The professional organizers of the event sent out an announcement and application to potential vendors on May 2 for the inaugural event. The showcase seeks local wineries and local restaurants with the added bonus of live music at the taxpayer's expense.
My questions, which seemed to have opened the proverbial can of worms were - 1) what accommodations were being made for the downtown business customers and 2) why were the meals taxes waived? The response was that the meals taxes would not be waived, but that was a mistake, and it was the business license for the one-day event that was being waived, and they also indicated that a correction would be made and sent out the following day. I am anxiously awaiting that correction.
Although my question regarding parking wasn't directly answered, but instead created a round-about of words stating "the only parking that will be closed will be those spaces along 21st Street - much like the block parties that the downtown group help last year." The email conversation continued with questioning the impact on business, the exact address of the event to place on the Alcoholic Beverage Control license, and choice of an alternate site - The Tabernacle, where there would be ample parking, air conditioning and no matter what the weather, will be a successful event.
Lots of hopes and dreams are coming from this retail business opportunity because "we're hoping that this will have a positive impact on the businesses downtown - that's the reason for the location. For many it will mean increased sales from much higher foot traffic than usual on a Saturday evening." Funny thing, these businesses are seldom open past 6 p.m. So for the first two hours of the event, visitors (or tourists as the Town would like to call them) will be at the wine and food booths, then maybe they will visit the businesses. Uh oh, it's 6 pm! Now the business are closed. The Town also has no way to measure the success of the event. So this will be an annual event at your expense to help the businesses. Sound good?
I was told that "we've been talking and meeting with some of the business owners who have recently taken the lead in trying to market the downtown business area to determine locations and hours that would be the most favorable to the business environment. Now that we have more details worked out for the event, we'll be contacting all the businesses to let them know of the Festival and work with them for their particular needs." That was conveyed on May 3....still waiting for that contact. Obviously the business are afraid to speak up when I asked who is involved with coordinating this event. Again, always afraid of retaliation.
I tried to schedule a meeting with the Town personnel involved, to discuss the event concerns and offer an "in kind" donation valued at $1500, they didn't respond but instead passed it to the Town Clerk who stated, "while the Town appreciates your offer to provide wine glasses at the event the wineries that will be participating will have their own glasses and the Town has no method to hand out items from businesses that will not be attending as take away gifts." I see today that the Town of Purcellville has posted opportunities for Purcellville Wine and Food Sponsorships needed. In kind gifts are considered partners, although they rejected our not once, but twice.
I hope this has given you some insight to the type of shenanigans going on in the administration of this town. Tell the Town Council and Committees how you feel. You'll have 5 minutes to speak at the Town Council meeting tonight at the Town Mahal at 7:00 p.m.
