Like the file footage WFTV aired when reporting this story, we felt it was 2007 all over again when news broke that Kissimmee was named as an All-America City finalist.But wait, it's 2008 and here we go again.
The City press release states "A delegation representing the City will travel to Tampa, FL for the final round of competition scheduled to take place on June 4, 5 and 6," which brings us right back into the debate of the cost of a beauty pageant verses priority for our citizens. The debate may actually center around cost verses the overblown egos of elected officials, but that is a discussion for a later date.
We note that in the 2007 press release, Kissimmee was one of 21 finalists. In the 2008 release, Kissimmee is one of 17 finalists. Has the national economic turmoil caused fewer municipalities to apply for these contests? Have the other cities realized that their never ending pursuit of victory in a pageant that does not matter is like being forced to watch another year of the ratings disaster known as "Big Brother" on CBS? Or, are other cities getting smart and focusing on the needs of their residents?
So the progression begins:
"We were a finalist last year, so we have to apply this year."
"We were named a finalist this year, so we have to send a delegation to compete."
So before the next statement becomes reality...
"We have to send a delegation, so we need to fund it from the commission discretionary fund."
Let's demand financial accountability and responsibility in this time of downsizing and tight budgets. Let's demand that the City seek outside funding to attend this competition, and that no city staff time be used in its pursuit. If any taxpayer money is going to be spent, then we need to demand that the City show the potential value that justifies the expenditure.
6 comments:
Congratulations, City of Kissimmee! This is a HUGE honor. Good luck as a finalist in Tampa. You have the support of the entire community behind you!
Congratulations??
Nice to see that some folks could careless about the real issues that face our community. Maybe we should tell the All America City people how we have cut almost all funding for public transportation, so we can fund fountains and birthday celebrations. Yeah, that is something to be proud of. That is not the America I remeber or believe in.
Efforts like the All America City program help build community spirit... something Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous obviously lacks. C'mon... the group is traveling to Tampa to compete in the competition, not Tahiti.
Good luck, Kissimmee!
Kissimmee is in a complete mess, so I guess it does fit the bill as All American. I guess if that is all you ask of our city, then congratulations are in order. Luckily for us, those who are so absorbed with competitions like this are a very small minority, and their buddies who are in office now will not be after this next election. That is when the rest of us will say Congratulations!
I will be looking at my community spirit in my rear view mirror in less that a week, and I will not miss this place. I have never seen a place with so much potential screw it up so bad. 50 miles to the nearest set of good jobs, but no real roads to get their. That is unless you want to flip burgers or work at one of the parks. But of course we have made it to where those people can not live here. I think Polk county will beat us again if they are in the competition.
Good luck to those who chose to stay behind.
DISCRETIONARY FUND WILL PAY? HOW ABOUT USING IT TO FUND SOCIAL SERVICES? HOW MUCH FOR THE WAGES OF EMPLOYEES TO WORK IT? HOTEL ROOMS, FOOD, ETC? OUT OF 20 CITIES, WE PLACED 17TH THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR WE PLACED 10TH. WE SLIPPED AND STILL GEMSKIE SEES SOMETHING NOT THERE. MAYBE THEY FEEL THAT WINNING IT WILL REVITALIZE A TOWN THEY AND THE COUNTY ARE DESTREOYING. HOMELESSNESS, ABANDONED BUILDINGS ON 192, FAILING SCHOOLS, ETC. ALL AMERICA CITY? I DONT THINK SO.
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