SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock shines light on the future of the city of Sedona as its City Council agendizes 2022.
Sedona AZ – Constant feedback continues to indicate wasted effort extended by producing printed, as well as online, publications such as Sedona Eye. Having never participated in – not even one opportunity – to join in a public online forum by throwing in two or more cents worth – not ever – this clearly is neither an endorsement for or against participating on a Facebook, Next Door, or other app.
A good deal of online forum feedback – pertaining to matters unrelated to family connections – consistently is reported as utter nonsense without factual proof of many if not most “allegations.” Of course there is really nothing wrong with that, but it does tend to make one wonder what became of the term “In My Opinion” that, at least at one time, was an extremely wise decision to include as a protection to avoid litigation relating to slander and/or libelous content or intent.
Therefore, as boring as it may be to the growing numbers who rely on what appears on social websites, and just as a matter of record, the following items identified by the Sedona City Council at its recent annual retreat are offered for information only:
Agenda City Council Retreat Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, & Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Possible/New City Council Priorities Discussion/Update; including the following: (Projected for Thursday, January 6, 2022)
1. Homelessness
2. Environmental Impact Statement/Assessment of Off Highway Vehicles
3. Evacuation Modeling & Evacuation Routes
4. Police Department Body Cameras
5. Brewer Road Ranger Station Park Buildout
6. New Dedicated Sales Tax for Transit
7. Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Contractual Relationship
8. Andante Sidewalk/SUP
9. Pickleball Courts
10. Purchase of Cultural Park
11. Real Estate Purchase Opportunities
12. Employee Hiring & Retention
13. Official Vision Statement Video
14. Trail Access Based on Capacity Analysis.
If any particular agenda issues extend within your own subdivisions, it might be worthwhile to keep this list of proposed concerns handy.
Don’t forget. Sedona will soon have an election. The mayor and three city council seats will either be retained or, if the voters decide, will be replaced by new faces with perhaps different ideas regarding the fourteen potential future actions, in addition to who-knows-what?
Isn’t NOW the time to question these people who will be deciding your destiny? After they are elected what will be your chances of being heard? Solutions and ultimate decisions for Sedona could be decided based on what SEVEN people decide THEY think is best – and to hell with public opinion!
And keep in mind, the elected City Council bases its determinations largely upon unelected city of Sedona staff recommendations.
And let us not overlook the questionable authority that has been bestowed upon what remains an organized membership club (Council Retreat Agenda Item #7 above), aka the Chamber of Commerce: Officially unrelated to Sedona city government, the Chamber pledge and commitment is to service its members – many (if not most) of its members are OUTSIDE Sedona City Limits and they DO NOT collect city sales tax and they ARE NOT even eligible to legitimately vote in Sedona city elections…
So what’s in store for the city of Sedona in the year 2022?
End of rant from Eddie S. Maddock aka “the light on the blight of Sedona.”
How about adding “Stop Funding the Chamber of Commerce” and “Forget Rezoning the Cultural Park Property” to your suggestions?
What happened to the concept of “Small Town Character”? And with that acreage Sedona (city) owns at The Dells, they have plenty of property to SELL to developers for the purpose of workforce housing.
If the dopes had stuck to the rules and enforced appropriate numbers of such accommodations (workforce housing) when issuing approval permits to resort developments, the situation would no way be such a priority at this time.
Should selfish greedy bastards be rewarded for turning Sedona into the congested over built mess we are presently witnessing? Me thinks NOT!
Whiners! How about if you don’t like it – simply leave? Duh!
As if you aren’t one of the whiners? Didn’t you leave this area? If so why do you continue to care? Or are you ignored by those in your new surroundings as you were here in Sedona?
Poor fellow. You followed your own advice and yet continue to “whine” from wherever? So sad, too bad. Maybe you hiked a negative vortex during your tenure in Sedona?
Just an observation.
