Killing Sedona’s 'Golden Goose'

SEDONA, AZ - Oct. 6, 2008 - What drives Sedona’s economy? What makes people want to live here and buy expensive property? What allows restaurants, tour companies and hotels employ thousands of people and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue? What brings people from all over the world to visit and live in Sedona? It’s the environment! Without Sedona’s pristine environment, clean air, sparkling creek, red rock formations and clear dark starry skies Sedona wouldn’t exist economically.

When some businesses, government leaders and citizens promote the destruction of our environment they are killing the golden goose. All of us must protect our environment in order to sustain and grow economically. There can be no compromise when it comes to our environment. Of course there will be costs to this strategy. Real estate development will be watched carefully and possibly restricted to protect our surroundings. It is imperative that we protect the quality and availability of natural resources like water. It is essential that we keep our community clean and presentable to visitors so they visit repeatedly. It is crucial that we protect against light pollution so that visitors can enjoy are star filled skies. This is what drives our economy. Not the latest and greatest hot stone therapy treatments….although they are great!

There is a minority group in the community, longtime vested interests, who are in bed with the old school media and wealthy entrenched politico’s who will argue that economic development can only be achieved by growth and compromising our natural environment. That is an archaic way of thinking particularly when it comes to Sedona. Those interests do no look out for our environment. They look out only for the dollars on an income statement and not the long term impact of their actions. These people will wield their economic and political muscle to get their way. They are misguided at best. Some might say they are only interested in self interest. Both are probably true. They are plucking the feathers off the golden goose getting ready to slow baste the bird. I assure you that we won’t be invited to the banquet. That Sedona party will be reserved for a small group of 30. If you are lucky you will be paid nominally to serve the meal.

The problem those vested interests have is that there is power in numbers. Most citizens who live and work in Sedona understand that the environment is the most sacred of priorities. It gives us economic opportunity and spiritual fulfillment. It allows us to raise our children far from the dangers and corruption of the city. Some will say that those who protest and organize are being divisive and we should all come together. There is nothing divisive about mobilizing the community to protect mutually shared values…especially when our elected representatives fail to do so. If people feel strongly enough they will join the effort and it will succeed. If it’s not important enough to mobilize the community then it will fail. It’s as simple as that. It’s what is known as the American way.

So when you hear the “good 'ol boys and girls” minority speak of safety, development, resources and new marketing schemes to bring in more tourists ask yourself if they are making the case to protect the environment in the same sentence.

The Sedona environment is the Golden Goose. Those at the top of the food chain must be held accountable through the alternative media sources like Sedona.biz and the Sedona Verde Valley Times. Otherwise, we will be hearing and reading about the demise of Sedona from the vested interests and old school media sources who stretch or omit the truth to line their pockets and protect their dwindling influence and position. It’s time this community takes the reins and controls our destiny. Let’s not leave it up to someone else. Get involved in something you are passionate about and give of yourself. There is no greater fulfillment than to work on something bigger than yourself alongside others who feel the same way.

Reader comments:

#1 Cliff: Thank you for writing this article. People do not come to Sedona for the city, they come to see the red rocks. A friend who visited us a few years ago summed it up best: "Sedona is a piddling little town in the midst of world class beauty. If you moved the city of Sedona to where Cornville is today, no one would go there much less pay dearly to do so". It is the red rocks, the green trees, and the blue skies that make what people call "Sedona."

#2 Cliff, You're dead-on here. But the problem is that the people who are killing the golden goose don't care. Once this "goose is cooked," they will just pack up and move on to the next town and repeat the process. If they cared what they were leaving behind for future generations, they would be on a different path, but those who are longing to turn Sedona into the next North Scottsdale just want to get fat while eating the goose. Sad and cynical maybe, but certainly true.