Lack of Commonsense reins supreme at City Hall

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   Once again the City seems to be its own worse enemy when it comes to commonsense.  $2.3 Million in economic impact over a weekend or $550.00 for the city.  Is this that hard for the city to understand or comprehend?

Fortunately there is a solution to this problem.  As the city will most likely not back down from it's current stance on this matter and see the error in its ways.

The solution is the second article below.  The Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau should set aside $5,500 of the available grant money to pay for the use of this Showmobile for the next 10 groups which generate a significant amount of funds for the City and its businesses.

Commonsense is not lost on all of us.

Who’s to blame for high cost of 'showmobile'?
City loses money renting out portable stage, official says.
By Rick McCrabb, Columnist 
Updated 12:16 AM Tuesday, March 23, 2010 

MIDDLETOWN — No mathematician would argue this point. Would you risk losing $2.3 million in economic impact for a $550 check?
That should be the discussion Middletown officials face when an organization considers using the city’s showmobile, a portable stage.
Last weekend, the Middletown Spring Blast — a soccer tournament that attracted 262 teams from six states — pumped $2.36 million into the local economy, said Kathy Stites, tournament director and co-manager at Kingdom Sports in Franklin.
Youth soccer teams traveled from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia and Pennsylvania and they played at Smith Park and Jacot Park in Middletown and Franklin Community Park.
If you tried to make hotel reservations or eat at a local restaurant Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you can attest to the number of soccer players, coaches and parents in town.
For one weekend, Middletown was alive with activity.
So what’s the problem?
Stites used the city’s showmobile for Sunday’s trophy presentations — “the kids love it,” she said — and paid a $500 deposit and a $550 rental fee to cover the overtime cost of city employees to transport and set up the stage.
“Outrageous” is how she described the fees. She is too nice.
The soccer tournament also paid $40 an hour for Middletown police officers to direct traffic at the Smith Park entrance, and a refundable $350 deposit for barricades.
About 15 years ago, the cost of the showmobile was shared by the city and the Middletown Community Foundation, said Duane Gordon, executive director. For years, he said, users were charged $400, which covered the set-up cost and possible repairs.
Then, two years ago, the city increased the rental to $1,000, but after further discussion, it was lowered to $550, Gordon said.
The $1,000, he said, was “a little too high” even considering inflation.
Gordon called the showmobile “a complicated piece of equipment” that, because of liability issues, must be handled by trained city employees.
Dave Duritsch, Middletown public works director, said the city loses money when it rents the showmobile. The city is considering a higher fee structure that allows it to recoup some of the cost, he said.
Ann Mort, former president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has heard similar complaints from other organizations. She said Stites “makes a good point.”
Mort has contacted local groups and trucking companies about hauling and setting up the showmobile in hopes of making it more affordable to rent.
She knows groups don’t have the extra money budgeted. “I’m sure that has cost us some events,” she said.
Somewhere, a mathematician is scratching her head.
==========================================================================

Grants to help promote Middletown events

Staff Report 
10:10 PM Monday, March 22, 2010 

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau will be awarding grants to assist local organizations presenting events and performances in Middletown.
Grants are to be used for marketing and promotion purposes targeted to audiences outside Middletown.
Groups wishing to apply for grants should submit an application by 7 p.m. April 15.
Applications may be e-mailed to mcvb@cinci.rr.com, mailed to Middletown Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1245, Middletown, OH 45042 or dropped off at BeauVerre Riordan Studio at 1054 Central Ave.
Nonprofit agencies that received funds in 2009 will not be considered for a 2010 grant if their Economic Impact report has not been received by March 31.
The MCVB board will make the grant awards once in 2010.
In 2009 area nonprofits were awarded $60,000 to support their marketing and promotion purposes targeted to audiences outside Middletown.
Nonprofit and for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

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Pacman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pacman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Lack of Commonsense reins supreme at City Hall Posted: Mar 23 2010 at 6:50am
	Once again the City seems to be its own worse enemy when it comes to commonsense. $2.3 Million in economic impact over a weekend or $550.00 for the city. Is this that hard for the city to understand or comprehend? Fortunately there is a solution to this problem. As the city will most likely not back down from it's current stance on this matter and see the error in its ways. The solution is the second article below. The Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau should set aside $5,500 of the available grant money to pay for the use of this Showmobile for the next 10 groups which generate a significant amount of funds for the City and its businesses. Commonsense is not lost on all of us. Who’s to blame for high cost of 'showmobile'? City loses money renting out portable stage, official says. By Rick McCrabb, Columnist Updated 12:16 AM Tuesday, March 23, 2010 MIDDLETOWN — No mathematician would argue this point. Would you risk losing $2.3 million in economic impact for a $550 check? That should be the discussion Middletown officials face when an organization considers using the city’s showmobile, a portable stage. Last weekend, the Middletown Spring Blast — a soccer tournament that attracted 262 teams from six states — pumped $2.36 million into the local economy, said Kathy Stites, tournament director and co-manager at Kingdom Sports in Franklin. Youth soccer teams traveled from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia and Pennsylvania and they played at Smith Park and Jacot Park in Middletown and Franklin Community Park. If you tried to make hotel reservations or eat at a local restaurant Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you can attest to the number of soccer players, coaches and parents in town. For one weekend, Middletown was alive with activity. So what’s the problem? Stites used the city’s showmobile for Sunday’s trophy presentations — “the kids love it,” she said — and paid a $500 deposit and a $550 rental fee to cover the overtime cost of city employees to transport and set up the stage. “Outrageous” is how she described the fees. She is too nice. The soccer tournament also paid $40 an hour for Middletown police officers to direct traffic at the Smith Park entrance, and a refundable $350 deposit for barricades. About 15 years ago, the cost of the showmobile was shared by the city and the Middletown Community Foundation, said Duane Gordon, executive director. For years, he said, users were charged $400, which covered the set-up cost and possible repairs. Then, two years ago, the city increased the rental to $1,000, but after further discussion, it was lowered to $550, Gordon said. The $1,000, he said, was “a little too high” even considering inflation. Gordon called the showmobile “a complicated piece of equipment” that, because of liability issues, must be handled by trained city employees. Dave Duritsch, Middletown public works director, said the city loses money when it rents the showmobile. The city is considering a higher fee structure that allows it to recoup some of the cost, he said. Ann Mort, former president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has heard similar complaints from other organizations. She said Stites “makes a good point.” Mort has contacted local groups and trucking companies about hauling and setting up the showmobile in hopes of making it more affordable to rent. She knows groups don’t have the extra money budgeted. “I’m sure that has cost us some events,” she said. Somewhere, a mathematician is scratching her head. ========================================================================== Grants to help promote Middletown events Staff Report 10:10 PM Monday, March 22, 2010 MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau will be awarding grants to assist local organizations presenting events and performances in Middletown. Grants are to be used for marketing and promotion purposes targeted to audiences outside Middletown. Groups wishing to apply for grants should submit an application by 7 p.m. April 15. Applications may be e-mailed to mcvb@cinci.rr.com, mailed to Middletown Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1245, Middletown, OH 45042 or dropped off at BeauVerre Riordan Studio at 1054 Central Ave. Nonprofit agencies that received funds in 2009 will not be considered for a 2010 grant if their Economic Impact report has not been received by March 31. The MCVB board will make the grant awards once in 2010. In 2009 area nonprofits were awarded $60,000 to support their marketing and promotion purposes targeted to audiences outside Middletown. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.