By Carol Rizzi, Sedona Resident(October 15, 2013) It’s important to note education is a privilege not a right. It starts at home with the obligation of parents to instill their children with the value, benefit and joy of learning, partnered by teachers to inspire students. A lifetime lesson is self-reliance, personal responsibility and self -motivation. Have parents, teachers and those favoring the budget override stressed these values in their children?
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By Hiroko A. Miyakawa, Ph.D., Retired Educator(October 15, 2013) Dear Editor, A vote for the Sedona-Oak Creek School District is a vote for the City of Sedona. The relationship between our school district and our city is symbiotic. Specifically, it is a relationship that mutually benefits the two municipal entities in Sedona. We all recognize that a good school system typifies a good city. Conversely, a poor school system reflects a city with problems. Sedona has a school system that exemplifies its citizenry and the goals that they had for themselves as well as their children and grandchildren.
By Henry Twombly, Sedona Resident(October 11, 2013) I write because I oppose the Budget Override. As a former teacher, I support education, especially when the monies go towards teachers’ salaries and academic supplies. I support it now with 27% of my taxes going to the School District. I don’t support the apparent mismanagement of funds, when none of the $73-million bond was designed and allocated for operating expenses as well. The bond turned out to be a boondoggle for taxpayers and a windfall for the construction industry; it did nothing for the quality of education.
(October 9, 2013)Dear Mayor Adams and Councilors: The City desperately needs to stop spending money on unnecessary projects. If Mayor Adams would kindly poll Sedona’s businesses and residents, I’m confident he would find what is wanted a great deal more than another park is not having more taxes and/or fee increases. Spending $111,100 of General Fund money–$50.5K in FY 2015 and $60.6K in FY2016–to construct a Bike Skill Parks and then $10,000/year when completed to operate and maintain it is egregious and extremely short-sighted.
Sponsored by Cottonwood Smart Meter Awareness and VVPOA By Patrice Rohmer(October 8, 2013) Cottonwood Smart Meter Awareness is pleased to announce a free screening of “Take Back Your Power” in the Verde Village 3 Clubhouse, 4855 Broken Saddle Dr. (off Hwy 260 on Del Rio, follow the signs) on October 17th from 6:00-8:00 pm. The screening will be followed with Q&A’s.
By Eileen Roberts, Sedona Citizen(October 6, 2013) How absolutely shocking to read that there are those who would drag this outstanding, pristine town down simply for a few dollars that they would pay (or shall I say, “contribute”). After finding out that we never should have left Sedona in the first place, we moved back about a year ago and would like to be proud of this “town”.
By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com (September 27, 2013) A long-time friend from Chicago recently came to visit. During one of our discussions, I mentioned that I’m eliminating the words “right” and “wrong” from my vocabulary and from the way I live life. My friend then asked a powerful question – “If we eliminate the concept of right/wrong, what is the basis on which we make choices? Where do the values come from that guide our decisions and interactions? For example, what motivates us toward kindness?”
By Suzette Orah Bruhn, Sedona Resident(September 26, 2013) I cannot believe the City is so stubbornly continuing with plans to build an amphitheater at Barbara Antonsen Park. Does our City Council remember they recently passed a noise ordinance making outdoor music performances in Sedona almost impossible? Now the City is spending over a million dollar on an outdoor venue, with a strict noise ordinance in place, very limited access, no parking facilities, located in a densely populated area. This is doomed for failure. Sedona will have, again, wasted millions of dollars on a poorly planned project.
By Jana West, Sedona Resident(September 24, 2013) “Artist Community Doesn’t Care About Future Artists”, I think if I was writing this letter to an international audience, to all the people who have ever visited Sedona, they would be appalled and disgusted by this statement. Can you believe a town that makes so much money from tourists and the art that draws them here, would allow their public high school art departments to disappear? I think it’s shocking and should be at least a national story.
By Jean Jenks, Sedona Resident(September 16, 2013) To the Members of the Sedona City Council: Before giving more taxpayer money to the Chamber, how about fixing our neglected drainage problems, the majority having resulted from projects approved by City Hall over the years? Whatever happened to ensuring City health, safety and welfare in a timely manner, I wonder? Unfortunately, the “Sedona Visitor Industry, New Resource Concepts” report commissioned by the Sedona Lodging Council compares apples to oranges. It is not relevant to Sedona. In fact, huge budgets, many more people, and much larger geographic areas financially support each and every…
By Nancy Baer, Sedona Resident (September 15, 2013) On September 9, Sedona Smart Meter Awareness (SSMA) and the Sedona International Film Festival introduced Sedona and surrounding communities to the premiere Arizona showing of “Take Back Your Power,” a documentary by Josh del Sol that investigates the risks of this ubiquitous “smart” grid, with insight from insiders, expert researchers, politicians, doctors, and concerned communities. The documentary takes us on a journey of revelation and discovery, as it questions corporations’ right to tap our private information and erode our rights in the name of “green.” The Mary D. Fisher Theatre was filled…
By City of Sedona Police Chief Ray Cota Sedona AZ (September 13, 2013) – With the start of both college and professional football, comes the array of statistical data that sports commentators, analyst, coaches, and fans will be presenting to show everyone how well or how poorly a team or player is performing. With just about every aspect of football broken down into numbers, percentages and ratios, the compilation of data seems to be at the center of decision making as to what players will be on the field and what plays will be ran. In police work, this same focus…
By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com (September 13, 2013) Last month, while actively working to move my coaching business forward, I encountered some unexpected disruptions. I’m sure you can relate. It all happened at once. Technical glitches related to computer tasks; crises or help needed in the lives of people I care about; unexpected overnight guests; and the peaches on our peach tree suddenly ripe and ready for harvest — these all provided what I had labeled “disruptions.”
By Lew Hoyt, Sedona Resident(September 4, 2013) Consequences of last November’s SCHOOL BUDGET OVERRIDE failure to pass were the potential losses of the Physical Education program for the West Sedona School and some SRRHS’s sports programs. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many individuals, parents, and teachers, and the philanthropic support of Sedona businesses, these programs were saved for the 2013-2014 school year.
By Jessica Nelson, Sedona Resident(August 31, 2013) Imagination is the cornerstone of all learning. With it, a child’s comprehension and appreciation of intellectual concepts is deepened and embedded. Without it, the concepts have little meaning and are soon forgotten. There is no better way to engage children’s imaginations than in their arts classes. Children NEED art in their lives. Not only does it help develop their creativity and self- confidence, it enables them to explore the full range of their emotions in a profound and healing way. Their fears can be confronted, their joys celebrated.