3/9/11
- Two recreational organizations in Hamburg Township played a game of defense
at a meeting last night. The township board is revamping the way it handles
parks and recreation. Back in December, it voted to replace the Parks and
Recreation Board with the Community Recreational Services Organization headed
by Clerk Jim Nielsen along with Trustees Phil Semprevivo and Mike Dolan.
It’s been reviewing the township’s current parks-and-recreation
functions and structures and held a meeting last night at the town hall with
the Hamburg Enhanced Recreation Organization or HERO where both groups defended
their missions and intent. HERO is a volunteer-run non-profit that puts on
the Family Fun Fest every year which also works closely with the Hamburg
Flyers Club and holds other fundraising events, activities and community
service projects. HERO’s proceeds are put back into the community and
used to help fund recreation as well as other fundraisers and projects such
as the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall. The committee voiced liability, parking
and insurance concerns with Fun Fest since HERO is an outside group and making
profit from use of the township facilities. It questioned its budget and
felt details and line items were lacking, along with internal controls. President
Joanna Hardesty stated that Fun Fest is one of the few festivals to survive,
having hung on despite the economy because it has worked hard to find other
means of support. Hardesty says the overall picture being painted was misleading
and HERO has insurance and has invested thousands on field maintenance and
repair, stages, sound and two banner poles at $10,000 that are now the township’s
property among others. The committee maintained it wanted to limit township
exposure but HERO members felt the board was micromanaging. Committee Chairman
Phil Semprevivo stated that they are not trying to compete but was offering
constructive thoughts. He went on to say that other changes will be coming
as a whole including concession use and inspection for all events and groups
including sports. If there is the subletting of township property where an
organization makes an independent agreement with a 3rd party to use property
that it has based on an agreement with the township Semprevivo says the township
wants to be involved in that process. A group of around 25 attended the meeting
and included supporters, flyers club members and HERO members and volunteers
including former board member Mike Bitondo. Supervisor Pat Hohl was also
in the audience. (JM)
3/9/11
- Two recreational organizations in Hamburg Township played a game of defense
at a meeting last night. The township board is revamping the way it handles
parks and recreation. Back in December, it voted to replace the Parks and
Recreation Board with the Community Recreational Services Organization headed
by Clerk Jim Nielsen along with Trustees Phil Semprevivo and Mike Dolan.
It’s been reviewing the township’s current parks-and-recreation
functions and structures and held a meeting last night at the town hall with
the Hamburg Enhanced Recreation Organization or HERO where both groups defended
their missions and intent. HERO is a volunteer-run non-profit that puts on
the Family Fun Fest every year which also works closely with the Hamburg
Flyers Club and holds other fundraising events, activities and community
service projects. HERO’s proceeds are put back into the community and
used to help fund recreation as well as other fundraisers and projects such
as the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall. The committee voiced liability, parking
and insurance concerns with Fun Fest since HERO is an outside group and making
profit from use of the township facilities. It questioned its budget and
felt details and line items were lacking, along with internal controls. President
Joanna Hardesty stated that Fun Fest is one of the few festivals to survive,
having hung on despite the economy because it has worked hard to find other
means of support. Hardesty says the overall picture being painted was misleading
and HERO has insurance and has invested thousands on field maintenance and
repair, stages, sound and two banner poles at $10,000 that are now the township’s
property among others. The committee maintained it wanted to limit township
exposure but HERO members felt the board was micromanaging. Committee Chairman
Phil Semprevivo stated that they are not trying to compete but was offering
constructive thoughts. He went on to say that other changes will be coming
as a whole including concession use and inspection for all events and groups
including sports. If there is the subletting of township property where an
organization makes an independent agreement with a 3rd party to use property
that it has based on an agreement with the township Semprevivo says the township
wants to be involved in that process. A group of around 25 attended the meeting
and included supporters, flyers club members and HERO members and volunteers
including former board member Mike Bitondo. Supervisor Pat Hohl was also
in the audience. (JM)