Comments on: Election Central 2016: Unofficial Sedona Primary Election Results

By: N. Baer

N. Baer — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 23:45:44 +0000

@Al, Legitimate Sedona resident – To answer your question, No, I do not believe that ” what’s happened in Sedona the last 20 years has stabilized the intended concept of incorporation, which was to preserve the area, maintain the small town atmosphere, etc? Do you think a hotel at every third block or so in W. Sedona is representing that? And “no, I don’t believe a hotel every third block or so in W. Sedona is representing that either.” I am very disappointed in the lack of vision, imagination and sanity exercised by our elected city government officials.

By: Wake up Sedona

Wake up Sedona — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 21:49:55 +0000

Sedona has become more and more unstable over the last twenty years. By putting all the eggs in one basket they have limited what kind of businesses can function in sedona. Those that were depended on getting up to flagstaff or out to the village or hwy have moved away eliminated jobs. But you hear that the chamber is responsible for everything that is true in regards to the negative impact. Service related jobs that are based on tourists are the most unstable and lowest paying. When the area is infested with tourists is when they get hours, unfortunately that means when their kids and families get together like holidays they are working and missing out. Tourism is unstable. By blocking and clogging are roads most locals won’t go out to eat or shop so the city is therefore losing income. It faster to drive down to phoenix on a weekend than to come into the city limits to shop. City Council needs to wake up!

By: Al, Legitimate Sedona Resident

Al, Legitimate Sedona Resident — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 22:42:17 +0000

And so (N. Baer) do you believe what’s happened in Sedona the last 20 years has stabilized the intended concept of incorporation, which was to preserve the area, maintain the small town atmosphere, etc? Do you think a hotel at every third block or so in W. Sedona is representing that? Those that gripe about CVS forget there will be another resort on the Biddle property in addition to a Community Focus Area. Do you consider that reality a myth?

By: N. Baer

N. Baer — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 18:54:51 +0000

It seems to me after 20 years of living and experiencing the changes that have taken place during that time period in Sedona that the concept expressed by “Better Idea” above, that “all those that move to Sedona with their big city” is pure myth. Most of the people I’ve talked to are seeking escape from the megalopolies they experienced occurring in their own lifetimes. But isn’t it interesting how such a myth takes the heat off of everyone who has been here longer for allowing it to happen?

By: Not to Matter

Not to Matter — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 19:19:15 +0000

None of the comments being made here really matter because in the very near future Sedona will become the not-so-best-kept secret in the west for illegal vacation rentals. There will be no adequate method of enforcement and nothing to prevent private homeowners from averting advertising with places like Airbnb. So eat your hearts out you greedy SOB’s. Your gravy train will soon reach its final destination – a dead end. Ha, ha, ha – couldn’t happen to a bunch of more deserving control freaks.

By: Better Idea

Better Idea — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 17:31:59 +0000

Hey “give it a rest already” how about all those that move to Sedona with their big city ideas pack it up and go back to where they came from. What is it they don’t get about it. This is a small town, and shrinking, without room for expansion to accommodate the things they miss in big metropolitan cities. The part in the community plan about maintaining a small town atmosphere should be stricken. The idea of just finding new ways to tax those of us that live in incorporated Sedona to take care of the entire Verde Valley is absurd. These people were nobodies before they came here and instead of fitting in their egos have expanded to actually make them believe they are better than everyone else. Sure – take over our garbage – take over our lives. Better yet, change your own lives and LEAVE!

By: @Give it a rest already

@Give it a rest already — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 04:03:22 +0000

@Give it a rest already- it is coming, you will get it. Cheaters never win.

John is so smart he thought that .5% increase of bed tax was millions. He wrapped up a deal with the chamber- lodging that cost the city money. He cost the city MILLIONS>It’s only pennies on the dollar costing the taxpayers MILLIONs a year. Dumber than dumb and he supposed to have an accounting background. Now that his last deal ran negative he grasping at trash to fix his trashy agreement with segner and wesselbutt.

It is a matter of time……… payback is a bit_h

By: Give it a rest already

Give it a rest already — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 21:02:30 +0000

@Something to be proud of

We have been hearing your whimpers and cry’s for way too long. Martinez won so give it a rest. Just remember, you are not bound, tied down or forced to stay in Sedona if you’re really not happy just move away already.

I would bet a steak dinner that no matter where you move, there will always be issues and people like you who like to complain.

By: Enjoy The Moment

Enjoy The Moment — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 20:49:46 +0000

It’s only a matter of time until the State of Arizona, under the recent passage of SB 1487, will catch up with rogue cities and towns, those that thumb their noses at silly restrictions like playing by the rules of State law. And along with shameful City of Sedona include the flaunting rogue regional Chamber of Commerce, reveling in their current control of Sedona’s purse strings – money that is public funds and does not belong to them.

Snow Flake in Arizona is already under investigation, so the movement IS in action.

Think hard, Mr. Martinez, about how this city will make up for the financial loss when and if the State of Arizona withholds funding because of the blatant disregard to legitimate authority. How much will Sedona city limits residents be required to pay the city every month to have our garbage picked up to subsidize that financial loss?

In the meantime, how about considering dropping the millions of $$$ being given to other non-profits besides the Chamber – the idiotic $50,000 the city spends annually for Red Earth Theatre to use the city owned former teen center. The over-inflated amount to the Sedona Film Festival and countless other non-essential frivolous expenditures. New funding sources should be coming from the city making money on such lunatic giveaways instead of the other way around.

By: Something To Be Proud Of?

Something To Be Proud Of? — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 16:49:18 +0000

John Martinez, on being re-elected, Sedona Red Rock News Friday, September 2, 2016:

“I am very pleased that I have been re-elected. It is nice to know that the residents have confidence in me to tackle current and future city challenges and opportunities, such as a new revenue generation source. . . . .”

Oh, really? And just who is it that’s so happy about that “new revenue source” you were already instrumental in generating? Namely, the agreement to increase the bed tax .5% to benefit the coffers of the regional chamber of commerce at the present tune of returning $2.01 million of that “new revenue” to the source that’s collecting it – only the members of the chamber of commerce, most of which are located outside Sedona City Limits and do NOT even contribute to Sedona City tax base – remotely, perhaps, due to increased day trippers that do little more than clog the highways and destroy quality of life for everyone experiencing Sedona.

Hold onto your hats, folks. If Mr. Martinez remains proud of that past boondoggle what could he possibly have in mind to top it? OMG.

Beware the City takeover of your garbage hauling!