Home » Community » Former Sedona Chief of Police Says 89A Lights Necessary

Former Sedona Chief of Police Says 89A Lights Necessary

Sedona AZ (June 17, 2011)-At the June 17, 2011 meeting in Chinle, Arizona, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Board voted 7-0 to proceed with installation of safety measures for State Route 89A in west Sedona. In order to proceed with the installation of the Sedona lights, the ADOT Board utilized $10.6M from the original budget and appropriated an additional $300,000 for completion of the projects.

The following is written and submitted by Sheri Graham, chair of Let The People Vote on 89A (LTPV89A), a group of Sedona city residents in favor of ADOT’s Board decision and the installation of State Route 89A street lights. The LTPV89A group is opposed to the Sedona City Council May 2011 vote to begin a take back, or route transfer, of the disputed section of State Route 89A from the Arizona Department of Transportation mandated by the Council’s vote. 

LTPV89A successfully organized a referendum to force a special citywide vote on the route transfer decision, the election date to be scheduled according to law by the Sedona City Council.

Miss Graham writes in support of LTPV89A position and the Chinle, Arizona ADOT Board meeting action:

“ADOT has taken the action they deem pertinent and necessary to meet their responsibility for safety on this state highway.

The Mission Statement of Let the People Vote on 89A has always been and remains to reverse the Sedona City Council’s vote on February 22, 2011 that approved a Route Transfer Agreement for Highway 89A, and to cause a new law in our town whereby no City Council can enter into an ownership agreement with the State for either of our State Routes prior to a vote of our Registered voters. Our mission statement calls for both items to be placed on a Special Election ballot where all registered voters will decide on these historic issues. With astounding speed and numbers, the residents came forward in the petition drive for the Referendum and Initiative and thereby caused a special election.

Both referable items have been legally certified and Sedona’s residents now await the announcement of a date for the special election, hopefully in November.

We are confident that both the Referendum and Initiative will pass.

We, LTPVon89A, did not attend the ADOT Board meeting in Chinle as we believe the number of signatures for both the Referendum and Initiative speak so loudly that there was nothing more for us to add to the ADOT Board discussion process.

A citizen, who has absolutely no connection to our group did speak to the Board in Chinle. With his permission and because he placed his comments in the public record – I have added his words to our press release.

His words begin with, “Chairman Feldmeier and Honorable members of the Transportation Board. Thank you for allowing me to address the Board today. I sincerely appreciate your time and respect the service you are providing on behalf of ADOT to the people of the State of Arizona.

I am Joe Vernier, a Sedona resident since May 1999. I served as Sedona’s Chief of Police from June 1999 until January 2010. I am still a Sedona resident to this day.

As part of my nearly 40 year background in law enforcement, I served as a traffic accident investigator, graduated from Northwestern University’s Traffic Institute, Accident Investigation School and investigated numerous fatal and serious injury traffic accidents. I testified in several vehicular homicide cases that I had investigated. I was certified each time as an expert witness in the matter of traffic accident investigation by the court.

Keeping this background in mind, I have some perspectives and observations I would like to share with the Board.

The majority of the pedestrian fatalities on Highway 89A leading to the recommendation for lighting happened during my tenure as Sedona’s police chief.

The majority of pedestrian fatalities occurred at night on an unlighted stretch of Highway 89A between Dry Creek Road and Rodeo Drive. Darkness was a significant factor in all of these deaths. Darkness and the inability to see in that area of roadway was substantiated by statements from the motorists, investigating officers, and accident reconstruction experts who were employed on behalf of the insurance companies following notices of claim or civil suits that were filed against the drivers involved in the fatalities. There was no dispute or conflict with darkness as the most significant contributing factor in the motorist inability to see the pedestrian until the accident was unavoidable.

Although these incidents were classified as “accidents” none of the motorists can use the word “accident” to minimize their ongoing trauma and emotional pain in living with the fact they have killed another human being.

There is also a misnomer that has led to what I would call a Sedona urban legend that virtually every pedestrian was intoxicated to some incapacitating degree. That is patently untrue.

