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David Raymond Amos‏ @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others



https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/07/15k-sackville-council-contribution-to-3.html



 #nbpoli#cdnpoli




https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sackville-council-sponsor-concert-lake-boats-business-1.5662257

$15K Sackville council contribution to 3 concerts on lake organized by for-profit makes waves

Only boaters can attend Levee on the Lake, but organizer says she's trying to keep unemployed musicians afloat

Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon· CBC News· Posted: Jul 25, 2020 10:00 AM AT


Melanie Morgan performed for a floating, physically distanced audience at Levee on the Lake in Sackville on July 18. (Levee on the Lake/Facebook)

A recent decision by Sackville council to contribute $15,000 to three, free concerts organized by a for-profit company on the shore of Silver Lake, which are accessible only to people with boats or waterfront property, has caused some waves.

The 5-2 vote in favour of supporting the Levee on the Lake concerts July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 12 was an unprecedented decision to use public funds for a private venture, said Mayor John Higham.

It was also a quick decision, unlike the lengthy grant application process some annual events, such as the arts and music festival Sappyfest, have to follow each year.

And just two weeks prior, council had decided against establishing an economic recovery fund to assist local businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic downturn, which has already forced some shops to close.

But Shelley Chase, co-organizer of the concerts, contends they're not for-profit, even though they're under the name of her Newfoundland-based company Garrison Hill Entertainment, and they're not trying to compete with other events or businesses.
She and Stacey Read Whittleton, of the New Brunswick Old Time Fiddle Co., were just trying to find a way to help musicians and stage crews stay afloat during COVID-19, she said.

Under the Emergency Measures Act, bars closed in March, band tours have been cancelled, and all concerts and festivals are prohibited until at least the end of the year.

And while the provincial government and the Canada Council for the Arts have provided some funding for online initiatives, that hasn't helped those who rely on live music, said Chase.

'The show must row on'

"So the guy that, you know, does the line checks … he can't do a digital streaming show," she said. "So that was the impetus. That's why we were like, 'OK, we have to try a new model. We have to figure out how to get people in front of people.'"

Drive-ins are allowed under the legislation, so they decided "the show must row on," their new slogan. They placed a stage at the water's edge off Mount View Road for their first boat-in concert.

It raised $27,000 for five bands, or about 20 musicians, and two sound production companies, who had been unemployed since March, Chase said.


About 150 people attended Levee on the Lake in Sackville on July 18, throughout the five-hour concert. Only people in boats or with waterfront property could attend. (Submitted by Shelley Chase)

It was raised through sponsors like the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, the Royal Bank — and the Town of Sackville.

The money from council was a $12,000 sponsorship, not a grant, stressed Chase — $4,000 per concert, plus $1,000 of in-kind services for each concert.

"It's basically advertising," she said, "just like they would advertise in the tourism guide."
It earned the town logo space on the event website, T-shirt, and signage, as well as mentions on radio ads and on stage, she said.

We could also shine a light on Sackville and say, 'Hey, we're doing something innovative.'

- Shelley Chase, co-organizer of Levee on the Lake

The concert also gave people something to look forward to after all the other events the town normally puts on, such as Canada Day and New Brunswick Day, were cancelled, and helped boost morale, said Chase.

About 150 people from across New Brunswick, from as far as Quispamsis and Cocagne, and even Halifax, attended between noon and 5 p.m. (She knows because they had to collect the names and contact information of everyone who attended for Public Health for contact tracing purposes in the event of an outbreak.)


Shelley Chase, co-organizer of Levee on the Lake, said its innovative model has attracted the attention of festivals from as far away as Australia. (Facebook)

"We could also shine a light on Sackville and say, 'Hey, we're doing something innovative," she said.
Levee on the Lake proves there is a way for the cultural industry to engage audiences other than just in digital formats at home, said Chase.

The model attracted the attention of the founding directors of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, who had to cancel their Canso, N.S. event, and travelled to observe, she said. It even drew the interest of the Australia Port Fairy Folk Festival organizers, who asked for information.

Largest visitor draw gets $4K

Sappyfest, which has been operating since 2006, receives $4,000 a year from the town through the grant process, said president Jeska Grue. That represents only about three per cent of the registered non-profit's operating expenses.

