My question is, why is the city paying the Chamber, non-professional at promotion proven by their need to hire “professionals,” taking up time in city hall (or wherever) with the assistant city manager, instead of appropriately doing the hiring up front and stop using the Chamber as a middleman?

There’s nothing wrong with the Chamber of Commerce provided it remains acknowledged for what it’s worth: a special interest group for businesses to join, pay dues, for the purpose of being promoted. Realistically it should have nothing to do with the city and use of public funds.

Further, there’s nothing wrong with the city to promote tourism. However, the money it’s throwing away on the “middle-men” (Chamber, Bureau of Tourism, and Lodging Council, realistically all are one and the same) is absurd. The city should have had bids from the get-go from “professionals” who will be held accountable, produce a “real” audit (not an annual financial statement which we all know can easily be manipulated to produce preferred results), and who will have factual evidence of the effectiveness of such an advertising campaign.

Also, as the economy already appears to be in recovery (on the news it’s estimated that this Memorial Day weekend travel will increase substantially for the first time in years) are we to believe that the Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the upswing?

Jennifer Wesselhoff is a very busy lady. Not only is she and her cohorts on a very self-profitable march to save Sedona, according to an article appearing in a local paper on April 25th she is beating her drum to “save Arizona.” “Federal Immigration Reform is Critical to Arizona’s Future Success.” Since when is it legal for a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (if, in fact, that is the corporate status of the Chamber of Commerce) to lobby and campaign for political issues? Maybe the IRS needs to provide a legitimate audit of ALL Chamber activities?

In my humble opinion it appears if this lame-duck council continues on this path to display their power, Sedona is on an alternate route to self-destruct. Sure Tom(s) and Long Time Resident, thumb your nose at me and others who dare to take a different slant on the situation other than your own which amounts to nothing more than a grudge against some guy named Tony. (and no I’m not acquainted with any of these people) However, I will thank Mr. Bergen for the tip on reviewing the council meeting. Therein lies the truth of what is going on in Sedona. Check out both Parts 1 and 2: http://sedonaaz.swagit.com/play/05132014-930

Sounds more like you’re jealous than offering an interest in a job that you’re not really qualified for. You can have all of the Masters in Public Administration degrees that you can sit in a class for. It doesn’t make you leadership material.

To prove my point, in a city government, large or small, a good administrator needs to listen to the voice of the people. By your words alone you have proven that you would not be one to listen:

“Wasteful and unnecessary meetings would NOT happen under my administration”. Who decides what’s wasteful or unnecessary? Even if the people at the city agreed with that thought, to the person or people that have an issue, IT’S NOT WASTEFUL OR UNNECESSARY it’s very important!

I may not agree with those against Smart Meters but, it’s an issue for over 1400 in our city IS IT’S IMPORTANT TO ME. In the City of Tonisch, you wouldn’t waste your time. In the City of Sedona, those COUNCIL people set up many meetings (wasteful to Tonsich) to listen to the concerns of the residents.

Well sir, our city manager has proven his worth to me and many others over the years.

In the City of Tonisch, meetings would be a waste of time after all, you just said so.

In our city, when I had an issue at the senior center, Mr. Ernster set up a meeting, listened to the issues and solved the problem. Sometimes Council meetings can be long but, I don’t consider them wasteful if they help to solve a problem. But, it’s government, not an HOA.

In the City of Tonisch, when you have an issue with someone, you run around taking photos to the “evil doers” like our cops for taking a 10 break or a worker cashing his check. Wow, you have proven to be a born leader.

In the City of Tonisch, when you don’t agree with the smallest issue, you blow it out of proportion with half truths or try to eliminate it like you originally tried to do with your HOA, remember way back when before you became King.

Don’t try to impress the readers of this site with how well you run your HOA because an HOA is not responsible for millions and millions of tax dollars. An HOA is not responsible to see that health and safety issues of the residents are protected. An HOA doesn’t have to follow strict AZ laws.

I’m not putting down HOA’s they are a very important group within a development. I’m just saying that running an HOA is no where near as difficult to run as a city.

Remember, when there’s an issue that the HOA can’t solve, you have to turn to the real guns, the people at the City to really get the difficult things done. So go back to checking to insure that houses are painted the proper color and that your neighbors cars aren’t parked in the wrong place, Oh, wait don’t you have a few too many cars parked in your driveway? Oh, that’s right, you’re the King of the HOA.

Just face it, YOU DON’T HAVE THE INTEGRITY to sustain a job like City Manager and will never deserve the respect to earn a salary like that. So I guess you are jealous.

All government agencies are required to be accountable. Telling the residents in the city limits they don’t count is wrong. If you listen to city council, city staff, and the chamber no one matters but them. Stand up Sedona let the city council know you do NOT like what they’re doing. Call, drop a letter by city hall, send an email and VOTE.

By not speaking up you have given up your civil rights and endorse this attitude. This include businesses, why do you collect sales tax and bed tax when the city uses it against you to promote the chambers members who are NOT in the incorporated are? Those controlling the city are special interest groups. These special interest groups are on city council and staff like a fly on S___. Speak up, be heard, make a change. If you love Sedona please speak up.

Vote NO on homerule August 26. Start controlling city council. Speak up. NO on homerule, limit their spending to state guidelines.

If you are truly not connect to Tony perhaps you should change your name on this site. It doesn’t really matter, even if you’re not Julie, you have the same mentality.

City Manager,
Assistant City Manager
Assistant to the City manager
It just goes on.

Look at sedonaaz.gov, your neck will get sore from shaking you head at all the wasteful spending.

It’s your money.

Vote NO on Home Rule/ Alternative Spending Limitation.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, (a four year degree for you Sedona GED managers with letters after your name). I have taken Post Graduate classes in public Administration. I have been President, Vice President and owner in numerous private enterprises.

I have over 40 years of increasing responsible work experience. I would have gotten a Masters in Public Administration, but after observing a city at “work”, I got terminally bored by all the meetings. Wasteful and unnecessary meetings would NOT happen under my administration. The only people in Sedona who make six figure salaries are City employees, the Fire Chief, and a few self employed Doctors.

I’ll do the job for a flat $50,000. I am VERY qualified. I’m sure there are other Sedona residents more qualified than I that will do it for $50,000 also.