Paso city council member's response

Following is the response I receive from a member of the Paso Robles city council regarding an e-mail I had sent due to the show being run out of town:

The following was written in response to another letter in this regard:

First, let me say that the "facts" expressed in Sharon's letter are not consistent with those we have. Also, the assumptions as to the City's "reasoning" are somewhat flawed.

As a city we are charged with providing for the health, safety and general welfare of our citizens. Some endeavors, such as special events or promotions, may be related to general welfare but are difficult to justify if, and when, they jeopardize health and/or safety.

I have been an average "car buff" most of my life and have previously owned variousl classic cars. I was honored with an "Honorary Lifetime Membership" in the Golden State Classic Chevys organization in June of 1986. I am also a City Council Member in the City of El Paso de Robles.

Before I became a Council Member the Council adopted a "fiscal neutrality" policy. This means that each person or group who desires to use City resources, including parks, for their own special use must pay the actual costs so that taxpayers' dollars are not subsidizing a private venture. Our cost analysis of a few years ago showed that our fee structure was inadequate to comply with this policy. Fees have been raised in many areas of city facility and resource use on an incremental basis since that time.

However, the West Coast Kustoms Show, of which I have been a fan and supporter for many years, began to present very specific and unforeseen consequences over the past few years which have increased both direct and indirect city costs way beyond any justifiable benefit to our citizens. This was especially true in light of health and safety matters that exhibit themselves especially at the time of this one event.

Paso Robles has been incrementally applying equitable requirements on all of the events and special resource uses for which the City is responsible. Our information indicates that the money received by the promoters of this event are their primary annual family income. This is not exclusively a charitable event. Donations have been made in the past to numerous charitable or non-profit organizations. That is commendable. However, The costs to the City have also been substantial in a number of ways. In 2007 the direct cost was $43,856 with soft costs of an additional $3,523 for labor. The income we received from the sponsor was $1,534 for a net loss of $45,845.

With the closing of three blocks of our streets and our largest downtown parking lot near the City Park for the duration of the event we have had many complaints from citizens who were unable to use the City Library during this event and about the many vending booths that neglected to pay any sales tax attributable to the event so that the City could receive its fair portion.

However, the item of most concern has been the increased lawlessness that seems to have come to Paso Robles with the event. We have no way to attribute this to the vendors or the participants. However, we can look at the general figures for time periods when this and other events are in the City. The service call figures for our Police Department are higher for this event than any other within the City including both the Wine Festival and the California Mid-State Fair. The calls rose from 44 in 2004, to 103 in 2005, to 119 in 2006 and up to 153 in 2007 including three arrests for assaults with a deadly weapon.

Group rivalries were observed between motorcycle clubs known as Hell's Angels, Mongols and Vagos as well as ethnic groups exhibiting vociferous pride in their regions from King City, Salinas and some of our locals. When proximity occurred so did explosive conditions. We deem this to be a threat to our local health and safety that demands recognition, attention and solution.

The opportunity to correct these trends and observed situations was offered to the event's sponsor. That offer was declined.

We regret the loss of a tradition. However, no tradition is so sacred that it is to be indulged at the expense of the health and safety of our citizens and the frugal handling of their tax dollars.

We all do what we have to do to the best of our knowledge and ability. I wish the West Coast Kustom Show the very best of luck in the future. I'm sorry that the consequences locally were so expensive that no one was willing to come forward and remove that obstacle to continuity.

Best wishes,
Councilman Fred Strong
City of El Paso de Robles

 

This was my reply to his reply:

Fred,

Your response is just as narrow minded and short sighted as I would have expected.

You site a net loss to the city of over $45,000 dollars due to increased law enforcement expenses for your "health and safety" (nice buzz words), yet you fail to mention the money coming INTO the city through hotel/motel, restaurants, etc by way of the show participants. You can word it any way you like, but the city still stands to lose money by running the show out of town. Now your citizens and business owners stand to lose a lot more money than that because you cannot justify paying for law enforcement during that time. Narrow-minded?

Additionally, you cite the increased costs to police the event. Well, duh, you add more cops to police the event and guess what, they write more reports as a justification for their presence and therefore the reported crime rate goes up and yes the costs do go up as well.

Funny thing is...in the 10 years I have attended this event - I have yet to even see so much as an argument amongst show-goers (much less assaults with deadly weapons and gang violence). You see, my own sister is a sherrif's deputy in a small town very similar to Paso and I know how her mind works - every guy with a black shirt, a tattoo and a group of friends is a gang member and if he gets in trouble, it gets reported as "gang violence" and boy do the locals hate to hear that word, so they poor more money into law enforcement. Funny how it works.

Furthermore, you asked the event organizer to pay - I believe - $35,000 for additional law enforcement expenses at the same time you try to limit her to only 500 entries (from the previous 800). If you do the math that puts her in the hole by $5,000 right of the bat. At the same time you ask HER, an aging lady in poor health, to take on the job of solving the problems between the Hells Angels, Vagos and the like? Unreal. With all of the law officers I saw in-town during last Memorial's event, they still could not manage to run-off a few bikers, so we - the law abiding show attendees who come to your town to spend our hard earned dollars can enjoy our show without being treated like we ourselves were the problem. For the record, no Hells Angel or Vago, etc, etc. ever registered for the show so why should it be considered that we are the problem?