The festival "definitely would be the largest visitor draw to Sackville each year," said Grue. "There's probably just over 1,000 people that come to town, which would be audience members, volunteers and artists," she said.


Jeska Grue, president of Sappyfest, said they apply every year through the town's grant program and every year they receive $4,000, 'which equals out to a third of what was awarded to this business, which presented to council and did not apply through any sort of grant process.' (CBC)

Coun. Joyce O'Neil said Sappyfest draws people right into the downtown core. "And they're here for more than just a few hours," she said. "They contribute to our restaurants and grocery stores and everything involved here in the town."

"Where the Levee on the Lake, really the only people that could be involved or take part in that was if you had a boat," said O'Neil, describing them as "a chosen few."

Many people in town don't have a boat, she said. "A lot of them don't even have a way really to get up to the lake," which is located about five kilometres north of Sackville's town hall.

'Stirring up a can of worms'

O'Neil and Coun. Andrew Black voted against supporting the concerts. She said she she was willing to provide the in-kind services because council offers that for many events, but she opposed the cash contribution.

"As this was not a non-for-profit, I felt that we were just going to be stirring up a can of worms if we went outside of what we normally do," she said. "I just didn't feel that it was the right thing to do."

"If we weren't really going to help the businesses in town at this time, I certainly didn't feel that it was right that we allow a company from outside of town to come in and receive money."

Glenn Barrington, the former owner and operator of Thunder & Lightning Pub, said that was what he found most "troubling, or puzzling or hurtful" about council's decision.

"There have been a couple of local businesses that have closed and we have been speaking with the town for about three months, trying to develop ways in which the town could help local businesses in a bit of different, more hands-on way," he said.


Glenn Barrington, former owner and operator of Thunder & Lightning Pub, said council's decision to contribute to Levee on the Lake has 'kind of caused a big problem in town amongst a lot of people, local residents and business owners alike.' (Tori Weldon/CBC)

Barrington and his wife Anne Herteis, who had moved back to Sackville after 10 years in Toronto to take over the 50-person capacity pub from a friend, made the difficult decision in May to close. They had been in business for eight years.

"We just couldn't survive three months of not being in operation" during the COVID shutdown, he said, and had no money left to manage any transition back.

They had to let their two part-time staff go and they have no idea what they're going to do now, said Barrington. "A town this size, there's not much else to do."

Business owners confused, frustrated

On June 22, the town's chief administrative officer presented council with the idea of creating an economic recovery fund, which could help other businesses avoid the same fate.

The fund could assist with COVID-related expenses, such as the purchase of personal protective equipment, capital investments or renovations, online commerce, website improvements or other options based on recommendations from council, said Jamie Burke.

"And they said, no, they didn't want to do that," said Barrington. "They didn't want to set precedent by helping local businesses, and [two weeks] later, this was precedent-setting, giving money to a for-profit business. So I think that's where most of the confusion or frustration for local business owners would come from."

Benefits to town unclear

Barrington said he understands Sackville usually has a lot of events happening throughout the summer and "people are starved for entertainment.

"So I guess that was the idea ... that [Levee on the Lake] would be a positive. But I mean, it happened outside of town on a lake. Nobody came into town, so I'm not sure what it was supposed to do for the town itself."

The mayor couldn't say whether any of businesses in town, such as the restaurants, hotel, motel or inns, benefited.

Unlike the grant process, which can take three or four months and has "rather stringent terms," looking for non-profits and service organizations to detail the economic benefit of their event to retailers and to the economy, council didn't require the concert organizers to document anything in advance, said Higham.



Sackville Mayor John Higham said a lot of business people are suffering and everybody sees a different need, and council is 'doing its best to sort through which ones are going to have a good chance of helping and which ones are not.' (Tori Weldon/CBC)

That's because the presentation to council was just 12 days before the first concert.

"Council had to make a decision very quickly whether this was something they wished to try at this point or not. And it was certainly inferred to council, I think most council thought, that if they did not agree then all of the efforts that had happened so far may well be lost," he said.

Town staff are now looking into any possible benefits, Higham said.

But the findings won't affect the town's contributions to the next two concerts, he said. The money has already been committed, following "a lot of debate."


