In OZ politics and grandstanding dominate decision making.
Before there was a brief episode of rational action by the Council, it was
business as usual.
Last year our Council in an effort to update fees for
special events raised the daily fee to $2500.00 per day not event. This year in
applying for the three day (July 5,6,&7) celebration to be held on parking
lots 8 &8A; Edison Garcia requested
that the event fees be waived; a total of $7500.00 if approved.
Given that the City has extraordinary expenses incurred by
Police, Fire and Public Works as the result of any large event that includes
closure of streets; crowd control; vendor control, clean up, etc. that fall
upon the taxpayer for funding the determined fee was deemed reasonable by the
Council.
If it were a non-profit organization running an event such
as a “Health Fair” for the benefit of community residents the City helping in
underwriting the event by waiving fees would be understandable.
Edison Garcia’s motive is as much as an ethnic oriented
Hispanic get together as an Independence Day celebration. There are commercial
vendors present and what their relationship with the event organizer is his
business.
It is nice to have events that can attract all in the city. This event can be comparable to a carnival
with rides and refreshments including I believe alcoholic. However; the crux of
the matter is that despite all statements that this is for the community there is
a self serving motive.
When this Resolution was up for vote; City Clerk AJ reminded
the Council that it did not contain the request for fee abatement. Altruistic Council
Chairperson Reid who recently objected to spending money for a budget
consultant who has saved the city millions in the past; then offered an
amendment to waive the fee for the 2nd and 3rd day ($5000.00).
Although after declarations by all who spoke pro or con how
great it was for the Hispanic community to have recognition in this event the
amendment was accepted by the customary 4:3 vote. The Amended resolution was
then passed 6:1 again with appropriate comments.
Later in the meeting in response to a citizens question about a Candidates’ debate before the June primary, Mapp confirmed the FOSH sponsored May
It's sad that there are people on this body who don't think of the tax payers and some who don't think at all. What's the sense of having fees if that are not applied fairly. I won't even talk about Reid and the mess he seems to be. Too bad for the rest of us. I don't go, don't enjoy the over the top noise, nor do I speak spanish, so this is even more of a slap in the face.
ReplyDeleteDr. Yood: FOSH and the Plainfield League of Women Voters are sponsoring a mayoralty debate on Wednesday 22 May at 7 pm at the Plainfield Public Library. Free and everyone welcome. Library asks we park on the street or the rear lot, along 9th Street. Out-of-town LWV moderator and LWV format.
ReplyDeletePat I have corrected the date. I apologize for not mentioning the Plainfield LWV involvement because I knew that this debate could not meet LVW criteria although the format and moderator will be LWV.
ReplyDelete