets, trash trucks are hard on the streets. If not why do cities have weight limits on trucks on local streets?
The city is looking to lower the trash rate.
The only inconvenience will be the picking up of one trash bin and dropping off a new one.
Let’s hear what the city report comes says and let our elected officials do their job.
Oh ,and by the way trash service is not a constitutional right as some of you have implied, thousands of cities supply trash service.
Lets be honest, the is not a trash issue it is a “T” party anti government issue.
The incorporate City only looks at how they can benefit $$$$. The employees are paid to get do that. The report they presented was false.
The private community works better without government controls. Waiting for change in government take forever. We already recycle at a higher rate than most cities. nothing to fix.It a money grab.
Thank you Eddie for speaking up. The current and last city council have put their special interest into funding and benefits of the Sedona Taxpayers. This is why the population is declining.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Just go to any of of strip malls in the evening or morning and you will find the unemployed wanders. SCARY CREEPY They have created an environment of yes sirs. Making Sedona a homeless shelter with the legitimate taxpayers and residents having no voice or say so.
Sedona has become a city of entitlements for anyone that is not a in-city resident.