@mshobert @WestSedonaDave We’ll leave after you Creeps. We’ll follow you to the border and watch you turn Bidenlickers back by telling them Trump is waiting for them with ICE and Homeland Security. BTW can you call your pal Putin and tell him when Trump gets re-elected, he better have not touched one hair on a Ukrainian’s head or he will need a straw to eat borscht in the future. Then call your exalted leader’s boy, Hunter, and ask to trade in your savings and pension to buy a painting because you’re an admirer and supporter. Cherish your new life illegally in another country while the rest of us keep trying every single day to make this city and this nation the best on earth and demand it of those we elect and of each other.
Now is the time to stop the current city council.
https://www.change.org/p/sedona-city-council-defund-the-chamber
If it’s true that every day busloads of illegal aliens are being dropped off in Cottonwood and at Safeway in Sedona, then the future quality of life here is pretty clear but bleak. “Sanctuary City” might best define it.
And maybe this explains why the city staff and council will be looking at purchasing the former Cultural Park. No wonder! They need that land to provide “affordable” (free) housing to these people who get away with breaking a federal law. And guess who pays the tab for equalized socialism?
A no-brainer from the brainless? But, if “they” get away with this, isn’t it really legitimate hard working citizens who are the dummies?
Supposing what you write is correct @James Harrington. Is the city council aware of illegals invading Sedona and if so what are they doing about it? Are appropriate authorities immediately contacted in order to efficiently take care of the situation? After all, this isn’t just a local issue. It’s a federal offense.
Most likely bringing fentanyl and opium for tourism and locals. We had big pedophile group here. Same with drugs here. Easy with the tourists, runners, gangs, businesses, resorts, trails. Ask police. Report problems.
An invasion of illegal migrants? Shouldn’t that be top priority at city hall? What about disease? COVID and who knows what else? This is dreadful. It’s all over national news the millions of $$$$$ that it’s costing legal, hard working citizens to feed, house, and baby sit these law breakers! A national violation being dumped into local jurisdictions instead of enforcing federal laws and deporting them at the expense of the countries from which they fled. SHAMEFUL! The president of these United States is responsible!
time tells who cares, sign the damn petition cowards
Illegal immigrants an issue to Sedona city council or staff? Give me a break.
Their top priority seems to remain justifying the idiotic endeavor to figure out excuses to give away millions of dollars to the chamber.
Why they persist in attempting to immortalize that member-driven business organization remains a mystery. The chamber’s responsibility is to represent only THEIR members and not the voting residents of Sedona except for the handful who might (emphasis on might) happen to be members of the chamber.
Based on general complaints the outrageous dedication appears to offer only outrage to those of us who live here.
They can no longer use destination marketing as an excuse, and the commitment to benefit the Lodging Council for the discretionary bed tax increase could well be justified on many other issues besides free money to enrich the chamber.
Has that costly endeavor produced anything besides massive traffic backups of tourist day trippers? At least to this date and to my knowledge it’s never been proven otherwise. And presently will the city attempt to justify the nonsense with the excuse of workforce housing (how 1900’s is that old out of date idea) much of which should have already been provided as permits for resort/lodging facilities have been approved over the years.
Skim Scam = grim reapers?
No way will Sedona send homeless & illegals away. Got to have a reason for all the money spent on programs nobody needs like our
Food banks that throw away food because can’t give it away.
Over 900K have died. What a boon for the eco groups demanding lower population. How’s your family been impacted the part two years or you and how does that impact your life? I’m a nurse and curious.
Will this “City of Sedona” council vote to approve the ongoing financial giveaway sweetheart deal with the “Regional Chamber of Commerce” and phony baloney “tourist bureau” including the outrageous expense of paying for a “Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center”(also claimed to be an “official” city representation) whose policy is to refer ONLY their members?
To hell with Sedona non-chamber city tax paying businesses! Why is this acceptable????
@mshobert I like it and won’t leave and I care about it enough to fight for why we moved here years ago when it never was or will be a tourist trap. You want it to be a tourist trap for tourists and we want it to be why tourists want to see it. We’re right, you’re not.