The nighttime pedestrian fatalities continued through 2006. The inability of the motorist to see pedestrians at night continued to be the predominant contributing factor to these fatal accidents. During my conversations with Sedonaofficers they believed 89A from Rodeo Drive to Dry Creek Road was dangerous because it was so dark in this area. Officers work in the field 24-7. This gives them the opportunity to view much of the world as it really is. They all said they had either been involved withor witnessed near misses between motorists and pedestrians in this stretch of roadway due to darkness. Because of the ongoing problem withdarkness and and accidents, ADOT agreed to use volunteers to count the numbers of pedestrians crossing this stretch of roadway at night. The report that was filed by the ADOT engineer stated that it was too dark to conduct the count. I have a copy of the report with me if anyone needs it for reference.

The report also recommended pedestrian warning signs and lights as measures to prevent future accidents. We have the signs yet lack the lights. I would like to see ADOT work to get this portion of the highway safely lighted as soon as possible.

This is not about lights or dark skies. It is not about Initiatives, Referendums, votes, or no votes. It is about the sanctity of human life and preservation of same. It is really about doing what is right to protect that trust in our capacity as public safety professionals. In my opinion the right thing to do would be to move expeditiously ahead with the installation of dark sky compliant lighting on this dark and dangerous stretch of highway. Thank You.”  (end Joe Vernier, former Sedona Chief of Police, comments) I thank you as well. Sheri Graham, Chair of LTPV on 89A”

Read it first in the Sedona Eye!

19 Comments

  1. Sedona Not Good Investment says:

    The real agenda of this group continues to surface and it isn’t the best for the community but the best for this group of has beens. If you don’t want the lights and want to protect tiny little Sedona from the jaws of mediocrity and help keep its metaphysical and spiritual communities intact, you better take notice.

    This group wants you gone except those that pay taxes and don’t vote!

    They want nothing to do with you others! They give lip service.

    Pack up your coffee house bags, hikers and day trippers, cause you aren’t wanted with your empty pockets. Go away seekers of free sun and fun. Go away solace and introspective rock sitters.

    Bring on the street lights, throw your taxes away on chamber deals to bring in big spender polluters on wheels to a few landlords of restaurants and timeshares and hotels and rentals. In five years when Sedona ceases to be a draw, they’ll have liquidated their assets and moved on.

    Sedona is not a good investment. Period.

    Alan

  2. Ernie says:

    Pud Colquitt tried the same lines and was voted OUT of office. It’s all BS and you know it. Sanctity of human life???@@@@??? Lies. Lies. More lies.

    A new traffic light was installed at the airport road and it slowed traffic and changed the entire safety of the next couple of miles! Better than any lousy street light! A light at Andante will do the same. Case closed. We don’t need anything else.

    Except less suicidal street walkers.

  3. Los Angeles visitor says:

    you should listen to older than 65s with concerns of liability and road maintenance costs in years ahead? tell me why this group speaks on Sedona civics and social futures? what’s the worry about the proverbial nickel saving by owning a couple blocks of state road? everybody laugh at the same time. Natty Ofenstein, LA (frequent visitor, not so much if the lights go up)

  4. Looking Forward to Voting says:

    Finally something we can believe! Translated, the former Chief of Police, Joe Vernier, an authentic voice of authority, speaks out. Just wonder how some of you know-it-all advocates would feel if you were behind the wheel of one of those cars involved in the fatal accidents? Also, very generous of “frequent visitor” to have no qualms about the indebtedness owning that route would impose on the voting residents of Sedona for the pleasure of her company. Get a grip folks. Reality has just paid you an overdue visit.

    Jody

  5. City Council Response says:

    State Transportation Board Approves Moving Forward With SR 89A Continuous Roadway Lighting

    At the Friday, June 17, 2011 State Transportation Board meeting in Chinle, AZ, the Board discussed the issue of the SR 89A Route Transfer Agreement. They voted unanimously to move forward with the installation of continuous roadway lighting after the agreement expires on June 30, 2011.

    Director John Halikowsky cited two reasons for his recommendation: 1) installation of the lighting should proceed due to safety concerns; and 2) Sedona needs to decide who has the power to approve a route transfer agreement, the City Council or the voters.

    According to City Manager Tim Ernster who attended the meeting, “They did not express any interest in exploring alternatives for extending the agreement past the referendum election.”

    City Council will discuss the Board’s decision at their June 28 regular meeting. For more information, please contact the City Manager’s office at 928-204-7127.

  6. Mary, Village of Oak Creek says:

    …a Sedona with lights ruined tourist based dark sky economy is the Sedona that never makes a decent decision not beaten down by the power mad and wish people and the inane fire board would go play golf and give us old fogeys peace. Mary G., VOC

  7. Emma Carpini, Sedona says:

    The disputes concerning Sedona’s 89-A project remind me of an incident with a third grade class I taught many years ago.

