As election season approaches, Sedona City Councilman Jon Thompson and the other council candidates answered many questions about their goals in the position and vision for the city. The six candidates are running for three four-year openings on the council.
Q: How long have you lived in Sedona?
My wife Felicia and I built our home here and moved in 16 years ago.
Q: Where in Sedona do you spend the most time?
I’m at home, as much as possible, though I find that the time I spend at council meetings and related activities is always stimulating and rewarding. I help Felicia with her garden and we enjoy [Osher Lifelong Learning Institute] classes. I’m also at my keyboard a lot: Responding to residents, researching and preparing council issues and maintaining a couple websites.
Q: What do you or did you do for a living?
I retired in 2007 after a 32-year career in publishing, most of that time as a senior manager of technical documentation groups at high-tech firms in Silicon Valley.
Q: How else are you involved in the Sedona community [other than running for office]?
In the past, I was a Litter Lifter for Keep Sedona Beautiful for 10 years and volunteered many hours at Chamber Music Sedona and the City Clerk’s Office.
I served as chair of the Citizens Steering Committee that developed our current Community Plan. I’m currently a board member of Healthy World Sedona, where I helped produce all four Sedona VegFests and an active member of the Sustainability Alliance.
Q: What do you believe are the most important values to Sedona residents?
They were very clear in the last national citizen survey we participated in that environmental protection was the most valued. I share that value at the deepest level.
Q: What are Sedona’s top three issues right now?
Sustainable community, sustainable economy and sustainable future.
Q: What do you feel is the City Council’s biggest responsibility to the residents?
Some may say representation, but leadership is not just about being the public’s proxy. On behalf of the residents, council must research issues thoroughly, collaborate effectively and decide wisely for the good of those residents. We must represent not just their opinions but their welfare, which are not always the same thing.
Q: Why are you running for City Council?
I’m standing for re-election to ensure that council continues to have a clear, positive and effective voice for sustainable, long-term planning. Our opportunities have never been richer, our responsibilities have never been more serious and the need for systemic leadership has never been greater.
