Priorities
Sedona deserves a city government that is honest, careful with money, and genuinely committed to the people who live here. These are the five issues I will focus on from day one.
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.
"Zoning creep erodes trust with long-term residents and those who moved to Sedona to enjoy a way of life that is disappearing."
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.
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.
"Financial decisions should be made with full transparency, realistic assumptions, meaningful public input, and accountability for money spent."
Public dollars should not be tied up in speculative construction projects with escalating costs or unclear benefits.
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 a 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.
"Revitalizing arts and culture strengthens community identity, supports local talent, and helps Sedona feel like a community again — not just a destination."
I support expanding access to existing venues, encouraging broader use of community facilities, and strategically supporting arts organizations until they become self-sustaining.
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 — not penalizing locals for living here."
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.
"Sedona should refocus on sustainable tourism — emphasizing longer stays, higher-value visitors, and tourism that generates meaningful revenue without destroying quality of life."
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 that generates meaningful sales tax revenue without forcing residents to live with constant congestion, overcrowding, and declining quality of life.