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    Home » Interview With City Council Candidate Scott Moffatt 
    Elections

    Interview With City Council Candidate Scott Moffatt 

    July 20, 2022Updated:July 23, 2022No Comments6 Mins Read
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    Sedona Elections: The following is a Sedona.biz  interview with Sedona City Council candidate Scott Moffatt. All candidates have been invited to share their platforms with Sedona.biz by answering election-specific questions. The following are the questions and responses:

     

    Questions for Candidates 

    What office are you running for?

    I am one of six candidates running for three available seats on Sedona City Council.

    Why are you running?

    After moving to Sedona a year ago, I was approached by multiple friends to present myself as a candidate that seeks to represent the best interests of Sedona residents who feel their voices are not being represented on the City Council.

    How long have you lived in Sedona?

    My wife and I moved to Sedona in April of 2021.

    When did you decide to get involved politically?

    After becoming aware of the tourism volume that Sedona experiences every year, I realized, very quickly, that all of the complaints that residents have had are merely the natural outcome – resulting from the poor management of Sedona’s Economic Policy.  As a new member of the Sedona community, I felt it incumbent upon me to either step-up, or step away.  I chose to step-up.  

    What do you believe are your qualifications for office?

    Negotiating contracts that reflect the objectives of both the “vendor” and the “client” are my bread-and-butter!  I have extensive experience in the area of making sure that the interests of both parties are represented, to the satisfaction of both.

    What have you accomplished in serving the community?

    Other than serving the youth sports community as a youth soccer coach, youth baseball umpire and youth basketball referee… nothing of note.

    What do you think is better? Electing people who have served for years in office, committees, etc.? Or electing a candidate that may be politically inexperienced but brings new ideas to the table?

    It has been my experience that those who have served for years tend to view their own contributions as having more import than those who have not done so, to date.  Not having “served” does not disqualify one from “serving,” any more than “having served” somehow makes one more qualified for a continued role in public service.  Sometimes, “new blood” can introduce a counter influence to the “group-think” that can result from the constant echo-chamber created by a constant self-adulation of the like-minded.

    What are the main challenges you see Sedona facing and how would you address them? Please include the issue of homelessness and panhandling at shopping centers, etc.

    The only challenge facing Sedona at the moment is the crushing impact of a volume of tourism traffic that rivals Yellowstone Nation Park.  Sedona is a magnet for transients, who seek the environmental and “spiritual” appeal of the environment in and around Sedona.  “Help Wanted” signs in the windows of virtually every store in Sedona is indicative of the problem:  People want to “be” here, but don’t necessarily want to have to work and contribute, in order to be here.  I would not support any effort that would enable sustaining or increasing the population of non-contributing transients in Sedona. 

    Are Short Term Rentals (Airbnb type rentals) beneficial or detrimental to the community? Should they be licensed, limited or eliminated? As a member of the city council how would you address the issue?

    Short-Term Rentals are detrimental to the Community of Sedona.  As of now, two-thirds of Sedona’s STR property owners are not Sedona residents (65% of STR owners are either Out-of-State entities, or Non-Sedona residents).  The State does allow the City to regulate STR ownership/operation to any meaningful extent.  This needs to change.  Lobbying the AZ State Legislature will take time, and the building of a massive coalition of bipartisan support… which I will undertake to create.

    Would you rather have less Airbnb’s and more hotels? Or vice-versa?

    I’d rather have hotels… at least Arizona State Law allows municipalities to regulate Hotel operations.

    Do you support the city’s current SIM (Sedona in Motion) initiatives and plans for infrastructure improvements? Why or why not?

    I support infrastructure improvements with a benefit that targets residents’ quality of life in Sedona, but I oppose any efforts designed specifically to accommodate the current – or projected increased – level of tourism in Sedona.

    What should the city do to address the issue of affordable housing, especially for people working in businesses in Sedona?

    Reducing tourism traffic, and (by extension) reducing the demand for short-term rental properties will result in increased availability of affordable “workforce housing” in Sedona.  Reducing the demand for STR housing will provide an “organic” downward pressure on long-term (workforce) housing costs.

    What is the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau in the community?

    The Chamber of Commerce is (and should be) focused on the vitality of the businesses operating in Sedona that choose to become members of the Chamber; and it should have a very limited role in determining what is best for the community of Sedona, and – consequently – should receive no public funding, whatsoever. 

    Sedona’s economy is primarily based on tourism. How should it be managed to benefit both residents and visitors?

    “Residents first” should be the North Star that guides the City Council, City Management and Mayor’s Office.  Surrendering to the mantra that “tourism” is the Holy Grail of Sedona is a surrendering to “someone’s” idea of what Sedona needs. 

    The truth is that every community develops its own economy, and we are limited only by what we think is possible.

    Do you support the city’s Sustainable Tourism Plan? Why or why not?

    Sedona simply cannot sustain its current level of tourism.  “Sustainable Tourism” means reducing tourism.  Without plans to reduce the level of tourism, “sustainable tourism” is a laughable concept.

    Do you support the city’s Climate Action Plan? Why or why not?

    Sedona’s “Climate Action Plan” is aspirational.  Sedona has bigger problems to address, at the moment.  Until we get the bigger issues facing Sedona under control, I will not support Sedona’s CAP.

    Do you oppose or support voter approval of the Alternative Limitation Expenditure (Home Rule) which is also on the ballot for renewal August 2nd. Why or why not?

