Silbiger Sees Silver Lining for Sedona

Sedona, Az — Some may think they have to wait in line and dot all the “I’s,” fill in all the boxes, dutifully serve their time, and patiently wait their turn in the political arena.

But not mayoral candidate Henry Silbiger, who has thrown his hat into the Sedona City Council political ring and set his sights on the top—the very top of the city’s political spectrum.

Raised in New York City, and having lived in California, North Carolina,  Ohio and Nevada, he visited Sedona in 2020 and, of course, instantly fell in love with the Red Rocks and finally found his true home when he moved here in 2023.

“My wife Kimberly and I first saw the Red Rocks while walking on a trail in 2020,” he said. “But as we all know, you don’t just see the Red Rocks. You feel them. It was an incredible experience—majestic, almost magical. I immediately fell in love with the land.

” I felt at peace in my daily life, in my daily routine, at the grocery store—everywhere we went, people were kind. When I needed recommendations, people helped me. The people of Sedona welcomed us unlike any other community we’ve been a part of. And trust me, I’ve lived in a lot of different places and met a lot of different people. I took a deep breath and realized I belonged here.”

As a career professional, he lived a life of accomplishments and success prior to his coming here.

“My professional career began with the IRS, where my job was to locate taxpayer money that was not applied to the rightful recipient,” he said. “I felt like Sherlock Holmes helping people find money that was rightfully theirs.

“I later joined YKK USA, the world’s largest zipper company, serving as the executive assistant to the U.S. sales manager. What many people don’t know is YKK started as an aluminum siding company.

“The company took the excess material, saved it, and turned the excess aluminum into aluminum zippers, which made the company into a billion-dollar, worldwide corporation. That job taught me that nothing is waste. Everything can be repurposed, recycled, and used to build something new. Something better. Which led me to move west, where I founded what became the largest hand-assembled, high-end specialty packaging company in the country.

“Our clients included Victoria’s Secret, Bijan, Perry Ellis, Liz Claiborne, Bath & Body Works, Estée Lauder, Ralph Lauren, Godiva Chocolatier, and many others.

“I was responsible for hiring personnel that could function and build teams to maximize growth and success. With careful budgeting and meticulous oversight, we put our customers first, creating long-standing relationships built on trust and hard work.”

His desire to help people was something ingrained in him when he was young.

“I’m a people person,” he said. “A straight shooter. From a young age, I supported my immigrant parents. I learned what it meant to help and take care of people. They didn’t speak great English, so I would often handle communication for them.  In doing that I learned how to listen and help their needs to be met. I’ve always felt this need to help people in need.”

He believes the needs of Sedona are not being met and communities are not being listened to.

“After retiring and moving to Sedona, I began paying close attention to local politics,” he said. “I realized there has been a political change over the last few years, steadily trying to transform Sedona into what they envision—and I would add, not what we, the residents and small businesses, see as beneficial to keeping Sedona, Sedona.

“Urbanization of this magical place is not on my radar, and we must pivot to a financially stabilized growth mindset. And I truly feel this community—our community—isn’t being heard. I want to listen.

“Lack of direction, isolated decision-making, and self-interest have cost the residents of Sedona millions of tax dollars.

“That is why I decided to run: to give the voice back to the people. To stop the current course the City Council and mayor are choosing for us to accept.

“Money is being spent on unneeded outside consultants. On projects that end up millions over the initial bid.

“We have brilliant minds in all fields  that are residents here. I’d look for their advice before outsourcing  to consultants. I don’t want to spend millions of dollars annually when it comes to evaluating road construction, parking garages, etc.

“I will communicate and listen to any and all advice the local experts on financial issues, budgets, civil engineering, and more can give before making costly decisions”

He believes the challenges now facing Sedona and its quality of life need to be met head-on and the changes need to be addressed by a City Council that cares about maintaining the quality of life here.

“Sedona operates under a city manager form of government, where the city manager acts as the CEO and carries out the direction of the City Council,” he said. “In this type of system, it is critical that the mayor and council remain fully engaged, informed, and accountable to the residents. We need to solve our traffic problem, create fiscal responsibility, review projects, and decide what was the motivation for spending millions of dollars before, not after, the money is spent.

“Stop urbanization with multi-unit housing. Get back to prioritizing the arts, which hasn’t happened in recent years. Transparency is a must for the City Council and government if the residents are to believe in their elected officials. Sedona is at a crucial moment in its history that demands action to save it. Sedona is at a turning point. Residents must decide whether they support the direction the city has been heading, or not.”

He is particularly concerned over the city’s attempt to install Flock surveillance cameras in the city.

“The goal is to never have something like this happen again,” he said. “Habits take a long time to break, and a lack of candor seems to be a perpetual choice by the current council.  It’s clear that Residents need transparency. They were never told about the cameras.

“I’m not looking to hide agendas. Nor am I looking to spend money to correct an issue that could have been avoided. The Flock surveillance cameras should have been nipped in the bud before even one was installed.”

He is totally supportive of the Cultural Park purchase.

“It’s going to be a beautiful place where art and experience can flourish,” he said. “Where the city can generate healthy revenue, to provide jobs for residents. So, what are we waiting for? This is a high priority.

