Opinion: By Steve Segner
On April 17th, 2024, I attended the lightly attended “Meet the Candidates” event at Elks Lodge, sponsored by the local Republican group; Sedona Residents Unite (SRU). The Domino’s pizzas and store-branded cookies set the tone for an interesting evening.
The audience, mainly comprised of long-time residents, expressed concerns about Sedona’s status as a tourist town and its frustration with the council /city manager/representative form of government. The agenda and talking points asked of each candidate had been created by SRU and included questions that started with a conclusion that they wanted confirmation from the candidates, such as citizen involvement in actual operations of the city.
Most candidates pushed back on over involvement of citizens in the city operations, and understood that government works best when you trust the professionals that are hired, the counselors that are elected, and an open, transparent citizen input process, not a direct partnership with citizens to function as unpaid staff and unelected leaders.
Most candidates presented a clear vision for the city’s future, demonstrating an understanding of its history, challenges, and how local government works. However, Katherine Todd, a 2-year newcomer to Sedona, stood out with her proposals.
Ms. Todd suggested that residents should have preferential parking at federal parking lots near trailheads. While this idea resonated with the audience, it disregards state law prohibiting preferential treatment based on residency. It also demonstrated her lack of understanding of the primacy of federal and state laws and procedures involving forest land.
Despite her lack of knowledge about local regulations, her enthusiasm for community development is evident.
Ms. Todd’s ambitious vision for the Cultural Park/Western Gateway as a new outdoor community space envisions it as a gathering place with amenities like playgrounds, pickleball courts, gardens, and paved walking paths. However, her proposal to replicate Posse Grounds Park in West Sedona raises questions about the need for such duplication. She seems oblivious that the city council purchased the Cultural Park primarily to be a place for housing, workforce, and market rate, as well as mixed-use assets to make it a real community for the benefit of its residents and Sedona residents. And that a master planning process was to proceed before the 40 acres is to be developed (except some 4-acre portion of land currently designated for a workforce apartment project)
In contrast, candidates like Mayor Scott Jablow, Vice Mayor Holli Ploog, Councilor Kathy Kinsella, former Vice Mayor former vice Mayor John Martinez, and former Councilor Mike Ward, all long-time residents, appear to have a more nuanced understanding of residents’ wants and needs and a clear picture of how Sedona government works. And 7-year resident, Derek Pfaff also demonstrated his grounded understanding of the city and the challenges it faces.
Mike Ward a long-time Sedona resident and past city council person spoke of an older Sedona one many years in the past, I would like to hear more from Mike regarding his thoughts on Sedona In Motion “SIM”. and his position on the future of the Dells, the 200+ acres owned by the city.
While Ms. Todd’s ideas are commendable, she could benefit from a deeper understanding of local government issues and a more tailored approach to Sedona’s unique character rather than replicating ideas from her previous hometown.
It’s difficult to understand how a resident of two years can be trusted with the job and position as a member of the City Council of a city of 10,000 residents, 3 million visitors, and a $100 million budget. Sedona needs leaders who are educated, aware, and informed on all the subtle nuances of its operations to be successful.
Steve Segner
Resident Sedona for over 25 years
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10 Comments
Segner mouthing off again doing the cities bidding. I was present at the forum and Katherine Todd stood out as a breath of fresh air! The status quo is intimidated by her.
Segner’s take on Katherine Todd would be funny if it weren’t for the fact that we just hired 2 out of state city staffers to run the City using real taxpayer dollars. Both Shannon Boone as Housing Manager and the new City Manager have exactly ZERO days as residents of Sedona, yet Segner belittles an actual tax-paying resident for running for office. Again, Segner belittles a local resident who isn’t under his thumb in the political arena. Pattern recognition is not difficult here.
Oh the irony. Long-time resident and city attacker, Segner, who helped create the mess we are in now, trashes new resident Katherine Todd for City Council. I call that a true endorsement of Katherine Todd. Visit https://katherinetodd4sedona.com to learn all about her and why a new approach is needed. She has the smarts and experience we need.
“However, Katherine Todd, a 2-year newcomer to Sedona, stood out with her proposals.…” Really? Zero interest on the thoughts of how to ‘fix’ Sedona from someone who’s lived here two years…
I think Mr. Segner said it all. A city of 9700 residents (not 10,000), used to be 10,300 23 years ago, 3 million visitors, that hasn’t changed in 20 years, and a budget of $100 million up from $49 million, actual expenditures $39 million 5 years ago.
Amazing huh, considering population decrease and tourism being constant.
The average income and benefits of ALL city employees is $103,000. Bloated, projects to nowhere, and one screw up after the next. Some good things, yes. But overall, out of control.
And it’s not time for fresh thinking?
Give us a break.
I visited here in 1986, owned a home since 1994. 29 years. And the first time I landed at the airport, avoiding deer on the runway was 1995. Yes, have witnessed and participated in a lot.
If there is ever a time for some new thinking, it is now. We have 3 new council members from the last election, and they need help.
Just the fact that a lame duck council spent $23 million as they walked out the door to buy the Cultural Park should tell you al you need to know about needing a change.
Sorry Steve that you don’t like Dominos and cookies. Not a particularly good way to start out a post. It took a lot of work and effort to put that program together, and these are positions that are not political. Your opening clearly shows you do not respect that.
To answer MVP.
Unlike Mis Todd, City employees cannot afford to live in Sedona. However, they have vast experience in Sedona city government; Ms. Todd has none.
I point out that any job requires experience; working years in unrelated fields does not prepare a new resident for public office.
Just like any profession, experience counts.
My suggestion was that Mis. Todd takes some time to learn how the Sedona government works before she tries to change it; her comments on turning the old Cultural Park area into another Posse ground park on land set aside for housing show her total lack of knowledge of Sedona and her comment on Residents first is not only unAmerican but legal.
Living in Sedona bestows no special privileges. Tourists and residents are equal in our state and federal constitutions. The Culture Park land was purchased to build a community and housing area for city employees and local workers and extend housing opportunities to younger couples with children to make Sedona a more balanced community. Housing for young couples will save our schools from declining enrollment; Ms. Todd would rather see the city’s land used for a parking lot, parks, and event centers.
“Wants or Needs” is the question; we need housing, not more tourism.
Ok how did Steve Sengner create this? I want all your inside information…Did he know Doug Ducey?….Cough it up or your another troll, who lives by spreading hate!
He owns a hotel, and is active in all thing Sedona….I will wait with bated breath to a logical and informative information on him……..And dont give me he owns a home in the canyon because you can own many home sin Arizona but only one can you vote in that jurisdiction! Now prove it!
A good reporter gets their basic facts right. Sedona Residents Unite is a nonpartisan group lead by two democrats, two independents and a republican.
Thank you everyone that attended!! It was an informative discussion with the candidates.
I wanted to take issue with the statement that SedonaResidentsUnite.com (the group that sponsored the Candidate Forum) is a Republican group – We are not. It states this at the top of our website:
“We are a nonpartisan group (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) of Sedona Residents who care about our city and what it is becoming. Learn what you can do to help.”
We are a group that does not want to wade into the national Republican/Democratic political issues. We simply want to have an honest dialog with other local residents on issues that are of local concern. We will always advocate for the residents with those in the Sedona government.
Concerning the candidates that came to the event, we are truly blessed with a wide diversity of opinions on what could be done within the City of Sedona to improve issues that residents have. The important thing is that all of them were listened to respectfully and we came away with a wider range of ideas to consider. We think that made the event worthwhile.
Sounds like you’re Independents.