Chase said they made the concerts free in case the Emergency Measures Act changes or the weather doesn't co-operate and they need to cancel. That way, they won't be faced with refunds or having to reschedule. (Submitted by Shelley Chase)

Deputy Mayor Ron Aiken and councillors Bill Evans, Shawn Mesheau, Mike Tower and Allison Butcher voted in favour of supporting Levee on the Lake, while Coun. Bruce Phinney was reportedly unable to participate in the July 6 online meeting because of technical issues.

Higham didn't vote. As mayor, he only votes to break a tie. He declined to share his personal opinion on the funding decision, other than to describe it as a "very unusual one in an unusual year."

"Well, once council makes an opinion, that is our opinion, and my duty is to voice that opinion. And the opinion of council was that they wanted to see it go ahead, and they wanted to give it a try, and they hoped that no one saw it as a long-term precedent."

Will reimburse expenses

Higham said council feels it put good controls over the contributions by agreeing to reimburse certain eligible expenses, such as personal protective equipment, the stage rental and portable toilet rentals, up to $4,000 for each event, plus the $1,000 in-kind services.

"So each one is contingent upon the events taking place and invoices being submitted back for reimbursement. So it's not necessarily giving them [$15,000], it's a reimbursement of actual expenditures."

Asked about the proposed economic recovery fund for businesses, Higham said council reached no consensus on that despite a detailed discussion about what kind of role the town "could or should take."

"Are we going to become a bailout partner? Like when someone's rent is up, that we pay rent and then they still quit … What kind of relationship do we want to have?"

Council asked for more consultation with the business community, he said.


Organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout for the next Levee on the Lake, slated for Aug. 15. (Submitted by Shelley Chase)

Chase said the reason she and Read were so late going to council is they had been waiting for the provincial government to decide whether it would recognize watercrafts, such as boats, kayaks and canoes, as vehicles, under the Emergency Measures Act, and allow people to remain in them during the proposed waterfront concerts, much like people are allowed to remain in their vehicles at a drive-in.

The decision came just a few weeks before the first concert, she said.

That's also the reason the Levee on the Lake was listed under her company's name, because they didn't have enough time to create a non-profit, said Chase.

"I can tell you right now that account is now empty with all the payables going out and I didn't get anything."

Non-profit to be created

A non-profit is now "in play," she said, adding that was always the plan — "not just for this event but to also support and lobby for the protection of intangible heritage and culture in New Brunswick."

A board of directors has been selected and she's awaiting the results of a name search before filing the paperwork, she said.

Although she realizes the concerts are inaccessible to people who don't have a boat, that's not her choice, that's the law right now, she said.

"As soon as they say we can … we will fill the field with people."

In the meantime, they're looking into filming the next concerts and finding some additional funding to post the videos online.

The short videos they've posted of the first concert have already gotten thousands of views, she said, which she hopes will contribute to increased attendance, along with having more than three weeks to promote the events.

"We are hopeful that word will spread that there is a family activity that's free in Sackville, that's cultural, you know, it is very family friendly."

The next concert will feature five New Brunswick bands again and the theme will be rock and pop, said Chase.

The last one will be an East Coast Kitchen Party theme and might include bands from the Atlantic provinces.









Commenting is now closed for this story.




David Amos
Well I called them Lets see what happens next 










David Amos
Oscar Acosta
In an age where we talk about accessibility to these type of events for everyone, our town has funded the least accessible music festival of all time. 1%ers with boats and lake front property only. Disgusting.


David Amos 



























David News
One has to wonder if this is yet again an example of friends/relatives of politicians currying political favour to get an advantage over others. Certainly seems the process used is quite different than the norm. Wonder why that is. Maybe someone needs to investigate the ethics of all parties involved.


David Amos 




http://tantramarlandownersassociation.blogspot.com/2020/06/swampfest-it-could-still-happen-in-2020.html

Saturday, 25 July 2020

Swampfest in 2020...festival formerly known as Sappyfest .. Stay tuned.

Sappyfest chair expresses dismay

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/business-closure-covid-small-1.5501365

Small businesses scramble for cash flow in face of COVID-19 closures

Creative solutions needed to keep cash flowing while businesses shut down for COVID-19

Tori Weldon· CBC News· Posted: Mar 18, 2020 3:58 PM AT



Glenn Barrington, owner operator of Thunder & Lightning in Sackville closed his pub temporarily on Saturday because it seemed like the safest thing to do. He has invited regulars to purchase pay-it-forward tabs that can be used when he reopens. (Tori Weldon/CBC)

With the stresses of the novel coronavirus pandemic, small business owners have the added problem of a reduced cash flow, in many cases having to re-create their business model on the fly to stay afloat.

