Had the city council and staff held true to their past practices and hired a professional, out of city firm (as they generally do) on matters of equal or less importance, it’s doubtful that any of this controversy would have occurred or would still be going on. It turned so bad and so ugly that it resulted in the dismal mud-slinging and buying off of the newly elected mayor and council members in order to continue wasting even more public funds on a mislabeled City Visitor’s Center and the flow of money going to the spoiled children at the Chamber of Commerce who probably aren’t even capable of dressing up properly in mommy and daddy’s clothes without assistance from an adult.

What’s to be proud of or to admire? If anything just the fact they “they did it because they could.”

Thanks for your thoughtful kind reply and appreciated apology.

I agree, the relationship between the Chamber and the City Council and their accountability should be more open to the public and the public should have better control over how tax money is spent.

That said, the economics of the area is complex in that lodging on the Village brings revenue to the city for jeep rides and shopping. Visitors to Sedona also go to the Grand Canyon, Jerome and Williams. The Casino are Chamber members, paying dues and draw people to the area.

What does the chamber actually do and now effective their campaigns are, are places to look to find out what the cost and benefits are.

The Chamber existed before the City did. Is the Chamber the reason for the success of the city? Is the City successful or just bigger and costlier. I for one love developing the questions. It is important to ask the right question to arrive an answer that will actually bring about the desired result.

Spending money on advertising as indeed spending money on anything generally creates jobs.

Tax money should be circulated in the best possible way to benefit a city including infastructure and services. I say, keep interested, keep asking more questions and stay passionate about Sedona.

You are absolutely correct. It’s the Red Rocks of Sedona that brought people here in the first place and we should be grateful – residents and tourists alike – that more USFS land hasn’t been made available for exchange.

The biggest problem with this Sedona Chamber of Commerce has nothing to do with the USFS, Village of Oak Creek, Red Rock Crossing, or the entire Verde Valley for that matter, all of which existed and provided beneficial amenities long before the C of C came along.

What has happened here is this Chamber of Commerce is attempting to take credit for Sedona having been discovered in the first place! NOT TRUE! The arrogance continues to grow as the present Sedona City Council continues to give – yes give – more and more money to the Chamber without benefit of accountability as to spending of funds and return on investment. But, of course, the Chamber has an obligation to advertise all of their members regardless of location. But the fact remains it’s the city based businesses who provide the tax money to advertise, a combination of sales and bed tax.

VOC golf courses remain a huge attraction, and the once vibrant businesses in the Factory Outlets were an asset – again to everyone. And now it appears in-city Sedona events are moving out to the VOC (October Fest) along with the inaugural of this new one, Sedona Bike & Brew Festival. Where this practice might alleviate traffic congestion in City of Sedona, it’s doubtful that the “alleged” trickle down effect will suffice to replenish city coffers and finance pie in the sky plans these visionaries continue to dream up. They just don’t get it. Sedona cannot continue to feed the “cash cow” (Chamber of Commerce) without proven and equitable return on the investment for those that are footing the bill.

There is probably nothing I’ve written here that you haven’t already heard before. However, if my previous comment offended you in any way I do apologize.

There is plenty to criticise about how taxpayer money is spent in Sedona. It is best to be clear about your grousing rather than to seem offensive about there being nice places and fun things to do in the red rocks that aren’t actually in the city limits including all the golf courses and camping in addition to the hiking trails already mentioned.