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?
Politics and religion are seldom dinner topics, raising it isn’t poor etiquette, it’s etiquette of highest importance. Why? Viewpoints, political views, religious concerns, whatevers, are necessary. Given the USA is in the midst of amoral and cultural upheavals, it’s imperative friends and family discuss politics, beliefs, morals, virtues, nonsense, education, everything that’s fundamental for basis of American freedom and dynamism.When does America have the opportunity to influence or share or integrate beliefs in daily lives except at tables shared with others? What would Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln think seated at American tables? Bring flowers, bottles of liquor and mostly a sense of amusement learning how small your opinions are in the greatest country on earth. It’s never personal, it’s acting like Americans. God bless it and pass it on.
silence is destroying us & kids get fed robust anti liberty beliefs systems why we pretend they know better / SE publisher & writers media needs to step up encouraging dissent with anti democratic policies
The buck stops where?
Seriously that Buck’s yours fools. Stand upright get off your knees. (Deleted by editor)
“It’s not an optional thing, it is an essential thing. That’s the reason I’m here and taking a lot of flack and getting death threats.” – Elon Musk
“The more I learn, the more insidious and deadly it appears. Instead of knowledge, schools pour poison into the ears of our children.” – Elon Musk
Tom Fitton @TomFitton Judicial Watch posted =
“Communist China had over 277,000 students in American universities (for 2023-4 academic year) — WPOST.”
It seems appropriate after reading the comments to remind everyone today we honor those who served and died to protect us. Thank God for our men and women who serve us today and served us then. God bless and keep you safe. They make and they made America great.
Gavin is gaslighting with help from Kamala and Bass
Consumer Reports found these foods contain concerning levels of the toxic metal lead, which gets into the products in cassava. Health officials at the organization recently tested 27 popular cassava-made food items and found that nearly all of them had dangerous levels of lead.
Also Costco eggs had an issue sometime ago?
(Offsite link) https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/health-halo-foods-eaten-by-millions-found-to-contain-toxic-lead-linked-to-autism-cancer/arAA1G9Qe1ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=77ecc19ded9d4f7bc803d8f40cc5498b&ei=30 (offsite link)
(Offsite link) https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/health-halo-foods-eaten-by-millions-found-to-contain-toxic-lead-linked-to-autism-cancer/ar-AA1G9Qe1?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=77ecc19ded9d4f7bc803d8f40cc5498b&ei=30 (offsite link)
Congress and FBI are following the money and Schumer and Harris crowd are scared out of their minds.
Happy Birthday President Trump and thanks for finally making Americans wake up and thanks Sedona for listening and supporting free speech we lost under Obama and Biden and Harris.
Thanks Mr. Trump for the smartest and best Cabinet in decades! Mavericks of industry like Musk and his crew of non politicians and the likes of Bongino and Patel and Treasury and Homeland and Bobby Jr and Gabbard and rest of Cabinets ans Appointees. Bipartisanship unseen since Goldwater. Unelect Democrats and leave the party. Thanks again.
Are you sure? I watched Patel and Bongino say they know Epstein killed himself? Weren’t they totally sure it was a inside job? Or did your news not show the embarrassing footage from the interview?
I think we are all in for a lesson we will never forget. And thats not a good thing.
BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN FOLKS
BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
CENTRALISTS MATTER IN POLITICS
CONSTITUTION RULES
Smoking marijuana called vaping statistics sho fatal crashes increased over 4%. Politicians better stop lining their pockets and start doing what people voted for to protect us not give money away.
To airhead friends sending drama llama emails saying Save Tahoe stop filling that BScan email forwards watch real news not fake rage promos senate removed the public lands wording stupid llama mails for $$ save our lands about. Don’t fall for garbage nonsense parks rec Tahoe lands not disappearing clown shows!
Guess you don’t like people correcting mistakes cuz sounds like it’s all about that & wheee are Democrat truth tellers
food ad says not USDA inspected meat imported WTF whats that (deleted by editor) allowed like horse Javelina gopher rat dog cat meat (deleted by editor) elk crap not fit to eat ?
Thank you Republicans for keeping your promises and you will not lose an Arizona vote next election. Let’s celebrate the good future here again. Any Republican that doesn’t vote with our party for the budget should lose next election as RINOs days are over. God bless the USA.
