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?
Google Netherlands jack ass
FLorida free bus rides to illegals
telling authorities family waiting NY – Mass -did you know Obama’s uber rich island removed them – No need for illegals to go there – Obama No room at the inn – Obama museum ugly
1930s heat wave worse than today
Please enjoy this beautiful and safe day.
The White House says universal healthcare premiums overcharged Americans by half a billion dollars and the government should give it back. The president authorized one $500 check at a time. The president said previous Democrat administrations built up a surplus money account from charging too high fees, and he is giving it back to the people who paid out of their pockets.
Democrats oppose returning the overcharged dollars to users saying that money can be used for other government programs.
Ed Sheeran is scum. Macklemore is scum. There is no genocide in Gaza as facts show. Shun them on tour and in Arizona and Sedona they shouldn’t be welcome.
truthfully prefer cooler weather back home
Agree
MSNBC-MSNOW-MSBYENOW.
CNN-CCP-CAN NOT.
China Russia Iran Cartels Hamas Hezbollah Nonprofits and dozens more lost their overpaid mouthpieces with anti American rhetoric supporting Pro Nazi Pro communist Pro anarchy traitorous platforms endangering our citizens here and abroad. The Democrat Party is not a big tent, it’s a clown show cluster f@@k of uneducated weak corrupt immoral sycophants in my humble opinion that welcomes or incites yours even when yours should welcome mine.
Blue collar jobs highest employment numbers in decades after Obama Biden Harris told us and passed laws to keep it from happening and saying jobs for us were gone forever.
F them.
Thanks Trump for letting US taxpayers money we pay out of pocket benefit workers here.
Remember Biden’s prices rose 20% in four years. Gas prices under Biden were higher than today each and every day!!!
Biden Harris let in 20 million illegals and dangerous terrorists and took your ability to buy homes away from and drove up rent prices. Tax money was stolen from you and me and us workers to buy and give free housing and benefits to illegals not citizens.
Everyone celebrates holidays differently, while recognizing a common bond between the differences. Tonight at sundown, September 20, 2026, also year 5787, begins the holiest day of the Jewish faith, Yom Kippur, with its Yizkor (Memorial) Service observed. In some communities, people only attend a service if they have experienced the death of a parent or immediate family member, and in other communities, people attend to remember friends, grandparents, or those who have no one to remember them. This Yom Kippur, many communities will include prayers in their Yizkor service to honor the victims of terrorism, including the babies, children, women, and men massacred in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Stop thinking the Iran war is like the Vietnam war! It’s not.
There is a reason that we want to hold the line! No president had balls to protect us until now.
How about NO NUKE hitting you in Sedona which is easy now! You’re not protected here by red rocks and you have no ability to grow food or get water under any condition.
That’a why the native Americans aka Indians left because feeding people here was impossible!
Iran is costing you a few extra dimes and you’re complaining? WTF Biden & Harris had our gas prices at the highest ever in US and you never said a word! Sheep.
You people are disgraceful idiots. Shut up about gas prices & remember in a few months you’ll be paying $2 and recoup any and all of your pretend losses, idiots.
Vote Democrats for higher taxes to send to foreign countries, increases crime and homeless populations, and NO gas like a couple years ago. Fools.
Trump proves asking American citizens to do spectacular like making America first, they’re don’t forget who put them last EVERY YEAR
Foreign Media PRAISES Trump For PROVING NATO Leaders WRONG After Scoring Major Deal With Greenland!
Time to be on the pro economic success train, American media and Democrat socialist losers in Sedona & bigger world.
@YomKippur. You forgot terrorists flame throwers in Colorado, DC gundown, New York machete slicing..
Notice leftist media didn’t tell you about this fantastic Denmark Greenland USA agreement, why isn’t that treasonous anti America behavior? They scream about gas prices and not explain why it matters to our safety and better economy in a few months?
China ice cutters heading that way over Canada with Canada knowledge, eh? Your news journalists need to do their jobs reporting real news in real time.
Canadians love US and don’t believe otherwise. Many would welcome joining with statehood to fix the failed health system and restore robust economics.
Step up > support Republicans
Democrats shut down diesel gas refineries now protest prices for TV? Trump admin building first new refinery in decades. Biden diesel prices higher than this for no reason except to get our tax money. STFU
Democraps ought not be reelected or elected.
Very simple logic. Democrats do not want us to live free, they want to control our lives to fit their extremist viewpoints and flood our streets and scenery with criminality and trash and corruption.
Please YOU must stop promoting Democrats nonsense propaganda, stop uplifting their racist candidates, avoid donating to their racist beliefs and causes.
Appreciate red rocks Sedona.
Be aware of silence. Learn to speak up, vote against open borders. No country in the world allows open borders.
