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That little strip mall where HideAway used to be (with the exception of the liquor store) is ALL VACANT! Then up the street sits Wheeler Trading Post, vacant for how many years now? Counting the vacancies in west Sedona is too dangerous due to traffic probably created mostly by shoppers heading to and from Cottonwood which is where I hear Kudos will soon be relocating.

Another not-so-funny joke about the C of C is that about all they do is offer “free” events (at city expense) and in addition the city is GIVING them over a million bucks to bring in destination tourists? Now if that’s the case, and all they come here for are “freebies” then what makes anyone think visitors will spend money shopping? Get real.

When is the next city council election and just who is it we’ll have a chance to send packing? IMO this council is the worst yet but guess their special interest buddies and the C of C CEO and her selected members don’t agree with that.

This situation with City of Sedona dealings with the Sedona Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce sooo much brings to mind another questionable scenario back in August of 2000.

In a Conflict of Interest Opinion rendered by Terence C. Hance, Coconino County Attorney, relating to questionable transactions between John D. Miller and his various LLC entities and the Sedona Community Development Department and “the public employee of official involved in this matter (John O’Brien)”, City Attorney Michael Goimarac responded in a letter dated August 11, 2000:

“With this letter we offer the opinion that in several instances the Conflict of Interest laws were violated, but there is insufficient evidence to support the conclusion that the violations were of criminal nature.” The letter then turns to material facts generated during the investigation and concludes with an explanation of “our opinion.”

Among the “material facts” offered by Terence C. Hance the following is included:

“The LLCs (John D. Miller’s various corporations) operated out of the same office as did John D. Miller Real Estate (JDMREI.) The SCDD’s (Sedona Community Development Department) files show that John D. Miller authored or co-authored the correspondence between SCDD and the LLCs (often using JDMREI stationery), and took responsibility for meeting with SCDD staff and negotiating the development proposals of the LLCs with SCDD.”

We presently have Jennifer Wesselhoff, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, having admitted to regular meetings with Assistant City Manager, Karen Daines, for the purpose of crafting a proposed Destination Marketing plan in conjunction with the allocation of increased funding to the C of C derived from the recently approved “City” bed tax increase. A city staff member is assisting in crafting a “plan” for which the Chamber of Commerce will be contracted to do at the cost of city bed tax revenue of over one million dollars? Why?

Although Ms. Wesselhoff apparently represents only the C of C, questions have come up about the function of the “Chamber Chairman’s Circle” and the number of members in outlying areas, non-contributors to Sedona City sales and/or bed tax, but clearly in the position of benefiting from city funding to the C of C, of any source, since Ms. Wesselhoff in recent articles in the Sedona Red Rock News clearly, and rightfully so, upholds her primary responsibility as being to serve Chamber members. Tough luck for those businesses who prefer to decline membership to the C of C?

Although admittedly and unlike the situation back in year 2000, a Conflict of Interest, at least on the surface, remains remote but the circumstances surrounding the mystery of why this City Council is so opposed to acquiring RFP’s and determined to cover all tracks of Chamber of Commerce even without substantial commitment to providing a return on the investment or other audited measures to support the decision, they march onward but not necessarily upward.

As Barbara Litrell commented at the Council Meeting on Dec. 10 pertaining to the Council’s decision to approve a “moment of silence,”
the decision would impact future councils as well as those who attend the meetings.

Well guess what, everything this City Council (as well as former City Councils) does impose positive and/or negative impacts on EVERYONE in the future. Doesn’t it? How can any of them deny their undying commitment to the Sedona Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce in any way, shape, or form passes the smell test?

Last spring copies of a “Dear Mayor and City Council” page-long form letter supporting a .5% increase in both City Bed and Sales Taxes was presented by the so-called ‘Sedona’ Lodging Council to establishments both inside and outside City limits.

