Home » City Council, Community » Sedona City Council Smart Meter Tunnel Vision

Sedona City Council Smart Meter Tunnel Vision

SedonaEye.com columnist, Eddie S. Maddock, questions the decision-making process to spend on wish lists and not address the "broken" in the city

SedonaEye.com columnist, Eddie S. Maddock, questions the lack of response to citizens smart meter concerns in an open letter to the Sedona City Council

Sedona AZ (June 12, 2013) – Switching hats from SedonaEye.com columnist to City of Sedona taxpaying resident, Eddie S. Maddock, writes an open letter to members of the Sedona City Council:

Watching and listening to Nancy Baer present her ongoing case against smart meters before Council Members, meeting after meeting, frequently accompanied by Monnie Ramsell, Jana Shiloh, and others, has become somewhat mind-boggling if afforded the occasional opportunity when the camera strays to council faces and reveals the more often than not “ho-hum” expressions . . . as if to say, “Oh no, here they go again!”

Over and above these steadfast, well researched and knowledgeable individuals we observe the constant tenacity of Warren Woodward in his also well informed communication with the members of the Arizona Corporation Commission, Arizona Public Service, Attorney General Tom Horne, Governor Jan Brewer and other elected Arizona State Officials, substantiating and adding to the creditable presentations and pleas to this City Council over the last . . . how long?

OK, let me check something out.

Yes, here is what I was looking for.

On file I have a copy of my own letter sent to Arizona Public Service, via Certified Mail, dated Monday, September 15, 2011. The purpose of that letter, sent almost two years ago, was “Notice of No Consent to Trespass & Surveillance, Notice of Liability.” APS and “all agents, officers, employees, contractors and interested parties have been advised, in writing to back off . . . do NOT install a Smart Meter on my property for 11 itemized reasons, concluding in the last paragraph: “This is legal notice.”

Smart Meters face radiation and fire hazard issues while failing to properly monitor electrical usage.

Smart Meters face radiation and fire hazard issues while failing to properly monitor electrical usage.

Twice now I’ve confronted “meter readers” on my property and politely questioned, “You aren’t here to install a Smart Meter are you?” Both occasions have provoked a smile, twinkling eye, and a “No, Ma’am.”

“Thank you” I tell them and off they go.

In addition, I have also sent numerous e-mails to referrals within the appropriate departments as have been outlined time and time again by Warren Woodward and others.

And yet this smart meter critical issue foolishly continues to be ignored for what it is . . . a ticking time bomb running the gamut at a rapid pace. Why?

We remain ignored by a vital body of seven who were allegedly elected to be representative of those who voted for them.

What’s wrong with this image?

Week after week we listen to thoughts of delusional grandeur about purchasing vast lands, creating friendly community gathering places, creek walks, parks, gaming fields, performing art centers, picnic spots for ducky people . . . spending thousands of faceless dollars on useless “things” except for selected groups . . . and yes, Chamber of Commerce, that includes you folks…especially you folks…as you greedily plucked another $80,000 from city coffers simply because “you could.”

Continue down this path of tunnel vision, City Council, but not without realizing there WILL be a price to pay. What price? Who knows? But are all of you really willing to sit back, wait, and let the chips fall where they may without taking action to put a stop to this nonsense?

Opinions and comments are strictly my own. I speak for no one else.

Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona Voting Resident

For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

15 Comments

  1. Sheri says:

    Thanks for this article. You have caused me to finally get my letter to the Az Corp Commission written and sent. Also huge and continued thanks to Warren Woodard and his bulldog approach to educationg all who will listen. I hear him and you and all the people who have continued to speak during the Public portion of each Council meeting for months and months!!! Great job!

    Here is my letter (and I encourage everyone to write their letter now so it is read, and is on record):

    “I formally request that my email be copied to all ACC Staff and Commissioners

    To: Arizona Corporation Commission: Commissioners and Staff

    I have been following the lengthy debates and educational articles regarding Smart Meters for a couple of years now. Quite frankly I am dumbfounded by the ACC’s lack of a forthright stance to protect the health of Arizona’s residents in lieu of what looks like their stance to protect a very large electric corporation and their wants of supposedly cutting costs. Seems to me the reality is they just want to grow more revenues at the expense of all of us and our health.

