It was like speed dating — political style.

Six candidates vying for three seats on the Sedona City Council took part in their first forum of the political season on Tuesday, July 19, at the Sedona Public Library. About 75 people turned out for the event hosted by the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

Incumbents John Martinez and Jessica Williamson, as well as John Currivan and Joe Vernier, are vying for a pair of four-year terms while Tom Lamkin [who was appointed to the council earlier this year] will face Gerhard Mayer for a two-year term. This will fulfill the term vacated in January by Angela LeFevre. Mayor Sandy Moriarty is running unopposed.

The format included the candidates getting two minutes for opening remarks. They were asked a prepared question and from there, the candidates sat at one of six tables and answered questions for about 10 minutes. They would then move to the next table and so on. Some of the topics discussed at the tables including trash, wants vs. needs, traffic, sustainability, property tax and affordable housing.

The candidates were asked their thoughts of the Chamber of Commerce receiving 55 percent of the bed tax and their three ideas for economic diversity in Sedona.

Joe Vernier: “That’s a difficult question as to whether or not I personally support it because that was a decision made between the chamber and the lodging industry. The fact that we had just come out of a significant recession, they needed to get Sedona operating again.”

Economic diversity: Technology, medical, education.

Jessica Williamson: “I voted for the additional bed tax and I was totally impressed that the industry that benefited from destination marketing taxed themselves to pay for that. It provides an additional source of income to the chamber and to the city. I think it was a good initiative and I feel it will prove to be useful in the future.”

Economic diversity: Home-based technology, medical research and technology, conferences.

John Currivan: “I am in favor of development in Sedona. The 55 percent bed tax goes to the chamber and is paid by visitors and the lodging industry and not by the Sedona taxpayers. People ask, ‘How much is enough’ as far as bringing tourists into Sedona? We have peaks and valleys and the chamber is doing a good job of trying to target the valleys and not the peaks.”

Economic diversity: Medical, aging in place.

John Martinez: “I was part of the council that voted to approve the bed tax increase. In my opinion, we’re talking about the visitors who are coming here. It would not affect the citizens directly in regard to a tax — which is what a lot of people don’t want. This is a perfect private-public partnership to generate revenue for the city.”

Economic diversity: Culinary/hospitality, home-based technology.

Gerhard Mayer: “I’ve been here for 33 years and I have seen Sedona grow. I like growth and sustainable growth. I’ve written several articles and papers in regard to
quantity vs. quality. I’m a very creative person and I will come up with ideas as well as solutions.”

Economic diversity: Culinary institute, hotel/tourism academy, arts academy

Tom Lamkin: “Two years ago when I ran for City Council, I was for the bed tax and the 55 percent figure. Sedona has a vibrant tourist economy. The red rocks draw millions of tourists a year. But there must be a way to balance the needs of our residents with the needs of our tourists.”

Economic diversity: Culinary, wine industry, high-tech security.