Home » From The Readers, Letters to the Editor » Sedona Fire District Fearmongering Campaign

Sedona Fire District Fearmongering Campaign

Sedona AZ (October 19, 2017) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:

The SFD is mounting a full-court-press, fearmongering campaign to convince us residents to pass their $17.9m bond.  I have already received two Safer Sedona fliers, exhorting me to do the right thing. Moreover I’ve twice seen people in Safer Sedona t-shirts, canvassing different neighborhoods, passing out fliers door to door. (Not to mention Chief Kazian’s articles in SRRN over the past two months.)

So the SFD is using our tax dollars from their $16m plus budget to lobby us for more of our tax dollars…because we’re unsafe?

The flier argues “Our fire stations desperately need repair and the communications equipment is outdated.” The fire stations need repair because of SFD’s fiscal mismanagement and negligence (not prioritizing repairs).

Over the years SFD has upgraded their communication equipment, so I question how out-of-date it really is. (See more of what SFD wants on p.5A of SRRN’s issue for October 13, 2017.) What is unsafe is our wallets. While neglecting repairs, the SFD has spent money on top-of-the-line, very expensive engines, higher salaries, better-funded pension plans, and more employees. Seemingly the SFD has prioritized itself over the financial well-being of the community.

Citing a possible emergency and community suffering, the flier is a classic example of fearmongering that’s intended to stir up and exploit our dread, so we will vote for the bond. Don’t let the SFD manipulate our emotions for its financial gain. Don’t reward their fiscal mismanagement and negligence.

Do the right thing and vote NO on the bond.

Henry Twombly
Sedona, AZ 86336

Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!

40 Comments

  1. JessL says:

    I received one of the Safer Sedona fliers in my Cornville mailbox, entirely different zip code and fire district. They were as inefficient in that as they are running Sedona Fire.

    When was the last time there was a fire in Sedona? Oh yea, when the firemen set the Canyon station on fire.

    Vote no.

  2. J. Rick Normand says:

    To All Readers at The Eye:

    Wendy Tanzer’s article elsewhere at this site states;

    “Ad content and payment must be submitted no later than two (2) days before publication, this is the 10th day past the date upon which the two above named entities exceeded the $1,100.00 limit before filing as a Political Action Committee.”

    The only problem is that Mike Schroeder and Arizona Liberty are not an A.R.S. defined Political Action Committee. Keep in mind that the entirety of Arizona Election Laws under A.R.S. Title 16 is candidate-specific, not ballot-measure specific. Arizona Liberty takes on issues, not candidates.

    In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that spending in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate that is not coordinated with any candidate cannot be limited. Such “independent expenditures” can be made by either individuals or PACs.

    Meanwhile, A.R.S. 16-901.41 says “Political action committee” means an entity that is required to register as a political action committee pursuant to section 16-905.

    A.R.S. 16-905 says “B. An entity shall register as a political action committee if both of the following apply:

    1. The entity is organized for the primary purpose of influencing the result of an election (Arizona Liberty has a clear history of primarily debating all major issues that affect the Verde Valley, such as the Sedona-Verde Valley Red Rocks National Monument movement, rather than getting involved in election issues). The extant SFD bond issue is only coincidentally a ballot measure from AZL’s standpoint.
    2. The entity (there is no entity in this case) knowingly receives contributions or makes expenditures, in any combination, of at least one thousand dollars in connection with any election during a calendar year (with the following exception).”

    But, A.R.S. 16-911 says “B. The following are not contributions:

    1. The value of an individual’s volunteer services or expenses that are provided without compensation or reimbursement, including the individual’s: (go to sub-Sec.15). The costs of publishing a book or producing a documentary, if the publication and production are for distribution to the general public through traditional distribution mechanisms or a fee is obtained for the purchase of the publication or viewing of the documentary. (MIKE SCHROEDER AND DWIGHT KADAR HAVE SPENT THEIR OWN PERSONAL MONEY on publication of information and live presentations, NOT the money of contributors!)
    Furthermore, to complicate the matter of the definition of “political action committee” in Arizona, United States District Judge James Teilborg has declared the definition of “political committee,” as defined in Title 16 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, to be unconstitutional on its face in his ruling on the matter of Galassini v. Town of Fountain Hills. The Court did not enter an injunction.