Additionally, you set forth the request that no cars in "primer" were to be allowed at the show – As if people who drive unfinished cars are the source of your problems? Can we not agree that the people ACTUALLY ENTERED IN THE SHOW and inside the park were by-and-large NOT the source of the problems around town. And thus, can you not see that affecting the rules for entering a car in the show is an ignorant attempt at solving your crowd control issues since it would not have resulted in those people staying home so much as it would have just resulted in more primered cars parked around town - OUTSIDE OF THE EVENT which would apparently be contrary to your desires. Or where you planning to put up signs at the outskirts of town advising all that a car without shinny paint can not enter your streets?

With a ignorant outlook such as yours, I certainly can't blame the organizers for deciding to move on to a new venue and I have little doubt that was your intent all along.

It was a good event. I have many fond memories. So long, fair well. What done is done, but you should at least be honest with yourself and your citizens.

 

wow! on to Saint M...............

 

I think one word can sum this up
BRAVO!!​

 

Well written and thought out. Thanks for responding how most of us are feeling.

 

I find it amusing that he included the bit about the show being the primary income for the organizer. California government really does seem to have a problem with capitalism and business owners making money, doesn't it?

As for the costs involved, the city should see a spike in tax revenue during the event that, I would think if it doesn't outright eliminate the shortcoming that it makes a huge dent at the end of the year accounting.

Also, you have it on record that a city councilman states that motorcycle clubs coming to town were a problem...not show attendees. Removing the show to eliminate bikers and local gang problems is moronic. If the police would have had a zero tolerance policy with the Hell's Angels and other gangs, and flat out run them out of town, that would have gone a long way to solving that portion of the problem. And the number of CALLS the cops got was 153 for the whole event, not the number of arrests. That's not great, but that also shouldn't be a deal breaker. With a huge influx of people, you'd expect the number of calls to go up considerably. I'd be interested to see how many of those calls were for out-of-towners, and how many of them were for locals.

And really? The promoter was only ponying up $1500 to the city to stage the event? REALLY?! damn...you can't rent a race track for that much, and she's able to rent the whole town?!

Seems to me this is EXACTLY the kind of stuff a local Chamber of Commerce and Tourism department should be dealing with. As this tool states, it's the city government's job to do what's best for the city, and that includes bringing revenue and tax dollars in through events, tourism and other opportunities. Sometimes, they have to spend money to make that happen. They don't need to give away the store, but they also need to realize that by moving the event, the CITY'S income is going to drop, because nobody is in town buying food, smokes, sun glasses, sunscreen, T-shirts, hotels, gasoline and a million other things.

I also find it very funny when city governments think they're entitled to a cut of vendor's income just for letting them set up. I'll never understand that...vendors don't use any infrastructure, no services, and the government thinks they're entitled to a cut just because. Locally, they make vendors buy a "peddlers license" for $1,000. The result is that vendors don't come.

Short sighted and greedy.

-Brad

 

Very eloquently stated, Cleatus. Although it really seems like all of this is a farce developed by the city to run the show out of town, it's still important than an intelligent rebuttal be presented to show the powers that be just how bad they blew it.

And I don't get the concept of banning the primered cars to keep out the "riff-raff"....remember the incidents at Hot August Nights a few years back??...not a primered car in sight. We all know that it really has nothing to do with the people bringing cars to the show. There are idiots all over the world...most of 'em like a crowd to show off in front of.

Bryan

 

Brad 54,

Thank you for a great post you truly understand. I live just 30 miles south of Paso Robles and fell bad for all those who love the show so much. We will make a new tradition in Santa Maria, Ca.


Cruiser

 

Wow......I see a Pulitzer Prize on the horizon. Very well put.

 

clealus,

You wrote an excellent letter to Fred Strong of the city of Paso Robles. I received the same letter back from Mr. Strong and will send a reply. Mr. Strong says he's a honorary member of the Gold Stare Classics which means little, they are a main stream Chevy classic club. Mr. Strong just doesn't understand customs, hot rods or traditional cars at all.

Cruiser

 

Hmmm.... I am going to play devil's advocate here.

First off, I have never been to Paso so I am totally unbiased here.
I read both letters and to be honest, his concerns seem to be legitimate. Towns aren't businesses and don't have to cater to any organizations. The only people that they have to answer to are the citizens.

Now with that said, I have watched Oklahoma City hassle the NSRA to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if they move the SW Nats to another city.

I think the best thing is to move the venue to a place where it is wanted and accepted. A lot of smaller towns would love to land a huge event.

Good luck

Root

 

here's how it looks to me... too many assholes showed up for the party.

after last year I would say the event has outgrown the town, say they limited it to 500 registered cars. how many of the 300 that didn't get accepted would stay home??? few if any. there was more people and cars on the outskirts of the park last year than ever before.

oh well... another tradition bites the dust. Santa Maria might very well be a good show too, but it won't be Paso.

