posted May 25, 2010
Funding for the upcoming Pops in the Park concert and fireworks at Coolidge Park was again in question as City Council members wrestled with the budget. However, the council voted 6-2 on Tuesday night to provide the final $40,000 needed.
Councilman Jack Benson, who cast a no vote along with Debra Scott, said the $40,000 had first been pledged to the RiverCity Company and there was a commitment that it get the money.
However, the council was told that if the money went to RiverCity, then it would not get passed on to Allied Arts for this year's popular program featuring the Chattanooga Symphony.
Voting in favor were Carol Berz, Andrae McGary, Russell Gilbert, Sally Robinson, Peter Murphy and Pam Ladd.
Dan Johnson, the mayor's chief of staff, said, "I would not want to be the one who pulled the plug on Pops in the Park." He said it is the city's largest "free" event and draws up to 40,000 people.
It will be held on July 3 this year.
Dan Bowers, president of Allied Arts, earlier told the council that $40,000 has been committed by his agency and private sources, but another $40,000 was needed.
The Littlefield administration had planned to allot the $40,000 to Allied Arts out of some unspent funds that had been designated for the RiverCity Company. The Downtown Partnership, an arm of RiverCity, formerly put on the event. However, the Downtown Partnership was dissolved some months ago.
Mr. Bowers said it was almost past time for a decision about the concert and fireworks.
He said musicians need to be lining up other work for the Fourth if they will not be performing at the park.
Mr. Bowers said two foundations and three corporations have agreed to help with the initial $40,000, but that is only half of what is needed.
Kim White of RiverCity said the agency is still owed $40,000 for what it was promised by the city for the current fiscal year. She said it had lived up to its commitments, but not gotten the money.
She said she was willing to delay getting that money until the next fiscal year if it could be used now for the concert.
Ms. White said RiverCity requested $125,000 in the upcoming budget and was recommended for $80,000. She is asking that the total be $120,000 - counting the past due $40,000 - if the allotment is delayed and that amount goes for the concert.
Councilwoman Robinson praised the work of the agency, saying it has helped spur millions of dollars in downtown development.
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