In the News

By Juliana Walter -August 8, 2022

Six candidates vied for the three open spots on the Sedona City Council and by Wednesday morning, the results appear to indicate candidates Pete Furman, Brian Fultz and Melissa Dunn won the seats.

The Yavapai County Recorder’s Office estimated at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, that 17,000 early ballots dropped off at vote centers and drop boxes and 231 provisional ballots had yet to be counted. The county did not return calls indicating how many may affect Sedona’s election.

The top two candidates, Furman and Fultz, both have been longtime resi­dents of the city. Furman finished with 1,674 votes for 21.12% of the total votes and Fultz finished with 1,519 votes for 19.16% of the total votes.

“I am happy, honored and humbled by the support I received from so many Sedonans.” Furman said. “I look forward to working on City Council to enhance our quality of life, protect our environment and main­tain local control.”

“I am grateful to have been elected to the council at the primary and look forward to joining Pete Furman and Melissa Dunn as new councilors,” Fultz said. “ I’m also pleased that voters strongly supported the re-authoriza­tion of Home Rule budgeting. With the election complete, there is a lot to work on to address the concerns our resi­dents have, and I’m eager to get started.”

In a different turn of events from previous election cycles, three of the six candidates moved to the city within the past two years. But for Dunn, this did not seem to make a difference after receiving 1,409 votes.

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“I am excited by the opportunity afforded me by the residents of our community and grateful to my fellow candidates,” Dunn said. “Our problems are complex and complicated by the magnificence of our surrounding natural environment, which attracts large numbers of visitors, State laws and Federal Land Use principles. There is no simple or even single solution, but I believe by listening to each other we can find small, measurable, time-bound, steps forward to reach the vision and goals set out in our shared community plan.”

Incumbent Councilman Jon “J.T.” Thompson finished in fourth, followed by newcomers Jennifer Strait and then Scott Moffatt.

“I’m especially glad that they have also elected the best two candidates to council, Pete Furman and Brian Fultz. And while I had hoped to join them, I am sure that Melissa Dunn will provide a strong new perspective as well,” Thompson said. “I wish them and the existing council all the best.”

Although not elected, two other candidates both ran on the same platform, behind mayoral candidate Samaire Armstrong. As the city heads into the general election, Strait will continue to support Armstrong’s campaign.

“I want to thank you all for standing behind me to run for City Council. I am honored to have met and connected with you in heart and spirit,” Strait wrote on her Facebook page. “These past five months of campaigning, each and everyone one of us has planted the seeds for greatness. Birthing a new vision. Believing in a new way of living and being …. Now let’s continue this positive wave. I believe we can make that change.”

Scott Moffatt, who came in last, said “no comment.”

Furman, Fultz and Thompson all support Vice Mayor Scott Jablow as the next city mayor. Dunn has not given her support to either of the runoff candidates. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

http://www.redrocknews.com/2022/08/08/furman-fultz-dunn-elected/

Published June 23, 2022 in the Sedona Red Rock News

I’m Pete Furman, candidate for Sedona City Council. I’m running to improve the quality of life for Sedona residents, help protect our environment and maintain local control.

Talking with residents and business owners, I hear fears and concerns about a declining quality of life. People cite negative forces like traffic congestion, high housing costs and strangers filling our neighborhoods. They believe that short-term rentals have decimated the availability of rental housing, causing workers to leave.

Crowded restaurants, slow service and rising prices are common. Trailhead parking is difficult and trails are overcrowded and trashed. Irresponsible ATV operators damage the environment and cause noise and congestion problems. Everyone suffers as our doctors and teachers move away. Residents blame overtourism and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

While we can do more, I believe city and community leaders are working to improve our quality of life. But public policy issues are difficult because our many needs and desires pull in different directions. And the process is darn slow. Improving quality of life takes time, money and effort.

In Sedona, tourism funds most of the city budget. Our challenge is to use tourism tax revenues to solve needs of residents and the local businesses we depend on. Managing tourism and mitigating its negative impacts on resident quality of life has become essential. City, [Sedona] Chamber [of Commerce] and [U.S.] Forest Service leaders all play vital roles. It’s important for residents to participate in Sedona’s budget process because that’s where city officials decide how to improve our lives and spend available revenues.

If elected, I will be laser focused on improving quality of life. I’ll seek to increase residents’ understanding of the budget. I’ll track our traffic, STR and housing efforts and will ask for outcome-based measures to gauge progress.

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I support the Sedona In Motion projects.

I believe unregulated, commercially operated STRs are mini hotels using state-protected loopholes and don’t belong in our neighborhoods.

I believe workers, families and retirees all enrich our community. I want more teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, city employees, artists and hospitality and service workers living in Sedona.

We can’t solve everyone’s needs for housing within city limits, but we’ll do what we can and work regionally to encourage more supply.

My attention will also be on protecting our environment.

Sedona’s Climate Action Plan is a significant body of work. I support it. Government has a legitimate role in advocating for and modeling good choices. Water and fire issues are particularly crucial. Flood protection, water supply and quality, conservation and reuse will get my attention. As will fire prevention, risk reduction and preparedness and evacuation planning.

Another key focus is local control, which means Home Rule. I’ve studied Home Rule and its impact on our city budget.

I presented to council about it. I support Home Rule. Maintaining local control al so means working with state legislators who understand that local leaders know what’s best for their communities and need flexibility implementing state laws.

Through experience, I’ve learned to work with the public, elected officials and city staff. I understand how local governments set policy and I enjoy the public process. I’m energized and ready to work for Sedona’s residents.

Pete Furman is one of six candidates for three seats on the Sedona City Council. Election day is Tuesday, Aug. 2.

http://www.redrocknews.com/2022/06/23/candidate-essay-pete-furman-will-use-outcome-based-measures-to-gauge-progress/