SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock offers Sedona the best of times and the worst of times in the ongoing dispute between the Chamber of Commerce destination marketing program and its local government control in a tale of one city.
Sedona AZ – The following phrase suggesting radical opposites is from the opening paragraph of the famous Charles Dickens’ novel, “A Tale of Two Cities:”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity …”
Considering the number of ongoing disputes here in Sedona (perhaps beginning, but most assuredly not the ending) was the idea of becoming an incorporated city. Of course that argument was settled by the voters, and the City of Sedona designation became official.
However one ongoing tug of war has existed and continues to this day and it is the extent, if any, to which the Sedona Chamber of Commerce has controlled local government. Logically it stands to reason that a member-driven, non-profit organization should not be playing the role of acting as a tail wagging the dog (City of Sedona)… especially since its primary function is to serve Chamber of Commerce members, many located outside the “city limits” and thus are unauthorized to vote, charge Sedona city sales tax, or allegedly make viable decisions within incorporated Sedona boundaries. Old news? Of course.
However a huge mistake occurred at the time Sedona was seeking a source for a “destination marketing” contract and, instead of following the guidelines set forth to obtain bids by way of RFP (Requests for Proposals) and under intense opposition, a contract was approved with what realistically was the “regional” Chamber of Commerce and war, figuratively speaking, was declared.
This conflict quite possibly has recently been resolved by the Chamber of Commerce giving written notice they would not be renewing its contract as Sedona’s official Designated Management Organization (DMO).
Sedona has newcomers on the City Council. They are smart. They are asking a lot of questions. They are astute. But perhaps best of all, they recognize Sedona residents and respect City Limits as their jurisdiction. They have also expressed interest and intent to cooperate with regards to the spirit of regional communication and indicate willingness to seek and share ideas with other Verde Valley communities, but at the same time always to respect the limitations of their jurisdiction.
At recent meetings, the Sedona City Council has graciously spoken well of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce while at the same time maintaining their position relating to the current differences of opinion existing regarding goals and direction of a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) under which the Sedona Chamber of Commerce had been under contract. That apparently was the basis by which the C of C made their decision to not renew the contract with Sedona.
Conflicts between Sedona Arizona residents and its city councils began after a council awarded a destination marketing contract to a local non-profit membership-driven organization tasked with promoting its paid members businesses and commercial interests, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. The contract’s negative impact on city residents quality of life issues before, during and after the pandemic, resulted in contentious local elections and city council meetings. In 2023, after newly elected city council members joined existing, the Chamber program was agendized for discussion, review and action.
Recently the following was on a city council agenda:
3.a. AB 2930 Discussion/possible direction/action regarding next steps towards the development of a municipal destination marketing and management program, including a Resolution designating the City of Sedona as the official Destination Marketing Organization.
Because as it appears the transition of a DMO will revert to where many think it should have been in the first place, City Hall, a great deal of thought and logical strategy is being considered, particularly from the newer faces on City Council beginning, but not ending with hiring a professional consultant for direction.
City Council members display a sincere desire to support the premise that tourism needs to have a positive result. The majority of the city council members favor taking a slower approach, while the mayor stated that he “Can’t support waiting.”
Was expressing the need to work for “all Sedona residents and businesses” in fact a confirmed admission that during years gone by residents have, indeed, been shunned and perceivably treated like irrelevant nuisances? Is it fair to relate the overblown credit bestowed upon the Chamber of Commerce and Lodging Council as being the direct source of Sedona’s tax revenue? Has overextended and, perhaps, unprofessional pursuits actually been the cause resulting in out of control tourism creating overuse and disintegration of our most spectacular attraction, Sedona’s beauty, as well as local quality of life being shunned in the process?
Is it the obligation of Sedona government to promote businesses? No. Tourism should have positive results. Hasn’t too much time already been wasted on a “messy relationship” with the Chamber of Commerce? Yes.
It was suggested and agreed upon that most likely it will be good for the Chamber to do their own thing because, among other reasons, their vision is not the same as that of incorporated Sedona, which as presently stated is to “work for Sedona residents and businesses.” Residents, as stakeholders, should no longer be shunned and treated like second-class citizens or flatlanders.
With the task of tackling the logical decision to relocate the official DMO under the roof at Sedona City Hall, a new focus will be directed on the beauty of the area with a realistic approach and recognition of its capacity and thus indicating the need to include a method of educating our visitors. “Brand Sedona” and allow the Chamber of Commerce to deal with commercialization to benefit its members? The suggestion of an Advisory Board consisting of both residential and business participation to work in conjunction with the proposed hiring of a consultant was well received.
Newer members on the Sedona City Council were prudent in inquiring about return on investments. To-date nothing has been made available to speak to the success or failure of the contract with the Chamber of Commerce. For example, was the end result merely the extensive miles of backed up traffic? Who knows? What about success, failure, return on investment, use and participation of the newly created Sedona Transit System?
But all things considered, it seems logical to accept that certain changes, no matter what they are, will result in perhaps “the best of times” for some while for others they will, from their perspective, complain about suffering through “the worst of times.”
However, when seeking an answer about Sedona’s investment in the transit system, most assuredly not a profit producer, perhaps the answer will not be known unless transparency is practiced.
By establishing an appropriate Sedona City Designated Management Organization and, to include an “official” City of Sedona Visitors Center to rightfully represent ALL Sedona licensed businesses, then . . . at that time . . . won’t the City of Sedona finally revert to being the “dog” who rightfully takes control of wagging its own “tail”?
The best of times?
