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?
AZ votes landslide for President Trump with Lake a loser? No siree mam cabalism (deleted by editor) Maricopa
Eddie Maddock: The Tale That Wagged the Dog
SEDONA TIMES / APRIL 30, 2023 / 502 COMMENTS
eddie-s-maddock-sedonaeye-sedonatimes-columnist
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 …” (end)
Are you laughing with us again, Eddie?
Notice to rioters of both parties, you will go to jail without a key to be found
on notice
not a citizen better apply for it today or go home
Either Kari Lake declared winner or votes cast improperly counted? Gallegos opposes closed border and closed border and state line bill passes and there’s no way he would get votes supporting the exact opposite without questioning why?
stop putting fools like obamas bidens kamalas nancies schiffs schumers jlo cardib swifties walzers fanis jacks smiths alvins braggs election-resisters faucis majorkasers
nvm dem can’t self examine b.c. low i.q.
Californians woke up and made George Gaslightcon gone. Oakland recalled pro criminal politicians. Thank you CA for changing the narrative to be of the people and by the people.
Explain to Arizonans how every republican in state wins but Lake?????? Ask how one person wanting and advocating for open borders wins???!! The entire effing universe voted Against Gallego beliefs and his votes in DC and he wins??!? We talking what!!! Anybody else want to know reason!!!!!!
DT please return to ageement of stay in Mexico or closest friendly country before coming to our border.
ICE rounds up terrorists, gotaways, sex traffickers, drug traffickers. During first term President Trump was kind to DACA recipients and will be again. His agenda to get unvetted bad gangs and cabals out of every town and city and countryside like Aurora and every county like voters want.
Tell media not to subvert voters message to politicians and government workers and officials. Safety and economics matter.
Sedona wayside for pedos & sex trafficking under past history bc sanctuary hides people & workers abused &misused chattel & ICE blinders on imo
San Jose University suspended associate head coach who supported team players against having a male teammate as player. Duh stupid brainwashed bullies in admin need to be let go from SJU and coach reinstalled with bonus pay for combat duty with anti women’s agenda. Republicans aren’t perfect but this other side are petty losers and becoming personal jokes.
Harris campaign an epic disaster says pundits. Good. Clean house and come to senses, Californians and New Yorkers and DC toadies (deleted by editor) moving out of town like DC was meant to do to has been politicians.
Barry Vesser resign, no hold on the best idea is fire him. Just sayin. Look him up if you don’t know about this green slime
Huge congratulations to Derrick Van Orden for breaking 26 years of democratic party swamp in his district. Van Orden wins reelection in competitive congressional race with almost 52% per cent of vote and celebrated by getting back to work.
AP called the race before lunch on November 6, 2024. Luv Sedona Eyes
(Van Orden supported a farm bill that provided food for low income families.)
Received from Dr. Ben Carson in an email for supporters of faith and family values:
There is an all-out war on families in our culture today.
The government is threatening to tear children away from parents who refuse to embrace radical transgender ideology.
Schools think they have more right to raise your kids than you do and are teaching them to hate our country.
Hollywood, the media, and many of our political elites are pushing extreme late-term abortions. (end)
“I don’t want to see your junk in my bathroom.” – Congresswoman Nancy Mace
This woman of intelligence and courage just made the federal government put on its boys and girls bathrooms rules.
Thank your cultural stars for strong intelligent Republican women.
Start a recall vote on Hobbs
Thank God we’re back to work hard and study hard cultures to get ahead rather when DEI that’s proven unworkable by this administration’s own departments.
Hire people with intelligence.
Men housed in women’s prisons killing or raping women could be handled efficiently by physically not chemically Castrating men before letting in women’s facilities. then Arab and Asian nations castrate slaves and prisoners and we can do same.
Overwhelming majority find humorous trans individuals don’t realize they’ve mental issues in these past decades of unisex clothing and hair styles with men in long hair and women in short hair who gives a hair of the dog like you Eddie Maddock, even names are uni-interchangeable? Trans stay in your own mental health lane divided by biologic scientific two-gender rules for cleaning your bowels in public places and that includes schools and prisons but do keep a unisex bathroom in your abode for your mental health safe place.
Lake must demand a recount and RNC better be there to challenge every single questionable vote!
Dovefly gets it
This AZ Michigander loves Sedona views and stands with @nancymace @lisamcclain @scottpresley @truth and please read this email shared by friends and family from Rep. McClain to stand up to woke people. Right is might. Comments mine when sharing opinions with everybody after Feeling President Biden allowed attacks on us for years.
(Begin email) |>>>Radical activists are even launching death threats against Republican women who refuse to bend the knee to their extremist agenda. But as a mother, wife, and softball coach, I’ll never surrender to their intimidation and guilt-tripping, and that makes me public enemy number one.
Can I count on you to stand with me against the woke left’s disgusting attacks on women? This fight won’t be easy to win, but I’ll always stand my ground. I hope you will join me in doing the same. Lisa McClain (R-MI)House GOP Chairwoman>>>| (end shared email)
Best CNN award moment was Tapper face learning Harris didn’t win a single county in the country lmao
Go fire the incompetent (deleted by editor) CNN MSNBC CBS liars (deleted by editor) they act like groomed traitors (deleted by editor) and take face the nation off air for biased woke disgusting anchor and woke guests with occasional good ones attacked by hysteria prone anchor (deleted by editor)