    As a homeowner and customer of APS I disallow the installation of a Smart Meter on my property.

    As a resident of Sedona, I’ve read all of Warren Woodward’s correspondence to your Commission and am surprised you are not as impressed with his research and information as I am, as well as a very large number of my fellow residents are. I’ve also read information and research articles of other educated people from across our country. (as an aside: I’ve not met Warren Woodward so I’m not just getting on a friends bandwagon – I’ve done my own research.)

    On June 19, 2013 at 5:00 pm Sedona City Council will hold a meeting to discuss “Smart Meters” in Sedona. I would certainly hope (assume) that ACC and APS will have representation at this meeting. Seems only right.

    Sometimes the “little person” who has no financial vesting or political vesting – just has brains!”

  2. Nancy Baer says:

    Liked this article on Facebook.

  3. Thanks, Eddie, for offering your comments. Councilor McIlroy and I asked for the item to be on the agenda for a work session and I hope June 19’s meeting at 5PM will serve as an opportunity to further educate us on council and to also raise the awareness among the public.

    I have personally opted out of smart meter installation and I am grateful to Nancy Baer, Monnie Ramsell and Warren Woodward for their relentless efforts to make people aware and hold people accountable…and to point us in the direction of credible 3rd party (non-industry funded) research on the subject of microwave radio frequency exposure.

    My turning point came when I saw a video featuring Dr. David Carpenter, former founding dean of the State University of NY at Albany’s School of Public Health. I picked up the phone and called him and we spoke about his efforts to educate people on the dangers of wireless smart meters and the science behind the health impacts of the radiofrequency (RF) Microwave Electromagnetic Frequencies emitted by these meters. He has testified before several judges about their dangers. I hope people will come to the meeting with an open mind and truly be willing to learn.

    Barbara Litrell NOTE: the above statement is my own opinion and does not necessarily reflect opinions of Sedona council or staff.

  4. N. Baer says:

    Dr. Carpenter’s testimony appears on 06/10/13 as entry no. 0000145427 under “Arizonans for Safer Utility Infrastructure” go to ACC website http://www.azcc.gov, click on “e-dcoket” in lower right hand corner, then click on the tab “documents” and you’ll see the list of docket entries.

    Even more credible in my eyes is Professor Doctor Karl Hecht, at the University of Berlin, Humboldt, a physician, scientists, lecturer Emeritus contains this eye opener and reminder, “Radio Wave or Microwave
    Sickness Known for 75 Years.” (From “Overloading of Towns and Cities with Radio Transmitters (Cellular Transmitter): a hazard for the human health and a disturbance of eco-ethics”).

    Could someone tell me Why is there any discussion at all?

    Thanks to Barbara, Eddie, Sharlett and all who are spreading the word.

  5. Expand the Lovefest, Sedona activists!

    Let’s not forget a big pat on the back to all of the people outside of your City that continue to help you from behind the scenes with this important cause.

    Local neighbors in the Village of Oak Creek, Unincorporated Sedona, Yavapai County, City of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Beaver Creek, Rimrock, Lake Montezuma, Camp Verde, Cornville, etc.

    Thank you to the city of Prescott who was the first to become noticable vocal opposers after hundreds of thousands of these meters were installed amongst the sheeple of Arizona.

    Thank you to the experts across the world sharing the information for us to gather.

    Write to the AZ Corp Commission before June 28th. Help all of your neighbors.

  6. Jessica Williamson says:

    Nancy, I went to the website and tried to access the docket you refer to for Dr. Carpenter’s testimony. I couldn’t seem to make it work. Do you another link I can try?

    Thanks.

  7. N. Baer says:

    Sorry, and thank you for trying to find it in the first place. I accidentally left out a step on getting to Dr. Carpenter’s testimony. on 06/10/13 as entry no. 0000145427 under “Arizonans for Safer Utility Infrastructure” go to ACC website http://www.azcc.gov, click on “e-docket” in lower right hand corner, on the next screen in the box that says “search by number,” enter 11-0328, on the next screen you;ll see “E-00000C-11-0328, Generic Investigation – Energy Policy Act of 1992” and then tabs above that that say, “Docket, Documents, Decisions, Case Schedule, Staff Assigned, Service Lists, Linked Dockets.” Click on “Document” tab and the next screen should be the list of submissions! If you still can’t access this let me know.

