Sedona AZ (February 11, 2014) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:
The City of Sedona Arizona has a population slightly less than 10K
Thank you Eddie Maddock for accurately reporting the state of Sedona. You are my hero!
The City of Sedona is very young in regards to being incorporated. I have lived and operated businesses in the City limits for over 20 years. My husband and I contribute to the tax base in which the city operates by collecting sales tax from our businesses and by shopping in town every chance we get. We have also during this time always promoted our business neighbors. In my opinion supporting our local businesses builds community from the inside out.
I have worked exceptionally hard. I have even worked as a volunteer for Non-Profits. I have donated money and services to other non-profits that I love such as Humane Society, Sedona Recycles, Catholic Family Services, and Hospice. I have even donated product to other businesses in the hope it would bring us business along with forming lasting working relationships. We have discounted to the locals and even discounted products for other businesses in order to strengthen things, barely covering the cost of materials with us paying for the overhead and labor.
Well, I can say I’ve seen it all. Seriously. Been threatened, boycotted even been told to leave. My husband was actually physically attacked during an uptown business meeting several years ago. I could go on and on. Believe me I have some stories to tell.
Last year I was approached by a Chamber employee who wanted to ask me to speak up on behalf of raising the bed tax and sales tax. Out of her mouth came words like – “I want a video;” “The Chamber deserves it;” “We bring all the sales tax dollars to the city;” We’re responsible for it all.”
Say what? The more they (the Chamber) spoke, the more I became enraged with the pure ridiculousness of the statements. The references to places like San Diego and Scottsdale. The entire conversation got me rolling and thinking. Compare us with San Diego? Scottsdale?
With all those statements said, I began to investigate things. I asked questions. I went to council meetings. I wrote. The more I looked the more I didn’t like what I was seeing. Since the Chamber stated they represented the “Businesses” in Sedona we found that odd. Since I was a Chamber member I never voted on such items, nor did I sign a waiver to give anyone my rights to speak on behalf of my business. Very odd.
My husband and I did a report to show that Chamber businesses were not Registered Businesses in the City of Sedona. We found this to be a fact while auditing the Chambers website. We generate a report and submitted it to Mayor, City Councilors, along with City Manager.
I wrote, met with many City Councilors, the Mayor, City Manager, and City Staff under the City Manager. I even generated a proposal to the City for a Total Quality Management Program that would build a positive relationship with their businesses and offered to assist, unpaid.
I could go on and on. I have benchmarked, reported, called many independents along with municipalities to gain some knowledge. I even started a website for in-town businesses. I have thousands of hours invested into this.
Everything I suggested, or reports I published was discarded. My year ended with a meeting with Jennifer Wesselhoff , Chamber CEO/President. It was a long one. But the bottom line is when I asked why she published a report to City Council stating the Chamber membership composite report had 77% in city businesses – when those were not in town – she said “it’s too difficult to generate such a report.”
I told her I did audit that list and found the results were the opposite. I also offered to help. I feel it is important to make sure our City Council is informed accurately as they should be making decisions on those facts. We discussed why all 86336 zip codes were included in the Chamber report when we all know that Red Rock Crossing, Enchantment, Oak Creek Canyon are in the 86336 postal zone and are not in the City of Sedona?
Jennifer declined my free labor offer and also declined to support the in-town businesses as she has a membership organization and is obliged to them.
So after much discussion I formally withdrew my Chamber membership for my personal business. At the same time I withdrew a non-profit’s membership for a group I run. By the way, the Non-Profit Sedona Community Organization, Inc. is a true non-profit and all its Directors, President and CEO are volunteers. No management wages involved here. All money collected goes toward promoting their partners. Building community from the inside out. Which brings up a valid point, just because a group states they are non-profit doesn’t mean that they are not getting paid.
I could go on and on. But won’t. It is time for the Sedona Citizens and Businesses to speak up, get informed. Let everyone know how you feel. Knowledge is power and through that knowledge we grow and create a better tomorrow. I moved to a small town for all the right reasons just as many of you have. Transparency, community, positive small town environment, agreeing to disagree, with honesty and integrity.
Time for Sedona to take care of Sedona City business first, building community from the inside out.
