Let us just hope that indications reflected by recent comments continue to point in the direction of history not repeating itself.

Eddie Maddock

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT:

Lack of funds to maintain city streets? Lack of funds to correct drainage issues? Lack of funds to complete the sewer?

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH:

The city’s proposal to purchase land for “affordable” housing? (They failed to implement requirements for new hospitality developments to assist with this problem.)

The city’s proposal to finance additional parking facilities (lots and/or structures)? The city’s proposal to build sidewalks even though our public streets are crumbling?

DOES IT PLEASE YOU THAT THE CITY:

Blocked entrance at the traffic light Uptown to the area where Los Abrigados Lodge is located, thus violating city code parking requirements? Has inadequate signage to identify existing parking areas? Is spending thousands of dollars on shuttle buses, which are generally void of occupants?

Quoting from City of Sedona Council Agenda Communication, July 24, 2007, “There are appproximately over $2 million in repairs to the (City Hall) complex.” Purchase of that facility less than than 10 years ago was highly controversial and has proven to be overpriced and poorly built. Thousands of dollars have already been spent and the ongoing trend appears endless. Do you find this troubling?

If the tourist trade dries up during the completion of SR 179, are you prepared to pay for your piece of the pie? (Currently approximately as a $94 million debt and growing.)

WHEN SEDONA INCORPORATED, a pledge was made that there would be NO City Property Taxes. Rumbles keep surfacing that we “residents” aren’t paying our fair share (for what?).

ARE YOU WILLING to send a message to restrict city spending to necessities? It’s your decision. A “NO” vote now doesn’t mean limiting expenditures forever. The issue will return to the ballot in another four years, affording the opportunity to again “FREE ‘EM UP TO RUN AMOK” should that be your choice.

Additionally, if City finances were in the great shape claimed by Council and staff then how come our already highest-in-the-region sewer fee has been increased and is scheduled to increase yearly, ultimately douubling? How come businesses have to pay new “licensing fees”? How come there are now “court costs”? How come I had to pay $250 to get an opinion in the Voters Guide when it used to be free, part of living in a democracy?

I predicted increased and new taxes before the last election. Since the City cannot stop wasting money, it was an easy prediction to make.

Here’s another easy prediction. Vote NO on Prop. 420 or expect even more new and increased taxes in the future, no matter who is elected to Council.

With all the talk about City intending to invest in land for affordable housing, more parks, and even a rumored push to buy the Cultural Park I would vote against giving them this continued business as usual even without the letter from a Warren Woodward.

Since when has it been legal for a city to invest in property without the vote of the people. I understand a very questionable deal was maneuvered which managed to swing the purchase of the present city hall which bypassed allowing it to be voted on, but it wasn’t without a lot of raised eyebrows and unanswered question.

Same as Chris, I say vote NO, NO, NO on Prop. 420.