Sedona Marathon event held February 2, 2013
Sedona AZ (January 29, 2014) – The following is a letter copied to the SedonaEye.com editor from City of Sedona homeowner and taxpayer, Robert Albrecht. It is addressed to Christopher Fox Graham, editor of the local print newspaper:
Dear Mr. Graham; This is in response to your “Editorial” in the January 29, 2014 edition of your paper. I know it is a little long but hope you could find a spot in your paper to print my reply. Thank you, Robert Albrecht Kachina Drive Sedona, AZ Reply to Editorial January 29, 2014Little did I know that my “Letter to the Editor” was going to be selected by Christopher Fox Graham to respond with an “Editorial “comment. Nicely written and it contained all of the “feel good” information that you would expect from the Editor of the town newspaper.
I would however like to respond to several issues so the general public has a little additional information on this matter. “The road is public, paid for by Sedona taxes from locals and tourists.” The fact is Kachina residents pay those same taxes and the “public” designation is for road and right-of-way maintenance, police, fire and emergency services and sewers if you have them. Nowhere in this designation do I read “and the blatant use of residential roadways to benefit a public, fundraising event” which Mr. Graham acknowledged it is. “Fire and Police vehicles will still have full access in case of an emergency”. Really; the road is so narrow that when you pack it with 1,000+ runners the emergency vehicles will be driving over people to get to a destination within Kachina subdivision.
Last time I looked Kachina subdivision was zoned “Residential-Single Family. Not “Mixed-Use” or “Commercial” as this use of the road indicates. The zoning laws are there for a reason I would like to believe but maybe not…just when it is convenient for the City to enact them.
Your reference to the 1988 photograph on page 3A is historic, if nothing else. In 1988 when this photograph was taken, Sedona was unincorporated until later in the year. It had roughly 7,000 residents and many of the side streets off of 89A in West Sedona did not exist. Where else could you hold a parade?…89A was the only road that connected to anything.
“Surely a 45-minute closure early on Saturday morning isn’t the end of the world.” Of course not to you and the others not affected by this. The closure has never been 45-minutes early Saturday morning. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and in past years lasted until approximately 11:30 a.m. and that was when they simply passed Kachina subdivision on Dry Creek Road. There were still people lingering along Dry Creek Road well after 1:00 p.m. We do not need these same people lingering in our neighborhood long after the race has ended because it is not safe for many people to be walking on our roadway once the subdivision is opened again for the residents.
“One NIMBY or two was inevitable.” Once again, do not let the facts get in the way of a good “editorial”. There are many people outraged by this “invasion of privacy” and yes, that is what it is. What else are you going to call it when decisions affecting your residential neighborhood are made by a group of people sitting around a table deciding this without asking the residents how they feel and then not publicly announcing this until just weeks before the event is to take place? You can try to “spin” this however you want but it is what it is. There are many people affected that just haven’t spoken up because they figure it would not make any difference anyway. These people are coming forward every day and as the word gets around many Sedona residents are outraged by the City and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce for their lack of communication or interest in what the citizen/residents of Kachina subdivision felt about this.
But Marathon Planners take note that Mr. Graham has offered his street and neighborhood for next year’s run. But be sure to go by the same standards you used this year. Do not tell anyone about your plans and then inform them only when there is not enough time to do anything about it. By the way Mr. Graham, get a permit for your garage sale signs in advance, since the City will pick these up.
Robert Albrecht-Kachina Resident
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
Kachina subdivision today, and what subdivision will be next? This appears to be an example of the proposed revised community plan. Whats ours is ours and whats yours is ours. (“ours” meaning the City of Sedona and Chamber of Commerce)
BTW, has anyone caught all the chamber commercials on KYBC advertising to join the chamber of commerce? Ah yes, Sedona tax money at work.
So only those in gated subdivisions are exempt from invasion by City/Chamber of Commerce events? Oh brother! Where’s that link to disincorporate?
