CE:
Have you contacted the GRSF Board or the interim
general manager, Jeff Stevenson, with your questions about
the Fest's funds, grant applications or strategic plan? Maybe a request of an
annual report would be in order? I have every confidence that this organization
must be independently audited each year and account for every penny spent! I
haven't requested the figures, but I have every reason to believe that if you
ask the appropriate person involved, s/he will provide any and all public
information regarding the financials.
Bob has shared that his impression is that the goal
is for GRSF to be funded at 2/3 ticket sales and 1/3 private/corporate
contributions or public support. I'm sure that any application for the public
funding of a feasibility study has a budget specifying exactly what will be done
and for how much. I imagine that a copy is buried somewhere in your
congressperson's office--especially since the funding has been approved by the
state. I also believe that the City has this information as well and your City
Councilperson might also be a source for the information you seek. Are
these the places where you've been "asking around" only to have no response? I
suspect (and hope!) not.
As far as whether the community's parks are being
properly maintained--of course they are not (no offense to the department--I'm
sure you do your best within the budget you have!). But it isn't because
the GRSF received public funds!!! I am aware that last year's Miss
Winona, Pam Chapman, began a fund-raising effort for improvements to
an East End playground.(Here is a link to an article about it: http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2005/07/30/neighbors/00neitxt)
I believe I read a recent statement by her that she
hopes to carry on the work after she retires her crown as well! The parks are
like many other services provided by the City that end up being low on the
priority list when competing for the same funds as police and fire
departments, water supply, streets, etc. This is another example of how private
citizens and organizations are having to raise funds for things that we've come
to believe are a public responsibility, but the government can't pay
for it because citizens like yourself don't want to be taxed for
them.
I doubt that the funds given by the Port Authority
or the CVB were funds that could have been provided to the Park Rec Department.
The Port Authority is charged with maintaining the Port and promoting the river
and local commerce. The CVB's role is to promote Winona as a destination.
Clearly the GRSF falls under the purview of both of these organizations--both of
which have their own commissioners or directors who are charged with
responsibility for budgets, decision-making, and accountability for
funds.
The park/rec department is a department of the
City, and its budget is set by the City Council. I think that all three (the
City, Port Authority and CVB) operate independently. Please don't
frame this in a way that is simply false by implying that the City gives money
to GRSF instead of improving our parks!!!
Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 5:23
PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: [Winona]
Wilkie/Shakespeare
[Winona Online Democracy]
"The GRSF is sucking down ALOT of taxpayer monies...these monies
were the same funds denied to the parks( have you seen the conditions of some
of the parks in town? noteably the east-end ones?"
