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Mayor Spotlight
Name, title & city/town: Sandy Moriarty, Mayor, City of Sedona
Year elected to office: 2014
Years served as Mayor: 1.5 years
Hometown: Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, where I lived for 25 years. I have lived in Sedona for 44 years, so I now consider Sedona my hometown.
Town of Sedona
Incorporated: 1988
Population: 10,031
Elevation: 4,240 ft.
County: Yavapai/Coconino
Area within Limits: 19 sq. mi.
Why did you decide to serve in local government?
I was involved in three different committees over a fifteen year period to get Sedona incorporated, finally succeeding in 1988 after a successful election in December 1987. I served
on the first appointed city council from January - May of 1988. I have volunteered for many non-profits, not just locally but regionally and statewide, but did not run for elective
office until I ran for mayor in 2014. I strongly believe in service to the community, and have always found that I get back more than I give, in so many ways. I served on the housing
commission for six years out of an abiding interest in affordable housing, but my interests are many and varied. I see serving in local government as a great way to actually make a
difference and get things done. I believe that if I think something should happen, I should be a part of making it happen, and local government is the most effective avenue to do
that.
What are the biggest challenges facing your town today?
Traffic issues are at the top of the list. We have a very active and involved community, so citizen engagement is very important in all decisions we make. Because our economy is
and always will be based on tourism, economic diversity is always our challenge. And because land prices are high, affordable housing for our workforce is also critical.
What opportunities do you see for your community?
With the economy returning to a growth mode, there are many opportunities on the horizon. We are still in the process of developing the specific area plans called for in the update
of our community plan. Two are finished, with nine to go, so as we work through that process, I expect many opportunities to arise, both in the planning process and in the development
to follow. We are blessed with an ever-present economic engine, our tourism industry, and with an economic development director about to come on board, we are looking for new ways to
grow and diversify our economy.
What are you most proud of during your time in office?
I am proud of the current council's willingness to make some difficult decisions which we believe are in the best interest of our community in spite of what can often be very vocal
opposition. We have also boosted support for our art community as we recognize their overall value to our city, in many ways. We have added a "Moment of Art" to the agenda of our
first council meeting each month, as one small gesture signifying the importance of art to our community. We are constantly looking for ways to honor our core values of sustainability
and the protection of our unmatchable environment. To that end, we are partnering with our Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to explore a systematic approach to destination sustainability
through participation in the Global Sustainable Tourism's Destinations Program.
Why is the League important to cities and towns in Arizona?
The League is an invaluable partner and resource for all of the cities and towns in Arizona. It facilitates the relationships that are a critical part of the success of all of us, it
gives us the tools we need to found and grow our communities, and the help we need to continue to serve our citizens' needs. It allows us to speak as one voice to the State Legislature
in a way that is far more effective than most of us could not do on our own, as there is power in pooled resources and ideas. When I first got interested in getting Sedona incorporated,
it was the League I turned to for education about the process, and help in working through that process, and I still turn to them today. |
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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