All I hear on the radio is Sedona Chamber, I hear marathon, chamber membership. That’s a lot of money. Why do they think they are the only ones in town? Sorry to hear what the City and Chamber did that to Kachina. And now the newspaper. To bad no one supports locals. For a town that suppose to be so spiritual, what a joke. Your right @jim who will it be tomorrow?
Fair question about gated communities but then isn’t that why the gates went up in the first place? They didn’t want to be part of the community?
@S.J. And now we know why!
Speechless. Ouch! Take that Sedona residents. Once again the city proves they not running city hall. Thank you Robert for sharing this. We would have never known.
Hello All,
Due to the marathon route going directly past White Bear Dr. (the library road) tomorrow morning, you must detour by passing Dry Creek—- if coming from Cottonwood direction—- and going one street more to Roadrunner and turning left. Go past City Hall to White Bear and turn left. Someone directing traffic will let you cross as the runners thin out. If coming from the other direction, turn right off 89a onto Roadrunner, pass City Hall, left on White Bear to the Stop and be directed across.
Sorry for the late notice. We did not know that Dry Creek Road would be closed off for the marathon until 10:30.
We have a dynamite program tomorrow. See you there.
—
Integral Sedona
All quadrants, all levels, all lines, all states, all types.
Leadership Team
Want to help with disincorporation? Visit (our website.)
Remember Sedona Fire and Sedona Schools receive NO money from the City of Sedona. Nor do Yavapai and Coconino County Sheriffs.
The Chamber of Commerce does though. You know your money is going for more regulations and more tourists. Along with from what I can tell about $30,000,000, that is 30 MILLION or wasteful spending.
We need your help.
Thank you Robert for posting this.
It wouldn’t take anyone long to look at the Editor of the Red Rock News personal agenda to understand why he slammed you. We all know Mr Christopher Fox Graham is a poet, He also involved with the Gumption Fest, Artistic Support Foundation. the Gumption Fest use to take place on Coffee Pot. Now it is Old Marketplace. Did someone force them into commercially zoned area? Then if you follow them, two of last years sponsors were the Red Rock News and the City of Sedona. Talk about a conflict of interest.
I have nothing against events, performers, entertainment. Heck I go to these events, but they need to stay out of residential areas. Is this what the new community plan is about? Vote NO. It gives the city to much control. Areas are zoned for reasons.
What is happening to this City?
When and how was it decided to plot the course through Kachina?
I’ve spoken to runners who don’t know this. What role did ADOT have in this decision? Who forced the change? Answers please.
Someone get a council member out of bed to reply here and tell us why. Did they get a chance to nix their neighborhoods?
Temporary Road Closures during the Sedona Marathon Event – Notice from City at 10:21 a.m. today, Jan. 31:
On Saturday, February 1, 2014, Dry Creek Road northbound from SR 89A to Thunder Mountain Road will be closed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. as part of the Sedona Marathon event. A signed detour route has been planned via Andante Drive/ Thunder Mountain Road. This temporary closure will also impact street access to both connections of White Bear Road onto Dry Creek Road, Kachina Drive at Dry Creek Road, and Remuda Road at Dry Creek Road.
Other temporary road closures include Ruby Road at Rimstone Circle, Navoti Drive at Bristlecone Pines Road, two connections of Rimstone Circle on Navoti Drive, and Calle Del Sol at SR 89A. Please observe all traffic control devices and signage during the event.
Area residents are encouraged to plan traffic-related activities prior to the scheduled road closure and delays. Sedona Police Officers and Sedona Fire District personnel will be available in your area in case of any emergency needs or service requests.
For more information on the Sedona Marathon or the temporary road closures and area delays, please contact Jennifer Wesselhoff, Race Director, at 928-204-1123.
Thank you for your patience.
What’s going on here is a far cry from the Jordan Rd. St. Pat’s Parade or Soldier Pass Turkey Trot. Neither of those events actually invade the privacy of residential streets. If a bunch of runners came by my house my dogs would rightfully do their job: Bark their heads off. Then I would be cited for out of control animals! Give me a break. Give city residents a break. And for comparing this to the St. Pat’s Parades of the past when the entire SR 89A was closed down is even nuttier. Oh boy, bring back the good old days. ADOT was masterful in keeping folks happy. City, take a lesson. Thank God Sedona City Big Wigs failed in efforts to own that stretch of a state highway.
