Letter to the Editor by Henry Twambley
Sedona, AZ (October 15, 2015) – It is so disheartening that politics on all levels of government is such a sleazy game of power and propaganda. And it is the season when we get barraged with endless TV ads, chock full of out-of-context half-truths and outright lies. Unfortunately our state and community are not immune to such shennanigans and other dirty tricks.
The Forese-Little ad for the ACC commissioner race is a good example. An Arizona Republic investigation discovered that APS has mostly likely funneled contributions to Forese and Little, just as they had indirectly done with Commissioners Stump, Burns and Bitter Smith. The allegation can’t (and couldn’t) be verified because neither party would admit any wrongdoing, and because the money from APS’s parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., would have been laundered through PACs like Arizona 2014. Since Forese and Little now seem to be in APS’s pockets, their claim to be “committed to protecting consumers and providing clean, reliable energy at the lowest possible price” seems misleading, if not mendacious. So how do you think Forese and Little will vote when APS asks them to sanction a $30-or-higher monthly fee for those who refused to install a smart meter? Ironically the ad warns “Don’t be fooled by the so-called solar candidates [their opponents Holway and Kennedy…They] support extreme energy policies [that] cause prices to skyrocket.” Of course, they don’t detail the specifics of those policies.
On the local front I was thoroughly disgusted to learn that Rio Robson decided to withdraw from the Council race due to harassment, intimidation and minor dirty tricks (e.g. taking down Rio’s signs) by Scott Jablow supporters. I don’t know much about the details, but here is Rio’s email that has been circulating on the web…
October 10, 2014
Attn: Sedona press, friends and supporters,
I have made a decision to end my campaign for election to the Sedona city council.
In the past several months there is a long list of incidents and aggressive, vindictive, hateful bulling actions against me, my family and my business. These are far outside the possibility of coincidence. I have a whole list of names and even video of persons involved, including my opponent. I thought that being on city council would be a matter of simple public service but it’s obvious that Sedona city councilors and Sedona Fire Board members have much more influence than I ever considered. Some say it’s just politics but not for me. I have a responsibility to my family business and my staff. They are my priority and focus, not local politics. I want people to know that I am not making this announcement as a ploy to get votes because I can tell you I won’t take the oath of office to serve even if I get the most votes. The direction that this campaign has taken is not good and I am not going to run on that negative level. I want to thank my many friends and supporters. I have learned a lot during the campaign and apologize for letting their hopes down. Thank you and sincerely
Rio Robson
Now what does this say about democracy and the lack of integrity in our local politics here in Sedona? Scott Jablow immediately sent out an email, thanking his supporters and promising to serve the community and signed “Council Elect” under his name. But he hasn’t been elected yet. Rio is still on the ballot, and Scott already serves on the Fire District Board. What next, Scott? A hat trick, serving on the School Board simultaneously as well?
I have voted and urge you to vote for Rio as a matter of principle, as a protest vote against dirty tricks, as a statement that democracy in Sedona can’t be hijacked by the egregious thuggery of the powers that be. And who knows? If Rio wins, maybe he’ll change his mind.
Henry Twombly
Sedona, AZ