By Tim Perry | Red Rock News
Sedona’s first-ever mayoral debate took place on Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre between candidates Samaire Armstrong and sitting Vice Mayor Scott Jablow.
The debate was organized by the Sedona Red Rock News and was moderated by General Manager Kyle Larson and Managing Editor Christopher Fox Graham, sponsored by Exposures International Gallery, Crystal Magic and Mexidona.
The moderators and sponsors were introduced by Sedona International Film Festival executive director Pat Schweiss, who encouraged the audience to patronize the bar before and during the exchange: “Nothing goes better with a debate than wine, cause you’re going to need to drink!”
Track Record
With the evening’s first question, Graham reminded the audience that Jablow, as vice mayor, voted with defeated incumbent Mayor Sandy Moriarty 84.8% of the time, and asked how voters could expect him to be any different. Jablow argued that as the leading candidate in the August primary, he believed voters have confidence in him, and that he did not vote in lockstep with Moriarty, mentioning two occasions on which they differed. He stated that most projects that come before the City Council are well vetted by city staff, and he votes to approve them on their merits.
“I think it’s wonderful that in eight years you were able to manage to find twice that you voted out of sync with the mayor,” Armstrong commented.
In response to a similar question about her inexperience, Armstrong replied, “Experience means nothing if there are zero results.”