Like Lori said
time tells who cares, sign the damn petition cowards
Where’s a petition to sign?
IN THE ARTICLE
https://www.change.org/p/sedona-city-council-defund-the-chamber
Yes lets defund the Chamber….
And get a big advertising outfit from NY city to advertise for us!
Seeing by law 55% of that money MUST BE SPENT ON ADVERTISING!
Ever thought of calling your politicians to change the law???? LOL!
@Craig – just following the ongoing strife and BS, with a bit of glee and hubris, that is all.
Having been employed by a San Francisco marketing company for several years, it was extremely shocking but enlightening when a crew was sent out on the streets to actually take a survey. The question asked had to do with how individuals heard about the area and, in some cases, specific sites. The overwhelming response was “Someone told me/us about it!” Therefore proving what has long been a fact of life.
WORD OF MOUTH IS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST EFFECTIVE FORM OF ADVERTISING !
Face it. Giving money to a chamber of commerce for marketing purposes is a total wasted effort. Anyone attempting to argue differently is either just stupid or uninformed – or both! In fact, in the local situation isn’t it true that the Chamber did, in fact, turn around and sub-contract a “professional” ad agency in Phoenix? Weren’t they the ones who ran the visit Sedona campaign at the Phoenix airport that advertised Sedona at that location which resulted in hordes of day trippers? Brilliant? NOT!
The mere fact that this ridiculous chamber of commerce/city of Sedona liaison situation continues to run rampant is making Sedona a laughing stock both nationally and internationally! Promoting lengthy lines of traffic backups has become the popular not-so-scenic attraction? Get a grip!
Advertising doesn’t have to be about coming to Sedona. Advertising can be about preserving northern Arizona and Sedona and canyons and forests from land predators and day trippers. Call it Saving Sedona and the Arizona Canyons and spend it on a documentary for the film fest. That’s legally allowed.
Ditto. DEFUND the Chamber and take our city assets back!
Guess what? My older sister was really into travelling and it must have been late 60’s/early 70’s that she first heard about Sedona from a travel agency in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sorry to burst the bubble for so many arrogant airheads who apparently continue to control the ill-conceived shots these days! What a waste to glorify a cheesy two-bit Chamber of Commerce with such crappy nonsense. An easy way to solve this stupidity would be to withdraw that half percent bed tax, which as we understand really was the opening to this most recent can of worms. Apparently the City would maintain a substantial amount of revenue without it. Just paying the price for a taxable meal out at one of your pricey restaurants anymore should foot the bill to maintain your ongoing BS. Suggested updated slogan for Sedona is SCENIC ATTRACTION: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN BY THOSE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
Advertising of course can be about things other than promoting businesses which should be solely the responsibility of the business owners. If they are members of the Chamber of Commerce, that also is a way to advertise.
It is NOT the responsibility of an incorporated area to do so! Many members of the chamber – as has been told time and time again – are outside city limits.
In fact check out the CoC board of directors!! And they have the audacity to claim part of their mission is to do a service for legitimate residents of the City of Sedona?
NOT!
If this City of Sedona has so much tax (public) money on hand to consider numbers ten and eleven on their “wish list” then surely they should rightfully and immediately withdraw that “temporary” .05% sales tax as was the original intent.
But, oh no, they move forward with big plans to purchase the Cultural Park for what? TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS?? And at the council meeting yesterday they just cannot let go of their onward effort to involve the REGIONAL chamber of commerce into their plans. Such as including “them” in their efforts to employ “sustainability” and other stupid ideas when all they really want to do is continue to increase building density which in turn will produce guess what? More traffic.
Oh and the “shuttle” plan? Is it like most things from City Hall planners doomed to fail? How about the voters change the plan(s) by voting OUT the majority who cannot get over themselves and their love affair with the chamber of commerce?
Arrogance of power BEGONE!
We are very concerned about the future of Sedona even with the prospect of new representatives on the city council. Special emphasis on city council REPRESENTATIVES because they are elected to serve US, legitimate voting residents, and not specifically the special interests of the members of the chamber.