Donna Joy Varney
Sedona Sweet Arts
D. Joy Food Services, LLC
www.SedonaSweetArts.com
www.SedonaWeddingCakes.com
http://www.facebook.com/SedonaSweetArts
Sedona Community Organization, Inc. Non Profit 501 (c) (6) President & CEO www.SedonaWeddingsAndEventCenter.com www.SedonaBridalFair.com www.SedonaCity.com https://www.facebook.com/SedonaBridalFair https://www.facebook.com/SedonaCommunityOrganization Sedona Bridal Fair Signature Event for Sedona Community Organization, Inc Director & CEO www.SedonaBridalFair.com Sedona Sweet Arts Sedona Bridal Fair Sedona Community Organization, Inc 2655 West Hwy 89A Sedona, AZ 86336
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
Nice work Donna…Sedona Chamber, city council and mayor r a JOKE…Sedona is losing in the realm of ” business” development and the surrounding cities r the beneficiary…..HEY SEDONA…wake the u know what up….your city is drying up…..quit catering to the 5% and start listening to the majority…..have a good day folks…..CHEERS!
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Liked this article on Facebook.
Thank you, Donna Joy, for your generous acknowledgment. However, you give me far too much credit. Without asking tons of annoying questions to Sedona City Staff and City Council Members, my computer would remain idle.
Due to the cooperation in particular of City Manager Tim Ernster, Assistant City Manager Karen Daines, and City Attorney Mike Goimarac there wouldn’t be much worthy of authenticity about which to write, and most assuredly in many instances I’ve not received answers to my liking.
It would also be unfair to ignore the input of research experts such as Warren Woodward, Nancy Baer, Jean Jenks, Rick Normand, Henry Twombly and others who faithfully continue to dig into facts and contribute their findings to Sedona Eye. The numerous comments that perpetually appear relating to a myriad of subjects is amazing and certainly indicative of the vast audience this online publication is playing to.
But, of course, the true hero is C. Bentley-Hill, Sedona Eye Publisher/Editor, without whose essentially unrewarded efforts there would not be a Sedona Eye to provide the variety of news and opinions many of us have become accustomed to relying on.
Donna Joy, you are very brave to so boldly share your story. Having lived in Sedona for so many years, I know factually that your tale is but one of many to be told. Some, unfortunately, were silenced and have been buried with their victims.
Keep the faith. You’ve come too far to wilt, wither, and disappear as probably some would prefer. For some strange reason it’s easy for me to relate to that.
:-)
@Donna Joy
Judging from your list of web sites and photo of wedding cake and you mention previous contacts with council members, aren’t they aware of your involvement with the annual Sedona Bridal Fair? My reason for asking is because at the city council meeting yesterday Barbara Litrell quizzed that Jennifer person about why weddings weren’t featured on the proposal for the contract with the city or something. You indicate in your article that you do not receive funding from the city. That being the case, do you know why they would want to unnecessarily spend public funds to promote something that is obviously already being “gifted” to them free of charge?
@Question Yes The non-profit Sedona Community Organization, Inc signature event is The Sedona Bridal Fair.
The Sedona Bridal Fair has received zero funding from the City of Sedona.
Sedona Bridal Fair works together with businesses partners pooling their resources and talents together. This year we had over 250 Brides come to Sedona on January 18. which translate to over 6.5 million dollars in to the local economy in Weddings. Then the sweet deal is that most the guest attending a Sedona Wedding travel, they stay and play for a few days. This adds addtional dollars into the ecomony not included in the 6.5 million.
Below is a press release.
Sedona Bridal Fair
On Saturday January 18, 2014 Brides, Grooms and their families came to the Sedona Bridal Fair to get inspired, create and connect to the Sedona Wedding & Event Specialists. The 2014 Sedona Bridal was the 4th annual event held at Poco Diablo Resort. One thousand people attended the event produced by Sedona Community Organization, Inc. A Non-Profit 501 (c) (6). Sedona Community Organization partners with citizens and businesses to build community from the inside out though education, marketing, and event promotions.
2014 Platinum Sponsors are Poco Diablo Resort, Sedona Sweet Arts, and Verve Events & Tents. The event is put on by volunteerism, and partnerships with all monies collected going into the event production. The Sedona Community Organization signature event, Sedona Bridal Fair is an economic stimulus program bring over 6.5 million dollars to the local economy. The Sedona Bridal Fair has received zero funding from the City of Sedona. To learn more about Sedona Bridal Fair and Sedona Community organization please visit SedonaBridalFair.com and SedonaCity.com.
The 5th Annual Sedona Bridal Fair is January 17, 2015 at Poco Diablo Resort. The Chair, Donna Joy Varney can be reached at 928-282-4635.
