UPDATED: June 28th
As promised, the SAO announced the numbers for the 2012 carnival, and apparently were able to supply the town CFO and Boro Admin the accompanying documentation earlier than expected.
The SAO chair Steve Wagoner announced the total net proceeds, after expenses, to be $28,039. He indicated a final number would rely on whether sales tax applies to 501(c)3 organizations when partnering with a carnival operator. The SAO has gotten conflicting information from various sources, and are awaiting written confirmation from the state.
The total sales tax, if it must be paid, would be about $1,400.
Other than that one outstanding item, Wagoner was pleased to wrap up the carnival and offer thanks to the many Oakland volunteers, residents, and municipal departments that worked to make the event run smoothly.
An official thank you to all the people who worked on the carnival can be found at http://thinkoakland.org/sports/2012/06/28/thank-you-volunteers/, and another thank from Wagoner can be found at http://thinkoakland.org/sports/2012/06/28/letter-from-sao-chair-steve-wagoner/.
The Sports Association of Oakland worked out an agreement with the town on May 18th to assume responsibility for the Oakland town carnival, leaving less than four weeks to contract rides, games, contact the local 501(c)3’s, and organize an army of volunteers to work the three day carnival.
Having started from scratch, the SAO also needed to lay out additional start-up costs that added to the traditional expenses.
Still, it appears the SAO has reached record numbers. The average over the last five years netted $12,952, with 2012 ringing in at a whopping $28, 039 – a more than %100 increase.
2012: $28,039
2011: $16,691
2010: $14,152
2009: $9,794
2008: $13,290
2007: $10,831
Wagoner did not compare the SAO’s 2012 numbers to the previous years, and isolated his remarks to thanking a long list of participants that made the carnival happen; his promise to turn over all the paperwork associated with the carnival; and, the goal of completing the walking path with no taxpayer money.
Having delivered on his promises to the Oakland CFO and Borough Admin, and delivered what appears to be a record profit under challenging circumstances, Wagoner offered for the SAO to sponsor the carnival of 2013 with a similar goal that benefits all the residents of Oakland.
Originally Published June 25th
The Sports Association of Oakland intends to make a preliminary presentation to the town council and report on the outcome of the 2012 carnival. The presentation will occur during the open session of the next town council meeting on Wednesday June 27th at 7:30pm.
The SAO stepped up to the plate and assumed responsibility for running Oakland’s 2012 carnival in mid-May, just a few weeks before it’s scheduled start date. Previously sponsored by the Oakland Public Events Committee and the Knights of Columbus, the annual carnival was thrown into chaos by the mass resignation of the Public Events Committee which was left with just two members standing.
With only weeks to organize rides, games, and appeal to Oakland residents for help in assuring the carnival happened on schedule, SAO chairperson Steve Wagoner is eager to report on the event which ran from June 14th through the 16th.
“We had such a great response from the community in people willing to volunteer. The SAO really wants those volunteers to know what they accomplished, their enthusiasm was so important in making this event a success – and we want to share that information with them as soon as possible. We also want people to know how much money was raised toward getting that walking path around the rec fields.”
There is limited public information available concerning the net proceeds from previous carnivals. In 2009, council minutes indicate the profit was approximately $9,800; in 2008 council minutes indicate it was approximately $13,000.
Wagoner, as well as the other SAO members, are unwilling to disclose any dollar figures prior to the June 27th council meeting. “We will be providing the town council with a final accounting, along with the promised documentation on carnival vendors and processes at later date. Our presentation at this council meeting is really for the volunteers, we want them to know what they accomplished under difficult circumstances and a very tight deadline.”
As I said before on a previous posting, if the SAO is willing, let them run the carnival next year too. They have the manpower (and to be politically correct) the womanpower to do the job and do it well. The Oakland Public Events Committee would then be free of that responsibility and then could focus on new events such as a “Native American Pow-Wow” or a flea market and peddler’s fair like we once had on the old Pime Mission property.
Very good idea Sam. Obviously the people running it before did not do as good a job. Give it to the Sports Association if they want it. Definitely do not give it back to anyone who has run it before. Something smells fishy there…
How can the numbers be almost double this year then the previous 5? It certainly did not look like twice the amount of people attending, I agree smells fishy. The carnival has always been a shining moment for our town, kudos to the SAO for stepping up and making it happen this year.
Can the past carnival books be opra’d?
As I have said in previous postings, there are other factors to consider before you start pointing fingers and making accusations. June 14, 15 and 16, 2012 were the three best days and nights in years and put that together with all the “hoopla” as to what transpired concerning the mass resignation of the old public events committee brought people out to see what it was all about. My next door neighbor was one. Ever since they became empty nesters they stopped going but this year’s news brought them there. How many others were like them? Also, though I don’t agree, they say the economy is better then it was the last 5 years so that too is a factor. Let us be thankful that the SAO was able to step in on such short notice and perhaps, with the mayor and council’s approval, thay can do it again next year.
I see excuses coming from Sam. Are you a former Public Events member, do you know something and want to move on without any inquiry? This should be looked at, especially with the way the Public Events people all quit, then came to a council meeting to start a fight. Something is not right in Denmark, Oakland too. These numbers are incredible. Weather, empty nesters or what ever excuse cannot explain such an increase. The same way the Oakland Sports Association had to release numbers, I hope the town releases numbers of the past carnival gross vs. profit.
To answer Stephen, no you cannot file an OPRA, the Knights of Columbus is a private 501(c)3 corporation.
To answer your question, no, I was not a member of the old Public Events Committee but I would like to see an inquiry into past events, However, I don’t see that happening. Politics are probably deeply involved and the “higher ups” will never let that “can of worms” be opened. Remember what political party “really” runs this town. All the yelling and screaming you do will be to no avail. Just like the JFK asassination, there will be a cover-up to the truth.
The way it looks is that the Public Events Trust should have at least $100,000 – $150,000 more in their account. $250,000 could go a long way in our town. I don’t see how the Mayor and Council cannot hold some sort of investigation. This includes what they have done for the last 11 years. Absolutely zero oversight. Shame on them if they do not look into this.