Wasn’t it that fellow currently on the city council, Scot Jablow, that brought up working with the chamber on sustainability at the meeting yesterday? Another phony trumped up reason to endow the C of C annually with millions of Sedona city revenue $$$?
Isn’t he a candidate running for Mayor in the upcoming election? It’s our suggestion to catalog that one, Folks!
It seems grossly unfair for the alleged “official Sedona Visitors Center” identified as Chamber of Commerce to offer only referrals for their members.
We make a point to shop ONLY at Sedona businesses that are NON-MEMBERS of the C of C. How such a travesty is legal is puzzling considering the number of chamber members outside city limits that do NOT collect city sales tax but derive sales from a poorly operated city financed “non-profit” operation? Bummer!
Chamber of Commerce shouldn’t have service contract with a municipality. They are member driven and have no business representing a division of government financed with public revenue. OUR OPINION!
We are looking to vote for any candidate that will have the intestinal fortitude to go against this policy!!
We invested in property here a few years ago which we maintained as a rental but NOT for short term! one year lease or more.
Now that we have relocated we feel it is a responsible to always vote in elections. Therefore certain tips and clues relating to issues and potential pitfalls are appreciated. In particular the last sentence provided by Sam & Paula caught our attention. We will keep our eyes and ears open to what potential candidates for mayor and city council have to say. In particular this astounding relationship with a Chamber of commerce? Never heard of such a thing!
There is a new group in town – Sedona Residents Unite. It is nonpartisan. We have interviewed City Council/Mayoral candidates to see which ones really care about the Residents. We are endorsing Jon Spera for Mayor, Scott Moffatt and Brian Fultz for Councilor. Please sign their petitions on Azsos.
Here is a link to the website: http://www.apps.azsos.gov. Also – Join Sedona Residents Unite by going to the website – http://www.sedonaresidentsunite.com and clicking on most pages. The signup form will show up.
Another Sedona Project 2022 gone wrong:
“City’s SR 179 project backs up sewage into Center for the New Age”
@Ann Kelley, your message sounds like a potential ray of sunshine for the dismal direction our beautiful Sedona has fallen into for much too long now. In particular we appreciate “non-partisan” but do have one request.
This may seem petty, but we find it annoying. Sedona does not elect “councilors.” We vote for members of a Sedona City Council and they are either male or female. That remains a fact!
Now some “politically correct” snobs have attempted to convince us that making reference to Councilman or Councilwoman is no longer acceptable because, apparently, we should all agree to be unisex!? How can that be unless we have another mandate from D.C. ordering us all to acquiesce to questionable surgery?
No matter what – we were born and for the majority remain men and women – he/she; her/him -etc. Just a reminder of one fact of life.
A question: Wasn’t it Democrats who first made a big deal out of “policitally correct”? Isn’t that reason enough to can the phrase? In other words – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
It makes a difference when citizens voice their opinions instead of acting like sheeple! Now take time to vote and vote for saving our city from rampaging destructors of eons old red rocks and dark skies for newbie tourists pieces of silver!
Bravo @AnnKelley More people like you and Eddie Maddock to get the truth out means a lot for this city
A needed shake up at city hall will bring in fresh eyes and less entrenched power.
We’re not spending $5 ++++ gas to come to come and sit in traffic from Phoenix all day. Lots of nice replaces to go nearby. Won’t even go to Grand Canyon. Your weather is like back home.
Well who would have thought? Candace Straass, replacement for Jennifer Wesselhoff, former pres/director of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, has resigned. What could be next? No city funding to the member driven organization that under much criticism has defended the position of representing “the region” at the cost of millions of dollars of Sedona City revenue?
Glory Be! Is divine intervention finally at work here in Sedona? Did anyone even come close to anticipating this unexpected event to occur in Sedona 2022?
Will this upcoming election provide much needed confirmation that there is still life after death? Sedona Schnebly, it seems our fate might just be in your hands!