Thx Donna Joy . It seems pretty clear to me that the chamber of commerce isn’t in need of public funds to promote weddings. Still do not understand why B.Litrell was pushing for it to be added to the list of things they intend to promote. Go figure. What I see here is verification of how city based businesses are being dumped on. Hope more will wise up and drop chamber memberships but there probably too afraid.
Until the majority of Sedona citizens rise up and demand the unaccountable GRANTS/GIFTS to non profits like Chamber of Commerce, Sedona Film Festival and others cease, the City staff will keep on playing Santa Claus with our money.
It’s fun to give away other peoples money if you never give a thought to a retiree on a fixed income. When most of the city executive staff make multiples of the average Sedona resident, we as citizens need to ask who is working for whom?
We can end this theft and waste once and for all with disincorporation.
stop with the disincorporation posts by saunders
Successful businesses do NOT want any city to pay for their marketing. It is not right. It is not done. Why would Sedona pay a chamber to marketing regional businesses? It is my believe that the city council is being manipulated by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. The lodging council is the chamber. It is embarrassing for the City of Sedona to be made fools of.
Just like it wrong for them to pay every non-profit that asks them for money. It is the City responsibility to answer and be held accountable for the taxpayers money. Paying for a region, this is not reflective of current Sedona Community Plan.
It is Not City business to pay for these items, marketing and non-profit events. (they make their own money, therefore should pay for their own marketing)
If the City can’t do things correct then I agree with Mr. Saunders, they shouldn’t be a city. Embarrassing us all, staff & CC. Cheers to the successful businesses that did the bridal fair at Poco Diablo. We need more of you. Your contribution to local ecomony is impressive.
Sedona Eye thank you! you are great for letting us have a voice.
Jennifer:
I must agree, these posts by Richard Saunders and his girlfriend have been very annoying. There’s many people on this site who have educated opinions that post on this site because they have been in Sedona for many years and are in the know, then there’s (names removed by editor) who list their posts just to be annoying.
A cursory review of the City Council Meeting on 2/11, prompted a couple of things in particular to jump out at me relating to Donna Joy’s Letter to the Sedona Eye Editor.
Regarding the question asked by Barbara Litrell whereby she insisted that Sedona Weddings be represented as a separate committee on the list Jennifer Wesselhoff presented, she (Barbara) also noted that a web page for “Sedona Weddings” is in fact included in the preview of the new web site displayed at the meeting. Both “VisitSedona.com” and “Explore Sedona” were given as web site names so it remains unclear if more than one site is slated to be launched in July. Point being, however, is that in fact “Sedona Weddings” IS presently included in future Chamber of Commerce marketing plans.
Councilwoman Jessica Williamson specifically inquired about the cost of the web site. Response from J. Wesselhoff: “$25,000, very cheap; other proposal was $120,000.” (dialog occurs appx. 60 minutes into Agenda Item 9A). Ms. Wesselhoff explained that the $25,000 for the new web site is being derived from this year’s budget (2013.)
Now then, my question to you Donna Joy is: Noting the number of web sites you have listed at the bottom of your article, did you find the cost of $25,000 (presumably for each web site) reasonable? If so, you and your husband must be operating a remarkable and extremely profitable business to be able to afford that kind of advertising. Your web sites, by the way, are beautiful and professional, especially the one featuring your annual event, Sedona Wedding Fair. Perhaps you even spent a higher amount such as the $120,000 referenced by Ms. Wesselhoff?
Off point but interesting, a discussion (proposal?) ensued relating to deferring membership to the Chamber of Commerce as being a requisite for reaping benefits from city funded Destination Marketing only to be replaced by required membership to the Tourism Bureau?
Isn’t this sort of a way to give new meaning to the term “tourist trap?” Just a thought.
Donna – You article is very impressive and gutsy and thank you for speaking the truth!
Great response Eddie!
In my professional life of running a business where our web-site is a large portion of the business and I’ve been involved with developing new web-sites – and gotta tell you that there was one web-site I paid maybe $8,000.00 and it was very involved. Another one cost me maybe $12,000.00 that was even more involved and detailed.
There is no way a web site will cost $120,000.00 unless the Feds are paying for it. (or someone is just dumber than ………….)
OMG people – this “Regional” Chamber is so far out of control and only Jennifer Wessoloff -leader of the Chamber, knows what she is doing and how she spins the facts.
Even the Council and Staff haven’t caught with her yet —- do we need to rename Jennifer “the Pied Piper” who is misleading the pack of our supposedly “impartial” Council who is supposed to have the residents best interests in their forefront? HA HA – Ya really think that will happen????