    The judge declared that the definition of “political committee” in A.R.S. § 16-901(19) “is vague, overbroad, and consequently unconstitutional in violation of the First Amendment.” He ordered that the Clerk of the Court shall enter judgment “in favor of Plaintiff and against the State on Plaintiff’s claim for declaratory judgment.” The judge denied the State’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction.

    See this link: http://arizonadailyindependent.com/2014/12/05/judge-declares-arizona-definition-of-political-committee-unconstitutional/

    JRN

  3. Wendy Tanzer says:

    Wow! Now that WAS a mouthful! Can YOU say defensive? Did I strike a little too close to home?

    Whether or not Michael Shroeder, Arizona Liberty and Dwight Kadar (whom YOU mentioned, not I) are attempting to make an end run around AZ election law is not for me (or you) to decide. My understanding is that the complaint will be forwarded to the Yavapai County Attorney, who will be the ultimate arbiter.

    I doubt the wheels of justice will grind fast enough to affect this campaign but I have faith in the system – and disdain for anyone attempting to work around it.

  4. Steve segner says:

    This is a post by J Rick Norman asking the Sedona city attorney to go after me for the exact same thing he is now defending, this group just sits around and makes up whatever they want they are experts on election law city government fire department structure and lighting were so lucky to have them close by .
    J Rick Normand 8/23/2016 8:09 AM >>>
    Good Morning Mr. City Attorney,
    Thank you so much or your prompt professional reply to my inquiry. Per your instructions, I would like to ask for two simple clarifications, if I may. First, did either you or Steve Segner mention specifically or colloquially A.R.S. 16-901(20)(f), and/or A.R.S. 16-902.01(A), and/or ARS 16-917(A)&(D)? And, secondly, do you feel that your comments to him would have led him to believe he was, in fact or intending to be, in compliance with the aforementioned statutes?
    Sincerely,
    /s/
    J. Rick Normand
    Arizona Liberty
    JRN

  5. Steve segner says:

    J. Rick Normand says:
    August 23, 2016 at 8:06 pm
    @steve Segner,
    Your convoluted mind has misfired again. You’ll notice in the first email to me from City Attorney Pickels, he added the comment “If you should need any follow up clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask.” I didn’t hesitate and I did ask. His followup statement is the one I printed above. It takes precedence. I will tell you this…you will need an attorney shortly. And, the reason AZL and I are worked up is not because your asking people to vote, its because you’re illegally telling them who to vote for. Read the statute little dogfood salesman.
    Bs your way out of that comments Mr. rick smart guy I guess now you’ll be talking to the city attorney ,

  6. Rich collister says:

    @Wendy Tanzer

    I know Wendy right….Nobody knows what he is talking about except him..
    He has a “very beautiful mind”

    Loved the double talking AZ Liberty the other night.

    For Example:

    They don’t think thier was a need for the chapel station cause response times aren’t that important…But they don’t see a need to move the canyon station a few miles up they road cause that would increase response times too much.

    Also loved the general way they “cut and paste” information to try and show mismagangement while spinning half-truths and just lies in general.

    Here’s an observation I noticed to generalize how selfish and self serving they are.

    After the talk/discussion was over the Pro bond people be them young or old began helping the church clean up the chairs and tables, while the other group just watched (mike s, Dwight k, j Rick Greg D) just stood around without a thought to be helpful….

    As I said all self serving BS

    Just like thier presentation.

  7. J. Rick Normand says:

    @Wendy Tanzer,

    You’re the one attempting to work around our legal system which explains why no voter information packets were sent out to the public by the Fire District. Of course, the Fire District’s attorney had to instruct the Chief NOT to send them out since they contained deliberate false content conjured up (deleted by editor) regarding “Con” comments opposing your “Pro” comments.

    JRN

  8. Rich collister says:

    @Jess L
    For someone that lives in Cornville you seem very opinionated about everything Sedona!
    What do you care.
    I smell BS

  9. West Sedona Dave says:

    Wendy, and all others…

    When people complain about our Supreme court, it is because of issues just like this!

    When they decide that corporations are people, and money is free speech!

    All I can say is it, proves more and more that we live in a corporatocracy!

    Simply put, the poor, weak, disabled, and elderly, if you dont have money you have no voice!….These groups are made to divide us socially and economically, just look who funds them!