PLEASE hit the reset button, Sign the petition to Defund the chamber. ANYONE can sign regardless to where you live.
The chamber has been marketing Sedona via “education” and guess what? They market Real Estate AKA STRs.
YOUR SUPERPOWER is your voice. Please sign.
https://www.change.org/p/sedona-city-council-defund-the-chamber
How long was Candace Strauss here? What kind of salary and then resignation package did she receive for our gift to Chamber? Why did she leave except for the fear of being fired? Or did she face the same elephant in the room as Wesselhoff and bailed like wildfire? Let’s get some information shared here. Voters need to be made aware.
The Sedona that Mother God prefers when she provided dark skies over red rocks is peacefully quiet natural habitats. Namaste.
Walter S. Wrote ————- Oh and the “shuttle” plan? Is it like most things from City Hall planners doomed to fail? How about the voters change the plan(s) by voting OUT the majority who cannot get over themselves and their love affair with the chamber of commerce?
Good morning Sedona. We agree about voting out current board members and implementing term limits. We do not require professional politicians.
Does anyone else find it peculiar that apparently the news release relating to the resignation of Candace Strauss as Pres/CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce was offered to two other local publications but apparently NOT Sedona Eye? Hmmm ???
Accordingly Ms. Strauss was the Chamber CEO from January 2021 to her recent resignation = 14 months later. The reason given for her decision to resign is because she wants to return to her family in Big Sky, Montana. Makes one wonder why she left there in there first place.
Could the true reason for this unexpected departure really relate to that expression “If the heat’s too hot get out of the kitchen?” Or is it possible she simply has such high standards and ethics that she no longer found it tolerable to participate in what SE has done a good job of exposing? The possibility of hanky-panky backroom negotiations?
“Chamber resignation newest release authority to other publications”!!?
Oh and you know the reason why don’t you
Their publications not bitch and blogs like this place. Really man get over yourself and all your (deleted by editor) . My God you made me laugh out loud.
Follow the $edona money.
IMO Sedona is a kick back kind of town. Follow the money and who gets paid from the chambers 15.3 million gifted to chamber by city council.
Be in know Miz Eunice’s not been wrong in 84 years.
Big Sky or miles of traffic and tourists and creepy pushy wannabes running Sedona into the ground. Case closed.
Article said — Don’t forget. Sedona will soon have an election. The mayor and three city council seats will either be retained or, if the voters decide, will be replaced by new faces with perhaps different ideas regarding the fourteen potential future actions, in addition to who-knows-what?
And keep in mind, the elected City Council bases its determinations largely upon unelected city of Sedona staff recommendations.
Sign a petition. Vote. Be heard.
Let’s go Sedona find your spines get your lines on the city website!!! Decades here makes me crazy with changes not in our best interests!!!
Heads up. There’s an opportunity to participate in updating the community plan. Go to the city web site, contact council members, and/or city clerk. Speak up or shut up!
Do you really want for highly controversial land exchanges such as the failed “cultural park” to fall into the hands of developers? For more high-rise “affordable housing” promises? Many of us already know that’s a bunch of BS.
It most likely will turn into nothing more than another money grab for developers to add to the already overbearing traffic problem. Please – pay attention – especially those of you who continue to complain but do nothing even when handed an opportunity that costs NOTHING except a few minutes of your time. (a rare event these days)
We would just like to say that as owners of a small business we appreciate the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.
Frequently we have referrals from that source. It’s great because we don’t have a chamber of commerce where we live. Don’t need one since the City(?) of Sedona continues to pay millions of dollars to advertise your(?) Chamber of Commerce members which includes us.
In addition we avoid paying Sedona city sales tax. That’s been a plus since the word is out – especially now with inflation. Even with increased gas prices our restaurants remain more reasonable. Welcome one and all – including tourists!
Sweet deal. Keep up the policy to fund that Sedona Regional Chamber of Commerce throughout 2022 and in the future. It’s cheap advertising for those us us outside your city limits.