By Maia Kincaid Ph.D.
Dear Editor,
Since 2006 the Arizona Department of Transportation has waged war on Sedona insisting the installation of continuous roadway lighting regardless of all studies, even their own indicating that CRL’s are not a viable road treatment for 89A, and despite the fact that there are practically no cars on the highway from 7:30 p.m. to sunrise. Also, the majority of residents are adamantly opposed to the lighting, and many visitors come to Sedona particularly for viewing night skies which provides much needed revenue to our local businesses.
ADOT has repeatedly threatened to abandon the highway if we continue to oppose the lighting. They have threatened to abandon the highway no matter what we choose. They have even said we can remove the light poles after installation if we want. There seems to be no concern for the waste of millions of dollars to satisfy their agenda, while other areas of our state suffer horribly, for instance, Arizona education has been ranked 50th in the nation since 2006.
The continuous roadway lighting our community has valiantly protected Sedona from for all these years is now being installed.
My question to the community worldwide: Is it appropriate for The Arizona Department of Transportation to threaten and pressure our residents repeatedly and consistently over a six year period of time, causing confusion, anger, dissention and stress over something we don’t need, don’t want, and that ruins our town and our economy? Are we the residents and lovers of Sedona going to really allow the roadway lighting to be installed, or is it time for us to take a powerful stand once again as we have in the past and end this war once and for all?
With gratitude to be here!
Maia Kincaid Ph.D.