Article submitted by City of Sedona AZ and written by Councilwoman Angela LeFevre
Sedona AZ (October 28, 2015) – This is my second City Talk article, which indicates that four of the seven Councilors, including myself, are looking at completing their first year in office.
As a new Councilor, I learned very quickly that I was expected to “get out of the block running!” Even with all the excellent training from our very supportive city staff and other organizations, there is nothing like hands-on experience. That is why it is so important to have a staged system where part of the Council is elected every two years and serves for a period of four years (except for the Mayor’s position, which is a two-year term).
As I review this past year, I appreciate how demanding the work has been. The budget was an immediate priority. In recent years, a balanced budget has been a must, with a diligent regard to spending within our means. There are long-term capital projects, which can be costly and challenging. But most of these projects are necessities – such as the drainage system to prevent floods that many of us have experienced. Sedona is still very much a teenager when it comes to developing its infrastructure.
Sedona City Councilwoman Angela LeFevre
And, still our biggest challenge and number one priority is traffic. I can hear the groans now. We have had study after study, and studies on the studies. The Forest Service and Coconino and Yavapai County work groups have all been participants. Experts have been brought in to glean all the viable information from all this work. Much money has been spent. Hopefully, this will result in action. Personally, I think the only way to fix this problem is to limit the cars entering Sedona, and have a Park and Ride system at the top of Oak Creek Canyon and on the western and eastern gateways. This kind of system is used successfully by other tourist cities. Of course, this would not impact locals, who would have the full use of their cars. This shuttle service is long overdue. I hope I am still here to see this happen.
In closing, I would like to “tip my hat” to two other “newbies” – our new City Manager Justin Clifton and our new City Attorney Robert Pickels. We are so fortunate to have them both. I see a bright future for our city with these two excellent leaders. This was demonstrated to me recently in how they both so professionally conducted themselves in what could have been a very divisive issue, that of permanent protection for our area. The City will survive this and hopefully will come out of it stronger. I believe untainted facts and unbiased education is the direction the City gave this month. And, this was supported by the homework our staff completed. Compromise and not conflict is being sought. This is all made possible by our excellent city staff.
The opinions expressed above are mine alone and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sedona City Council or any other organization.
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Angela writes ” Personally, I think the only way to fix this problem is to limit the cars entering Sedona, and have a Park and Ride system at the top of Oak Creek Canyon and on the western and eastern gateways. This kind of system is used successfully by other tourist cities. Of course, this would not impact locals, who would have the full use of their cars. This shuttle service is long overdue. I hope I am still here to see this happen…”
You would put every business out of business. Name one tourist city that EXCLUDES traffic whether car, bus, train or planes? You are out of your mind. People will not line up to get in Sedona in 100 plus heat or 40 degree winters! You can’t get them on a FREE trolley NOW. It’s insanity. I expect the entire council to have to go on record WITH THEIR POSITIONS ON THIS ISSUE AT A COUNCIL MEETING.
this isn’t disneyland
This is PRO national monument speakout & support by the city AFTER it was voted down. shows the council is voting one thing in public and doing another behind the public’s back.
Yep it is disneyland @Steve. Just drive on 89A with all the day trippers that the chamber brings in. Yilks I forgot the city of sedona paid 14 million YTD or 1.48 million this year for that stupid club = chamber to advertise their members who are OUTSIDE the city. So we get disneyland and a carnival all in the city.
But no one speaks up and lets the city do it. Geeze that makes us a mental ward. three for the price of 1.48 million this year! Enjoy the traffic
I think a park and ride system for tourists is an excellent idea.
I think it should start at the top of the canyon. Another big lot at I17 and 179, you could have stops in the Village of Oak creek. It should also apply to anyone who does not live in the City of Sedona, not just tourists. . Also, do not run the buses less than 3/4 full. The city should charge a fee for riding the buses, if the fee was high enough the city could even make a profit.
It’s the best idea I have heard in a long time. Think of the energy and pollution savings.
OMG with this type of creative thinking by Councilwoman Angela, Sedona doesn’t stand a chance. Traffic and the National Monument are Not Her strong suit.
Let’s say I live in Phoenix and want to visit Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon for the weekend, and it would be nice to stop in Sedona for lunch on the way. Do I (a) leave My car at the west end, take a shuttle into town, then go back and get my car and drive over to 17, via Camp Verde to go north, or (b) drive up 17 and take a shuttle from the east side to get into town, adding another 1 1/2 hrs. to my trip before getting back to my car, or (c) park at the top of the canyon on the way back, take the shuttle to town then have to go back up the canyon to get my car and have to drive back up to Flagstaff to catch 17 back home, or (d – the best idea) bypass Sedona and have lunch in Flagstaff. Will the parking and shuttle be free?
BTW folks, did you hear tonight on the KSAZ Fox news that Sedona has placed the #1 spot of areas to go for a “Day Trip”. Agh!
@ TonyT
OMG!! I can’t believe that you’re taking that point of view. Please tell me that I”m missing something.
shuttles make day trippers a thing of the past –
And people in the canyon don’t live in Sedona limits so where is their park and ride ? They can’t drive into uptown – how about condemning slide rock park and turn that into the canyon’s park and ride – note to canyon homeowners – make canyon off limits to Sedona except if they board your shuttles – VOC do the same – after all you have Bell Rock and don’t need to send people past the forest to the city – your business doesn’t need city –
Think about it –
To All Readers at The Eye:
Councilor Angela LeFevre is, once again, and in support of her lone NM vote, pushing a major plank in the UN Agenda 21, soon to be Agenda 30, manifesto. She never lets up on her Marxist Utopian rant! If she hates the values of the western states so much, not to mention state’s sovereignty upon which was built the U.S. Constitution, why doesn’t she do us all a favor and just go back to where she came from?
see: http://www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com/
And, BTW, since 176 nations signed off on the UN Agenda 21 term sheet, no one should suggest it is a conspiracy theory. Heads of State don’t sign documents released to the world media that are evidence of conspiracy.
JRN
Angela says ” Personally, I think the only way to fix this problem is to limit the cars entering Sedona, and have a Park and Ride system at the top of Oak Creek Canyon and on the western and eastern gateways. ” ” I see a bright future for our city with these two excellent leaders. (new City Manager and City Attorney) This was demonstrated to me recently in how they both so professionally conducted themselves in what could have been a very divisive issue, that of permanent protection for our area. ”
Angela, and to all who actually have a glimmer that her concept makes sense: Park and ride is pie in the sky concept! It makes no sense at all as once they park their cars there is simply no means for them to get around the city….keep in mind the reality of the actual topography of this community. Sure there could be a few shuttles but that is not going to please all the touring tourists. Give Me a Break!
Lastly, in watching the past Council meeting regarding us becoming a “Pilgrimage place” I am so appalled at the lack of intelligence shown by our Council regarding that concept………….do they not understand it is a Cult? Anyone ask the Chamber or the Lodging Council how they feel about this concept? Those questions need to be asked and their answers need to be heard! From what I’ve being able to glean both the Chamber and Lodging mini group both support the cult idea.
How can Councilwoman Angela LeFevre believe she has any remaining credibility after her premature support of the National Monument Proposal? The ethics policy for City council members requires the duties of public office be faithfully and IMPARTIALLY discharged.
Angela states she sees a bright future for Sedona. Is the takeover of City government by the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lodging Council and their non-profit cronies a coming gold mine or corporate fascism?