Has the political pendulum swung too far?

By Carl Jackson

SEDONA, AZ - (March 10, 2010) For two years now, some in the media along with Sedona Mayor Rob Adams have said that there was a voting block on the council. 

This perceived block generally consisted of Councilors Nancy Scagnelli, Dan Surber, Pud Colquitt, and John Bradshaw and a revolving door of councilors who resigned only to have councilors of like mind appointed in their place.  This began with Ramon Gomez who was replaced by former Sedona Mayor Pud Colquitt; Marc Sterling who was replaced by Mark DiNunzio; and John Bradshaw who was replaced by Jerry Frey.

Whether truth or fiction, it did appear that a small group was controlling who sat on council and the outcomes of major political issues; and that in my mind is why there was a clean sweep in last night's election by, what political insiders have been calling, the "other side" consisting of Mayor Rob Adams, Barbara Litrell, Mike Ward, Dennis Rayner and, possibly to a lesser degree, Dan McIlroy.

Some asked why the council can't just get along?

I never understood why "getting along" had to be a pre-requisite to sit on city council.  In fact, in my mind, not getting along is what provides the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the political pendulum doesn't swing too far in any direction. 

Take contentious issues that the newly voted block likely thinks are slam dunks:  1) no lights on 89A, 2) a National Scenic Area designation for Sedona; and 3) Mayor's committees.

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89A Lights

While I personally lean toward a "no lights" solution, I understand the position of Scagnelli, Frey, Surber, and Colquitt that lights provide safety, are financially viable, and will be dark sky compliant.  Also, I appreciate the political reality that the road is owned by ADOT, not Sedona.

It's easy to take political pot shots from the citizen bleachers, and "no lights" is something we all want.  But when you sit on the city council, and have to make decisions that affect real people and cost real money, it's a different matter.

National Scenic Area Designation

Here again, while I tend to lean toward an NSA designation, I appreciate those concerned about unintended consequences, the devil in the detail, and handing control over to Congress.  Without Nancy Scagnelli on council, would these opposing points of view have been sufficiently vetted?

Mayor's Committees

Yes, we all want citizen participation in our government and, yes, there are many smart people in Sedona who are willing to get involved and offer their services for free.  The fact is, however, that a Mayor with one vote doesn't have the right to set up committees without the sanction of the majority of the city council.  I think those committees should have been dissolved and if they are reconstituted it needs to be with the council's blessing.

Scagnelli & Surber

Last night sitting Councilors Nancy Scagnelli and Dan Surber were trounced by their political opponents.  They made political mistakes, primarily not being perceived as supporting the "Will of the People."

I, for one, am sorry to see them go.