    Arizona Liberty, is just a front for the 1%…..Dont believe me, just look at its donors!

  10. Speaking of fear mongering says:

    Thanks, AZ Liberty, for a great new video exposing the fear mongering.

    Scare Tactics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFyYxV1LHjA

  11. Michael Schroeder says:

    Ms. Tanzer. Strike 3.

    To the voters, why would anyone finance capital improvements with a $17.9 million bond, maximum interest rate of 9% over 20 years. That’s around $36 million repayment. So, ask yourself…how many fire trucks does interest buy? Zero.

    Would that number ever reach that? Probably not. Do you trust government bureaucrats with no limits? Let us count the ways.

    If you PASS this $17.9 bond, YOU are AUTHORIZING THE EXPENFUTURE OF $17.9 MILLION @ 9% INTEREST FOR 20 YEARS. There is no reversing the decision.

    Trust the board? Trust the District management? If you do, ask yourself why they are in a financial pickle now? No, you don’t get to blame what happened 5-6 years ago when you’ve had 5 years to right the ship.

    The District Board absolutely has the authority under the CURRENT tax program, 5.2% annual increases in assessed values going forward, consistant over the last 6+ years, and manipulating the mil rate to raise, over the budget, allowing for a 3% budget annual increase (2% higher than CPI), an additional $33 MILLION over the next 7 years, the exact draw period this bond is set for. Even if FCV values slip, you still can raise more than the bond plus anticipated tax revenues, $28.5 million. At least I think $33 MILLION is higher than $28.5 million.

    Why, would ANYONE want to pay INTEREST, when it is absolutely not necessary, and interest buys nothing except the ability to access money quicker. And what’s with the hurry up? Not well thought through proposed expenditures as we have witnessed, with millions in “contingency” expenditures. AND the statement by the proponents is that this bond would not be drawn all at once anyway, what’s the hurry again? We certainly don’t know unless Chief Kazian doesn’t trust the Board and wants to lock in $17.9 million at 9% for 20 years NOW as a sure bet.

    Here is what the Chief knows…everything above is exactly correct, and he as much said so at the Fire Board meeting several months ago.

    The last 5 years of management is responsible for the capItal improvement shortfalls. We already have more than sufficient resources to do everything the Chief has proposed. However, those proposals need to be reviewed in DETAIL by financially responsible people, who know how to balance taxpayer values and an insure a well run District.

    Taxpayer alert… this is going to cost you some money, and the Bond is EXACTLY THE WRONG WAY TO DO IT. But when managed properly, long term, it will cost you less.

    Please VOTE NO.

    http://Www.arizonaliberty.us for details.

  12. Wendy Tanzer says:

    Strike 3? Who made YOU the umpire? Oh…another self-appointed position?

    At what point will you stop making completely FALSE declarations? Falsifying numbers and scewing documents to make illegitimate claims? If your points are SO valid, why do you NEED to pull numbers and letters entirely out of context to reach some pre-conceived outcome?

    If everything you’re saying, doing and paying for is on the up and up, why haven’t you filed as a PAC?

    Until the Fire District is rated by Moody’s and/or S&P, NO ONE knows what the interest rate will be. But it won’t be on $17.9M. And you, Mr. Schroeder already know that. But your “absolute” version is so much more convenient to the already determined point you’ve decided to present.

    There will be at least three separate withdrawals from the Bond, made ONLY if the Board seated at the time approves. But apparently mentioning that FACT doesn’t suit your narrative.

    This Bond Is singularly THE most cost effective, fiscally responsible manner in which to maintain public safety while meeting all capital improvements needs for the next 20+ years.

    Managing public safety is unique and demanding.Your assumptions about operating a fire district are erroneous and in my opinion, potentially dangerous. It’s SO easy to Monday-morning-quarterback, and criticize that in which you have NO knowledge, experience, nor expertise.

    Our Fire District has EARNED our trust and our support by being completely dependable, fiscally transparent, and unquestionably honest and forthright.

    In all good conscience, can you say the same? Well…can you?

  13. J. Rick Normand says:

    @Steve Segner

    As usual, SS, what you have to say above is unintelligible. No one reading your two comments understands what your point it. What does an email exchange between me and City Attorney 14 months asking if you were compliant with a election back then (not having to do with the SFD) have to do with the current election issue? And, when and in what language did I ask the City Attorney “…to go after you”? Why can’t you ever stay on subject?