“I want to make a return on the investment for both residents and visitors. We want visitors to come back often. The Cultural Park can transcend and reach so many people and drive local business if done properly. The more we wait, the more the residents are paying interest, with zero return.

“Don’t make the Cultural Park another bad investment. $10 million cash paid by taxpayers. Plus, a $10 million bond with interest payments totaling up to $3 million over the next 15 years. A $23 million purchase for the park. It’s been four years of inaction. Well, that’s not true. It’s been four years of taxpayers paying interest on a bond and paying thousands of dollars to Phoenix consultants who come up with plans for the Cultural Park that are discarded as unsuitable. The time is now to stop spending with no clear plan and get to work.”

He also has a strong opinion over past efforts by the council to turn the Cultural Park into a camp for the unhoused living in their cars.

“The Council tried to force a homeless park on Sedona even though that solution has not worked in cities and towns across the West,” he said. “That out-of-touch solution was rejected by 64% of residents when it was forced to a vote. Why do residents have to defend themselves from the Council’s failed idea? It’s time to move on and focus on fresh ideas that are supported by the residents. This is Sedona. Create a solution for Sedona. Homeless parks don’t work. Not changing our approach to help the unhoused and still expecting positive results is the definition of insanity. Einstein said something similar.

“One councilmember said he was saddened, disgusted, and disheartened because the people did not align with his agenda. He then said it would be an epic challenge to educate the voters.

“Sedona doesn’t need a councilmemer that has a low opinion of the residents that voted for him.  Sedona needs someone who is willing to find a solution that benefits the voters, not the council.”

He perceives an adversarial relationship between Sedona residents and the council and he thinks it must be remedied.

“Why are we suing our own people?” he asks. “It feels like another self-interest move by the current city managers. And I stress ‘managers.’ Choosing to attack the residents for exercising their choice seems like poor management. As mayor, I look forward to the opportunity of finding solutions for the residents. If a proposed solution is denied, it should be exciting—a time to get creative and get back to the drawing board, not a moment to waste taxpayer dollars sending out questionnaires.

“Now is not the time to use taxpayer dollars for legal expenses. Tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars have been spent to sue taxpayers. There are better ways to communicate and find solutions. One council member  , now running for mayor voted to sue the residents to deny them a vote on the future of the Cultural Park.

“He and the council filed a flimsy lawsuit that the judge threw out of court. Sedona needs a mayor who listens to residents, not one who sues to deprive them of voting rights.”

He questions the time, effort, necessity, and costs of the Uptown parking garage construction.

“The Uptown parking garage project is running significantly over budget and remains unfinished,” he said. “Questions still need to be answered: How much will be charged to park? Employee parking? How will having the entrance and exit on the same street affect traffic?

“A plan to manage additional traffic is needed. All this should have been addressed in the beginning. They aren’t acting with foresight. They aren’t problem solving. The problems don’t go away. In fact, they are compounding, piling up down the road for someone else to deal with. And yes, pun intended.

“Overspending will not solve problems. Instead of collaborating with residents to find solutions, they are asking residents for money. All of this could have been avoided with detailed oversight and proper communication.

“During a council meeting in July of 2023, the City Council drew a red line. If the city manager did not have a way to pay for the garage, they said it would not be approved to move forward. Fast forward to the meeting in November 2023. The council asked again if there was a plan. The city manager had no response, which would mean the project would come to a halt. But that didn’t happen. The city manager moved forward with the garage anyway. What am I missing?”

He believes he can manage and resolve the challenges Sedona now faces if elected as Sedona’s next mayor.

“As mayor, I will insist on fiscal responsibility,” he said. “City government cannot operate with a ‘spend because we can’ mentality. I will make sure this doesn’t happen. Every dollar spent belongs to the taxpayers.

“I believe no capital project over $5 million should move forward without a public vote. Residents deserve a direct voice in major financial decisions.

“I will also work to revitalize Sedona’s arts and culture scene, which I believe has been neglected for far too long. Sedona should once again be recognized as a world-class destination—not only for its natural beauty, but also for its arts, entertainment, and dining.

“I will take a hard look at SIM (Sedona in Motion) and investigate why, after millions of dollars spent, traffic problems persist.

“Finally, I will carefully review the city’s housing plans and the data being used to justify high-density apartment developments and zoning changes. Residents deserve honest, balanced information before major decisions are made.

“On my watch, residents will know what is happening in their city, and the urbanization of this beautiful community will not happen without the people having a say. We must all remember: A land like this will never be duplicated but can easily be destroyed. Proper stewardship is needed to preserve, protect, and prosper.

“As mayor, I plan on being that steward for the people. I will listen. We will grow. Together. It is time to put the Sedona residents first, and I respectfully ask for your vote.

“As Thomas Jefferson said: ‘If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.’

“I have never run for office. But I have been a problem solver my entire life. And currently Sedona has a problem. I know that listening leads to trust. The people elected aren’t listening. My leadership style will be based on communication, transparency, and evaluation—meaning I totally understand a project before I act.

“We will find the right solutions. We will spend wisely. And we will operate so Sedona remains a place of beauty, peace, and artistic expression.

“Vote to change Sedona’s direction. Vote Sedona. Vote for me.”