Oh my God!! You mean WE may have to stay home for 2 whole hours while the runners pass!! It may be a good time to catch up on your hate mail and complaining!!
Richard (Tony Tonisch) and Julie:
Using the Sedona Marathon as a reason to dis=incorporate, ARE YOU SERIOUS?
You both should look at the revenue numbers before and after these types of events. All residents should know that events like these generate big money in bed tax and sales tax that help run this city. Yes, Richard (AKA Tony) the bed tax will be used by the Chamber to promote our city AND BRING IN EVEN MORE $$$$ TO HELP RUN THIS GREAT CITY.
Not only does the marathon generate $$$$ but events like these help bring our city together in positive ways which is something that you and Julie are not accustomed to doing. It’s so easy to take pot shots at the government by telling half of the story.
For another point of interest…… most gated communities here in Sedona are dead ends and would be non-productive in a marathon. But, I’m sure that Richard and you others never thought of that.
Julie, you say that no one supports locals, do you realize how many “locals” are signed up to run in this event, assist with preparation or for that matter, how many locals will sit back and cheer their friends. Julie and Richard, (Tony) events like these are for people to HAVE FUN. You should try having some fun once in a while. Richard, the last time I saw at Circle K you it looked like you could use some help around the middle perhaps a run in the marathon would do you some good.
There is more happening here then a marathon, The Chamber of Commerce is a regional group and not the city of Sedona. They do not represent exclusively in town businesses. BTY the do not claim this, they represent whoever pays them. They do charge for runners, does anyone know how much money they bring in? They get money from the city, anyone know the amount? What about the City businesses that do not pay the chamber, do they get any more business from this?
Flagstaff does their own City Marketing they even have their own visitor center as do many cities in AZ. Scottsdale has two chambers and neither one get funding from the city. Reason= conflict of interest, ROI results=only invest in those that bring you a return. Easy, direct.
Chamber of commences were good back in the 60 – 70s. They are membership based organizations, not a city nor are they fundraisers. They get paid very handsomely by their members to promote their members. Today is a far cry from the bake sales they had.
Supporting locals does not mean shut up and do whatever you want. Supporting locals does mean to treat them with some level of regard. Isn’t that why the city incorporated? Together, united, fairly. Isn’t that why we vote?
Putting a special event into a subdivision has never been done. The City not directly notifying the residents…… horrible. That what this is about. The residents should be contacted directly by the city, as soon and before they approve something that goes into a subdivision.
I agree with @Mrs Rogar Thomas on one point, take a look at the numbers. But really look at the numbers. Follow the money.. Look at the City dollars and who they are paying who. Then look at those that get that money and see who they are paying. Then look at relationships. Then when you get done doing that then look into those who received taxpayers money how they account for it. You will be surprised.
Sedona hasn’t grown any but they sure are doing a great job spending money for a town of 10,000. Hear a lot of “Glad I live in the village”.
Maybe if everyone stepped back and really looked at things they see what is happening. Not pretty. Nor is it positive.
The residents on this blog site should also be aware that gated communities are gated because they are PRIVATE with PRIVATE ROADS belonging to and available for use by those within the community. The path utilized for the marathon is public roads owned by everyone not just for those living there.
@Mrs Roger Thomas
The question is, do you work on the payroll of the city or the Chamber of Commerce?
Is your home on one of the closed to traffic marathon routes? Or are you one of the city employees that does not live in the city limits?
Streets were still blocked at 12:30 p.m. when I drove by. I’m sure later than that. So not just two hours, more like 5. By your logic the city should be able to close roads homeowners use whenever they like for tourist functions. These roads were CLOSED to vehicles, for marathon use. Residents along these roads were not asked, they were informed, some only when they read it here or in the local print rag.
Quiet enjoyment for the residents? Not when tourist interests come first. So, who does the city work for ?
