Thursday, May 6, 2010

Thunder in the Valley

Great weekend that draws lots of people in to the Valley, and is a boon for most of our businesses, every year I am asked what does it cost us the taxpayers. So here are the budget numbers for 2010.

Donation for Fireworks $4500
Traffic Control $6200
Policing $10000
Garbage + Toilets $11500
Activties + Entertainers $18000

Total $50200

This number does not allow for any municipal wages that go into the weekend.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dean,

With Thunder In The Valley only a couple months away, this is a timely post. This event certainly draws a lot of people to the Pass and generates revenue for “some” business owners, but at what cost? 50 thousand dollars is a lot of money for taxpayers to fork out. There's also the "random camping within town limits," excessive noise, people defecating in bushes (or in the open), illegal drug and alcohol use issues that come with all of this. I’m sure there are other concerns by residents.

I’d hate to be one of those who lives adjacent to the “shanty” town that sets up along the train tracks for the weekend. What about all the people who trespass and camp on private property? The mess they leave behind is terrible. Why are people allowed to camp along the highway, near the cemetery and mine buildings, or along the river in Frank? I think it’s high time the organizers of this event and the municipality take a long, hard look at the monster they’ve created! The firework are great, don’t get me wrong. However, there needs to be some changes. Start with finding a different location to contain all the RVs and campers. Why not put them on the nearby 52 acres that are not currently being developed?

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

I hear your concerns and I get numerous calls from people that live in that area every year.
The 52 acres is private property we do not have a right to push the campers over there.

Anonymous said...

What does Blairmore Fire Department do with the funds they collect from the sponsors and tickets sales. Doesn't sound like they cover a portion of the costs or contribute a portion of the funds to the police, fire, and EMS services that assist not only in the event, but also work side by side with them.

Anonymous said...

Tax payers are paying over $50 000 for thunder in the valley and we are paying for new fire trucks for the department too! Where is this money raised going to?

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

I have been led to believe over the years that the Fire departments do share some funds for example on the 50/50 draw. Otherwise the municipality as never been privy to what is raised what is paid out etc.
There is no question the weekend does bring a lot of money in to the community

Anonymous said...

Speaking of fireworks. What was with the fireworks last night at 9:40 pm? Woke people up at my house and I imagine others as well.
This also happened late on the night of Good Friday.
In the short time I've lived here it has happened a couple of other times.
Why does the Pass not have some sort of fireworks by-law? I can see July 1, the night of Thunder in the Valley and New Years Eve being ok nights to set off fireworks, but that's it. Some people get up early to go to work and don't need to be frightened out of their slumber.

Anonymous said...

Hello Dean,

You're right, Thunder does bring in a lot of money to the Pass, but not as many business' benefit from this as some might believe.

I feel sorry for the people who live along the street where the makeshift campground is set up, and where the thousands of people walk to get to the fireworks. They shouldn't have to watch or guard their properties all night, or all weekend for that matter, in order to prevent them from being vandalized or used as latrines. There have been numerous complaints made in the past, but why does it seem like they always fall on deaf ears? Why is this? The folks who organize this event need to rethink things just a bit and start listening to some of the residents who are adversely affected.

Eliminating the trackside campground would be a step in the right direction. This way, that whole area could be cleared out immediately afterward and you wouldn’t have all the nonsense that occurs here long before or long after the show has come to an end. Also, you shouldn't be allowed to set camp just anywhere. Camping should only be permitted in a place that's already designated and regulated for this, such as a private campground or in the Forest Reserve to the north and south of the Pass, where there are plenty of campgrounds available and where random camping is still permitted. If you allow someone to park an RV or set up a tent on your own property, that’s your business. If it were any other weekend, would I be able to pitch a tent along the highway or next to the Crowsnest River in Frank? I hardly think so. I’m sure I'd be evicted by the cops in no time. Why should this weekend be any different?

While some locals would just as soon see the fireworks display come to an end for good, I believe most Pass residents enjoy them and would like to see them continue. Those responsible need to find a way to address some of the problems. Once they do this, everyone will be happy. It would be great to see some changes made in time for this year's presentation. It’s not too late!

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

We do have a noise bylaw that Thunder in the Valley comes to council and requests an exemption for that night of their event.

If you have that problem again give the Bylaw Officer or RCMP a call

Anonymous said...

Dean, it was over in a matter of 2 or 3 minutes. I don't know the exact place it came from. Doesn't give the officers much to work with. Is there even a non-emergency number for the local RCMP, like in Calgary? It's certainly not an emergency. And I'm guessing the by-law officer wouldn't by on call 24 hours! LOL

Anonymous said...

Turns out Thursday night's fireworks were the firefighters. I guess none of them have to get up to go to work on Friday. ;)

Anonymous said...

Let's get back to the money issue.

Why isn't the municipality aware of funds raised?

"Otherwise the municipality as never been privy to what is raised what is paid out etc."

Seems to me, someone is padding their wallet? Why do we tax payers have to fund this drunken fest? I would rather my hard earned tax money go somewhere useful to all Crowsnest Pass residents. Not all businesses benefit from Thunder In The Valley, the poor people living near the shanty town sure aren't looking forward to it.

I am not against the concept of the event, but it's time for change in the CNP- let's clean it up, make the event community and family friendly and not use our valuable tax dollars unnecessarily.

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing the main reason council is not privy to the amount of money generated by 50/50 draws...etc is because it might result in a decrease in the amount of taxpayer money event organizers receive each year.

Anonymous said...

While I think Thunder in the Valley is a great event that brings many visitors to the Pass, I, like others, have great concerns about how Rum Runner Days is handled. I don't think the Municipality should be subsidizing a weekend drunkfest, and there is no way residents of Blairmore should be subjected to the campground mess along the railway. Similarly, random camping on private land (i.e. trespassing) must be stopped. Like many other issues in the Pass, we are sending the wrong message and damaging our community image in the process.

As to the financing, I see some parallels with the Crowsnest Centre debacle. Another situation where the Municipality is giving money to a citizen group whose financial books are closed from public view. This has to end. Open the books, or no public money.

Anonymous said...

Amen.. Let's see what the firefighters are doing with the money. Open the books or no more public money. It's such a hassle being host to thousands of guests we didn't ask for or don't respect the land.

Anonymous said...

This is garbage the taxpayers do not put anywhere near $52000 into the Thunder in the Valley Weekend.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Last anonymous the numbers are whats in the budget for this year, I will br requesting a full break down of what we spend after the event.
But if you still doubt the numbers contact the Municipal office and request the information our budget is a public docuement and any information requested from that should be accessible to any taxpayer.
Once again keep in mind again the $52,000 does not include wages of municipal employees used to set up for the weekend.