    JRN

  14. jessl says:

    @Rich cololstomy

    Perhaps someone with your limited intelligence can understand this.

    I live primarily in Sedona.
    I have a property with a mailbox in Cornville.

    Is that too complex for you? (Deleted by editor) You’re just not too bright, but you were a fire fighter so I guess it’s OK to not be too bright in that job. .

  15. J. RIck Normand says:

    @Steve Segner,

    In your post above you said “This is a post by J Rick Norman(d) asking the Sedona city attorney to go after me for the exact same thing he is now defending…”

    Over and over again you prove yourself to be illiterate, unintelligible, and incapable of arriving, through application of deductive logic, at correct conclusions.

    If you had read and correctly reasoned as to the point of my remark posted above, namely that, “The only problem is that Mike Schroeder and Arizona Liberty are not an A.R.S. defined Political Action Committee. Keep in mind that the entirety of Arizona Election Laws under A.R.S. Title 16 is candidate-specific, not ballot-measure specific. Arizona Liberty takes on issues, not candidates”… you would have concluded that you were promoting candidates in August of 2016 whereas AZ Liberty is now, and has always, promoted ballot measure issues. Promoting candidates is regulated by the Title 16 statutes above, ballot measures such as the Sedona Fire District Bond Issue is not. As usual, you’re trying to compare apples and oranges Segner. Why can’t you ever get anything, just any little thing, right?

    JRN

  16. robert lilly says:

    “Those who HAVE called the Fire Department for an emergency, and those that WILL”. Say what you want, but until you have had an emergency, you have no idea the worth.

  17. Michael Schroeder says:

    Another Tanzer Rant.

    Under AZ Iaw I don’t have to file as a PAC. If it were a constitutional ballot issue or a candidate, different story.

    The fire district is not OK, if it were you would not go to the taxpayers for a bail out which this bond is.

    And there was supposed to be some citizens’ committe that gave input to the needs of the district? So who takes the responsibility of recommending a bond which has a substantial dollar interest cost when you can take 100% of taxpayer’s dollars and apply it to the capital projects that are in ‘dire need’ in this supposedly well run district…according to you Ms. Tanzer. Who does the taxpayer hang this red herring on.

    The “advisory” committee?
    The District Board?
    The Fire Chief?

    You certainly can’t hang it on the dedicated guys on the front line.

    And Mr. Segner. Why are you even in this conversation. I can understand why Ms. Tanzer has become somewhat unhinged, she has “Bond Blinders” on. I haven’t seen a rant like that since my 2 year old grandson had one of his 2 year old fits.
    You want to raise additional funds to fix the capital projets that have been put in 2nd place vs salaries and personnel. We can do that within the existing tax structure and within the time frame that this goofy bond structure has laid out, and not waste money on interest or take the risk of high interest rates, especially when you’re capped at 9%.

    The look forward projections are posted on http://www.arizonaliberty.us showing an easy way to raise $21 million to $33 million to cover capital needs without asking the taxpayer to waste money on interest payments. And more importantly, install a board and district management that can actually start managing things for the benefit of the taxpwyer, the public safety and the structure of the district.

  18. J. Rick Normand says:

    To All Readers at The Eye re: Sedona Fire District Bond Issue:

    Mike Schroeder, Dwight Kadar and J. Rick Normand all have extensive credentials in debt/bond financing as well as equity financing. Anyone of us could serve as an umpire (to quote Wendy Tanzer) in this SFD Bond Issue debate. As financial/economic career professionals, each of us can read and analyze audited financial statements of an assortment of bond issuers.

    Credentials of Mike Schroeder:

    Echostar Corporation, Director
    DISH Network Corp, Founder
    Optimos, Inc.
    Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.

    EchoStar Corporation is a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions through its Hughes Network Systems and EchoStar Satellite Services business segments. It is the owner and operator of the satellite fleet for closely affiliated DISH Network. EchoStar is the second-largest satellite-TV service provider in the US, with more than 12.7 million customers.

    Dwight Kadar: Career-long major Pension Fund Manager dealing in exchange-traded equities, as well as corporate, municipal, and improvement district bonds. Expert in bond structuring, bond pricing, bond marketing and bond quality ratings such as Moody’s and Fitch. Also, an accomplished public speaker.