From what we have seen, the city works for itself and the tourist businesses, NOT the residents.
Time for disincorporation.
Ms. R. Thomas, with due respect to your opinion, it remains an option for the governing portion of incorporated Sedona to treat ALL residents with respect, without the need for gated subdivisions as protection from intrusive events. Based on the devious activities surrounding this occasion, it isn’t the Marathon that’s the problem, it’s those who are not being up front.
Had the home owners in Kachina been notified well in advance BY THE CITY (as comments indicate has been past procedure) instead of allowing what appears more and more likely to be a functioning “profit making” (not an alleged “non profit”) Chamber of Commerce to take charge of our city maintained public roads, most likely none of this dialog would be occurring. Shame on the city for continuing to enable the questionable city tax rip off which seemingly continues to occur here.
Another comment is correct. This “chamber” is performing as a “regional” service and it remains a question why the Lodging Council, at their own expense, sanctions selective city taxes for the purpose of advertising competing, non-tax contributors outside City Limits. Go figure.
Just another point of view aka “opinion.”
Eddie Maddock
Re: Another Point of View
While I believe that my opinions expressed on this site are pretty accurate, no one can touch the opinions of Eddie Maddock who has a proven track record of really being “spot on”.
Ms Maddock, I must agree that the residents in Kachina should have been notified well in advance. As a matter of fact, the Chamber and City Staff should have hosted a meeting to make the residents aware of what and what not to expect.
As for Richard Saunders AKA Tony Tonsich no, I don’t now nor have I ever worked for this City and YES, I can count myself as one of the lucky ones who DO live in the City and as such, hold our SFD in very high regard.
As a person who has followed the writings of Tony Tonsich for many years I think that it’s important that each and every reader on SedonaEye knows that he has been known to only write when he has a hidden agenda. For years, during the SFD recall he would write twisted comments against our hero fighters and their staff not because he had an honest opinion against them but because they terminated his girlfriend.
@Mrs Roger Thomas
On you post of January 31, 2014 at 8:45 pm you claim to have seen me in Circle K. Now you claim I am someone else and ramble on about Sedona Fire. You are either a liar or need to check you medications.
Which is it?
The only mention I have made on Sedona Fire is they receive no funds from and are not part of the city of Sedona.
Or are you just trying to change the subject?
I’m coming into this conversation rather late – but as I recall one of the Goals of our Community Plan is to preserve our Small Town Character and Neighborhoods – be they gated or non-gated.
So, can someone please – in one or two sentences – explain how one neighborhood can be discriminated against and shut down for some 2 hours in order to promote a Chamber/City event and preserve our small town neighborhoods at the same time? (Hello Barbara Litrell? will you engage and give us some kind of an answer? Or will any other council member or even the mayor come forward?)
I don’t know who is more selfish – the Chamber or the City! I do know who takes it in the negative and that’s those folks living in Kachina!
What a ridiculous situation a small Sedona neighborhood finds themselves in…..opps – forgot that we have a currently seated Council Woman living at the end of a road in that subdivision, and as usual she only wants to make her folks happy and never takes a tough stance to protect the community or the Community Plan or the majority….aka the neighbors in her hood and the essence of what she is elected to do. She just sticks to her own personal beliefs.
I’m still, breathlessly, awaiting the financial $ amounts from the Chamber and City as to what was actually spent for all our holiday glory that was touted to bring our businesses more revenue – vs what Chamber and City spent to pull off the and, in my opinion, Non Event(s).
Guess I still need to hope and await the Public Reports showing net revenue made by Chamber and City, etc., for the Marathon and then we will somehow see the light of day…but I’m not counting on that as it does not seem to be the accepted method of operation for either entity.
Ms. Roger Thomas: since you acknowledge you live outside Sedona – why not take a hike and just stick to issues involving your area? I do live in the City and feel that qualifies my opinions….You? oh, and your continuous rant to support the SFD is well documented…so how about just stopping the rants and trying to switch subjects?