How far out of control will everything need get? When does Missy Jennifer stop begging, bragging and contorting herself and the job she “loves” ? I’d love it too if I were in her Dorothy shoes. This, contrary to her beliefs, isn’t OZ! It is a very small town of under 10,000 people….and she continues to get a disproportionate amount of money.
When does Missy Jennifer stop the begging and asking for funds for her “loved” job and starts running her Non-Profit “business” on its own merits? That concept allows the City to start reinvesting back to basic residents’ needs?
When do we stop throwing money down the Chambers hole and start fixing our streets and drainage issues?
@Mrs Rogar Thomas I am not JulieAnna, been married for years, have no boyfriend. Don’t know you. r u in the city?
Is Missy Jennifer ever going to clean up the street grafitti she said was chaulk after her money making marathon. I think the words” it’s chaulk it will be gone with the rain”. And then it rained. It’s still there. Maybe her name should be Honest Missy Jennifer. Not!
Too bad “missy” Jennifer can’t be changed to “gone missing” like so many used-to-be Sedona businesses. And now “gone missing” Jennifer (wishful thinking) is willing to sacrifice chamber member dues to the tourism bureau to represent in-town businesses? Isn’t that even more costly than being a member of her beloved chamber? Not to mention tourism bureau, same as lodging council, is all part of the chamber of commerce. Such a deal.
From one of many Gone Missing Sedona Business Owners
Mrs Roger Thomas – yet again you spew incorrect information. This time you try, again, to tag a name to someone you “assume” (without any verification) to be a pseudonym and only for your personal purposes.
Someone asked if Mrs Roger Thomas lives in the City? Hell No! She lives in the VOC and I guess She has some self vested feeling that she is a part of Sedona and can vote – without being registered – or can sway those of us who actually are registered. Again, Hell No!
Jennifer says: ” stop with the disincorporation posts by saunders”. Does Jennifer not understand Freedom of Speech? I personally like his posts as he’s getting people to think………….a rare commodity in many areas of Sedona.
Yet I just had a crazy concept run through my mind: could it be that “Jennifer” is actually our “missy Jennifer” and of course she would not want any thoughts about disincorporation because her bank account would dry up and she actually might have to hit the streets looking for money to her “regional” chamber!
how do we know that “Mrs. Roger Thomas” isn’t a member of city staff? disincorporation would mean bye-bye to all city jobs and related benefits. hmm . . . another good reason to give this new concept a closer look?
Sharlett:
I know without a doubt that Richard Saunders is in fact Tony Tonsich and as proof, sent him and his wife JuliAnna proof that I know who they are and where they live.
I believe that everyone is entitled to their freedom of speech, even if it’s Tony’s or Richard. Because Tony or Richard have a continued voicing his venom around town, I think that people around town should know who they’re dealing with before they “sign on” with his crusade.
As for where I live, I live in the City of Sedona. Not far from Richard Saunders.
@ Mrs Roger Thomas I don’t see any ” venom around town” except yours. Maybe you have some personal issues to work through. Meanwhile it appears you had personal conflicts with Tony, Richard, and JuliAnna. Let it go. You losing your credibility by going after them all the time. That is “venom”
@Joy, This is a great letter! I have been a Sedona resident since 2001 and a business owner since 2004. My business has always been in Sedona city limits. I too am a former member of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, and I can totally appreciate your frustrations. After being a member for over three years, giving the chamber over $10,000 if raffle prizes, and utilizing the my membership to it’s fullest; I cancelled my membership realizing that in three years time I did not get one single booked tour from a referral from the Uptown Visitor’s Center. Having had meetings with everyone from Jennifer to David to Kegn to Michelle; I spoke to everyone there.
And although they claim to promote Sedona businesses, as a Sedona business, I felt very little support. Even when my business was going through some serious trials and tribulations with corruption with other government agencies that govern what I do, the chamber of commerce choose to ignore my concerns. Interesting no matter how much effort I put into working with the chamber and using their marketing tools, the results were the same, no results.
I would urge any new business considering joining the Sedona chamber to reconsider. I am all about supporting local businesses, shopping locally, eating organically, and being a responsible, conscious, and moral individual. The Sedona chamber may support some businesses, but it surely was not mine.
Thank you Jim for speaking up and using your real name! That means a lot.
I like to connect with you as there is a grass roots organization forming to build community from the inside out as a Team. You are a perfect fit.
Thank you for the post.