  8. Russ says:

    we told aps to not install meters and got letter in mail addressed to me about smart meters that’s telling me facts and myths and saying who says no known adverse health effects but what they say isn’t right! how do they get away with this? why target me with this letter because i said no smart meters? don’t like it one bit. good mind to call tom horne’s office and lodge complaint aps is threatening me with this letter! the city council better wise up. appreciate people taking time to find information. good reading here.

  9. Warren says:

    Direct link to Dr. Carpenter’s ACC docket testimony is here:

    http://images.edocket.azcc.gov/docketpdf/0000145427.pdf

  10. Thanks, Warren. I got it.

  11. Nancy Baer says:

    Sedona City Council Supports Community-Wide Smart Meter Opt Out – A proud day in Sedona’s history!

    On Wednesday, June 19, the Sedona City Council held a Special Workshop to direct staff’s next steps regarding APS’ plan to install smart meters in Sedona. Both APS and Sedona Smart Meter Awareness (SSMA) presented information about smart meters. It was standing room only as community members showed up to support the SSMA cause. Because time would not allow everyone who wanted to give public comment, the Mayor allowed 10 speakers all of whom spoke in opposition to Smart Meter installation.

    Their testimony is available at http://sedonaaz.swagit.com/play/06192013-791, part 3A.

    The evening was very much like witnessing apples and oranges in regard to “professionalism.” APS gave a superficial presentation and APS representatives Neal Brown, Damon Gross, and Tyler Wallace seemed to be in over their heads when Councilors began asking questions.

    Sedona Smart Meter Awareness created a solid, fact-filled PowerPoint presentation delivered by SSMA member, Warren Woodward. All concerns were thoroughly covered: health, safety, privacy, and cost. APS currently has a proposal on file with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to charge opt out consumers $75 upfront and $30 more added to their monthly bill. Every councilor objected to that proposed fee.

    At the conclusion of yesterday’s Special Workshop meeting, Councilor Barbara Litrell introduced and Councilor Dan McIlroy seconded the motion to:

    “. . . direct the staff to prepare a statement for the Arizona Corporation Commission that expresses concerns, on behalf of our Sedona citizens, that Smart Meters have not been proven safe and until such time as definitive proof exists the Arizona Corporation Commission should allow the Sedona community to opt out without penalties.”

    The City will file a letter requesting community opt-out without penalties with the Arizona Corporation Commission before the June 28 deadline. For information about smart meters email sedonasmartmeterawareness@yahoo.com.

  12. Good news. Meeting on 6/19 went well – vote was 4 to 3 in favor of sending a letter to ACC on behalf of the citizens of Sedona to allow the Sedona community to opt out without penalties. Many thanks to Barbara Litrell, Dan McIlroy, Mike Ward, and Rob Adams for a decision that truly is in the best interest for everyone (even those who voted against it.)

  13. Nancy Baer says:

    http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=10336

    The City Attorney was incorrect (and will be corrected) when he said that filing as intervenor is expensive and requires an attorney. The opposite, of course, is true. It is free and any person can intervene.

  14. Sharlett says:

    Great news Nancy! Your words make logical sense. In watching that council meeting it became very clear that your team and presenter, Warren, are fully capable of filling out the papers and presenting the councils vote, etc., to ACC board. No problemo! it would be just as easy and professional as he and your team did at council meeting the other day.

    Why did the city attorney speak/focus his points mainly on the costs of a City intervention on behalf of council’s ultimate majority vote to opt? Looked like he thought he had a vote.

    Sounded to me like he was trying to “influence” or “intimidate” the council to not go against APS’s Smart Meters and their larger than life assumption that they just can roll over all of us. …..but what do I know.

  15. N. Baer says:

    @Sharlett – Thank you for your support and compliments.

    Perhaps the city attorney was not aware that there does not need to be a “cost” attached to intervening on the community’s behalf. Usually though, his approach is either “cost,” or “unintended consequences.” Once you hear that last phrase you can pretty much guess the decision.

    BTW, watch the very end to see our mayor do a terrific job! http://sedonaaz.swagit.com/play/06192013-791

Leave a Reply

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