Sedona AZ (October 27, 2013) -I don’t usually write in the first person but I’m making an exception this time because this is personal.
Sedona Mayor Rob Adams was recently criticized in a Red Rock News editorial offering him space to explain his walking out on an Aug 14 City Council meeting in protest over a vote the mayor felt was a great harm to the community.
The same editorial calls for an apology from the mayor to the people of Sedona for having done so.
I think Rob in this instance did what any patriot would do when confronted with people voting to diminish the right of the citizen to participate in the government process.
I know Rob a long time and I’ve reported on many city councils from NYC to Arizona and Rob stands out as the real deal; a man who truly believes and stands by his principles and is willing to take the flack to prove it.
He didn’t disappoint anyone. Not me anyway. On the contrary, for those who believe in our Constitutional right to participate in our own governance, walking out on the execution, refusing to take part in it was an act of patriotism and heroism.
I have seen Rob keep heated rooms of angry people on opposite sides of issues controlled in an orderly manner by his demeanor and prowess as a mayor. He is firm yet compassionate with an ear open to both sides.
He has always been at the forefront of protecting things important to the community, like his early battle to preserve the Sedona night skies.
He is real. I respect him. There is no need for him to apologize to anyone.
And on his refusal to speak to the community newspaper? It wants an apology from him for something he is not sorry about. That is not going to work.
The paper’s editorial notes Rob let down the residents, wasted money and failed to take responsibility for his actions.
The Mayor stands by his action. And said he would do that again. I commend him for his stance and act of symbolic rejection of a vote that diminished the power of the people.
If you like Rob or not, he is a man of principle with deep convictions on the right of the public to participate in the governance of their own affairs.
Seeing all those commissions of caring and dedicated people that have served the city so many years dissolved in a snap had to be a devastating blow to him and those decommissioned.
You did the right thing Rob. Stand your ground. Run for the state legislature. You got my vote.
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7 Comments
I completely agree with Mr. Costa. Rob has only been a great leader…his walking out was a protest. I respect him, his right to walk out and his right to NOT apologize for something he felt was right. Our city should be happy we have a Mayor that cares as deeply as ours does. I for one respect him more. He is not always treated fairly in the press and that is unfair.
Oct 28th
Sorry but I disagree – I think Mr Robb signed up to be Mayor, a public office, and he should occupy that office. Walking out does nothing to help in the discussion, which was a legitimate City Council Agenda item up for discussion.
I agree a private citizen would not have to justify his action but I think the Mayor does.
Bill Eich
When our mayor has heard the loud outcry of his public and reflects
the outrage of those groups in two meetings on this issue,
I APPLAUD HIS REPONSE.
Thank you, mayor, for listening to us and knowing how harmful the
Council’s decision will prove to be in coming months/years.
Just to be clear…….
I presided over that meeting for 4 hours. I stayed for the discussion and the vote. I left in protest of that vote, which supported the staff recommendation to disband the Commissions.
Rob Adams
Tommy:
I’m sorry, normally I agree with some of your writings but not this one. As was written in the RRN, Mr. Ward said something to the effect that if one the other council members had behaved in a similar fashion Mayor Rob would have read them the riot act. Our council should be held to a higher level and the mayor should be one step above them.
Everyone can make a mis-step and I could understand if this was the Mayors first one but, it’s not. This is the second time that the Mayor stormed out of a council meeting in “protest”.
Just imagine being Rob Adams trying to negotiate and deal with Sedona’s volatile political arena. Yes, he chose the position of public service and therefore, “Should”, be able to take the continued bickering, back stabbing and right fighting in stride. Let any one of us try putting on his shoes for a week, let alone the years he has served.
Sometimes, being politically correct and calm is in conflict with being a human being. Sometimes walking out may be the better choice in a situation.
Whatever, the lynch mob should maybe chill a bit. Or “walk away” till “they” can be civil.
The city might have been better served if they all walked out that night. A little time, and “fresh air” might have helped.
Adams had conscientiously kept order for hours, in a divided, confusing meeting while the packed chamber watched. Staying would not have affected the outcome. In protest, he walked out.
We are lucky to have people of conscience in our community. We need people like this.
The council was moving forward without taking the time and patience to identify the problems with it’s commissions. The “Engagement” Plan is anything but that. It is based on the presumption that committed volunteers are expendable , commissioners disposable and their acquired knowledge trivial.
This council had pledged to honor the will of the people, and the people were present that night and making their will known. Because that didn’t matter to some on the council, and because Rob Adams was loyal to the people who volunteered to help this city, he left the frustrating meeting in protest.
Rob has been a visionary, and some of the commissions had developed during his tenure. He’s brought forward an impressive number of projects to improve our city. I’m sure he’d like to accomplish positive progress while he’s in office and hates wasting our time on this.
He’s been a dedicated public servant. He has supported community events, listened to citizen concerns and been a good representative for Sedona. Could any one have done a better job than he has?
The mayor’s job has few rewards, and should not be subject to the kind of attacks that have been visited on Mayor Adams. The attention he has earned is the respect and good will of his community.