Not content to sit back while others made decisions about his home, John decided to take an active role and in March 2004, was elected to the Sedona City Council.

"I think that the people of Sedona were ready for a change,” Mr. Bradshaw said. “They proved this by electing someone with firm roots to the community and a youthful vision of the future of Sedona.”

The son of a rancher/photographer, Bob Bradshaw, John is no stranger to hard work and long days. He was taught to respect the land and our natural resources and to appreciate its beauty.
Following in his father's footsteps, John became an accomplished photographer in his own right, with his work displayed on postcards, calendars and magazines around the world.

As the CEO of A Day in the West jeep and horseback tour company, the longest running family owned business in Sedona started by his father, John has come to understand the unique challenges faced by the business community of Sedona. He sat on the board of Directors of "Sedona Main Street" and was awarded the "Main Street Individual of the year" in 2003.

John is an active member of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and served as the 2006- 2007 club president with "Rotary of the Red Rocks.”

Additionally he continues to give of his time to commissions and committees such as Focus Future 2, Uptown Enhancement and Oversight, Youth Commission, Water Conservation Advisory member, Verde Valley Transportation Organization, Public Works Quality Assurance team as well as being elected to Sedona City Council in March of 2004.

"My Goal is to bring businesses and the community together creating a unique relationship that embraces Sedona's natural beauty and creates a vibrant economy that everyone can be proud of,” he said.

John married his high school sweetheart Maree in 1994 and they have two children, Jillian and Mason.

John actively participates in school activities and fund-raising events, encourages all parents to take an active role in their children's educations.

"Our children represent our future and our future is what this endeavor is all about,” he said. “We teach them by setting good examples and becoming role models. Honor, hard work, dedication, and persistence were instilled in me by my father and I will pass these values to my children."

The Sedona-Verde Valley Times asked Mr. Bradshaw the following questions:

Q. Name three major challenges Sedona now faces and how to meet them.

A. Three challenges we are now facing are economic diversity, infrastructure and traffic circulation and parking.  My vision for Sedona is something everyone running for City Council should do if they want to make a difference.

In view of the fact that we have created a position in the city to deal with the economic vitality of Sedona, implementation of what the Focus Future II group study outlined would be a good start.  It’s important for the children in Sedona to have job opportunities and educational support to transition them into these opportunities.

If we don’t enhance the tourism market and diversify different economic engines that stabilize our economy, our kids will continue to leave Sedona for other more viable job opportunities.
As for my kids, ages 11 and 13, I hope they have more opportunities then I had growing up in this town.

Some ideas that I would like to encourage would include film industry, internet and software companies, commercial art studies, and performing arts programs.

Second on my vision list would be the completion of Hwy 179, working with ADOT to make an award winning highway. I say lets get it done as quickly as possible.

Third would be affordable housing.

One idea is to create an area for affordable housing. I believe the properties on the City's sewer plant would be a good location.  The City has the property, not only could they create an affordable housing project, but they could build a park in conjunction with many of the sport venues in town. This could happen with little spending out of the general fund. If done appropriately, the City could even profit from this project. Additionally we need to have an ordinance to allow the rental of mother-in- law units. I also support all the effort our housing commission is currently working on.

Fourth, I would like to see the locals and the business community working together to create a Sedona that would make us all proud, dealing with traffic circulation, infrastructure, and a twenty year long range plan.

We live in an amazing place. Together we can keep it amazing.  Mutual respect and support can go a long way. If all of these things could happen, or at least get started, it would make 2008 great!

Q. What is your stand on lighting for 89A?

A. I support Sedona's Dark Sky policy.

There is a committee well represented by the community looking into this issue with ADOT. I believe dark sky lighting of some kind will be needed, and I support dark sky technology to make certain spots on 89A safer hopefully with fewer lights.

Q. What is your stand on part-time rental?

A. I support limiting vacation rentals to a month or more in residential neighborhoods. The City has an ordinance which I will support.

Q. What is your take on the Fitch proposal for the Cultural Park?

A. I believe we should try to work with the owner of this property to achieve a culture park, indoor performing venue, and a convention center.

Q. How about local-real estate taxes?

A. Sedona's revenue is almost 80 percent derived from sales tax. I believe we have to diversify our economy with businesses like the movie industry, elder residential, medical care facilities, and high tech agriculture. I do not support a city property tax.

Q. Name major accomplishments of the city council during your term.

A.
1. Five year budget planning
2. Uptown enhancement
3. Transit- circulator- Roadrunner
4. Sedona film office project
5. Three (3) major sewer projects
6. Upgrades to sewer pump stations
7. Formation of a water conservation committee

Q. Name areas where the present council could have done better.

A.
1. Sewer smell at foothills.
2. Re-use or direct recharge or doing something different with the cities grey water.

 

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