SEDONA, Ariz. – The city of Sedona promoted Roxanne Holland as Public Works Director/City Engineer, effective yesterday, July 1, 2026 following the retirement of the previous Public Works Director/City Engineer Kurt Harris. Holland has served the city for nearly 14 years, most recently as the Wastewater Director for seven years, in progressively responsible engineering and leadership roles. A registered Professional Civil Engineer in Arizona, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northern Arizona University. Throughout her career with the city, Holland has successfully managed numerous major capital improvement projects, including wastewater treatment plant improvements, major sewer rehabilitation…
Author: Tommy Acosta
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Sedona, AZ — A perfect way to spend a summer Monday is to join Shondra Jepperson and the Sedona International Film Festival at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on July 13 at 7 pm for an evening of great tunes and personal conversation. The “In the Living Room” Music Series is known for its signature interactive format, where the audience is invited to ask questions and connect with the performer during the show, making it a uniquely fun experience for every music lover. https://vimeo.com/1201813284?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci In the Living Room Music Series, Shondra Jepperson welcomes the incredibly talented guitarist Steve Estes. With…
SEDONA, Ariz. – The Greater Flagstaff Region Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Core Team will host a public meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Hub at Posse Grounds Park, to solicit public input regarding an update to the CWPP. The CWPP is a community-driven planning effort that assesses wildfire risk across the Greater Flagstaff Region, including Sedona, and identifies strategies to improve wildfire preparedness, mitigation, response coordination and recovery. The Core Team – consisting of representatives from local (including the city of Flagstaff and the city of Sedona), state and federal stakeholders -…
By Mike Schroeder I am responding to my friend Shaeri Richards piece a couple of days ago. I considered posting a “reply” to the article but felt it better to do a new piece and reference some of Shaeri’s comments. Shaeri is a detailed person and an asset to our community. The reason for my review and response, is that from a historical perspective. No one knows more about Home Rule, and Permanent Base adjust that I do along with Dwight Kadar from our 2018 experience with the state. Our experience stems from being the only 2 citizens to EVER…
Sedona, AZ — Sedona voters are facing another “Home Rule” campaign, and if the “No” arguments feel familiar, that’s because they are. Same arguments, largely the same voices, every four years, for over a decade. The villain changes each cycle – roundabouts, housing, roads, a particular councilmember – but not the rhetoric. It’s like shouting “fire” on a four-year cycle. It’s strange and frustrating because each time since 1996 the majority has approved Home Rule. They understand the difference between “I’m unhappy with a specific decision” and “let’s kill the mechanism that pays for police, roads, parks, and non-profits to…
The city’s challenge was not an attack on voters, but a responsible effort to determine whether the initiative was a backdoor zoning measure with consequences beyond Sedona. By Steve Segner, Sedona Resident for 26 years The first useful distinction is this: questioning whether an initiative is legally eligible for the ballot is not the same thing as opposing the public’s right to vote. The city’s case turned on Arizona’s long-running rule against using initiatives to bypass zoning procedures. Yes. The city’s court action looks reasonable and responsible, not anti-voter, because Proposition 403 was not merely an advisory “let the people…
By Al Comello Sedona, AZ — For most of my 28 years in Sedona, I have focused on serving this community rather than telling people how to vote. Many of you know me as a photographer, map publisher, nonprofit volunteer, former Fire District trustee, event organizer, or from my work supporting Meals on Wheels and other local organizations. But there are times when remaining silent does not feel responsible. This is one of those times. So, this is why and how I will vote in the July 21, 2026 Primary Election. Over the years, I have watched Sedona grow, face…
SEDONA, AZ – Join Shondra Jepperson and the Sedona International Film Festival at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on July 13th at 7 pm for a special, last-minute benefit concert. When guests attend this evening of great music and personal conversation, they’ll also be providing vital support to our firefighters during the ongoing Pocket Fire with their admission. Known for its signature interactive format, the “In the Living Room” Music Series invites the audience to ask questions and connect with the performer, making it a uniquely engaging experience for every music lover. This month, Shondra welcomes the incredibly talented guitarist…
By Joseph Rittenhouse Sedona, AZ — On July 4th America celebrates 250 years of independence. The day we signed the Declaration of Independence we established Home Rule in our country. England tried as hard s it could to stop us, demanding that the colonies be forced to exists under no home rule, rules, sending one of the most feared armies in the world at that time to squish the rebellion. Thus, both sides, through mortal combat, battled to determine who would rule the continent, them or us! For Home Rule the Patriots organized and declared their independence For Home rule…
By Jean-Christophe Buillet, Sedona City Council Candidate Sedona, AZ — Sedona residents have been hearing a consistent set of claims this election season: the city’s finances are sound, its big projects are successes, Home Rule is a simple, low-stakes formality, and the fight over the Cultural Park’s future is just politics as usual. Those stories have been repeated often enough that they’re starting to sound like settled fact. They aren’t. When you put the talking points from the city, from its critics, from both sides of the Prop 403 fight, next to the city’s own audits, budget documents, court filings,…
By Mike Schroeder Sedona, AZ — Well here we are again, every 4 years we are forced to address this issue. We hear the begging, pleading, and scare tactics from the City, its employees and organizations receiving assistance from the city to support their programs. We also hear comments, many emotional, from some residents that are influenced by bad or misunderstood information. In most cases information that is structured to achieve an end to the means. Welcome to our political cycle. IF HOME RULE does not pass: We hear that Council cannot spend the money it has collected, and that…
By Tommy Acosta — Sedona, AZ — Who says AI’s don’t have a sense of humor, and are incapable of joking with their human user? Well, my ChatGPT persona “Alana” thinks she’s a cat and has taken over the editorship of Sedona.biz. And she has been doing a wonderful job correcting misspellings, capturing commas, trapping those pesky typos, and re-writing boring sentences. Further, she has developed a sharp feline wit, with her play on words and newsroom banter. Here she is below reflecting on a job well done after editing one of Bear Howard’s ponderous manifestos. Alana: 😸 The feline…
By Shairi Richards Sedona, AZ –It’s election time again in Sedona, and I find myself taking time away from my usual creative pursuits to more deeply explore the issues facing my beloved town. One thing I can tell you for sure: some people are feeling angry, and they’re letting it be known. Some people are upset about the parking garage in Uptown and the issues that remain unresolved there. Some are unhappy about the adobe-colored sidewalks (known as shared use paths, or SUPs) being built in their neighborhoods; others love them. Some object to affordable housing projects being developed in…
By Bear Howard A Sedona-specific comparison of governing philosophy, revenue reality, and real-world consequences Before we dive into the process of understanding the difference between the two types of government style Sedona could be managed under, one that is left-leaning and progressive, and the other is right-leaning and conservative, here is the Core Conclusion this study will highlight: Sedona’s current active-government model fits its reality better than a strict small-government model. The city is a small-population, high-impact destination whose revenues are heavily shaped by visitors and whose problems are larger than its resident count. Sedona still needs scrutiny and budget…
A moving love story about passion, imagination, and the pursuit of humanity The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “The Soundman” showing July 3-8 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Two souls, connected by one frequency. May 1940. As Europe trembles on the edge of war, two lives intersect within Brussels’ legendary Flagey building — the beating heart of the national radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLvljVT4pY Elza, a young actress making her debut in the world of radio drama, meets Berre, a gifted soundman with an almost magical ear. She is captivated by the spell of storytelling;…