Both hotel and other business owners and/or managers signed these form letters. Also numerous employees of theirs–no doubt many concerned about job security. As I understand it, not one City resident attended any of the three promotional meetings held at the Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel last June 17th. The .5% City Sales Tax increase advocated eventually got dumped.

The return address for form letters: 45 Sunset Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336 (i.e., the Chamber of Commerce). At one point Jennifer Wesselhoff, Chamber CEO, presented the Mayor and City Council with what was claimed to be 100 signed form letters.

BTW, the ‘Sedona’ Lodging Council is not an entity recognized by the State of Arizona.

Great that the greedhead CEO of the REGIONAL Chamber keeps returning to the Council asking for, and receiving, more allocations of CITY taxpayer $$$ (several times in recent months). If the economy goes south and future Bed Tax collections fail to justify the over $1 million Jennifer W. claims she’s entitled to, expect the Council spendthrifts to pony up the difference.

BTW, Frommer’s popular series of travel guides with information on destinations around the globe has provided some interesting statements about Sedona. From their web pages:

INTRODUCTION: “…..All this may sound perfectly idyllic, but if you lower your eyes from the red rocks, you’ll see the flip side of Sedona–a sprawl of housing developments, highways lined with unattractive strip malls and bumper-to-bumper traffic.”

“A TAXING SITUATION–You can save a little bit on your hotel bill by staying in the Village of Oak Creek rather than in Sedona proper. Not only are there several budget hotels here, but also the room tax is only 7.35% vs. 12.737% in Sedona.” And thanks to our tax and spend City Council, the savings will increase by .5% beginning Jan 1st.

B. Litrell and R. Adams voted against the additional 5%, sticking with the original Council decision of 50%. (Mike Ward was absent from the meeting.)

There was still no discussion about RFP’s (requests for proposals) and as Jean indicates, the C of C already has almost $600,000 to work with until the 2014 budget is set in July, allowing adequate time for competing proposals.

A letter had been circulated by the Chamber of Commerce rallying support by attendance at that meeting which from the round of applause at the vote outcome appeared to be a full house.

In the meantime, the proposed contract with the C of C will surface after the first of the year but it’s become common knowledge that Jennifer Wesselhoff, Chamber CEO, has been meeting regularly with Assistant City Manager Karen Daines, working through the process of crafting a suitable plan of action.

That being the case, why is the City of Sedona paying the Chamber of Commerce all that money when, in fact, they are taking city staff time to assist in creating the marketing plan?

At previous meetings nothing was confirmed requiring accountability and/or factual return on this rather sizable investment especially considering that all Chamber members will benefit, especially those outside Sedona City Limits who do not contribute to Sedona sales or bed tax revenue.

We just had out of town company and the evening of Dec. 21 took them to the Tinsel Town display at the Posse Ground. It was around 8:00 PM and had we known, on my, we would never have embarrassed ourselves to have done such a thing.

When we arrived there were no other cars then eventually maybe two or three others showed up. But the reason I’m sending this is because of the potential liability. Due to recent storm it was muddy, even swampy in places, and one area in particular was without lights which circled as a fence sort of thing and people tripped and one couple almost dumped their kid from its stroller because they couldn’t see the barricade.

As for the display itself, and without giving those businesses who sponsored displays credit for attempting to replace the former Fantasy of Lights at Los Abrigados, your efforts were a joke.

Santa Claus was in a fetal position as if he had too much to drink and Frosty the Snowman was tilted in the same direction. As for the light display itself, well, photos we took didn’t even show up because they were so ineffective.

Diamond Resorts International, shame on you! City of Sedona, double shame on you to continue to grease the palms of the Chamber of Commerce who are making a mockery of Sedona businesses by promoting those in competition outside City Limits.

When and if our guests return we will remain grateful for the tip to go to Cornville to see nice Christmas lights and bypass the amateur attempts of a dying destination tourist trap.

BTW, it’s an APS sign at the entry which greets visitors. Need more be said?