Richard Saunders:
The simple answer to your question is NEITHER!
I think that my points have been made in my prior postings and I stand by each and every one of them.
@Sharlett
Re your request for a short explanation of why things are a-changing:
Vision Statement in revised Community Plan has removed any reference to maintaining a “small town character.”
Enough said?
@Eddie – In actuality, the City’s action in allowing a 300 seat venue in the middle of Posse Grounds Park in 2007, foretold that it would eliminate the reference in the city’s “new,” but unimproved, Community Plan Vision Statement.
Dear Sedona Eye Readers,
I thought I would take a moment to give you some information about the 5K race last Saturday.
Last year, the City required that the Sedona Marathon Event close Dry Creek Road for the duration of 5K event and provide a vehicular detour at Thunder Mountain Road. Due to that last minute requirement by the city, the 5K distance turned into a 3.5K.
In July 2013, the Sedona Marathon Event team met with City staff and reviewed all possible routes for the 5K event. We looked at Cor D’Amor loop, White Bear extension, extending down 89A and Kachina loop. As many of you know, there aren’t many other options in that area to “gain distance.” It was determined that the alternative route that included the Kachina subdivision loop road was the only viable route to make the distance a complete 5K. There was quite a bit of discussion about the impact to residents in the Kachina subdivision and it was determined that the impact was approximately the same as in previous years, with the exception that 5K participants would now run on the Kachina loop. Access to Dry Creek Road has remained the same for the last 9 years, and every year, we have one or two complaints from residents.
For the last nine years, we communicate directly with the residents of the subdivision and inform them about the upcoming event and ask that they make provisions for the 2 hours that they are impacted. This year, due to the change, we communicated with them twice, approximately one month prior to the event. We mailed a PSA to approximately 150 property owners in the Kachina subdivision (the city provided the list), and a subsequent letter was sent to the residents (some owners are not residents, but have renters). Of the 150 letters that were sent out we received comments and feedback from less than 10 residences regarding the negative impact.
Their major concerns involve invasion of privacy, litter, safety and overall inconvenience. They were also concerned that we did not reach out to them in advance to discuss the usage of the public road. We have mitigation strategies in place to lessen the impact. There were race officials and volunteers on the course in order to ensure that runners do not access or enter private property. We conducted a pre-race litter lifting campaign last Saturday and cleaned the entire course, picking up 10 bags of trash. We also conduct a post-race clean up and pride ourselves on leaving the entire area cleaner than when we started.
Also, we went through a very thorough process with the appropriate channels including the City of Sedona, Sedona Police Department, Sedona Fire District, ADOT, the county and the USFS. We followed all the safety requirements and maintained emergency access at all times.
We realize that this is an inconvenience and some view it as an invasion of privacy. Honestly, we don’t want to upset Sedona’s residents and overall, there is a tremendous amount of community support for this event. In the future, we understand that if the city would prefer that the route be altered, we would look at another alternative for 2015, which would most likely be cancelling the 5K distance all together.
I do hope that The Sedona Eye runs the follow up letter from Mr. Albrecht that was sent on Sunday after the event, with the subject line: “Resident Pleased With Marathon.”
Thank you for taking the time to read this long post.
The chamber of commerce took over the Sedona marathon in 2012. This is the first year they have closed the Kachina subdivision for the 5K. In all the past years of the Sedona Marathon all the residents of Kachina had access to Dry Creak Road, therefore could come and go. This year all the residents of Kachina were forced to either stay home or leave the subdivision. As a long time home owner I feal my rights were taken away.
All the residents and home owners did not receive notice nor were they involved in the discussion regarding the closing of their subdivision. I only found out after I read Robert Albrecht’s comment in the Red Rock News. I later received a copy of the notice from a neighbor that was dated Jan. 7. In years past I always received a notice fron the City of Sedona in an official capacity well in advance of the event. This notice was however from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, which is a private marketing co.
It is my understanding that the Chamber of Commerce received 14 Thousand dollars from the City of Sedona for this event. They also received between 30 and 60 dollars entry fees from each of the runners. Do the math .
