Responsive Sedona Leadership 2010

SEDONA, AZ (October 6, 2009) - A few months ago a small group of your neighbors, Paul Chevalier, Don Griffith, Barbara Litrell, Jim Pease Judy Reddington and I formed a political committee titled Responsive Sedona Leadership 2010.

The sole purpose of this committee is to find and promote responsible candidates for the 2010 Sedona Council election. In order to receive the committee’s backing and support the candidates must uphold certain key principles of public service.

“I will seek out and follow the will of the majority of our residents on all important Community issues. Before I vote, I will insist on in depth public education and I will promote objective, informed public dialogue.”

“To protect the people of Sedona from Detrimental governmental economic decisions I will act with fiduciary wisdom and integrity to:

b) find and implement realistic options to pay off our city debt with the least financial impact on our citizens;

c) create programs and policies that support business and are in balance with our residential quality of life.”

“I will introduce and support programs and laws to promote community health, welfare and safety and to promote our natural environment, including our dark skies, forests and natural scenic surroundings.”

With these service principles as our guide the committee is actively seeking candidates to endorse who will embrace these concepts and agree that if elected will abide by them. In these difficult economic times Sedona need quality leadership. Please step forwards yourself or provide us with suggestions of qualified people.

The 2010 Committee is a non-profit, non-partisan, group committed to better Sedona government. The group is comprised entirely of volunteers and funded by voluntary contributions. Without the support and cooperation of many concerned citizens, the group would not exist. To participate in this important community activity, suggest a candidate or make a donation. The committee can be contacted at PO Box 4184, Sedona, AZ 86340-4184 or rsedona2010@gmail.com.

Readers' comments

#1 In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a group of concerned citizens trying to find suitable candidates. What I find offensive is that they are only willing to use their funds to back the candidate who will follow their agenda......sounds a lot like lobbyists paying to have their way. money talks...as usual. I dont know if I would have much confidence in any councilperson who was bought and paid for before he or she even took a seat. My preference would go to the person who was elected by the majority of the citizenry in an election.
Frank Spado

#2 In my opinion, the previous reader might not be following our current city council. The majority of this council represents an oligarchy of special interests and disrespects voters input with consistent arrogance. This block is certainly backed with money. And it would be ideal to be able to trust a democratic voting process, but they have denied the public of the voting process, by appointing candidates to assure their oligarchy continues. Not only should the majority of the voters suggest commitments from backed candidates (which is the usual democratic process to form a platform), but I would suggest that we look at the actual rules and regulations of Sedona’s form of city government, limit council powers, and insist on public voting. The voters should deem what is voted on!

We also need to bring national attention to the reality of living in Sedona.

The internal ugliness of the greed oligarchy pervasively spoils what visitors and potential new residents perceive as an otherwise beautiful place to live.

#3 It is so sad to listen and read a handful of people resort to fear tactics and accusing their fellow neighbors of payback's and other illegal activity. While I do not agree with all of the councilmember all of the time I do find all 7 to be honorable members of our community that devote hundreds of hours in fulfilling their duties. It is almost laughable to call them politicians; do we really believe the next step is the Senate then president of the USA?

To all 7 of our council members I thank you for your willingness to serve and your commitment to our city and community.

I agree with the comments of #1 let the candidates run for office and publicly state their beliefs and positions on the issues. We are highly capable of voting for the candidate that we believe will best represent our needs.

#4 With specific reference to Comment #2, the word "internal ugliness" and "reality of living in Sedona" touched my heart with an acid burn. Just a few years back, while involved in a somewhat high profile program which disclosed true facts about Sedona politics, I had those same words said to me. A stranger at a local restaurant approached and thanked me for having stuck my chin out to be socked time and time again, and said the above words almost verbatim: "When people ask if living in Sedona is as beautiful as the area, the answer is 'No'. Internally Sedona is ugly, ugly, ugly." TRUE STORY!

#5 As a Resident of Sedona, I fully support what the "Responsive Sedona Leadership" is doing. And totally agree with the last comment made. When I meet tourists who ask Me how I like living in Sedona, I say "It's beautiful here, except for the majority of the Council. They seem to be interested in the Tourists and Businesses, but seem to care less about the opinions of the People Who live here".

As for the People who don't see a problem with Our Local Government, I'm going to guess that the empty seats at the Council meetings are Yours.