The City of Asheville did something very commendable. At last week’s meeting, city council directed staff to redo their proposal for co-sponsoring events. Staff had suggested that the city, as it has in former years, provide in-kind services for festivals, parades, and races that, if you will, contribute to the city’s sense of place and stimulate the economy. Council thought staff had been arbitrary in defining a cutoff point, and Dr. Carl Mumpower thought the city was abusing taxpayer dollars.
Staff returned, with the blessing of the event promoters, suggesting that the city provide only public safety for the activities. Police escorts, crowd control, standby EMS, and road closings would be provided as needed. Beyond that, the hosts of the galas would be on their own for things like tents, stages and sound equipment. Furthermore, they would have to provide for their own sanitation, and if they fell short of city standards, they’d get a fine and a bill for the mop-up.
Only Mumpower voted against the splendid proposal, saying police officers are needed to combat Asheville’s open-air drug market, and agencies should be able to contract with rent-a-cop agencies, etc. rather than staking a claim on the public treasury.
