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Township wants details on bicentennial party
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - May 12, 2011)
Township wants details on bicentennial party
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees asked a representative of Chardon's bicentennial committee last week to provide more details before the township agrees to contribute financially to the celebration.
While trustees said they may be willing to contribute upward of $5,000 toward the celebration planned for next year, they want to know how those dollars are spent. The amount would be the same the City of Chardon has allocated toward the year-long celebration, marking Chardon's 200th birthday.
"I would want some justification because it's tax dollars," Trustee Charles Strazinsky Jr. said.
Mr. Strazinsky made the request to William Jackson, a member of the steering committee for the bicentennial.
Mr. Jackson provided the board with an overall view of what was being planned for the bicentennial.
He said a tentative schedule of events is being planned at this time, although the effort is in need of additional volunteers to pull off all of the events being planned.
He said the bicentennial committee is planning to publish a pictorial history book of the area and is now in the process of collecting old photographs of the city and township from its early days. He said the book is primarily composed of photographs from the city, because much less commercial and industrial development has occurred in the township.
In all, Mr. Jackson said, the bicentennial committee has received photographs from 3,000 different people.
He noted that the township was formed in 1812 and the city was incorporated in 1851.
The committee, he said, has received small donations from various civic groups and a $5,000 allocation from the city.
Those monies will be used as the bicentennial committee establishes itself as a non-profit organization, known as a 501C3, and opens a bank account to hold its donations. Mr. Jackson said the organization also plans to sell banners that can be sold to businesses and individuals.
He said those efforts require money as do mailings, a fireworks show and police security. "There will be some ongoing costs," Mr. Jackson said.
Mr. Strazinsky said he would like an accounting of how any money the township contributes will be used and how it will benefit township residents.
"Where is this going and how is it going to serve our community?" Mr. Strazinsky asked. "I'm not objecting to it, I'd just be more comfortable knowing where it's going."
Trustee Michael Brown said it is important to acknowledge the township's history. He said the township likely would have held its own celebration if the city had not initiated it first.
Mr. Brown also tossed down a challenge to the city, saying the township hopes to host a softball game between the city and the township.
Trustee Steven Borawski said he would like to see a men's team and a women's team from each community play those softball games at the township's park. He said a community picnic could be held after the games.
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