Close call for Mitzvahh Day funding; Council splits on vote

By Tommy Acosta

SEDONA, AZ (August 14, 2009) - It was a close call but after much discussion the Sedona City Council at its Aug 11 meeting approved awarding the Jewish Community Center and the Verde Valley Caregivers Association $1,500 for their annual “Mitzvah Day” event, an event where community volunteers and visitors fan out through Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek performing good deeds.

Event organizers requested the funds from the city’s $20,000 budget for supporting non-city sponsored events put on by local groups and organizations hoping to use the money to buy T-shirts and buttons for volunteers to wear while they perform their good deeds in the community.

A previous council meeting addressed staff recommendations on the allocation of $10,000 for first-round applicants.

The remaining $10,000 will be allocated in the second round of applications.

In the 2008 Mitzvah Day event more than 300 local volunteers and visitors washed windows, tended gardens, helped at the Food Bank, cared for pets at the Humane Society and sewed stuffed bears, participating in approximately 30 projects benefiting community members. Event organizers said they expected to get at least 400 people participating in the 2009 Mitzvah Day celebration.

The event is intra-generational with men, women, children, senior citizens and entire families participating.

Staff had recommend not awarding the $1,500 for the event because of the possibility federal regulations regarding the separation of church and state could be viewed as being compromised.

City of Sedona Attorney Mike Goimarac said it was important the city not be seen as endorsing a particular religion.

“I think the event is laudable and has a noble purpose,” he said. “My concern rises out of the application form itself that was submitted by the Jewish Community Center. There were a lot of religious overtones. That gives rise to the concern we are giving money to a religious event and could be considered supporting a religion.”

Mr. Goimarac suggested in the future applicants for event funding need to be aware of that.

Councilwoman Nancy Scagnelli said keeping in the spirit of volunteerism no funds should be released.

“I think it’s a great event,” she said. “I think it has to be pure volunteerism. It should be an event that does not cost any money. This would truly make it true volunteerism supported through donations."

Joan Armstrong spoke for the funding, stating it was a comprehensive event where people of various denominations pitch in to help others.

“The funding for Mitzvah Day has been rejected and I am asking the staff to reconsider,” she said. “It is not a religious activity. This is a pure community organization. This is the spirit of one person helping another.”

Councilmember Mark DiNunzio said he was in support of funding the event, suggesting the organizers file a new application if the issue was solely the way it was worded.

“Maybe the applicants can resubmit the application in a more accurate format,” he said. “I’m in support of Mitzvah Day and will vote for $1,500 for Mitzvah Day.”

Mayor Rob Adams said he too was in support of granting funds for the event but saw no necessity for the organizers to resubmit an application.

“I don’t have a big concern about this,” he said. “I don’t see a need for a re-application. I support granting $1,500 for Mitzvah Day."

Councilwoman Scagnelli questioned spending $1,500 on T-shirts and buttons for the volunteers.

“You can do it without the T-shirts and buttons,” she said.

Councilman Cliff Hamilton said the T-shirts and buttons were necessary so that the volunteers can be identified by those whose homes they visit to help.

“It’s not just about T-shirts and buttons," he said. “People showing up in different clothes are not as effective as people showing up wearing the same T-shirts and buttons identifying them as Mitzvah Day volunteers. People will be knocking on doors and the buttons and T-shirts serve identification purposes.”

The council voted 4-3 to award $1,500 for Mitzvah Day, with Mayor Rob Adams, Councilors Dan Surber, Cliff Hamilton and Marc DiNunzio voting yes, and Councilors Nancy Scagnelli, Pud Colquitt and Vice Mayor Bradshaw voting against it.

The council also awarded the Sedona Community Fair $4,500; Sedona Idol $1,500; and the Sedona Book Fair $2,500.