    J. Rick Normand: International banking, commercial mortgage banking, commercial factoring, real estate development, and a published financial writer

    Wendy Tanzer Financial Credentials: None, but talks alot based on mere presumptions and conjecture

    JRN

    J. Rick Normand

  19. Wendy Tanzer says:

    Mr. Schroeder,

    Your entire lack of respect not withstanding, my first letter explained EXACTLY where responsibility rests for the predicament our Fire District finds itself experiencing. Your impossibly flawed plan to raise $33M is ridiculous on its very face but even if it was possible (which it absolutely is not) it would give any future board the choice to spend the money as they so choose, instead of ensuring funds are used for capital improvements as intended and as guaranteed by the Bond.

    Why is it when anyone questions the veracity of your claims, they are somehow on a rant? It that your quality response? How desperate your have become.

    Go to http://www.safersedona.com to see what real information looks like. Not the made up “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bulls**t” bait and switch nonsence your site spews forth.

    Oh…and you failed to answer my question. I’ll restate: How clear is your conscience, Mr. Schroeder?

  20. Rich collister says:

    Mike S

    Your a very self serving..
    If anyone is becoming unhinged it you and JRN

    You don’t enjoy a women being more informed and smarter then you..
    So you gotta brow beat her a bit aye..

    Mike, Wendy has a selfless reason for the bond …she speaks the truth.
    You and your Tea Party are all about your selfish mind set.

    I got mine …….screw you …Right Mike !

  21. Steve segner says:

    Credentials of Mike Schroeder:
    Echostar Corporation, Director
    DISH Network Corp, Founder
    Optimos, Inc.
    Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.
    I don’t see anything in Mike’s credentials about running a fire department ,we don’t need Mike to help us with the bond there are attorneys and specialist with far more knowledge Then Mike and his friends, Mike seems to be an expert in his own mind on city,lighting on paving on financing and everything to do with city government and it usually has a no at the end. Sedona has a huge number of y.t.b.i.p. Are fire chief has an MBA or city government city manager city assistant city manager Have M BAs I think there much much more knowledgeable in city finance and city government then mike Schroeder .

  22. Michael Schroeder says:

    Mr.Collister,

    I’ve already personally spent more on this campaign than I will save in 20 years if this bond passes. Math 101. You should try it. In fact whether it passes or not, by the time the assessed values go up and mil rate changes it is going to cost either way. So “I’ve got mine” is not only illogicsl, it makes no sense.

    The taxpayers are going to pay one way or the other. You don’t need a bond with interest costs to fix Kazian and the board’s mess.

    You guys want to spend taxpayer’s money. We agreed. What planet ye be from???

    I was informed you were at the church the other evening, why didn’t you introduce yourself? Can you only have a discussion with a keyboard?

    The funding program is now up on http://www.arizonaliberty.us. We can buy anything we need, interest free. But let’s get rid of the contingency BS, that’s just amateur hour from prople who do not know how to negotiate a contract. That saves $3 million right there. Unless you just enjoy throwing taxpayer money away.

  23. Michael Schroeder says:

    Ms. Tanzer,

    It’s just math.

    Www. arizonaliberty.us

  24. Wendy Tanzer says:

    And to JRN —-

    WOW! With credentials as lofty as those you outlined, those of us simpler creatures in the community can only conclude that the misrepresentations made in Arizona Liberty’s videos are intentional. So let’s take a look at a couple, shall we?

    Central Yavapai Fire District has formed a Fire Authority with Chino Valley. AZL used the full staff of both divided into ONLY Central Yavapai’s budget to arrive a cost per call. Nice going, you brainiacs, you.

    In parsing then declaring SFD’s numbers and obligations, you left out ENTIRELY the payments being made on Station 6.

    These are just a couple of the glaring examples. If your resumes and backgrounds are as impressive as you’d have us believe, you’re either baldface lying to your viewers or you’re completely incompetent.

    Which is it?

  25. J. Rick Normand says:

    @Rich Collister,

    Looking at your writing style, it’s quite apparent that you’re as illiterate as Steve Segner. Putting aside your reader’s legitimate inability to understand your faulty sentence structures, I must ask…do you have any idea what you’re trying to say?