The Chamber of commerce is do to receive in excess of a million dollars in funding this year from the City of Sedona. The tax payers deserve acountability. Even though most of their membership does not live within the City limits they receive benefit of those funds. They also receive significant dollars in membership fees from their members. The books should be public.
Robert Albrecht does not speak for all the residents of Kachina.
I am a property owner and a resident in Kachina, I never got any notice this year in regards to the Marathon. I know a few other owners- residents that also did not. The chamber only took over the running of marathon a few years ago so I don’t know why the Chamber would be taking credit for the original producers work.
I learned about the closing of the Kachina Subdivision in the Red Rock News. Surprised as I never got any notification from anyone. Never in over twenty years has any subdivision been closed to put on a public event. No one in Kachina was involved nor were they given a say so. Proper notice from the City to the residents is what this is about.
We have all since day one supported the Marathon. Closing a subdivision is not the same as a road delay. When a road is closed our City used to send a notice, closing a complete subdivision, well I’ve never seen it. But it would fall under the city since they are the ones that manage the roads and that authorized it.
The Chamber is not the city, it is an membership based advertising agency. The Marathon charges money to runners and they get taxpayers money from the City of Sedona. How they spend it, who knows? Chamber business is not City Business. The Marathon is NOT a city fundraiser as others have suggested. Supporting a Marathon does not equate to supporting the city. The Chamber is not an exclusive Club. They promote their members who are located all over.
I support special events. That is not what this is about. It is about treating citizens fairly. With love, honor, and respect to each one equally.
Mr. R. Walter wrote “Robert Albrecht does not speak for all the residents of Kachina” and that is very true…never said I did nor do I particularly want to. I simply was as surprised, as many were, that the residents of Kachina subdivision were informed late about the decision by the Marathon Committee; which by the way comprises more than just Chamber representatives, without informing anyone in Kachina about this. There was not enough time for residentsto do anything about it this year and believe me I have had many conversations on both sides about this. It would not be a bad idea to have a group of residents that could work as a “voice” of Kachina since many issues seem to evolve through the course of time involving rights and property use in our subdivision.
No I do not speak for the residents of Kachina but by some of the comments I read here and comments made to me by residents and non-residents of Kachina subdivision, many of you would not have even known about this decision if I had not written my original “Letter to the Editor” for the Red Rock News. This has taken it’s own life since then. I really am not the “bad guy” here. Just for the record my original headline “Kachina Does Not Want Marathon” was changed by Red Rock News to “Keep Marathon Off Dry Creek Road”. My opinions dealt with Kachina subdivision ONLY and had nothing to do with the use of Dry Creek Road each year.
I feel that the City needs to demand that any public event of this magnitude, whether they are directly involved or not, needs to have made proper notice to everyone involved well in advance, so that proper discourse can be had. Citizens are looking for a good quality of life out of the City and one of the primary methods to achieve this is by “positive action” that demonstrates this desire; not verbal rhetoric that many times seems to fall short.
Blah,Blah,Blah…..it was simply wrong and the some people in the City of Sedona are not going to rest until it all implodes. Just say you are sorry.
I seem to remember a couple of years ago, no one giving any support to the folks who started this marathon. They were left to flounder, then you snatched it up.
All the years shunning other communities and being just too cool and now the surrounding areas are developing their own industries using the Sedona tourist pool. They are rocking it! Jerome, Cornville,Cottonwood, Camp Verde. That is what people want to see. Funky Western. You are sharing your tourist pool with 5-6 other places. Get used to it. They are going to continue to grow and you are busy alienating your residents.
Your uptown area is nothing more that a perfectly manicured non stop timeshare marketing grind and tourists know it. Do something about that, Chamber, City.
No amount of spending is going to increase revenue to the City the way you want to see it. You must now learn to play nice, learn to share and make joint efforts with other places. You must also learn not to alienate your own residents. You are not what Sedona is supposed to be about.
