GT DAYS the Citizens Way...

It is great that the Citizens have taken the lead on GT Days, with the minimal and limited assistance of the City. This is how it should be.

Tax money should not be used to pay city employees to plan and pull off a party, any party including GT Days, Retirement Parties, and Christmas Parties. Not when so much debt is being serviced... by the city every quarter. The City can't afford a bender on the taxpayers dime.

However, this time citizens are in charge of the funds Lets hope all the funds make it to the right "Fund". This is where the check register fails to report sufficiently to the public. How much was received from contributions to the GT DAYS EVENT, and from whom? In addition to cash contributions there should be a reporting on the in kind contributions to the event, and tax deduction receipts provided to the donors or cash or in kind items.

There has been an improvement and these suggestions would just finish up the proper financial controls. City Employees who do work for the Planning or on the Event should have their time reported and if they are compensated for that time in cash or Paid Time Off in the future the Citizens should be informed. Perhaps there will be sufficient contributions to the Party Fund to offset the cost of City Employees. IF not we citizens need to evaluate if this continues to be the best use of public funds.

Moving forward....

Lets hope the GT City Day will not be a LOUD EVENT... tone down the volume and the cost. Not everyone wants to hear GT Days events all day long... Be a good neighbor when you have your party. If you have to use LOUD Speakers no one wants to Hear what you are saying... Give that some thought. LOUD MUSIC isn't better because it is LOUD... it is just LOUD...

PAWW>>>>>
As I understand (from a quasi-good source) the yearly Grand Terrace Days in late September is to be a solitary event. All under the auspices of the Lyon's Club, all at the park, and having NOTHING to do with the G.T. CC.

The CC again forgot to get going, meet some deadlines and now have missed the scheduled date for their contribution at the show.

It is much simpler to RELY on individuals, not the GT city council. Boy, am hoping someone with a bullhorn in hand mentions this to the crowd later on.

REPLY:

The CC did agree to cover the insurance underwriting which is nearly impossible to do as a citizens group. In addition they are acting as banker for the funds, this can be a aid in securing contributions, however given recent problems in making payments to Red light Company we may question the accountability and traceability of those and any other funds donated for the purpose of GT Days. Oh and they put the signs up on the city owned and managed sign boards.