    JRN

  26. J. Rick Normand says:

    @Wendy Tanzer,

    As I stated above, you have NO CREDENTIALS sufficient to permit you to logically argue the SFD bond issue. Therefore, your typical style of argument revolves around a circumstantial Ad Hominem premise (also known as: appeal to motive, appeal to personal interest, argument from motives, conflict of interest, faulty motives, naïve cynicism, questioning motives, vested interest). The fact is, you’re too emotional and too hung up on your need to prove you’re smarter than the people who are qualified to best you in the realm of polemics. Your claim of disrespect shown to you has nothing to do with your gender…it has solely to do with your inability to structure a syllogism to launch at a better skilled polemicist (debator) than you! Of course, I know that you will now go into a hyper-emotional rant about my use of big words as if it is a fault to know how to use them. Maybe you would like to challenge the “veracity” of my claims?

    JRN

  27. Darryl Z says:

    There are high frequency electromagnetic antennas and cell towers around all the cell towers in Sedona — and they radiation they emit could cause our fire fighters to have serious health effects including cancer and death.

    “As firefighters and paramedics, we live in these firehouses. What effect will these towers have on us? What are the risks to our neighbors? It’s a no-brainer that LA County should at least have done a proper study before before putting 200-foot high-power microwave antennas on top of our heads.”
    – Dave Gillotte, Active Duty Fire Captain
    President, LA County Firefighters Local 1014

    We have no guarantee that the towers and antennas are safe. The industry says they are safe, but preliminary lab tests show that the EMF radiation causes brain cancer and heart problems in laboratory tests.

    This is an issue everywhere as these cell towers and high frequency antennas pop up everywhere.

    “The IAFF opposes the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.”
    The IAFF Official Position Against Cell Towers on Fire stations passed in 2004
    Read it here iaff.org/HSFacts/CellTowerFinal.asp.

    This Position was initiated after increasing complaints among firefighters with cellular antennas on their stations coupled with a California study showing neurological damage in California firefighters with antennas on top of their stations conducted by Dr. Gunnar Heuser.

    Perhaps this bond can build a fire station that could possibly protect the firefighters from harm.

    “ It is inexcusable that once again our firefighters in the field were the last to know about a massive 150 million dollar project that could jeopardize their health and safety. … nobody talked to us and we have not heard from one single expert who has told us that this project will be safe.”

    We need to look into this as health issues for our firefighters could be a lot more expensive than a forest fire in the long run. We are racing head long toward the 5G network without looking into the consequences. For those who think it’s safe because the industry said it is need to remember how doctors recommended cigarettes for good health.

  28. Darryl Z says:

    There are high frequency electromagnetic antennas and cell towers around all the fire stations in Sedona — and the radiation they emit could cause our fire fighters to have serious health effects including cancer and death.

    “As firefighters and paramedics, we live in these firehouses. What effect will these towers have on us? What are the risks to our neighbors? It’s a no-brainer that LA County should at least have done a proper study before before putting 200-foot high-power microwave antennas on top of our heads.”
    – Dave Gillotte, Active Duty Fire Captain
    President, LA County Firefighters Local 1014

    We have no guarantee that the towers and antennas are safe. The industry says they are safe, but preliminary lab tests show that the EMF radiation causes brain cancer and heart problems in laboratory tests.

    This is an issue everywhere as these cell towers and high frequency antennas pop up everywhere.

    “The IAFF opposes the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.”
    The IAFF Official Position Against Cell Towers on Fire stations passed in 2004
    Read it here iaff.org/HSFacts/CellTowerFinal.asp.

    This Position was initiated after increasing complaints among firefighters with cellular antennas on their stations coupled with a California study showing neurological damage in California firefighters with antennas on top of their stations conducted by Dr. Gunnar Heuser.

    Perhaps this bond can build a fire station that could possibly protect the firefighters from harm.

    “ It is inexcusable that once again our firefighters in the field were the last to know about a massive 150 million dollar project that could jeopardize their health and safety. … nobody talked to us and we have not heard from one single expert who has told us that this project will be safe.”

    We need to look into this as health issues for our firefighters could be a lot more expensive than a forest fire in the long run. We are racing head long toward the 5G network without looking into the consequences. For those who think it’s safe because the industry said it is need to remember how doctors recommended cigarettes for good health.

