Not even his opponent, recalled Board Clerk, Charles Christensen can find fault with the proven leadership skills, undeniable qualifications, experience and above all, fire district expertise, Nazih Hazime will return to this community. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to every citizen within our District and needs neither introduction nor defense.

Charles Christensen’s comments, on the other hand, are indefensible: At a DORR breakfast meeting he said, “We’re having a forensic audit right now… they are quite controversial… restricted by executive privilege and by legal matters. At the termination of this forensic audit, I feel it’s justified because over the years I’ve been there, there have been a number of serious irregularities, people have been asked to resign ….” That “forensic audit” is now complete – to the tune of almost two hundred thousand of YOUR tax dollars! His attempt to impugn the reputations of good people by innuendo proved useless. No irregularities found, Mr. Christensen.

During an OLLI Lunch and Learn Session, Christensen said this fire district was nothing more than an ambulance service. Could he BE any more dismissive toward or disrespectful of the fine and highly trained personnel upon whom we all depend in an emergency?

His disregard is not limited to the fire service. Apparently the citizens don’t matter much, either. His failure to meet a deadline set for ALL candidates to be interviewed by and submit an essay to the Red Rock News was completely ignored. And though I’m happy NOT hearing from him, I think his lack of commitment speaks volumes about how high (or low, in this case) the election, the Board and the Sedona Fire District rank on his list of priorities. Don’t you?

Your District is facing serious issues. Vote for serious candidates with the education, experience and PROVEN credentials to get the job done. Make Nazih Hazime, Diane Schoen and Corrie Cooperman your elected representatives on the Sedona Fire District Governing Board. They will not waste your time. They will not waste your money. They will not waste your vote.

Her opponent repeatedly regales us all with his business accomplishments during the past 51 years in Sedona. Commercial construction from which he has personally profited quite handsomely, no doubt. Nevertheless, his contributions are admirable and members of the public respect what he’s done as a builder. Sadly, unlike so many elder statesmen who know when to make an honorable and gracious exit, Mr. Blauert insists on continuously providing a laundry list of monuments to his construction credit as if they qualify him to act as Chairman of the Sedona Fire District Governing Board. THEY DO NOT!

Mr. Blauert states he has never micromanaged this District. Yet when it was revealed his reported saving of two million dollars from the current fiscal year budget has only been accrued because a number of highly skilled employees have left the district during his watch, Mr. Blauert goes on to publicly name each of them, their date of departure and their supposed reasons for leaving. Those public disclosures of personnel issues are not only appalling examples of blatant micromanagement but also potentially constitute cause for yet another costly lawsuit against the District – AT HIS HAND!

Dave Blauert doesn’t lead; he mis-leads. He approved the wasteful expenditure of almost $200,000.00 of YOUR money on an unnecessary audit report. The report contains graphics done by the SFD staff. It contains NO independent study but recommends several items ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED BY THE SFD!!! He places his hand on that McGladrey audit report as if were a panacea for all that ails the Sedona Fire District. IT IS NOT!

What ails this District is an incapable and dysfunctional Board whose single-minded agenda will be their demise.

The time has come. Make Corrie Cooperman, Diane Schoen and Nazih Hazime your elected representatives on the Sedona Fire District Governing Board. They will not waste your time. They will not waste your money. They will not waste your vote.

“In 2002, the budget had reached $6.6 million and rose to $15.9 million in 2009.”

So “warned of the SFD’s looming Armageddon”, if cuts are made, really?

It seems to me like some spoiled child whose daddy is no longer a millionaire, saying I’ll just die without a new Porsche.

The district bought the fireman’s Porsche, it is a ladder truck during the high budget times. They also bought a wild lands truck and a fleet of other vehicles.

If you want your taxes to go up, vote for Hazime, Cooperman and Schoen.

I’ve heard them say, we are not going to increase your taxes, we are just going to increase the mil rate so you are paying the same as before. Before, when your house was worth twice a much and SFD was spending like a spoiled teenager.

These recalled members did put together a questionable Fire Chief process, found who they thought would agree with them, but now face the problem that their new Chief has presented them the same news as the last Chief–The District is headed for disaster if you don’t raise the mil levy, and has proposed a higher budget than they approved last year if you pull out the $1.5 million Fire Board contingency they put in that wasn’t asked for.

Blauert, Erick, and Christiansen have caused the Fire district serious problems through irresponsible management and financial decisions.

Vote Wisely, yes, but not for more of these 3.

As noted in my previous letter to the SedonaEye editor, during the first Budget Workshop the much lauded chief, Kris Kazian, warned of the SFD’s looming Armageddon if this Board fails to act immediately. Mrs. Erick’s response? “I didn’t buy it then and I don’t buy it now.” Her blatant self-promotion closes in large font: “Vote for Phyllis Erick someone in touch with the numbers…”

The Sedona Fire District budget is without question, the biggest responsibility our elected Governing Board faces. That, and hiring a fire chief (which this Board has already done) are in fact, the Board’s ONLY responsibilities — contrary to some recalled members’ well-documented deviations therefrom. Corrie Cooperman’s professional experience managing substantial budgets will serve the entire community with much greater skill and precision than her woefully inadequate opponent.

When our highly respected former business manager, our former fire chief, audit conclusions and now Kris Kazian all provide detailed accounting of the dire financial circumstances we are facing but – she doesn’t buy it – with what numbers is Phyllis Erick so reportedly in touch? Specifically.

If she is privileged to information the public should be provided, please enlighten us. I’m sure her insight on budgetary intricacies will benefit us all. I eagerly await something a little more fruitful than the bar graph she flashed at the OLLI Lunch and Learn Session. The one prepared by Craig Dible.

Until she is able to substantiate her foolishly (and perhaps even dangerously) contrarian perspective, asking for anyone’s vote is audacious and ludicrous.

I do agree with Ms. Erick on one point: “Vote wisely. Know the issues.” Make Corrie Cooperman, Diane Schoen and Nazih Hazime your elected representatives on the Sedona Fire District Governing Board. They will not waste your time. They will not waste your money. They will not waste your vote.

The McGladrey report was commissioned because the current board was being told by Hazime that the cuts they were looking for ” In my professional opinion, this reduction of $2.5 million from the annual budget could cause loss of life and property within the Sedona Fire district. ” 4/13/11 SFD Budget workshop meeting.

The McGladrey report found millions in additional cuts, without compromising safety.

Ms Schmitt states above “The three combine before our very eyes to destroy the fine District built so well by those who came before.” The expenses got so high because there were for a time two fire fighters wives on the board while property values were skyrocketing. They made sure every dime of the increased revenue was spent. Time to come back to reality.

If you want higher taxes vote for Hazime, Cooperman and Schoen.

If you want a efficient Fire department run in a cost effective manner, vote for the current board of Erick, Christensen and Blauert.

Vote wisely.