Why Federal Reserve asks for public comment, if infrastructure is being built for the digital $$dollar? All transactions will be tracked and what you spend on will be controlled. Your accounts won’t be yours to control but the governments.
China did this. Nigeria did this.
Socialist governments are to be feared.
We will always stand with you to make America free from the tyranny of Democrats.
We will never abandoned President Trump to your hate filled lies and social media trolls. When you in media lie we see and hear it. Americans fighting back against Dems communist masters and foreign funds! Every body will go to the poll and vote Republican. It’s already proven Reps incredible economy after Druggies, drunk dems the problem for America, it’s starting to look better and is safer now. Dems arrogance looks down on us.
These violent coordinated acts of intimidation against Republicans, especially Senator Susan Collins in Maine, by leftists using Nazi-like terror tactics against women in government must be stopped by Mainers. Senator Collins is a decent person and she’s quite bipartisan thinking and she has never missed a vote in her entire public service. If you live in Maine, and you don’t protest and protect your rights and civil liberties from Nazi tattooed retards you need to cross the border.
Election Election Day Early Voting Begins November General November 3, 2026
October 7, 2026
Locations & Hours for Early Voting Locations
Prescott: Yavapai County Administration Building, 1015 Fair Street from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
Prescott Valley: 3001 Main St., Ste 1E/1F in the Prescott Valley Entertainment District (across from the Salt & Pepper Cafe) from 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.
Cottonwood: Yavapai County Cottonwood Annex, 10 S 6th Street from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
Early voting locations are open until 7 pm on the Friday before Election Day. Voter ID required.
Tom Holman rocks
Support ICE in our community
Deport criminal aliens now.
ICE support gets big applause from friends neighbors students here
VOTE law and order & send D party members back to China & Russia
NO to AZ D’s
protect this state and nation from Californication & higher taxes
Support northern AZ small businesses & unelect D’s in power
Veterans and active military want Trump in office go vote make it happen
FREE AZ
Stop lying about prices like we live in ignorant California. Our gas is still cheaper than during Joe Schmoos & Kackles the Clown administration.
Trumps fighting a war to keep you from being roasted alive by a nuclear bomb..I just bought 36 eggs for 4.88 total in grocery store and Democrats had us believing there was an egg shortage when there wasn’t. Lying blue dogs.
Stop being sheep. Trump keeping your kids from being murdered in wars by the thousands. Take the win.
Heads up editors these stupids are worth four letter words like (deleted by editor)
Shout out to Bend Oregon dad who saved lives in school shooting: FBI’s official count shows armed citizens stopped 14 of 302 active shootings between 2014 and 2022, however, independent investigations with full follow-up reports by the Crime Prevention Research Center, reviewed of same years found 157 of 440, over one-third, of armed citizen interventions saved lives.
That Oregon dad on his way home for lunch saved lives by killing the evil monster, and it’s a reason to advocate for gun rights to protect ourselves and others. BTW this hero’s children were in the school.
People in Sedona would put a foot on your windpipe before they would help you be free.
Barack Obama just COLLAPSED, and the DNC is SCREAMING. – yep, this headline, sometime
this week, screams, eh? Right? (Deleted by editor)
Families here escaped from Middle East and Islamist extremism and military rule. These aren’t religious groups, they are radical anti American incubators of anti Israel and anti American and pro using white and black and brown American women to destroy freedom of choice and produce children that will believe to blow themselves up is good. Such BS. The leaders don’t blow themselves up, they groom morons and idiots to do it. Act like Slaves then beware you’re being used.
Mao Zedong, Chinese Communist Party leader from 1943 to 1976, launched the Great Leap Forward killing tens of millions of children and women and men. Hollywood and LeBron pay close attention because actors, athletes and teachers were among first put into camps and killed because they’re useless to factories and farm communities.
The ECONOMY GREW 3.6 %.
Hear that and not the media spouting ridiculous anti Trump and ICE and anti Jew and Christian and Sedona Spiritual common sense hate. NO DEMS because they’ve done bat shit crazy. We need a new Dem party to belong too.
YOU WOULD VOTE FOR THESE ARIZONA Democrats? In 16 years of their kingdom the Never did anything good for the middle and lower classes and ripped off the rich who pay for everything. And they made THEMSELVES RICH.
every honest voter loses when a ballot is cast by someone who shouldn’t be voting. happy Halloween & stay safe
Give AZ credit for Voting for women only and men only sports here like 4 other states did. Biological reality exists because Caitlin Clark & Sophie Cunningham reality leadership. Save our girls.
US ignorants couldn’t stand better economy and gave jobs to communists and socialists and losers for higher taxes and welfare. You bought again the lies that destroyed us under Obama and Kackles the clown and Altzheimer Biden. Shameful stupidity. Keep Those nose rings on you sheep. Democrats are the tail waggers.