    Because of the over-crowded conditions, safety in moving around the room was of utmost importance. It was suggested we move some chairs to a place for silent reading while others complete their work. The aisles would be clearer and much safer for all to move about.

    Some thought it was a good idea. Others argued no need to move chairs. You could silent read at your desk and just be more careful when walking around.

    To allay further arguments, I decided to teach a unit on the democratic process in decision making. This led to learning about voting and elections. Consequently, the class nominated and, with the majority of votes, elected a council to make final decisions concerning classroom problems.

    All ideas were presented to Council. With a majority of votes, Council agreed to make the room safer by moving some chairs and clearing the aisles.

    What I thought was a peaceful solution, turned into mayhem. The children who did not agree suggested electing a new council because “They were unfair.” Some decided, “The whole class should vote” or “maybe the whole school!”

    The lesson then turned to the importance of voting, understanding the ramifications of voting, and accepting the results. After much discussion, my third graders understood, and accepted the decision of their elected council.

    Could these 3rd graders be living in Sedona now? Surely, not!

  8. Sheri Graham, LTPV89A Chair says:

    https://sedonaeye.com/adot-terminates-sedona-89a-route-transfer-deal

    In a letter dated June 27, 2011 addressed to Tim Ernster, Sedona City Manager, ADOT refuses to extend the June 30, 2011 Route 89A transfer agreement deadline with the City of Sedona acknowledging its need for an upcoming special election as the determining factor in the Arizona Department of Transportation Board decision and action…

  9. N. Baer says:

    Here are the facts regarding each fatality. Note the dates because there have been no fatalities at night since 2006. Judge for your self whether 108 35′ tall with 200 high pressure sodium bulbs are necessary from Airport to Dry Creek roads:

    2006, April 4, 8:45 pm Randy Austin, 53, transient left Relics; lying face down in the road W. of Dry Creek Rd. People who had contact with the victim that day say he had been drinking all day. This accident, like two that preceded it occurred in the leftmost westbound lane.

    2006, January 21, 7:56 pm: Anthony Turner, 21, Daytona Beach FL from Florida; a citizen called SPD and reported an intoxicated male attempting to cross the highway in front of Circle K. The driver of the car stated that the individual was just standing in the middle of the lane when struck by a westbound vehicle in the leftmost westbound lane.

    2005, June 4, around 11:00 pm: Alejandro Varga-Pedroza, 43, Sedona attempting to cross SR 89A between Rigby Road and Stutz Bearcat Drive about an hour before midnight, near Andante (Austin, above, was with him when Varga-Pedroza was killed). The report includes bystanders’ comments that the victim had been on an 8-day drinking binge. He was struck in the leftmost westbound lane.

    2000, December 10, 7:40 pm: Klaus Holoch, 74, Germany; Bent over to tie his shoe, according to one person’s account, stepped into the street and and stumbled according to another’s; no alcohol cited, though unknown. He was struck in the leftmost westbound lane. His wife, who was at his side, was unharmed, remarried and lives in Sedona.

    Ref. http://thsedonacitizen.com/new-sedona-urban-legend/

  10. Public to vote November 8 2011 says:

    November 8, 2011 is the public referendum vote on whether the Sedona City Council will pursue an agreement with ADOT to take back a section of the highway. The Sedona City Council scheduled the November 8 election date at its meeting of June 28, 2011.

  11. Lin Ennis says:

    At last we can come together on something: Let’s ALL read our mailed-to-us ballots carefully, educate ourselves on the real costs of owning the road with the first 15 years paid for by ADOT, versus owning the road four years later with no future maintenance costs paid by ADOT.

    I was touched by Terrie Frankel’s appeal at last night’s Council meeting. She said we can come together for safety and for lights. I agree — but not garish freeway-style lights. Let’s use beautiful pedestrian lighting likein the gallery district, 179 and Uptown.

    Isn’t this about pedestrian safety? And retaining the beauty that brings in the sales tax dollars?

    The worst thing that can happen now is people feeling disenfranchised and not voting.

  12. Liz says:

    Lin, Once again you seem to favor intentional gross distortion of facts. Freeway lights have never been proposed for Hwy 89-A. The lights proposed for Hwy 89A are in fact, the same dark sky compliant lights that exist today at each of the round-abouts except a few feet taller and 25% less lumen.

