Let's have a Paul Harvey moment and take a look at the "rest of the story."
This is not the type of story that the news media just happens to want to uncover. It's the type that was shopped in order to pressure City Hall to waive fees.
On Monday, lawmakers received three requests to waive various fees. In all cases it was because the user was a "not for profit." Council rejected "waiving" fees, despite knowing that news stories like this would be the result.
Council also has approved two years in a row a $5,000 appropriation to DPAO for their concerts and the city constructed a pavillion requested for use in these events.
The modest fees do not offset all the costs associated with running a Recreation Department, nor are they intended to. They do serve as a reminder what is received has value, and frankly one thing that Council wanted to end was the practice of waiving fees as it had, in part, resulted in situations like the Arena Gate scandals outlined in a scathing audit done in 2011.
If there is not going to be a fee for something, the law should be changed. Otherwise the law means nothing as why wouldn't everyone ask for a waiver ?
We recently had a situation like that with field rentals for softball tournaments where the fee structure, when applied, resulted in unintended high fees. Rather than look the other way, the law was changed to something more fair.
Council expects staff to implement the ordinances on the books and I for one support our new parks superintendent when she enforces the rules as written.
If someone wants a fee repealed, there is a legislative path to do that, although its a process that should occur earlier than the day before an event.
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16 comments:
Why do you hate America and disabled people?
Good for you City Council. I think it's great that you make a stand and punish organizations for the conditions and mismanagement of your past. A helpful hint to make the new city managers life easier, start drinking if you want to fit in! because that will be the only way you'll be able to see eye to eye with the city council on matters. Inept, Inept, Inept p.s. don't be surprised if you find yourslef as the DD, as more than one of the board members have had alcohol related driving problems in the past.
No need to rant and rave on this as it is just the same song but different verse. Instead of "fees" it should all be a lump sum rental deal. I live right next to the fair grounds but I am not on here complaining about everything that gets thrown in my yard everytime something happens at the fairgrounds. I'm getting awfully tempted to throw my name in the hat for council the next time it comes around. What happened to noise enforcement from loud car stereos? Everyday I have people vibrating the side of my house as they wait for the light to change but to be real how many tickets have been issued? If we make people pay for the things they are suppose to (littering, noise levels, etc) you would not have to have stupid $20 fees!
Stick to your guns Mr Mayor. The rules are for everyone including Joe Rich. I for one am sick and tired of His constant whining and looking for free stuff. Mr Rich consider it a cost of doing business and add it to the ticket prices.
Seriously people. Look up 'not for profit'. Dpao runs a great service but do u seriously think that these concerts pay for all the new buildings, executive salaries etc. Is there no medicare/medicaid billing? Watertown tax payers should not b asked to pick up the fees for concerts too. Great idea to lose the fees and just charge a rental fee, cleaner and easier. If everyone has a problem with the morality, ethics, and intelligence of the city government they should toss their hats in the ring. Run for office on a platform that is business friendly and voice your ideas. It is too bad Doheny didnt set his sights on fixing watertown first.
Not for profit? Most of what they do is great. But don't think that the heads of office in the company, ecause that's what it is, don't get paid good money. They do.
Sure Mr Graham...blame it on the media. You are about as inept as the rest of them. Perhaps you should have stayed part of the media instead of yoy seller of swill incarnation.
Glad you got your lottery licence back as I'm sure those were some lean years post Breen.
So vote for someone else..What were you ever elected to ?
Mayor Graham is right on with his commentary and stance. DPAO has to play by the same rules as everyone else. I do not get the privilege of requesting a "waiver" for the cost of my city trash collection stickers, my water bill, or my property taxes. Let's be clear about something, passions aside...DPAO MAKES MONEY on those events. If they didn't, they wouldn't be doing concerts any longer. I find it hard to understand why they can't pay $20 a day for services when they are making THOUSANDS in revenue. Non-profit does not mean "NO profit".
I agree with the mayor and city council on the stand they are making. It should be an even steven playing field for all people that use the facility. I'm tired of hearing the "not for profit" mantra over and over again. This is hogwash. If somebody gets paid to work there then they profit by it. Pay the fee and quit your campaign of whining!
1021...It's a fundraiser...
Mr Graham most of us have not been elected to anything because it is a money game. I worked my rear end of just to end up without a job, you think I can afford to run for anything?? It is always about the money that is it plain and simple. How many people are in this town that are unemployed and and could actually do some good on the council and wouldn,t be unemployed anymore. I believe I could do some good and I bet there are allot more so there is your answer to the elected part. That is unless you want to pay for me to run in that case ......... hey there is an idea. Each member of the council when their time comes up for reelection they have to not only support themselves but an average "Joe" to run also. Of course let us see what happens when moderated.
Hey 10:21 look at NOW at a prime example of getting things for nothing and proffiting by it, A Shelter for the homeless??? Just a place to put the castoffs from the social agencies, the directors are well paid, as are everyone else involved...........
This debate harkens back to 'lighting the clock tower green'. If you do it for one, then you gotta do it for everyone. Every group under the sun would be asking for the fees to be waived, and council has done the right thing to stick to the law on this.
A quick aside. Why is it that some people feel the need to respond to thoughtful debate by insulting others...without basis might I add. Your arguement, or lack thereof, goes out the window when you start attacking people. The Mayor could have easily not posted your comment (s), so it says to me that he has a set of balls, and you hide behind a keyboard and simply insult people. Take your trash elsewhere...This is not 'rant's and raves'.
That felt good...Have a great weekend all....except the haters.
think of fee-waiving as a form of PILOT program, then you'll sleep better.
Give me a break. Hide behind a keyboard but yet posts as anonymous. Must be an employee in between pours.
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