The people who support this event are great, no fantastic persons. I just wish in these hard times they would focus their efforts on ideas or events that would not put a strain on city services. Perhaps a youth circus, a big event at the old Masonic Home, the now mostly vacant Land Mark maybe a combined antique show, flower show, art show and wine tasting? How about a hot rod show at Highline College on a weekend. All these things and more could be done with very little expense to the city or draw on city services. There are many alternatives to a parade.

It brings revenue to local business owners: Ask the Dog House how many hotdogs she sold. How many cupcakes will be sold if the parade happens? How many people went to Corky’s for the grape stomping? How many people walked into the local businesses? The amount of economic activity produced from last years parade has an exponential value. That means that the money is spent in Des Moines stays in Des Moines and produces more tax revenue.

If the Parade is privately funded, how nice will it be for our Des Moines Police Department to be paid overtime from NON-TAX FUNDS. Imagine if we can find a company willing to donate the funds to cover an officer for the parade.

I run a local business that is already donating time and funds to the project. My business is more than doubling our commitment. I believe in creating and adding to my community, not taking from it.

Again, we are not necessarily asking for the city to fund the Parade. We are asking if the city wants a parade and to what conditions.

Many of us also enjoyed the Ivars fireworks display. It went away. It did so not because they were tired of making smiles and fond memories. It did so because it was a business decision based on economics. And the City of Des Moines needs to start acting like a business. I am sorry Brenda and Brian but the cost of putting on the parade will never be fully covered by volunteers and donations. The climate just isn’t right for it, people and businesses are hurting . Local governments, especially ours are hurting.

The City needs to focus its efforts and funds on those projects that will bring about the economic revitalization to put us in a position where we can afford to have these type of events and then I would be right out in front saying bring on the parade. Lets get the downtown water main project finished so developers can come in and make us the jewel we should be. Maybe revenues would start to “flow.”

Though they won’t even whisper out loud, the city isn’t that far from bankruptcy. Its cash reserves and balances are dangerously low. Its bond rating were so bad it had to back out of the SCORE jail project as a owner city so it did not drag down the ratings of its partnering cities. That is on a project being built right here in our own town. Yes, the city is still involved with the project, just at a different level. Kind of sad. So yep, parades and carnivals are fun but this just isn’t the time. But on second thought, maybe Kent could give us a loan?

I have, more or less, lived my entire life in Des Moines. I am one of those civic minded Des Moinians that supports continuing the Parade. For that matter I support bringing back the Waterland Festival in all of its glory with a carnival, live music, beer garden, arts and crafts show etc. etc.

I also support having the City provide support services on an in kind basis if the revenues from the festival/parade do not cover all of the costs. Why, you might ask, would a local business owner and resident, i.e. a frequent taxpayer, support such frivolous events when my hard earned tax dollars might be on the line? Well, since you asked, here are my top ten reasons this community needs a parade and a Waterland festival.

1. I grew up in Des Moines and remember the childhood excitement every summer when the carnival and parade came to town.
2. I remember a different kind of excitement that came with being a teenager free to roam with my friends at Waterland time….
3. I would like my kids and the other kids of Des Moines to have a chance to experience the same excitement (well okay maybe my kids can skip the teenage excitement…)
4. These events provide an opportunity for local civic minded organizations to raise awareness and raise money to support the unmet needs of the community. The Des Moines Rotary club, as only one example, raised on average $7,000- $8,000 every year at its hole in one contest. Take a look at the wine festival page at DMRotary.org if you want to see why these funds are important to our community.
5. Perhaps the benefits generated by such events, visitors to Des Moines, funds raised by local civic groups, the opportunity to showcase local businesses, etc. actually provide an overall economic benefit to the City.
6. These events provide the entire community with the opportunity to get out and celebrate the good life in Des Moines.
7. I like beer gardens.
8. Speaking with my head deeply buried in a bucket of Waterland, based on the history of Waterland of days gone by, with the right volunteers, commitments and revenues that could be generated by a carnival/parade I think our City could survive the financial impact of the events without being forced to rename ourselves the Port of Kent.
9. The benefits of community events can’t be measured only in dollars and cents.
10. Parades and Carnivals are fun.

I have the courage to post using my actual name…I have no respect for anyone who posts on the blog and doesn’t have the balls to have a true public debate without hiding like cowards. Anything you say means nothing!

Mr. Fox, thank you for not being a coward and sharing your thoughts with the community. That is what it is all about, sharing beliefs and convictions in a respectful and sometimes spirited way.

As far as the rest of you who cast stones while hiding in the dark shadows of our city, you are the problem. Grow up, grow a pair, and let’s debate; quit being cowards.

Who knows this town might begin to move forward if all of the cowards would quit using fear and anonymity as their weapons of choice.

What a bunch of morons.
noun
1. a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment.
2. Psychology. a person of borderline intelligence in a former classification of mental retardation, having an intelligence quotient of 50 to 69.