  29. @ Collister says:

    The City of Sedona should take over the fire stations in the city. There is a lot of money to be made. The city needs the money. Most fire stations are city not district. Karen Osburne used to work for the fire district. She should head it up and earn her money. What do you think Rich?

  30. Jessl says:

    @Rich collostomy

    Pray tell. “Wendy has a selfless reason for the bond …” what is this selfless reason? Enlighten us. It might change my vote.

  31. J. Rick Normand says:

    @ @Collister,

    Whoever you are, you are so correct. Keep coming back to this site. You are insightful enough to make a difference. Congratulations!

    JRN

  32. IAFF SOLD OUT..... says:

    The IAFF Official Position Against Cell Towers on Fire stations passed in 2004
    Read it here iaff.org/HSFacts/CellTowerFinal.asp.

    Then they went SILENT as a group, as in someone or a group of someones decided to go SILENT.
    A few years ago when the FCC was taking comment on Microwave radiation, I contacted Washington DC Firefighter Union to make a statement.
    SILENCE, no comments.

    Ponder that while you worry about something they could have done something about since 2004. They just placed a metal roof on the new chapel station so they are protected, but none of the neighbors are…….oh well.
    There was a case in PHX of a firefighter with cancer who belived it was from the towers. That disappeared from print and the news.
    Maybe he settled for his silence.
    Are you getting it?
    Look at the firefighter budget and see how much they get paid for the towers we are all subjected to, last I looked it was high tens of thousands. Let them lie in their paid for beds and soak in the radiation like the rest of us.

  33. Wendy Tanzer says:

    @JRN….

    As usual, you and your ilk state your opinion as objective fact. You, in FACT, have NO idea what my credentials are. Apparently however, your insecurity requires you to provide your resume to everyone here, whether we asked for it or not. I wonder if you realize how pathetic you sound trying to boost your own opinion of yourself.

    In any case, ballots have been mailed. Schedules for advertising and mailiers are completed. It’s up to the good citizens of the Sedona Fire District to determine the future of the Bond. I, for one, have absolute faith in their ability to see through your ongoing nonsense and attempts to redirect attention from the real issue here.

    The Bond is the best, most fiscally responsible, and most economically sound method of financing SFD’s needs for the next 20+ years and the majority of free-thinking citizens know it and will:

    DO THE RIGHT THING! Vote YES on the Sedona Fire District Bond!

  34. Michael Schroeder says:

    District comparison.

    The data used was before the consolidation with Chino Valley to get a true comparison. If you don’t compare Apples to Apples then any study of statistics is not valid. But in order to know that you have had to do statistical analysis before.

    http://Www.arizonaliberty.us

    Charts, graphs, predictions and solutions.

    The real problem is that there should only be 15 fire districts in Arizona, one in each county like California and one chief in every county voted in by the public. Not 158 little fiefdoms. Can anyone imagine the taxpayer waste with 158 districts doing the kind of irresponsible stuff that this district has done on the last 5 years. Let’s hope they are run better.

    No, the city of Sedona is not going to create a fire department. They can’t even pay our fine police officers a decent wage. Too busy throwing money at 5013c organizations and dumping millions to the Chamber of Commerce.

  35. Rich Collister says:

    @mike S

    More smoke and mirrors from Mike S and his lackey Greg D.

    @JDN

    Hey Rick how does that body of yours hold up your head and ego?
    Are you Mike S’s (deleted by editor)? You seem to be..

  36. J. Rick Normand says:

    To All Readers at The Eye:

    Re: Sedona Fire District Bond Issue

    DO THE RIGHT THING! Never listen to Wendy Tanzer who has no credentials. Vote NO on the Sedona Fire District Bond!

    P.S. You say that I have no idea what your credentials are. Then, why don’t you publish them here since no one else knows what they are either?

  37. J. Rick Normand says:

    @ (so very) WINDY Tanzer,

    Seriously, Wendy, please publish your imaginary credentials here, IN DETAIL. Stop with the rants, just do the right thing!

    JRN

  38. OMG - Horrible Idea says:

    @ Collister says:
    October 24, 2017 at 4:32 pm
    The City of Sedona should take over the fire stations in the city.

