Four Sedona mayoral candidates participated in a special forum conducted and sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, July 6, at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. The five candidates: Sandy Moriarty, Samaire Armstrong, Scott Jablow and Kurt Gehlbach, answered questions provided by the League and the Chamber, as well as from Sedona citizens. Sedona.biz video taped the event and is showing the video on its website so that those who could not attend could also see the candidates explaining their platforms and outlining their plans for the city. Here it is below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdXcWX4zbvY
Author: Sedona.biz
By Shelley Evans Sedona, AZ: Back to basics! Sedona’s stability lies in the proven State formula for accounting. It is a method of accounting designed to protect the people from mismanagement and misuse of funds. I see it referred to by those we handed over our power to as “old” or “archaic,” but numbers and accounting are constant. So, what is this Home Rule that demands our attention right now? Why do I believe it is the most important item on the ballot this August? Home Rule is the nickname for a much less cozy term, Alternative Expenditure Limitation. The…
By Sedona City Council Member Jessica Williamson Sedona, AZ: Home Rule will be on the ballot on August 2nd. It’s called the Alternative Expenditure Limitation (Home Rule Option) on your ballot. Home rule means the City can spend the revenue it receives on services and programs. If home rule isn’t approved, the City is only allowed to spend an amount determined by the State, regardless of community needs or available revenues. Sedona has operated under Home Rule for 26 years. I support Home Rule because it is local control and allows the City to address the very real issues of…
Sedona, AZ – Last night, June 26, I attended a presentation on home rule presented by Donna Joy Varney and Shelley Evans. A number of statements made in the presentation are misleading/inaccurate, and I discuss those below. Some basic facts: If home rule is not approved, the state-mandated limit on how much the city could spend in a year would be $13.7 million. An additional $16 million of spending would be allowed, but it would be limited to debt service, HURF highway funds, grants. The City would have $13.7 million available to spend on police, parks and recreation,…
By Tommy Acosta Sigh. How often do I have to repeat myself? Home Rule, rules! Nobody wants to hear the phrase No Home Rule because it implies one does not have the right to rule their home. It sits in the unconscious and messes with the concept of one’s ability to rule at home. And then there is the word “imposed” as in State-Imposed Expenditure Limitation (SIEL). Who the heck wants the state imposing anything on our town? For that matter, who wants anyone imposing anything upon them, period! To impose means “to force (something unwelcome or unfamiliar) to be…
Sedona, AZ: The Green Light Dance Band returns to Bella Vita Ristorante Sunday, July 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. If you like to dance and enjoy original-classic rock songs sung in two and three-part harmonies, kick the 4th of July weekend off with a bang of a band. Founded by Sedona locals Chicky Brooklyn and Tommy Acosta, this band of baby boomers continues to rock Sedona with original music that captures and personifies the leitmotif of that generation. “Music is magic,” lead singer Brooklyn said. “It captures our feelings better than anything else. Memories and songs are fused forever when…
By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — Holy Mackerel Batman! While everybody talks about how being the mayor of Sedona is like being a glorified council member with the ability to direct meetings, etc., there are powers that can be allotted to the mayor that can almost be perceived as frightening. Did you know that Sedona’s mayor, can, by proclamation, declare a local emergency to exist due to fire, conflagration, flood, earthquake, explosion, war, bombing or any other natural or manmade calamity or disaster, as well in the event of the threat or occurrence of riot, rout or other acts of…
Steakhouse89 is excited to announce Early Bird Dinner Specials! The new 3-course prix fixe meal for only $24.89 will launch this Friday, June 17th featuring a 2-day Live performance by Singer-Songwriter Corey Spector. Early Bird Dinner Special is from 4 pm to 6 pm we’ll be offering a 3-course prix fixed meal for only $24.89. Steakhouse89 has become not only a favorite dining place in Sedona for visitors but for locals as well, who know where to go for a great meal and fun time. The Early Bird Special offers: Your choice: -Course 1: Choice of Soup or…
By Sean Dedalus Sedona, AZ : Ukraine-Russia-NATO Don’t be distracted by the propaganda. The objective of Russia was to annex all of the land laying adjacent upon the Baltic Sea, from Odesa to the Donbas territories. They controlled much of this area before the invasion. Now they will have more. Russian artillery and comprehensive air superiority will take center stage now, as Putin will be content to simply blow things up. Prediction: A cease fire where Russia dictates all of the terms is six months away. Before the invasion Putin was enraged that NATO Thugs forced Russian Thugs…
By Roy Grimm Sedona, AZ – Something had to give. After two years of the most frenetic real estate market Sedona has ever seen, we picked up signals in early May that it had finally peaked. Evidence is mounting that the real estate market is decelerating all over the country, regionally, and locally. In Sedona, new listings and competition among sellers have increased sharply, buyer activity has slowed significantly, and price reductions among current listings have spiked. Nationally, Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, noting that pending sales have been down for several consecutive months, predicted…
Sedona Elections: The following is a Sedona.biz interview with Sedona City Council candidate Kurt Gehlbach. All candidates have been invited to share their platforms with Sedona.biz by answering election-specific questions. The following are the questions and responses: Mayoral Candidate Questions What office are you running for? Mayor of Sedona – WWW.KurtforSedona.Com Why are you running? Sedona needs an ambitious administrator, Kurt Gehlbach, who understands leadership is a social process which is more about the people working collectively to achieve the results together. A leader with self-awareness, integrity and the respect of city employees and residents alike. A leader able to…
Sedona News: As Sedona’s best cyber newspaper, Sedona.biz is happy to provide a no-word-limit platform for the Sedona City Council candidates running in the 2022 city election. The eight hopefuls were invited to respond to numerous questions whose answers will give Sedona news readers a better perspective on what each candidate brings to the table. Read the council candidate Q&A articles HERE. Every day we are approached by people in our community thanking us for providing a new independent and unbiased news platform. For too long there has been only one news source available for Sedona residents. With Sedona.biz the…
Sedona Elections: The following is a Sedona.biz interview with Sedona City Council candidate Samaire Armstrong. All candidates have been invited to share their platforms with Sedona.biz by answering election-specific questions. The following are the questions and responses: What office are you running for? I am running for Mayor. Why are you running? I want all residents, including families and local merchants, to thrive and live a nurturing lifestyle in Sedona. As with many locals in Sedona, I see a need for representation within the local government for the voice of the community that is not being heard. Over the last…
Sedona News: Michelle Conway has been named the President and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, Board of Directors Chairman Al Comello announced today. Conway has served as Interim President and CEO since March. “Michelle has convincingly demonstrated the leadership this critical position requires,” Al Comello Board Chairman said. “The Board believes her executive skills, the respect she has earned in the community and her understanding of the needs of our members eminently qualify her to lead in the years ahead.” “Michelle has a keen eye for reinforcing Sedona as a sustainable destination and communicating our…
Sedona Elections: The following is a Sedona.biz interview with Sedona City Council candidate Sandy Moriarty. All candidates have been invited to share their platforms with Sedona.biz by answering election-specific questions. The following are the questions and responses: • What office are you running for? Mayor of Sedona • Why are you running? Serving as the Mayor of Sedona has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime, and after nearly eight years, I believe there is still more to be accomplished on projects for the good of the community. Implementing the Master Transportation Plan, the Climate Action Plan, and making…