Underserved schoolchildren’s schools are being crushed in education outcomes and healthcare by Democrats. The poorest are made poorer by democrats and democrats have the worst teachers, education outcomes, and make poor families poorer with high taxes.
we want Arizona Gator Shack for criminals & illegals
We LOVE this big beautiful bill. Democrats lost their fat cat funding for climate change the biggest fraud in American history was blowing up the debt for you and me and employed people to pay back the trillions Biden added to his budget.
TRUTH is 7.8 million people on Medicare with 3 Million scamming the system with Democrat help. LMAO at Democrats not getting that cut of the liars pie and maybe have to take pay cuts for speakers fees.
Don’t force us Chip Roy to deal with Democrats to get things done. Tax Cuts, modern air traffic control system, you want the Democrats biggest tax increase in history? I can’t wait to see how the democrats are going to lose 50% of their seats held now when the ahit hits the fan. Democrats are out of touch! Take the win conservatives and moderates and get this bill passed. President Trump is about change for the better.
Chip Roy and Massey and others either you’re for Democrats policies or for Republican policies. I’m not sending checks your way if you screw us in Texas and Southwest and defeat Homeland Security funding to keep us safe. LA Times sucks.
One million American apprentice program at state levels are in this bill. Why don’t Arizona reps want this program here for reservations and factory jobs? Indiana RV manufactures are lining up workers for these programs! Lower interest rates.
Data centers need plugs, receptacles, toilet paper, AC, windows, chips and electricians and engineers and thousands of affiliated employees and employees to make it run it.
Build it here not China.
Online yesterday from friends in email forward/ if you wrote this giving you credit for it now:
Several factors helped fuel this market rally:
• Israel-Iran cease-fire and resulting lower oil prices and lower interest rates
• Progress on trade deals and, so far, little evidence of tariff-driven inflation
• Stimulus from the pending tax cuts and spending bill
• Firming expectations of Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts and related weakness in the U.S. dollar
• Resurgence in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) investments
• Buying by under-invested institutions trying to keep up with the rally (end)
Demdumbos swarmed government with millions of dollars of new hires during Obama Biden years, we must do cutbacks now. It’s already late. Go Dept of Swashbucklers and clean up the waste fraud graft abuse, we voted and have your backs. Do our USA proud. It’s Independence Day 2025.
Speaker Mike Johnson works miracles for country. Thank you for keeping your promises to make us better and keep Iran from warring with Israel. All Israelis love President Trump because Biden Harris was pro Gaza and Islamic terror.
Take the victory Republicans because you deserve it to bring commonsense and peace to the world after Biden gave terrorists Afghanistan and Russia the right to invade Ukraine. Lovers of peace and freedom have proven themselves again.
My fave republicans eliminated the death tax after democrats have been taxing us for everything we buy then never quite get to own when dead without taxes. Celebrate the change are the words of the day with the big beautiful bill that gives our kids and poor people freedom. Elon Musk and his D.O.G.E. Get to work and find more graft, fraud and corruption and bring home the bacon.
Codify codify codify, doge doge doge, do it do it do it
President Trump has taken decisive action to protect female athletes, resulting in the University of Pennsylvania’s recent decision to ban men from women’s sports and strip the records of Lia Thomas. Title IX was fought for by women and men and transgender men you will never erase us. Stand up to your schools and your community and your religions that want to deny 50% of the global population their rights! Beware Univ of Arizona, ASU, YC, NAU, and every school in this state, YOU WILL NOT ERASE US and you WILL STAND FOR OUR RIGHTS!
6 secret service agents removed from duty, weed out treason and corruption at every level
Last week, House Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill—a sweeping package of conservative reforms. This bill will benefit ALL hardworking Americans.
And yet, every single Democrat voted against it. This historic win is just the beginning, and it’s clear that House Republicans need our support more than ever to continue fighting for an America First agenda for all.
We Asians knew Trump was never the evil orange man that Hollywood & media conjured up to keep power from the people like Nazis did in Germany and Mao did in China and Stalin and Lenin did in Russia and Tito did in Yugoslavia and Franco in Spain and Peron in Argentina and Idi Amin in Africa and Castro in Cuba and every North Korea and Vietnamese dictator ever born. Look at Albania and Romania and Balkan countries embracing servitude over freedom. Disgusting despots and disgusting people allowing themselves to be ruled by despots. They hate Trump because he is for the people while they’re for their power over the people’s rights and money. Taxes are for despots and low taxes are for the people. Clintons and Obamas were barrel heads and now people don’t have the intelligence to filter out the lies from the truth. Capitalism is the freedom for the poor and the rich know it and they will pay to reeducate the poor and uneducated to keep the truth hidden. If they want to tax you, they own you.
