Eddie S. Maddock, Contributing Writer Sedona Eye

Yes, I was in attendance the afternoon of March 23, 2011, at the unprecedented event for activation, by submission of approximately 1,399 Sedona residents’ signatures, for a Referendum to challenge the already much publicized approval by the Sedona City Council to accept the ADOT route transfer of the remainder of SR89A within the city limits.

Coincidentally it was on May 25, 2010, a similar victory party was celebrated at City Hall when four newly elected members of the Sedona City Council, Barbara Litrell, Mike Ward, Dan McIlroy, and Dennis Rayner, along with re-elected Mayor Rob Adams, took their oath of office.

Now, less than one year after that memorable evening, with the exception of Mayor Adams and Dan McIlroy, the other three are being questioned and challenged over their persistence and determination for the city to acquire an Arizona State Highway which, obviously, many feel is not in the paramount interest of Sedona. The other determining vote was cast by Councilman Cliff Hamilton whose term of office at the time of the referenced election had two years remaining.

The best part for me at the surrendering of the signatures was the opportunity to re-associate with a few long time Sedona residents who engaged in conversation about how horrible incorporation was for Sedona and how this action relating to owning a State Highway is equally as disastrous, if not worse.

Sheri Graham, Chair of “Let the People Vote on 89A,” tearfully spoke a few words of gratitude for the response, cooperation, enthusiasm, and overwhelming display of approval and encouragement expressed by the collective participation that led this endeavor to a successful juncture in the attempt to exercise citizens’ constitutional rights. Had this group of enthusiasts been allowed an additional two weeks to gather signatures, a legal matter disputed by  Sedona City Attorney Mike Goimaric, it’s quite possible the signatures would have exceeded the total number of votes cast in the last election of city council members.

Ms. Graham explained that the collection of signatures will continue for the Initiative portion of the efforts of the LPV89A because submission for that project is unrelated to the Referendum issue insofar as procedure and timeframe. Considering all that’s been accomplished the past two weeks, volunteers are taking a short respite; but the store front campaign headquarters will reopen this Saturday, March 26^th, in order to allow concerned Sedona registered voters to stop by and sign the Initiative petitions. Thereafter more information will, no doubt, be forthcoming relating to progress on the Initiative.

There was a good deal of speculation about why four members of a city council would prefer to make a decision of the magnitude entailed in acquiring the route transfer of an Arizona State Highway. One faction defines our government as a representative democracy, thereby suggesting we turn over our rights, decisions, thinking processes and even, potentially, worldly possessions to the discretion of our elected officials. Regardless of why, the fearless four dismissed the citizens of Sedona as being no more than two-year olds, unable to think for themselves as in “Mommy knows best.” Thus we are fortunate to have the opportunity to prevail upon constitutional provisions allowing intervention when questionable choices have been made by our elected officials.

Enough is enough. It’s time to cut to the chase. Let the games stop, cease, and desist. The people deserve to vote. Clearly, isn’t that what should have happened in the first place?