Comments on: Response to Robert S. Wood Column “Sedona Fire Department Expenditure Controversy”

By: karen schmitt

karen schmitt — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:53:23 +0000

Ms, Daines’ above letter is just one example of the time SFD staff has been forced to spend defending almost evrery action they perform. Obviously this letter is well-researched and very well written. If you’ve attended even one of the monthly Fire Board meetings, it is almost immediately apparent that three of the current board members have their own agenda and turn a deaf ear to what the public wants.

The Sedona Fire District has an extremely competent business manager in Ms. Daines. She has won an award for her 5 year forecast plan for the district and is one of just a handful of Certified Professional Financial Officers in the country. Our new Chief won the respect of the entire Staff and Fire Board when he was hired nine months ago.

And yet, we still have three board members who think they know more than the experts \we have chosen for their professional opinions. Our City is lucky enough to have one of the best fire departments anywhere. There is an unexplainable effort to damage the reputation of our fire fighters, and those individuals know who they are. The above letter is an official response from your Fire Department and mine, and we are very proud of them all. We will all continue to get out the truth and expose untrue rumors.

In the meantime, Nazeh Hazime, our Fire Chief has opened his office to everyone, and he will be happy to answer any concerns that may arise from the rumors we may hear. Call for an appointment at 282-6800.

By: Ed Mezulis

Ed Mezulis — Mon, 17 May 2010 05:23:57 +0000

Hello, I am the VP for the Sedona-Verde Valley Firefighters association. I wanted to thank you on behalf of our members for keeping your publication neutral and reporting “all” of the story. I do not know Mr. Woods but my hopes are that he is encouraged to speak with our Fire Chief after reading Karen Daines rebut if he has any further questions. Thank you again for being one of the few open minded media outlets for the citizens of sedona.

By: Nick Palumbo Jr.

Nick Palumbo Jr. — Sun, 16 May 2010 07:40:28 +0000

I read both articles by Wood and Daines and found many points compelling and of interest. The Sedona Times is to be commended for tackling this “controversy” in an open, frank and public issue-based exchange. Keep up the fine work.

Subscriber N. Palumbo Jr., Miami Florida, formerly Oak Creek Canyon & Phoenix Arizona

By: P. Van Derck

P. Van Derck — Sat, 15 May 2010 21:13:15 +0000

Well written article by Ms. Daines which has clarified many statements

made by Mr. Wood. Congrats !!!

By: Abe Koniarsky

Abe Koniarsky — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:35:26 +0000

Thank you for sharing this very comprehensive response to a very biased opinion piece, full of misrepresented information intended to hurt the SFD Fire Department and all of its hard working employees. These individual go out of their way to provide us with the most professional services which are highly respected by fire professionals in our surrounding area and beyond.

It is really sad that someone with the credentials of Mr. Wood has stooped to write hit pieces for a small group of individuals whose only goal is to hurt the SFD fire personnel and endanger the lives of its residents.

I urge all of those who agree with me to come to the SFD meetings and make your feelings known. We can’t allow a small group of people within our community with a misguided outlook to bully their way through, take charge and endanger our lives.

Chief Hazime and all of his staff is to be commended for all of their hard work, despite the harassment they have to put up with on a daily basis.