My intuition about writing the last article for the Sedona Times web site, “Solving a Puzzle”, was right on. Having delayed until the conclusion of this event, the candlelight vigil, would have added little if anything; and my article was, perhaps, a last-ditch effort to make a plea for truthful answers to this unnecessary and, in my opinion, not so well covered up atrocity.Nothing will bring back the bear which, without a doubt, had other options for relocation to a happier future. Pending further demand from either local officials or Arizona Congressional delegates to explain in detail the reason the public wasn’t properly informed about this incident, what other recourses exist to find out the truth? There is now some talk that the dead bear had been taken to Flagstaff which leads us back to the question, why wasn’t the public fully informed? Is it simply because the easiest way out was to dispatch (kill) the bear? Was there more than one bear? How frequently are bears killed without the public’s knowledge? Is this an ongoing practice that is generally done in secret? Without substantial answers, rumors will continue to fly. Is that a good thing?
Aside from that, the saga I suppose for some has ended. For others there will not be closure until facts are known. Is the public as undeserving as the bear in not being given a fair shake?
One final point to ponder is that at least one person at the vigil spoke openly about intending to never, ever, call the authorities to report the sighting of a wild animal again. Is that the final result Az. Game & Fish, Sedona Police Dept., and our City Council will comfortably live with?
As I awaited the arrival of a member of the Sedona City Council, I saw people gathering at the corner and realized that if I joined them on Morgan Road I might still easily be aware when the anticipated visitor approached. That did not happen. A change in the council member’s schedule necessitated an alteration of plans.
WONDERFUL article….. thank you. It is SO refreshing every once in a while when people really do try to find WHAT the truth IS……..
Beverly Smith, Cottonwood
This series of reports on the bear sighting and killing prove the Sedona Times worth for timely information. We appreciate our subscription. Good job all.
Paul and Karel Gooner, Black Canyon City, Arizona
ST.com Editor’s Note: This post was submitted as an open letter to the Sedona City Council (see Letters to the Editor). Due to its content and appropriateness, a second post is provided under writer, Eddie Maddock’s Broken Arrow Bear story.
To All: I’m sure by now you are tired of hearing from outraged residents regarding the “euthanizing” of the bear last week. And I’ll admit I am one of those people.
But that is in the past now. What does concern me is the City of Sedona, living in the heart of the Coconino National forest, does not seem to have a plan of action for handling these types of encounters . . . at least beyond calling Game and Fish authorities, who demonstrated that they also do NOT have the capability of dealing with these types of encounters either! The Morgan Road Bear situation demonstrated that this is inadequate as a ‘policy’.
This was all handled so poorly that many people have now indicated they would be unwilling to call the authorities should a similar situation arise, while some have indicated they would provide food and water. That is even more dangerous!
Last year a mountain lion wandered through Broken Arrow on its way to wherever. Several people saw it as it headed out for a wash that is known to periodically have food thrown into. Yes, someone between Painted Canyon and Pine had thrown out fat and food which attracts all kinds of wildlife. Local residents had asked them repeatedly to stop. Whether the mountain lion incident has caused them to cease this practice I don’t know. SInce the bear didn’t head down that way, I’ll presume so. Or maybe they moved away.
The public of Sedona, many of whom have moved here from more urban areas, needs to be educated in how to discourage wildlife from their homes and yards. No, there is nothing wrong with feeding the birds. But everyone needs to be aware of what that attracts. Bird food also attracts small rodents, which attract larger predators like snakes, coyotes, and bobcats. All the readily available bird feeders and water is what has brought bobcats back to living in Broken Arrow. There have been a few scares, but everyone is aware of them now and is more careful.
Calm minds, along with respect to the wild creatures’ abilities, allow us to live together.
As forest fires threaten and the drought escalates, there will be more situations of dangerous predators coming into the city for food and, most importantly, the precious gift of water as Oak Creek flows through our city!
All Sedona residents need to be educated in how to handle their garbage cans so they are not attractive to wildlife. They need to know what to do, and how to behave, should a mountain lion or bear be spotted in their neighborhoods.
And our police and firemen need to have a policy in place, along with the Game and Fish folks, so they can work together to protect both the residents of Sedona and the precious gifts of nature that we came here to enjoy.
Yes, resources are tight. But is the money spent on prevention worth what it costs to run around in a panic when that bear shows up or a mountain lion appears?
Regards
Candace Delaney
Broken Arrow Resident