Design concepts for pedestrian improvements along Schnebly Road, Forest Road and Mesquite Avenue; a concept striping plan for parking along Highway 89A; and a striping with bike lane configuration on Jordan Road will be presented. The concepts are based on many of the ideas heard at the first public meeting held on May 9, 2013.

The intent is to discuss opportunities and constraints for the proposed concepts and to solicit feedback on the concepts from the business community. We will also estimate total project cost for each area for preliminary reactions and budgeting purposes.

For questions, please contact Karen Daines at 928-203-5067 or at kdaines@SedonaAZ.gov.

The AZ Republic did an article this weekend about expected state tourism, if you want to read it yourself, it’s in the A section Page 1 and 14, called Summer Travel. I suggest reading it all.

Here goes and pay attention Chamber of Commerce, the AZ Republic and Triple A and the airlines did your work for you down in Phoenix. And other Chambers and tourist bureaus.

The number of Arizonans who traveled 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend, most of them by car. This year’s total is a forecast….

(2006 was 762,722) (2007 was 756,439) (2008 was 675,630) (2009 was 626,442) (2010 was 708,310) (2011 was 696,325) (2012 was 704,206) (2013 is forecast to be 701,282) (Source AAA Arizona)

They headlined another chart Nationwide Summer Travel that says passenger volume on US airlines from June-August. This year’s total is a forecast….

(2007 was 217.6 million) (2008 was 210.2 mil) (2009 was 200.3 mil) (2010 was 203.1 mil) (2011 was 206.1 mil) (2012 was 206.6 mil) (2013 is forecast to be 208.7 mil) and lists the source as Airline for America.

The article says Arizonans will drive to local resorts, the mountains, Disneyland, Las Vegas and southern California beaches. AAA said travel over Memorial weekend was down from 2012 and nationally. It projects an 8% decline in airline travel nationally and 6/3 percent decline in AZ. Reason? Poor economy.

Computer keyboards are not my strong suit. Read the article yourself. I’m tired of typing. Forgot to say it’s in the Friday May 24 paper. I think the best that the Chamber should do is advertise within the state and region before blowing dollars on nonexistent travelers.

Thanks, Paul

Jean brings up a rather scary point that “employees” are being asked to sign off on the Chamber/Lodging Council letter!

So all those employed will feel a threat if they don’t sign the letter? Hum, that tactic reminds me of several governments who threatened and then just ran over all who disagreed with the government – or Leaders – wants. Thought those days were well behind us.

Sharlett

The Chamber’s address is given for returning signed letters.

The Bed Tax increase is to be allocated to the Chamber of Horrors for destination marketing and product development, while the Sales Tax increase will go to our bloated, big-spending City government.

Among other absurdities, these rip-off tax increases are described as a win for the City, a win for the Sedona residents, a win for the business community, and a win for Sedona visitors.