A request from Erin’s CAO for $2,500 in additional funding for the Celebrate Erin event in April has been turned down by Town Council.
Kathryn Ironmonger had proposed a limit of $6,000 for the 2nd annual event, which honours community volunteers and raises money for the local food bank. That included $3,500 in seed money from last year’s event, the value of staff time to support it, which council had previously approved for 2014.
Mayor Lou Maieron had championed last year’s event, stressing that no tax money was being used for it, so he opposed allocating tax money this year.
He was supported by Councillor Deb Callaghan in opposing the motion from Councillors Barb Tocher and Jose Wintersinger. Councillor John Brennan was absent, so with a 2-2 tie the motion was lost, according to council rules.
East Wellington Community Services will still operate the fundraising aspect of the event.
Ironmonger was concerned that the plan to charge lower ticket prices this year would result in lower revenue, making it harder to cover costs.
