Jackson said the tentative event date is Saturday, July 6 and it will include a parade and fireworks, and possibly a concert.
Council members and residents have been asking for particulars on how much last year's celebration cost. Resident Jeanette Criscione, who served on the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee last year, said at the Jan. 22 council meeting she had just received the information that day. Councilwoman Rebecca Williams asked for a full accounting and alleged individuals were fraudently asking merchants for large fees to take part in the 2012 celebration.
The issue of disclosure of costs of the event goes back to 2006, when the City Council refused to approve a $55,000 budget transfer for a concert and another $51,000 to hire an "event planner' for the event. Click here for details.
Recreation Superintendent Dave Wynn left city employment in the Fall of 2012. According to the city web site, the post is still vacant. In addition to holiday events, the Recreation Division organizes use of playgrounds and pools, sports and activities of many kinds, field trips and the city's annual art festival.
The city youth baseball league and a volunteer league that clashed over use of fields and other issues for the past few years were scheduled to merge this year into one league under city auspices. But speakers at the Feb. 4 meeting indicated differences are still being hashed out. Jackson said discussions on the consolidation are ongoing.
"We are working toward that goal," he said of the merger.
The regular City Council meeting is Monday (Feb. 11) at 8 p.m. in Municipal Court. Click here to see the agenda. Plaintalker posted on some topics and Dr. Harold Yood has commented on his blog, Doc's Potpourri.
--Bernice
The entire purpose of the Art Festival in the summer was to attract people to the downtown and hopefully do some shopping. The Chamber of Commerce and then Mr Pittis did the work. Now the Taxpayers fund a feel good time in the park where items are sold but NO benefit to the tax collection of the City or State. There are enough flea/rummage sales around that we do not need to have CITY money pay for this. P.S. there will still be a FREE food party in the park by PMUA I am sure !!
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