Priorities

Protecting Sedona’s Character, Property Rights, and Zoning Stability

Sedona’s charm is not accidental — it is the result of thoughtful planning, stable zoning, and respect for property rights. I believe growth should be natural and incremental, not driven by politically motivated zoning changes to increase housing density that will fundamentally alter the scale and character of our community.

Too many recent projects have relied on exceptions, concessions, and revisions to the Community Plan that steadily push Sedona toward higher density and taller structures that our infrastructure was not designed to support. This kind of zoning creep erodes trust with long-term residents and those who moved to Sedona to enjoy a way of life that is disappearing.

Sedona should simplify regulations, reduce unnecessary fees, and restore predictability to City Code enforcement. The City should support local businesses instead of trying to attract large national developers or transform Sedona into a city it was never meant to be.

Transparent, Efficient Spending That Benefits Residents

City spending should be disciplined, transparent, and clearly benefit residents. Sedona should not take on additional debt for large projects without the clear approval or a vote of residents, nor should the City be acting as a land developer or purchasing property only to give it away or subsidize developers.

Public dollars should not be tied up in speculative construction projects with escalating costs or unclear benefits. Financial decisions should be made with full transparency, realistic assumptions, meaningful public input, and accountability for money spent and cost overruns.

If the City is generating revenue from millions of visitors each year, residents should see tangible benefits — investments that improve daily life, infrastructure, and community amenities. Instead the City is saddling residents with long-term debt imposed without their consent.

Revitalizing Arts, Culture, and Community Life

Sedona has a long history of being vibrant arts community, with strong local participation and nationally recognized cultural offerings. That identity has weakened over time, not due to lack of interest, but because of unenthusiastic support or even opposition from City government.

I support expanding access to existing venues, encouraging broader use of community facilities, and strategically supporting arts organizations until they become self-sustaining.

Revitalizing arts and culture strengthens community identity, supports local talent, and helps Sedona feel like a community again — not just a destination.

Traffic and Infrastructure That Serve Residents First

Traffic congestion has become one of the most visible quality-of-life issues for Sedona residents. Driving from the Village of Oak Creek to West Sedona during peak tourist season can be extremely difficult, and congestion along SR-179 and SR-89 creates real safety concerns for emergency response and evacuation.

Infrastructure planning should focus on resident mobility, emergency access, and practical congestion relief — including connector roads, alternate routes, and policies that do not penalize locals for living here.

Our infrastructure decisions must prioritize safety, reliability, and everyday usability for the people who live here.

Smarter Tourism Management

Tourism is essential to Sedona’s economy, but it must be managed thoughtfully. High visitor numbers alone do not guarantee healthy local businesses or a strong community.

An over-reliance on high-volume, low-spend day-trip tourism has contributed to congestion, trash, and wear on infrastructure without delivering proportional benefits to residents or local businesses.

I believe Sedona should refocus on sustainable tourism — emphasizing longer stays, higher-value visitors, and tourism that generates meaningful sales tax revenue for the community without forcing residents to live with constant congestion, overcrowding, and declining quality of life.