You’re kidding me right!! What an idiot
I’m not sureE Maddox is even alive anymore.. but she must be totally disgusted at what this site has become with his asinine comments
CODIFY DOGE NOW
DNCC = Disgraced party of deviant politicians do-nothings sucking on Putin’s and Chinese dictator (deleted by editor)
My kids and friends here not over Charley Kirk murder by trans son of an Utah cop. Start a Turning Point to show love.
secret ballot voting is a sacred bond with generations to come
FBI released investigation that an alleged Chinese plot to mass produce fake IDs to fabricate mail in ballots for Democrats party candidates uncovered. Scary S***
Must have needed election officials help and government officials help, eh? It’s time to talk treason because that’s what it is when trying to overthrow and destroy free elections with Americans involved, eh?
@Flagstaff comment God Bless Charlie Kirk and his memory of loving kindness and compassion because he treated young people with respect and dignity for their differing views and opinions and religions and life choices. He valued our unique American freedoms and articulated his values and principles while encouraging and inspiring and encouraging the same for others in civilized debates and conversations surrounded by uplifting friends and colleagues of every race and gender and cultural identity. The out of touch old people and their radicalized and disenfranchised young have been trained to say Charlie and Turning Point spewed hate speech but the young people trying to engage and rise above the ignorant and thoughtlessness surrounding them know better. Charlie’s Turning Point organization has women and men with global racial and cultural and religious diversity backgrounds. Be loved and valued and respected and fulfill your purpose to be the greatest and amazing you.
14 Times Arizona Senators Voted Against Us Now
Schumer Left Wing Radicals Shutdown Days Include Arizona Senators
Who voted for these stooges & agree with them? Demand AZ senate idiots and morons reopen bc we pay them.
Go get turkey bc evil ridiculous socialist lefties hate you & want your punishment to be shutting down country & ability to travel by air rail and roads. Why aren’t you mad or still sheeples like with Covid? Make their emails and phones ring.
Dick Cheney died nobody cares
If GOP accepts ANY Democrats proposal, you’ll lose my and everyone else we know votes. This isn’t a Republican shutdown it’s a (deleted by editor) Shumer shutdown and shows why republicans can’t be in charge because they’re (deleted by editor) cowards when right.
Congratulations to the 8 Democrats who broke rank with Schumer Jeffries AOC and Leftist Loons and voted to open the government with President Trump! While old man Barack and old woman Hillary sided with anarchists leftists they lost their grip on us real Democrats. Get to work dumping expensive Obama care and get us something better!
Use the exposed weaknesses of this shutdown and fix them.
Proof bigger government stinks.
News flash private sectors never shut down while public sectors couldn’t function.
Don’t rehire a single nonessential worker.
CODIFY IT
Yes congratulations to all who will be paying more for healthcare. It will be a great day when anyone with insurance premiums will double or triple.
It shall be even better when the working poor, disabled lose Medicaid!
And for any of those with no insurance go to the hospital and not pay, we all will be better off paying higher rates.
Do any of you understand how this works? How one moving piece effects 5 others?
We have a capitalistic for profit healthcare system………So we all end up paying.
Stop watching woke news, nobody losing Medicaid but millions of illegals proven on it by Dept of Gov Efficiency + our state budget.
@@diane. Obama did it, that’s why it’s called Obamacare by everyday practice. Obama sunset the subsidized healthcare program for Dec 31 this year. Call and write him because he did it with every Democrats approval. Get real. He’s not inviting you to any of his mansions and he didn’t let illegals stay close by either. Bowing down to Obama isn’t a good look anymore.
Both NV Sen vote for open government & AZ Sens swat down on zonabees
Bravo Diane
white libs need justifying
Start over & snap your selfish brats to earth and demand they work jobs at Walmart if theyreLazy asses sittingon a couch eating food my taxes gave them
Read President Trump vowed to eliminate the Social Security tax, but the new tax plans in the One Big Beautiful Law will potentially put money back into the pockets of seniors with tax credits of up to $6,000 per individual over 65. This is a huge victory for American seniors and a major blow to the Swamp in Washington. Let your Senators and Representatives know you want this. No excuses. Arizona Senators are voting against this! Why?
Chill enjoy relax vote them out repeat
@Sedonadave. No tax on tips & SS keeps me voting against leftist & progressives
@marlinFlagstaff If you have a son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew or any young person in your life who wants to get involved… who wants to join or start a chapter…here’s an informational link: TPUSAStudentsdotcom/StartaChapter (offsite link) go ahead search for information.
FBI Director Patel said charges brought against Antifa members Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Seth Sikes, Lynette Sharp and John Thomas (each entered guilty pleas in federal court), all face 15 years in prison and investigation into Antifa continues. Parents and teachers and friends, you and your Antifa sympathizers need to stop helping terrorists before your names on a prison cell.
He’s opened up thousands of pasture lands for grazing, stopped the war on beef in America while rich billionaires get real beef and rest get plant based beef? Friggin kiddin show the meat in plants. Anybody hating him for that needs a lobotomy. Stop acting weird people, he’s doing you and me a good. Grow up and get smart or close up the holes in your heads. (Deleted by editor)
Small town not city
AZ cowboy boots on right, crazy stuff coming from Democrats after Presidents Obama and Biden took over and didn’t have religious beliefs and codes like ^Years of no compass^ my family believes happened with them. Mexicans need to be in Mexico, Americans need to be in America, Canadians need to be in Canada unless you Want to be Mexican and wave its flag go there apply for citizenship there or do citizenship here or whenever you want to to support.
(Offsite link)
You tube /shorts/PwXv7Rv1cTg?si=8t6XrbYFgLW7ROr- (Offsite link)