@helen get rid of traitors and incompetents more to go
(Offsite link) https://youtube.com/shorts/OwovlM7VOyA?si=fHkgyUyKD58dxbg (offsite link)
Try to understand Differences like between Democrats and Republicans then start right here?! Democrats never see money other people earned that wasn’t theirs to take away for themselves. They’re the party of pro slaves and pro Nazis, educate yourselves and know your history?! God bless Abraham Lincoln. Love Sedona red rocks but never this Sedona heat?!
God help us…. You people commenting nonsense here are complete morons …Thier are a lot of other adjectives I’d like to use, but I won’t..
here’s adjectives for fffffn moron trolls
Americans have forgotten their purpose.
H2A Visa program is $28-$32 an hour, we need to have only one agency to run work programs to ensure 100% LEGAL jobs and employees. Thank you, DOGE. Thank you, Agriculture Secretary Rollins. No more sodas and junk food for food welfare programs. It’s the right thing to do finally for our poor and kids and adults.
Put an in-law unit in your backyards and use it for family and friends. Stop putting money other than your own pockets. Wake up.
Sedona’s hot. Time to head out.
Trivia question asked the other day at the (deleted by editor) restaurant that nobody knew the answer. Here’s the thing, what determines when Social Security checks get paid each month?
Answer is the day of the month you were born determines which week of every month —— not when you applied. Checks for people born between the 1st and 10th of any month are paid first, the next batch go out to those born the 11th through 20th and checks for people born between the 21st and 31st are last.
adults not decent role models
good advice
Sedona businesses, politicos and landlords, If you’re renting or harboring illegals and taking cash instead of legal aliens and citizens, your number is up in 30 days says Secretary Rollins. Biden admin wouldn’t enforce laws and turned blind eyes to criminality undermining legal aliens, are getting fixed.
Businesses and owners cheating on loans, grants, gifts, fair housing, housing systems, labor practices with HUD Section 8 and state and government and local welfare and worker program monies know game’s up. Legals and residents can now get local housing and local jobs again, stolen from us by open borders. Report, deport works.
It’s DOGE TIME and computer information systems been updated and shared between agencies and governments. DOGE lives! Labor wins.
Welcome Labor Day 2025. The force is with freedom in the USA.
(offsite link) https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/gavin-newsom-mocks-trump-in-cringey-video/vi-AA1LJZY2?ocid=socialshare (offsite)
(Deleted by editor)
(Offsite link)
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1816855112583584/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v offsite link)
USA Today and Tomorrow
Federal Reserve job to make dollar secure? That’s its job, not regulating business.
Stunned many government officials are ignorant of what agencies they give our money to actually do.
Perfect example is CDC.
The dog and pony sound bite patrol Democrats during RFKJr hearings a perfect example.
We think we finally have no lapdog in his office and they can’t talk vaccines or health because they caused Covid by protecting Fauci (got Biden pardon for ???) and China and CDC roles.
Go RFKJr and don’t take no s**t from scum bags like Warren and Warner and the rest. Give ‘em hell, Robert.
You’re a hoot … your comment is so cute. Get you 10 cup girl… if it wasn’t for California, you guys be broke
Hey, get ready for more homeless begging for your penny as soon as the government tax cuts take affect in two years.. Oh, that’s right he’ll be out of office… Get your change ready !!! You’re probably an older woman living on nest egg your husband left you..((nothing wrong with that by the way)
Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders heckled in NYC by people who lived under socialism and communism and know its lies. Students need to rise up against Mamdani and Bernie Sanders and AO Cortez falsehoods lies because they’re multi millionaires from NY money and New York City voters are not and they want you to exist on their leftover free stuff and never get out of ghettos and slums to make you’re own millions.
They get money from overseas communists to get your votes. You ever see how people live in Cuba and Venezuela and Russia now? You live in Phoenix slum live better than rich and middle class there. Believe me be sure you weren’t taught Japan attacked Hawaii today on 1942. Why are teachers hiding this from us?
Thanks for the memory. God bless our veterans and soldiers past and present.