Hold the marathon on 89A and involve Cornville, wine country, do a 10K. Hold an after party in Uptown or Old Town Cottonwood or the County Airport or a field. Use your heads. Split the costs and profits. Call it the Red Rock Country Marathon. Grow and respect your residents.
“Time to Face Reality,” your operative words are “split the costs and profits.”
As things are, Sedona tax money is footing the bill to promote regional resources by giving a million plus to Oak Creek Chamber of Commerce to promote non-taxing businesses. Basically your thinking is solid but this chamber is too greedy to even think about sharing profit. Oh, forgot. They are “non-profit.” Yep, and may the city of sedona convince Jennifer Weaselhoof to sell refrigerators to eskimos.
One plus here. A sign at the old grocery store at the “Y” says Baskin/Robbins opening soon. Any guesses how long it will last once opened?
Heard a beautiful ad, for the Cottonwood Marathon 6th annual on the radio. Found it interesting that the ad directed everyone to Cotttonwood Park & Rec Department.
So I went to website http://cottonwoodaz.gov/parksrec/bmm/
Saw this:
With Brian Mickelsen’s tragic death in 2007, the City of Cottonwood decided the best way to honor their beloved city manager was to extend the Verde/Mingus Blowout to include a half marathon and to put Brian’s name on the event. The inaugural event was a great success with over 400 runners and a tremendous tribute to Brian and all that he did for Cottonwood in his 23 years of service to the City.
I love this! The City runs it, makes money on it, uses it to promote everything Cottonwood has to offer. no third wheel making money off them. YES! City for City, City building City business. Also I found it cute the Cottonwood chamber is one of the many sponsors. LOVE IT! They have it right. Go Cottonwood! YAY!
Donna Joy,
A quick question; how many employees does the City of Cottonwood have to staff such a nice event compared to Sedona?
@Tom Bergen I quickly looked at their website. Didn’t see any employee count, not sure what Sedona City are I would guess 55 ish.
I would image that the City of Sedona revenues are significantly more than Cottonwood. Sedona I would imagine has much more buying power with all the Tourist business.
I did find this interesting fact while looking for the answer. Cottonwood is close to the same size as Sedona. They also have incorporated areas called cottonwood that use the same zip as in city Cottonwood but are not in the city district. Same as us. Cottonwood website shows a growth from 9,179 to 11,265 where Sedona show a decrease 10,192 to 10,031.
Isn’t the populations the driving factors? Do you know how many employees they have? I like to know side by side employees and revenue @tom bergen. great benchmark.
FY 2013: Sedona $36.4 million. Cottonwood $78.4 million, (down from $100.8 million in 2012). Cottonwood has a property tax.
Why’s Sedona having a problem with 89 when ADOT annually closes 2 major highways for Wickenburg cowboy weekend ride and parade? A marathon or traffic slow down doesn’t bother people. If your chamber wants ideas come to Wickenburg. If it’s such a moneymaker delaying a few sightseerers coming into town during the marathon isn’t a big deal. It’s fun to watch a race. Last time we went to Sedona was in 1998. It’s changed a lot for sure. It was pretty but it’s a big country with lots to offer and we hope you work it out.
@ EB & Florence:
It’s not up to the City to close 89A. Unless ADOT approves a partial closure, it can’t be done. I think that if 89A were to be closed for the marathon it would be much more exciting for everyone involved.
Well @Tom Bergen & @Molly Bachman You both made me think.
I printed out the entire Cottonwood budget I have to say I even more impressed after looking it over.
Most importantly @Molly Bachman Cottonwood does NOT charge property tax! I looked at all the income,(impressive) and see NO property tax for the city. I called and got a confirmation. No property tax in cottonwood, az
What is extremely impressive is how they OWN the library, sewer, transit system, recreation center, Water, FIRE department and it appears to be the owner of airport. hummmmm yep the city owns it. Main income sales tax, water and sewer usage.
Also layout very clearly is how much money the bring in from different elements such as shared Income from state, both sales & income, motor vehicle. It really looks like they have a Total Quality Management program there.
Take a look for yourself. http://cottonwoodaz.gov/finance.php