SedonaEye.com columnist, Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona AZ (February 20, 2013) – Is it possible that a touch of old Sedona (pre-incorporation) still exists?
Such might be the case whereby the supporters of the Amitabha Stupa, a 36-foot tall Buddhist prayer structure and related Peace Park located on 14 acres west of Andante Drive and north of Pueblo Drive in west Sedona, have averted financial obstacles at least for the time being.
And guess what? The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park supporters did it without relying on the City of Sedona for a handout, unlike many other non-profit groups that primarily opt for a one-way street to City Hall to join the line-up of freeloaders displaying a complete lack of pride, as year after year, they plead for funding without giving thought to, “What would we do to survive if Sedona were not incorporated as a City?”
The enterprising supporters of the Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) group, owners of the property, managed to mobilize Friends of Amitabha Stupa and the Sacred Lands Campaign and raised $120,000 the first six months of last year. Additional fundraisers and requests from donors led to initiating a Path to Peace project whereby contributors have their name or a message inscribed on bricks.
A variety of fundraising methods such as concerts, prayer events, and other innovative ideas have and continue to be incorporated as a means to keep the project funding on an upswing – in an ongoing effort to “save” the project with a renewed desire and determination of the believers and, yes, non-believers or those of other spiritual persuasions as they march forward.
In addition, and perhaps equally significant, the actions implemented have averted a 4.06 acre parcel of land KPC owned directly north of the 7.76 acre Peace Park property from being parceled and sold, another “at least for the time being situation.”
Admirable is a word that seems to have become foreign, especially with regard to the many local activities frequently surrounded by questionable motives and suspicious agendas.
What in the world could be questioned about being “for the good of the community” than saving another development of four acres, especially since many West Sedona City approved projects have left questions about engineering expertise (or lack thereof) contributing to inadequate drainage resulting in flooding conditions during recent years?
Friends of Amitabha Stupa and the Sacred Lands Campaign, you deserve accolades for being creative! Including refinancing your property, you have collectively made progress towards solving your problem as well as preserving an extremely environmentally sensitive asset for Sedona. Translated that means four undeveloped acres of land.
Heads up to other groups who might also make better use of their time by being inventive and creative. Why not stand on your own merits by prevailing with pride? How about making more assertive efforts to “earn” your own money?
In particular, Chamber of Commerce, Sedona wasn’t always a city. Even though you allegedly provide a service of the Visitor’s Center, remember this – Sedona functioned very well (in addition to paying off the mortgage of the former Visitor’s Center) and all without handouts from the City. . . because no such thing existed!
Chamber of Commerce, find your own financial resources to foot the bill for your outlandish salaries made possible by your constant requests from the City to pay to advertise events that benefit your members, many of which aren’t even located in Sedona and therefore do not contribute to the tax base!
Oh yes, no doubt the Chamber response to that will be: But visitors to the area in general will shop in Sedona!
Really?
Prove it. How many locals even shop in Sedona any more?
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You imply the City of Sedona is not part of the Chamber of Commerce, they in fact act as one in the same. A good move would be to remove any possibility of the ” City” funding the ” Chamber”.
I think the City of Sedona could disappear and the citizens of Sedona would be better off. We Should try it. It could always be restored, it any one was silly enough.
Time to end a failed experiment. End the ” City” of Sedona.
Reply to Richard Saunders:
I couldn’t agree more with you that the City of Sedona is part of the Chamber of Commerce, and if I implied otherwise I apologize and appreciate that you alerted me to my unintentional misrepresentation.
For a very long time it’s been my suggestion to move the Chamber of Commerce headquarters to City Hall and let the elected folks and their staff man the Visitor’s Center as volunteers which would appropriately eliminate the facade that our local government is being run in any other manner. It might be a more efficient way to facilitate choking the charm out of what was once known as Beautiful Sedona.
Prior to incorporation the Chamber of Commerce was a well-respected entity which provided local events that also captivated visitors. One example was the summer “Meller Dramas,” quaint old time skits performed in a former uptown location during the summer months whereby members of the Chamber acted in corny skits and a steak-salad-corn on cob meal was provided at a reasonable cost. Great for locals – great for tourists – and most assuredly maintained the original “small town atmosphere” upon which the original Community Plan was centered.
As the Chamber now stands, it’s become a sweetheart deal for businesses outside City Limits to become members. Just a few years ago the Chamber of Commerce held their annual Holiday party out at Enchantment. Not being within official Sedona of course resulted in the City losing out on much needed revenue. However, when I questioned that decision I was told there wasn’t a facility large enough in Sedona (Poco, Los Abragados wouldn’t work?) and, exactly as I wrote in my article, that “tourists staying at lodging facilities outside City Limits will spend money shopping within Sedona.” Well, not paying bed taxes they should be able to afford to do so but do they?
Fact is that except for perhaps organizing their dues-paying members, what value is the Chamber? Of course to those who now serve as “executives” that’s a dumb question since their salaries are . . . well . . . a lot. Implying that Sedona has nothing to offer without the Chamber of Commerce promoting the place is a bit of a slap in the face to those who once travelled here on an annual basis because they thought it was rather a scenic and attractive place to visit. What happened to that concept which is what put Sedona on the map in travel agencies across the country long before incorporation?
Sorry to rant, but in case you didn’t know I’m rather passionate at the dissolution of Sedona environment for egotistical alterations by greed mongers who think they are the responsible for making Sedona famous. I agree with you that the appropriate dissolution would be incorporation and city government.
More than you know, Mr. Saunders, I appreciate your comments and thank you for having taken the time to comment which afforded me the opportunity to express my own opinions.
Sincerely,
Eddie Maddock
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What happened to Keep Sedona Beautiful?
FYI not that anyone cares . . . I sent a copy/paste of “Just Wondering’s” comment to Keep Sedona Beautiful and have not received a response.
In particular, and as a former Secretary of KSB, I specifically was curious about their position on the city’s current deviation from the sign code which will permit across-road banners because in former years opposing excessive signage was almost a bigger thing with KSB than just “Keeping it Clean” (for which I say God Bless KSB.)
Please understand that because of my past active affiliation with KSB I am aware of their non-profit corporate restrictions to engage in anything which might be linked to political implications.
Previously I’ve been advised that KSB will be closely monitoring the revision of the Sedona Community Plan.
However, at this juncture of time and with KSB’s direct connection to former and current members on the KSB Board of Directors/Trustees(?) and who are presently members of the Citizens Steering Committee for the new Community Plan, it raises questions.
Has the direction of KSB drastically changed? How impartial will their future evaluations be insofar as declarations relating to anything even remotely considered “Keeping Sedona Beautiful.” Without a response to my inquiry, who knows?
Nice thoughts in this article but no way will happen. Chamber of Commerce at special council meeting out and out asked for “expanded” funding resources from proposed tax increase. Now plans for an art museum are in progress. Why would art galleries support such a notion? Tourists only have so much time to spend and an art gallery stands to serve as a diversion from galleries selling featured Sedona art. How good is that for the economy? It will also most likely mean for eventually city to either take it over (like former teen center) or foot bill for rent and more $$$ for operating expenses. Another sweetheart deal for former city hall landlord and present owner of Old Market Place where gallery is slated to open.