Theatres, bars, museums, buffet restaurants and gyms are just some of the public spaces the province has advised to shut down.

Glenn Barrington, owner operator of Thunder & Lighning in Sackville, closed  his pub on Saturday because he felt it was in the best interest of his staff and patrons.

"You're questioning everything that you're touching and everything you're doing and you know all your interactions with each person," said Barrington.

But like any business, Barrington relies on sales to pay the bills. Without any money coming in, he is offering "pay-it-forward tabs."

He put out a call online for regulars to estimate what they might spend at the pub over the next few weeks, and, if possible they buy a pre-paid tab.

"When we finally reopen everybody has a prepaid tab at the bar, so everybody can finally come out and socialize and, you know, enjoy each other's company for the first time in what could be a while and we're able to stay open."

Barrington said about 30 people have participated so far, and it's amounted to enough to give him some peace of mind for at least a few weeks.

"I don't know how long we can survive"

In Fredericton, Cara Hazelton owner and head teacher at Precision Pilates, had to switch her business model overnight to stay afloat.

In the days leading up to the government-recommended shutdown, she had been following regulations by reducing the number of people in the studio at one time and doing extra cleaning.


Cara Hazelton is the owner and head teacher at Precision Pilates in Fredericton. She is offering classes online to help soften the blow of having to close her studio. (Chris Griffiths/Bang on Photos)

With the measures enacted, as of Wednesday morning all of her classes have moved online. She had the basic infrastructure in place, since she has offered private lessons via video feed for a while, "but not on the scale that I'm going to have to do it now."

But Hazelton is worried that while this will keep some money coming in, it won't be enough.
"I don't know how long we can survive."

"I've been in business for 13 years and I've not seen anything like it, I mean my rent isn't going away, my phone bill isn't going away," she said.

Hazelton relies on monthly memberships, and clients who have agreed to continue paying while taking online classes.

"But of course I have a number of clients that are self-employed like me and they're having to pull out of the studio for reasons I totally understand."


Premier Blaine Higgs said Wednesday mandatory measures for people to stay home could soon follow. 1:50

'Not sure where my next sales are going be coming from'

Other brick-and-mortar retailers are shifting away from walk-in customers to putting more effort into online sales.

Derrick Dixon said closing up shop wasn't necessary to keep people away. Business dried up at Hounds of Vintage, in Sackville, once nearby Mount Allison University cancelled in-person classes.


Derrick Dixon, owner of Hounds of Vintage in Sackville, is seeing shoppers by appointment. He closed his shop to focus on his online sales. (Guillame Aubut/CBC)

"I just sort of decided to follow suit and kind of take the time to focus energy on online sales, since there's not as much foot traffic in town right now," said Dixon.

The door of the shop isn't locked, but customers are coming by appointment-only in order to allow enough room for social distancing inside the store.

"It's pretty stressful, first of all and foremost just because I'm not sure where my next sales are going be coming from."

Dixon said customers have been supportive, and online sales have been strong, "but it's hard to say how that momentum will sustain itself over a longer period of time."

Disaster relief 

Cara Hazelton said as a small business owner, her days aren't spent at home making crafts with her kids. She's had to reduce staff and is teaching back to back hour-long Pilates classes.

"I'm now working more hours than I've ever had for less money than I've made to try to get ends to come together through this," said Hazelton.
She's doing what she can to keep her business of 13 years running, but she also feels a responsibility to her clients.

"It's really important for all of us to maintain our activity levels and to get exercises to stay healthy because we know that reduces stress and boost our immune systems."

All of these small business owners said they recognize the importance of working together to keep people safe, but financial help will be needed.

"Disaster relief funding is the only thing I can see that's going to help in this situation because otherwise two months from now or three months from now or six months from now when we come out of this, there's not going to be a bar, pub, café, clothing studio, Pilates studio," Hazelton said.