    I encourage a “No” vote on Home Rule.  I want to reserve the right of Sedona Residents to determine how revenues captured in Sedona are spent in Sedona – in Sedona’s best interests. 

    As I understand it, enable the City to cancel current contracts (including the contract with the Chamber of Commerce), which will give more control back to the residents of Sedona.

    There are a few parcels of land remaining in Sedona suited for a high-end resorts and/or hotels. Do you believe the city should oppose any being built, or, permit them to be built with limitations on size, design, etc.?

    Future development should be subject to the constraints of a long-term vision for Sedona, guided by the City Council/Voice-of-the-Community policy decisions.  Development should be a collaboration between those who wish to invest, and those (residents) whose interests will be impacted.

    Where do you see Sedona and the Verde Valley ten years from now?

    No comment.

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    Paid Political Ad Paid For by Samaire for Mayor
    Paid Political Ad for Samaire Armstrong
    Paid Political Announcement by Samaire For Mayor

     THE MOMENT IS UPON US

    Dear Sedona,

    The moment is upon us. The time for a united effort to shift the focus back to our community is now.

    The ability to thrive in our community, our environment, our workforce, and the tourist industry, is entirely possible because we have all the resources needed for success.

    Still, we need a council that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, that makes decisions based on data and facts, and through discussion, rather than moving and voting in group unison as they so regularly do.

    This is my home. I have been a part of the Sedona community for 28 years. I witnessed the road debacle, the lack of planning, the city circumventing the local businesses ability to thrive, while making choices to expand the local government and be in direct competition with private industry.

    I am a unique candidate because unlike the incumbents, I don’t believe the government should expand in size, nor in operations, nor would I attempt to micromanage every aspect of our community.

    City government should stay in its lane and allow the competitive market of local private industry to prosper. And it should defend our community from corporate takeover and infiltration of our town.

    I do not agree that we should sign onto International Building Codes and regulations by signing Sedona up to the ICC. It is imperative that we remain a sweet, rural community.

    Where are the arts? Where is this organic thriving element that we allege to be animated by. Where is our culture? Where is our community?

    The discord between the decision making process and the desires of the community have never been more clear. It has been nearly a decade in the making.

    It is time for a new era of energy to take charge. An energy that is reflective in the ability to succeed rather than be trapped in out of date consciousness.

    It has been a great honor meeting with each of you. I hear your concerns over the insane and out of control spending and I echo them. A budget of $105,000,000 in a town of 9700 residents is completely unacceptable. A parking structure (that looks like a shoe box) originally slated to cost 11 million, now projected to cost 18 million, is incomprehensible. Especially, considering there is no intention of charging for parking.

    For those who are concerned that I lack the political experience within our established system- that is precisely what Sedona needs… Not another politician, but instead a person who understands people, who listens to the voices within the community, and who will act in service on their behalf with accountability, for the highest good of Sedona. What I am not, will prove to be an asset as I navigate the entrenched bureaucracy with a fresh perspective. Business as usual, is over.

    Creative solutions require new energy.

    Every decision that is made by our local government, must contemplate Sedona first.

    • Does this decision benefit the residents?
    • Does this decision benefit the local businesses?
    • Does this decision actually help the environment?
    • Will this decision sustain benefit in the future, or will it bring more problems?

    What we have now is a city government that expands to 165 employees for 9700 residents. Palm Desert has 53,000 residents and 119 city employees. Majority of our city department heads are not even in town. I find this problematic.

    Efforts towards championing in and courting new solutions for our medical needs are imperative. We are losing our doctors. We must encourage competition with other facilities rather than be held hostage by NAH, who clearly have their own set of dysfunctions.

    We must remember that so many move to Sedona for its beauty, hiking, and small town charm. Bigger, faster, and more concrete does not, in broad strokes, fit the ethos of Sedona.

    The old world must remain strong here in balance, as that is what visitors want to experience. Too many have noted that Sedona has lost its edge and charm.

    As Mayor I will preserve the rural charm of our community, and push back against the urbanization that is planned for Sedona.

    As mayor I will make it a priority to create opportunities to support our youth.  After school healthy, enriching programs should be created for our kids, and available to the Sedona workforce regardless of residency and regardless of school they belong to.

    As Mayor, I will create an agenda to deliberately embody the consciousness of our collective needs here, allowing private industry to meet the needs of our community rather than bigger government.

    I hope to have your vote on Aug 2nd. I am excited and have the energy to take on this leadership role with new eyes, community perspective, and the thoughtful consciousness that reflects all ages of the human spectrum.

    Thank you deeply for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Samaire Armstrong

    Sedona elections
    Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    Ready to Rumble

    By Tommy Acosta
    In the Blue Corner stands Scott Jablow and in the Red Corner of the ring stands Samaire Armstrong, ready to rumble to the bitter end in their fight to become the next Sedona mayor. Jablow weighs in with 1,137 primary election votes (36.13%) under his belt, having wielded his advantage as sitting Sedona City Council vice-mayor to his favor. He brings his years of serving in that capacity into the fray and waged a solid fight in his campaign to make it to the run-off. Armstrong, however withstood a blistering smear campaign from the other opposing candidates and their supporters to make it to the final bout with 967 votes under her belt (30.73%), an amazing feat for a political newcomer. Unfortunately, for the other two candidates, Kurt Gehlbach and sitting mayor Sandy Moriarty, neither put up enough of a fight to make it to the championship bout. Read more→
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