New mayor-elect, Rob Adams, in front of Sedona City Hall.

By Tommy Acosta | Sedona-Verde Valley Times

Sedona, AZ - June 6, 2008 - Mayor-elect Rob Adams is not gloating over his narrow victory over incumbent Mayor Pud Colquitt.

Rather, he remains focused on healing the perceived divisions between his supporters and the supporters of the former mayor, a division who’s healing he sees crucial to Sedona’s future.

“I believe all of us in Sedona want the same things,” he said the day the recount affirmed his victory by a mere four votes.

“I found this out while canvassing neighborhoods during my campaign. People want our government to be financially responsible, stewards of our environment and responsive to the community. I don’t want to see us divided. I want to see us unified and ready to move forward into the future. That was my idea right from the get go.”

With voters split almost perfectly in half, one wonders how Adams was able to defeat an experienced and popular incumbent, having little experience running a political campaign.

In analyzing his victory a number of factors need to be considered.

First there is the national feeling a change in government is needed. People everywhere seem to be frustrated with the way things are going and seek a new direction in hope things will get better. No doubt this had a profound affect on voters.

Then there was the tenacity of Adams himself. He walked the streets knocking on doors, shaking hands and personally delivering his message to voters. He sat on a truck bearing his campaign signs, under a blazing sun, waving to people driving along 89A.

“That comes from experience,” Adams said of his efforts. “Nothing ever came easy for me. I simply out worked my opponent.”

He focused on the budget and major issues like the ADOT plan for 76 lights on 89A, a National Scenic Area designation for Sedona, and voiced opposition to an alternate route at Red Rock Crossing, clearly outlining the difference between himself and his opponent on issues important to the environmentalists in Sedona.

Green-minded voters did not forget it was the incumbent who originally recommended backing the ADOT plan for the streetlights, who supported the alternate route and tabled council discussion on the NSA designation.

And last but not least, a factor which most assuredly helped many voters make up their minds on who to vote for, was the emergence of two new media outlets in Sedona: Sedona.biz, a daily internet publication that has become a staple for news information in the community, and the Sedona-Verde Valley Times, a printed and internet publication that covered the full spectrum of the council elections -- in depth and in a way they were never covered before.

In previous elections, the community had only one publication covering them. This time around Sedona had three news outlets.

This offered voters different perspectives on the candidates and provided additional information for them to consider in making their decisions.

Regardless of the factors that brought him to victory, mayor-elect Adams accepts his win with humility.

“I’m absolutely humbled by the fact the people of Sedona elected me as mayor,” he said.

He aims on wasting no time in assuming his duties.

“I plan on getting right to work,” he said.

True to his word, he already has set in motion plans to create three-new committees to meet the challenges facing Sedona and assure its long-term viability.

“The first [committee]," he said, "is an economic committee to study the budget and make recommendations on how to operate economically. The second is an environmental committee to study all environmental aspects of the community and how we can become more sustainable. The third is a quality-of-life/community development committee to study how we can improve the quality of life for all our citizens.”

He said he wants to reach out to his supporters and the incumbent’s supporters to fill these committees and work with him for the benefit of Sedona.

“I’m inviting people to participate [in our government] going forward,” he said. “I’m talking to people to help me deliver a positive message and create a sense of unity. There will be no favoritism. No surrounding myself with just my supporters. I’m looking to find common ground. I’m working from that point and not from differences.”

Will the community heed his call and heal its rift?

We shall see.