    Like the city should have owned W89A – a State Highway! (they can’t even take care of the roads they already have)

    If incorporated Sedona had it’s own Fire Department versus the Fire District, be assured they would have twice the number of stations, twice the number of personnel, and the bond would be for twice as much! And it would only be the voters within the City of Sedona paying the cost, which would be a foot in the door to city property taxes as Sedona would follow the trend as with the Chamber of Commerce – take care of and embrace the ENTIRE FIRE DISTRICT (if not the entire Verde Valley).

    NO, NO, NO. – on this bond and any notion for the city of Sedona to have their “own” fire department. BAD IDEA!!!!!

  39. Paul in Uptown says:

    Not commented in awhile but want to say the conversation is some of the best concerning city and fire bond.

    Applause for the effort to interact Sedona and Verde Valley.

  40. J. Rick Normand says:

    @Very Windy (Wendy) Tanzer

    Since you won’t provide your credentials or disclose who you really work for, I think I’ll take the liberty of doing it for you. Here’s the real Tanzer background and motivation:

    October 27, 2017

    “Follow The Bond Money”

    The group, that is promoting the $17.9 Million Sedona Fire District Bond,
    “Safer Sedona” is a PAC (Political Action Committee) that is called
    “Sedona Advocates For Emergency Responders”. The only two people
    that are on the Committee for this PAC are Wendy Tanzer and Rich
    Collister according to the public records available from Yavapai County
    Committee Statement of Organization, dated April 12, 2017.

    While I am not surprised, I am curious who set them up as the local front
    people for this assault on the hard-working Taxpayers of the Sedona
    Fire District (SFD) in ramming this $17.9 million bond down our throats,
    especially with huge building cost projections with $3 Million in
    contingencies. How convenient.

    According to the 2017 Third Quarter Yavapai Report, August 13 to
    September 30, 2017, CORPORATIONS and LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES
    have contributed the full amount of the revenue for Sedona Advocates
    for Emergency Responders PAC of $17,750. The total of $17,750 came
    from only 7 companies, no individuals, ALL in the Construction or sub-
    contractor business in Phoenix, AZ.

    Could it be that Phoenix contractors have their eye on roughly $14
    million in contracts in Sedona, AZ? Is there a reason why our more than
    competent local contractors cannot build a fire station IF one is
    needed? Is it a coincidence that Core Construction is the company who
    came up with the plans for the $5.7 MILLION cost AND plans for station
    #4? Was the Sedona District Fire Board aware of the financial influence
    of Phoenix construction companies in coming up with huge numbers
    like $5.7 and $3 MILLION for stations, plus $1.5 MILLION for a service
    facility? I don’t know. CORE CONSTRUCTION, INC, on Greenway Road in
    Phoenix was the largest contributor with $9,500, AND was the company
    who wrote the proposal for ALL the construction projects, including the
    tear down od Station #4, coincidence? Did the Fire Board knowingly
    bury the architectural and structural report that they ordered and paid
    for on Station #4 because the report stated that the building could be
    renovated?

    Is there a reason why a Phoenix construction company and a list of sub-
    contractors that are probably affiliated with Core Construction as
    subcontractors would want to influence the Little Sedona Fire District
    bond vote? I can, off the top of my head, think of about 14 million of
    them.

    This should be an affront to every voter in the Sedona Fire District.
    Trying to persuade YOU to vote YES while licking their chops for juicy
    contracts coming their way from the high country in Sedona down to the
    Valley in Phoenix. Is it no wonder why SFD wants to abandon a perfectly
    good station up in Oak Creek Canyon? Demolish station #4 when
    structural reports say a remodel will work? They are not crumbling
    folks, that’s the fairy tale to build more monuments to Chief Kazian like
    Station #6. It’s only your money, so why should they be concerned?

    To the citizens and voters of this district, if there was EVER a reason to
    vote NO on this Bond, AND to question the competency of the existing
    Fire Board, three of which are up for re-election in 2018, it is NOW.

    The Yavapai County Reports are to the right. Click to View.

    It is time the we ALL stand up for a fiscally responsible Fire District that
    supports OUR first responders and the people that they protect. The
    Board, the Management…Time to go.

    Do the Right Thing, which is VOTE NO on the SFD Bond Issue! Eliminate corruption!

    JRN

Leave a Reply

Copyright © 2008-2017 · Sedona Eye · All Rights Reserved · Posts · Comments · Facebook · Twitter ·