City and County Voter and Elections Information

Dear Sedona Citizens,

When I ran for Sedona City Council four years ago, I did so because I was eager to make the community I love even better. Although I’ve been in public service my entire life, since being elected to city council I have learned a lot about what it takes to serve well in this unique role. Making decisions that affect an entire community is a big responsibility. Representing so many diverse interests and perspectives requires a willingness to listen and collaborate, an open heart and mind, and a lot of thoughtful deliberation; and even then, you can’t make everyone happy all the time. It’s been challenging and rewarding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am proud of what this Council has been able to accomplish in the last four years, but I know there is still much work to be done. That’s why I would be honored to be re-elected as your city councilor.

As your representative, I have been committed to being as open and accessible as I possibly can. The only way I am going to truly understand the issues and how decisions are going to impact various stakeholders is to meet and talk and most importantly listen. To the many who have called on me over the years know that I am responsive, day or night, to the needs of those I represent.

Over the last four years, our community has been fortunate to have experienced continued economic prosperity. There are 28 new businesses in the city and sales tax collections are up 32%. That commercial growth has translated into new and improved infrastructure and amenities such as storm drainage, streets and parks improvements, and expanded services like a new economic development program so we can work towards reducing our reliance on tourism as our only economic engine.

I have also been committed to elevating the arts in Sedona. From converting the former teen center building into a performing arts hub to expanding the artist in the classroom program, constructing a new outdoor performance pavilion, showcasing local artists at City Hall and spearheading the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial at Fire Station 6. I will continue to work to see Sedona live up to its claim to be a city “animated by the arts.”

Four years ago, traffic was probably the #1 concern. The need to actually “do something” to address Sedona’s traffic issues was one of the primary reasons I, and my fellow city councilors, were elected. While there is no quick fix or single silver bullet, I am happy to report that not only did we complete a transportation master plan full of specific projects and strategies, but before the ink was dry, we secured a funding source and started to execute projects. Progress is being made and will continue to be made until we see some relief!

Now that traffic improvements are underway, the next City Council priority item that I feel passionately about addressing is housing diversity/workforce housing. Since the Arizona legislature passed a new law effective January 2017 that permits using private homes as vacation rentals, Sedona has seen as many as 1000 housing units converted to vacation rentals. This changing vacation economy has resulted in the displacement of many of our community members including police officers, service workers, teachers, postal workers and others who are leaving Sedona because they can’t find or afford a place to live. The shortage of affordable housing, which has always been a challenge in Sedona, I believe is now a crisis and one that the City Council must deal with head-on.

As much as there is a diversity of perspectives and interests in this community, there is also an overwhelming sense of pride and agreement that Sedona is a special place, and one that deserves our best stewardship. In that vein and in the spirit of looking forward, setting new goals, and working together to accomplish them, I am asking for your support for my continued service as your city councilor.

Your candidate for re-election,

SCOTT JABLOW
Jablow for City Council