Feds say help in on the way

Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an $82 billion aid package to help Canadians and businesses, including income supports, wage subsidies and tax deferrals as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The program aims to help Canadians pay for rent and groceries, help businesses continue to meet payroll and pay bills, and to stabilize the economy. Supports could start flowing in weeks, Trudeau said.






http://tantramarlandownersassociation.blogspot.com/2019/05/hounds-of-vintage-hounds-painted-pony.html

Wednesday, 29 May 2019

"Hounds of Vintage" hounds Painted Pony & Maxime Bernier, PPC Nancy Mercier in Beausejour supporters

https://www.facebook.com/houndsofvintage/posts/pls-sharean-open-letter-from-hounds-of-vintageto-the-painted-pony-bar-grillmay-2/2458790974133526/

• Hounds Of Vintage

  @houndsofvintage· Vintage Store

  
  

  Hounds Of Vintage

  
  

  iMtSaalpyonsosS 2rf2S, 20erSsu1de9m

  ·

  
  

  PLS SHARE

  
  

  An Open Letter from Hounds of Vintage

  To
  

  The Painted Pony Bar & Grill

  May 22, 2019

  
  

  Hello,

  I am writing to express my concern for a Meet & Greet you are hosting this Friday with People’s Party of Canada candidate from Shediac, Nancy Mercier. Both Leader of PPC Maxime Bernier and Nancy Mercier both continually share inaccurate news on the climate catastrophe, encourage their members to speak out publicly against abortion and gender identity rights, and spout dangerous nationalist rhetoric that aligns with an alt-right political agenda.

  I am your neighbour, and I am Queer. When voices like these are given platforms in my community I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR WELCOME, nor do I feel like this community is a safe place for my customers, friends and family, both biological and chosen.

  I encourage you to consider the implications of hosting such events. Events like this give voices to HATRED, BIGOTRY, AND VIOLENCE, and further the oppression and discrimination of marginalized people. By hosting such political ideologies in your establishment you are saying to me I am not welcome there, or in this town in general. This is not a message I would like associated with this town or my business.

  Again, I would reconsider hosting this event and strongly think about cancelling. If not, you will definitely see my LOUD QUEER VOICE at your doorsteps Friday evening.

  Sincerely,

  Derrick Dixon

  Business Owner,

  Hounds of Vintage,

  Sackville, NB

  
  

  17 Comments

  
  

  Stephanie Dawn

  
  

  I , and several other small business owners from the Moncton and Riverview areas will be joining the protest if this event does happen. We understand sometimes groups host unofficial gatherings without contacting the establishment. We are giving you the benefit of the doubt.

  
  
The Painted Pony Bar & Grill


There is NO such event. I would NEVER host such an event
Hounds Of Vintage


You need to state this publicly on your Facebook page before any of this is coming down.


The Painted Pony Bar & Grill


Coming down???? Please stop
Tamara Mackay


derrick this is almost threatening


Hounds Of Vintage
I was threatening to be vocal
Against bigotry. This is directly across the street from my shop. I’m not going to be sorry about being vocal about this.


Tamara Mackay
there we're a few letters sent this morning on behalf of other people that weren't nearly as threatening as yours. there is a difference between making your voice heard and becoming hateful and potentially violent had this event happened. please by all means stand up, scream if you have to but don't stoop to a lower level.
Hounds Of Vintage
I’m not stooping to any level merely expressing my right to protest against alt right political groups.
Phyllis Wheaton


phone call would have been nice!
Hounds Of Vintage


Phyllis Wheaton actions like this need to be made public in order for them to be effective. Had I phoned no one else in town would have been made aware that this was going on. The bar has responded incredibly well and should be commended for their stance.
Phyllis Wheaton
but wasn't their event !


Hounds Of Vintage
yes we know that now

Tamara Mackay
the problem i have with this derrick is that this could have been a mistake made by the people planning the event and when they posted it could have tagged the location they we're nearest. Mistakes can be made. You assumed it was them and jumped all over it not even having the information needed. Instead you publicly posted a letter, told them to stop and threatened them even when they had ZERO posts pertaining to that event on their actual page.. phones get the point across just as well. simple as that.
Phyllis Wheaton
not everything on facebook is REAL!!! right!
Hounds Of Vintage
this is not how his played down. I appreciate your support but if you disagree so strongly with me standing against these things then pls unfollow. Posting this actually made the restaurant take a stand against this whereas they wouldn’t have known otherwise. Therefore it was effective imo.