    What next Lin, the old line “River of Lights”? You, Litrell and gang cannot fool me a second time, we (Sedona Residents) are better informed this time and we will not take on the mountain of debt required to own a Highway! We know the truth about the process of ADOT and we will put this issue to rest with a landslide Vote against ownership of Hwy 89A. Liz, SaveSedonaNow.com

  13. Vince says:

    Here’s a chart comparing the heights, extension, and wattage for readers who are interested in knowing the facts, rather than accepting Liz’s statements as true or even accurate.

    LOCATIONS Ht (ft) (Watts) Extension Style
    Arm (ft)
    Proposed (108) 89A
    Streetlights 35 200 HPS 2.5 monterrey
    Present traffic signals 35 250 HPS 15 cobra
    Round-a-bouts 30 250 HPS none monterrey
    SR179 Hillside
    Pedestrian Sidewalk
    Lights 15 150 HPS none monterrey
    Uptown Pedestrian
    Sidewalk Lights 15 70 HPS none monterrey

  14. N. Baer says:

    Let’s not confuse the issue more with the use of the noun “freeway” as SR 89A is NOT a freeway. A freeway is defined as “an expressway with fully controlled access, or a toll-free highway” (Merriam Webster online dictionary).

  15. Mike says:

    Rumor has it that ADOT paid for the SR 179 lighting system in front of Hillside which is a context sensitive design and provides a SAFE night environment. FACT – CITY OF SEDONA PAID FOR THESE LIGHTS. The lighting is installed from the “Y” to the round a bout at Canyon Drive. The SR 179 lighting cost the city $378,880 for the Pedestrian Lighting. This included 70 15-ft poles and 2 30-ft poles, and all the appurtenances that went with them. As a side note, the City did also provide $62,500 in upgrading the other lighting (converting it from ADOT standard to Visionaire). This cost is very low, it was estimated by ADOT at $907,330 (source – city of Sedona)

    Note: ADOT is estimating $2.2 MILLION for 108 35′ poles on 89A – a waste of public money?
    Do the math – $20,370 per light 89A
    Do the math – $5,412 per light on SR179

    For what ADOT is proposing to spend on continuous lights, you could put in 150 SR179 fixtures for $811,000, and have $1.4 MILLION left over for crosswalks and other safety improvements. Numbers are numbers.

  16. Eric says:

    Something Mike avoids mentioning is that the city’s contribution for preferred lighting didn’t included taking ownership of SR 179. Therefore it remains a State Route and liability plus costs for repairs, maintenance, etc. including operational expenses of the lighting remains the responsibility of ADOT. Not so should the city end up owning W89A. Maybe it’s time to tell all of a story and not just imply a happy ending like other fairy tales.

  17. Patti says:

    As a Cottonwood resident, I do not understand the number of people outside Sedona City Limits who constantly toss their hat into this three ring circus of whether or not the voting citizens of Sedona should own 89A. Listening to a bunch of busy bodies, most from Cornville, chit chat about how the people in Sedona MUST agree to own the highway is appalling. Why interfere in a decision whereby the cost will be totally a burden for those within a restricted area when the extended benefits will not be changed. When ADOT built the bypass in Cottonwood it made sense for the turnback of the portion of Main Street no longer used as a state route. However, if our city leaders made a deal with ADOT to accept transfer of ownership with the remaining 89A running through our town, I’d be very angry if outsiders attempted to stick their noses into it. We, the citizens of Cottonwood, like those in Sedona would be forced to assume future costs.
    I recall reading a comment on this web site about not knowing how the editor felt about this issue which I appreciated because it indicates a pure unbiased publication. Not so with two other Sedona online productions, one of which the editor lives in Cornville and consistently posts negative, prodding statements about the people in Sedona who questioned the city council’s narrow margin of support for the route transfer.

  18. Ben says:

    Dear readers,
    There is no Patti, and she doesn’t live in cottonwood. not to disappoint you, but there is no Liz either. these are only someones twisted alter eogs, so they can spew lies and not be caught.
    Ben

  19. Jim says:

    Hey Ben, don’t know who Patti is but she isn’t lying about the Cornville resident who is the editor of an online publication and spends considerable time pushing for the 89A turnback. It’s the absolute truth of which you’re probably already aware. In fact, how do we know your true identity? Pointing fingers can be a dangerous thing.

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