CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake City Council authorized a $1,000 donation on Thursday in support of the fourth annual Old Time Bluegrass Festival. Authorization was granted on a 4-1 vote count with Councilmember Judy Thein casting the dissenting vote. Thein had been pushing for a larger donation.
The bluegrass festival will be held in September. Organizers presented their request for monetary support now in order to begin marketing the event. Event representative Henry Bornstein said that marketing strategies will include local, regional and national publicity efforts. According to Bornstein, 32 percent of the people who attended last year”s event were from outside the area.
Councilmember Joyce Overton, who ultimately provided the second on the motion put forth by Councilmember Roy Simons, said that she thought it was too early for the council to consider the request. “I”m not for giving any money right at this point but I”m not saying I”m willing to give any money later. I just think it”s too early,” she said, suggesting that organizers come back in May.
Overton and Simons both suggested that organizers turn to the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce for monetary support. “I believe you should be looking at the chamber to help you with this. That is why we give them that money,” Overton said, referring to the annual allocation the chamber receives through redevelopment funds.
Organizers said that the chamber does support the event with in-kind contributions.
Thein voiced support for contributing $2000, which was the amount requested. “It all comes back and it comes back to our kids,” she said. “We have this $5000 set aside in our budget for these particular things. We need to be a part of our community and this benefits everyone.”
Councilmember Curt Giambruno also supported contributing $2000, which is the same amount the council donated last year. Mayor Chuck Leonard voiced his support for a $1000 donation. “I support this but we are really strapped this year. I”d be more inclined to go with $1,000 this year,” he said.
Carolynn Jarrett, president of the Children”s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS), which partners with the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) for the event, provided the council with a few statistics related to the event. Jarrett said several non-profit organizations benefit from participation in the event. She said last year Lower Lake Elementary School earned $1400 for field trips; Carl? High School earned $1500 for its student body funds; and the local Kiwanis club put $800 in its scholarship fund with event proceeds. Several other organizations raised money as well she said.
Furthermore, Jarrett reported that the CMAS and AMIA split nearly $5000 with last year”s proceeds. AMIA reportedly directed $1800 of those proceeds toward the grant writing fund, which Jarrett said has reached $15,000.
The CMAS and AMIA are determined to establish a discovery center at the marsh, which is the primary purpose for holding the bluegrass festival. Jarrett said now that the grant fund has reached $15,000 the grant writing process can begin.
For more information regarding the Old Time Bluegrass Festival, visit www.andersonmarsh.org.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
