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?
Nobody thinks Harris has what it takes and her finger on the nuclear trigger brings to mind her cackling while doing it. She has no substance and she doesn’t lead the room she reads the room, said a smart man. She bragged about being in college smoking weed and listening to Tupac and Biggie when neither of them had made an album by then, but she read the room of blacks and threw out stereotypes to condescend to them. She thinks black folk only about legalizing weed and listening to rappers. She thinks blacks don’t know Donald Trump administration gave more money to historic black universities and black education than any administration including Obama and Biden (hers). Believe that educated blacks know who she prosecuted and put in jail in California for smoking weed and it was Kamala. Those same blacks rolled eyes and in the ballot booths, they’ll not be voting for her because they’re about education and educated folks know she’s not and never will be. TU (deleted by editor)
today Harris’s Justice Dept began suing states to allow illegals to vote for Democrats meaning these illegals from God Knows Where & Why have power at polls not knowing (deleted by editor) damn thing about country or people or why we vote or economy or crime or inflation or our laws or even how to read a damn ballot or whatever F ME Arizona
Eddie always a good article
hearing on news Iran said bombing Israel begins today & White House knew way before today
on a better note Happy 100th Birthday, President Jimmy Carter in Georgia with great respect to honor your service to our nation
Prayers for those in need around the country and if you can give to the Red Cross or a well vetted charity organization helping others please do and thank you to the volunteers making lives better every day in our city and towns.We personally avoid any pop ups on my internet saying they will help.
JD Vance when they do Cat Lady questions or tell you what you once said about Trump, look back and say I understand your question but today we are facing a war in Middle East and death and destruction on the scale of Katrina and the dock workers paid $200,000 each decided on this day in the Harris administration to walk off the job to get food and supplies and resources to NC, SC, TN, GA, FL, VA and truthfully the country is anxious and fearful of what the economy and groceries and gasoline and how we now have 20 plus million of unknown people we must pay for even while losing jobs and manufacturing capabilities and. I know like every Americans watching that you mean to ask questions of VP Harris why these crisises so I’ll yield this question’s time to VP Harris so she can answer the people demanding to know what they’re not doing anything to help them? It’s not difficult to get – ask Harris what is done every day for people here illegally and expect it for those here legally?
Quick answer to above? They’re red states and Biden Harris says eat worms you effing southern pieces of s*** & we’ve got immigrants here to take your places on jobs & take you black & white people causing problems to Africa & Europe & Israel.
JD Vance is the neighbor who’d mow your lawn if you broke a leg and Tim Walz is the neighbor who’d report you to the HOA when your grass grew too high. Just sayin
Walz wasn’t at Tiennamon Square in China and he lied again about it when asked, but that’s who that Minnesota Doughboy is, a blowhard pro communist.
JD Vance of the two is the best future President. He’s smart, Ex military, family man, and has what it takes to meet global leaders toe to toe not laugh for laugh like Harris. We need Trump Vance not Cackles and Flaws.
Walls older with experience.
FACT CHECK:
Hawaii tops list of 10 best states for healthcare. Hawaii ranked first in healthcare access, second in quality and third in public health, enough to place it atop this year’s rankings.
(Jeff Lagasse, Editor)
Hawaii ranks number one overall among all U.S. states when it comes to healthcare, according to new rankings by U.S. News and World Report.
The media company examined data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources to determine how states ranked in areas such as care quality, access and public health infrastructure.
At the top of the heap, Hawaii ranked first in healthcare access, second in quality and third in public health. The percentage of the Hawaiian population without health insurance was just 4.8%, compared to a national average of 11.3%. Its obesity rate is 26.9% lower than the 33.9% national average, and last year it saw 1,623 preventable hospital admissions per 100,000 Medicare patients, compared to a national average of 2,765.
Rounding out the top 10 states, in order, are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, California, Maryland, New York, Delaware and Washington.
WHAT’S THE IMPACT?
U.S. News also broke down the states by how they ranked in each of the healthcare subcategories.
CBS news didn’t fact check Walz when he said Minnesota is #1 in healthcare. Actually it isn’t even in the top 10.
The top five states for healthcare access, descending order, are Hawaii, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The top five states for healthcare quality are Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. For public health, the top five states are Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, California and New York. (End data fact checking)
Iran Hezbolla attacks Israel proves insanity. Hellfire to Israels enemies with deaths like Oct 6 innocents raped murdered & sweet babies and children butchered and burned. Every single person in America must see videos of Oct 6 including children. Don’t talk about Gaza, they brought this on themselves by putting these butchers and nutcases in power. Israeli citizens are Arabs too and they lost family members.
A quick search says Minnesota was ranked #1 for Healthcare by Wallethub (a division of Evolution Finance) in July 2024, so Walz is not pulling it out of thin air. It depends on who is doing the ranking and what the methodology is. It would take some drilling down to find out whose results are most meaningful. I live in a neighboring state to MN and suffice it to say Minnesota’s healthcare is by no means shabby to say the least.
Strike postponed by union. Watch democrats take credit but Joe Biden said he wouldn’t interfere and didn’t care. I’m guessing their family and friends gave them grief and likely threatened to leave them on couches. Making almost $40 hr but union says Biden Harris inflation dropped paycheck value to $30 hr. Unions will walk out later after holiday layoffs and new administration because Trump will see they get raise and don’t need to strike. Win win for unions and country.
@mduff. noted
This woman seems clear where her vote is or isn’t going? Don’t watch it if you can’t stand the heat.
(Offsite link)
https://youtube.com/shorts/biGFivP-5Og?si=5c6VLTKd1-3XI_ZM (offsite link)