 

"As for the costs involved, the city should see a spike in tax revenue during the event that, I would think if it doesn't outright eliminate the shortcoming that it makes a huge dent at the end of the year accounting."

Bingo!

 

Wow, I started to read his[Cleatus] response and could not get past the high school level of writing. Here are two fine examples:
"Well, duh, you add more cops to police........"
yes, I've seen the word "duh" in the New York Times on many occassions. not so much.
" so they poor more money into law enforcement......."
nothing worse than poor money.

not that the intentions weren't good but maybe a little proof reading by a third party could have significantly improved the validity of this response letter.

 

I'll be honest with you as a complete outsider looking in.

Losing the show over financial issues may be the excuse they used because they didn't want the show anymore. I'm sure they looked at all the benefits of keeping it and the reward of getting rid of it is getting rid of a bunch of people they don't want in town.

That's what it says in his letter anyway.

That said....the more negative mail you guys send will polarize them and proves to them that they did the right thing. Whether that's the truth or not I don't know but that's the impression I get.

 

yepper, okc is now building horse barns all over the fair grounds so we can get more horse folks in town and not the rough ass hot rodders or bikers, if you drive by the fairgrounds you will think it is the damn stockyards, nsra is getting slowly moved out i think ... so if you like horse shit come on over we will always have a few tons of it . we even store it at city hall in case we run low at the fair grounds........

 

I see this as an ongoing problem in alot of areas. We have a small rod run here every year. the city council talked to the car club and asked them to move the event from the fair grounds to downtown to get more people hanging out at the local shops and spending money. Great idea. The unfortunate part is, most of the local shops don't agree with the city and close up for the few hours that the rod run is happening, thus complaining to the city that their revenue drops by having the "cars" around their place of business.

Now mind you, at the same time there is an Art in the Park going on and the business owners don't mind that going on at all. I really look at both situations as a growing trend that alot of people just aren't interested in the revenue or tax base that a good size car show can bring to a city. It seems to me that they just don't like their lives "turned upside down" for a few hours or a few days. That's how things are looking to me anyway.

Larry

 

My impression of Paso Robles is that it's a town with several different personalities. While it's traditionally been working class, a number of wineries have sprung up in the area. There seems to be a contingent that wants to gentrify the place and transform it into a "Napa South". That means more "Concours d' Elegance" Than the rodder crowd. On the flip side, there's enough non-toursim-related commerce that they don't need our dollars as much as some places.

Someone mentioned Santa Maria. They might appreciate rodders more. Pismo beach would be another nifty alternative (And be an easier sell to my wife and family). I'm sure that there's many a community that would welcome our presence.

 

Group rivalries are a product of the Harley show at the fairgrounds and has nothing to do with the car show. I went to both Memorial Day and Labor Day shows since 83 and when they moved from Sherwood park to town is when it all started to go down hill. Never had a problem until the bikers came to the fairgrounds on the same weekend, what do you expect through all that greed. It always seems the bigger the worse it gets, ( stay small and enjoy )Not bigger and greedier never works. Rags

 

kreb,

I live just up the road in San Luis Obispo, CA you said Pismo Beach would be a great place. Well, Pismo has had it's problems in regards to its Pismo Car Show, different outfit ruining the show the last three years. With one big show there's no room for another, its also goes for Morro Bay. The one thing about being at the fairgrounds will be easier to police the show. It will most likely no longer be free to the public, am guessing there will be a gate charge to come in. Its a big fairgrounds and should work out just fine for "The West Coast Kustoms.

Cruiser

 

Typical politicion.

 

I'm not sure what everyone else read, but that council members response made a great deal of sense. No matter how you spin it, if they aren't making money and the people who live there complain, they would be in the right to shut it down. Good or bad, it's politics plain and simple. Welcome to the Matrix.

 

I don't even know where Paso is ,so I probably don't understand the whole problem.
I do want to say. the Councilmans letter was very well done,obviously had went thru the checks and rechecks. The other reply was very accusing, somewhat childish in the name calling ,and lacking in anything substantial other than the income the locals lose.
I know local business men here and other temporary ,non sales tax paying vendors are not welcome here either.
Your responses are giving them something to go to their locals and show them the letters and say "look we told you what they were like."
I think you blew it , and let me add one more thing ,the town that you are going to next is watching this very close, I would guarantee it. Don't be surprised if they change their mind.
Just my opinion.

 

I have been to Paso during the state fair a few times....The state fair is where i saw the HA's and mongols and numerous vato gangs!The local groups were pricks too.. Are they going to run the state fair out of Paso too? We quit going just so we wouldnt have to put up with the bullshit!
They wanted more money period!!! Vendors that paid their entry shouldnt have to pay a local sales tax too! that should have been made up during the entry fee negotiations...

Hell looks like another Cali town running something else out of Cali...Move Paso(the show) to Mexico ...Where all the other businesses went too

just sickening to know an era is deflating before our eyes and nothing can be done except move somewhere else

 

A tax free ride!? You're kidding, right? A city or town has no authority to say that state taxes don't have be paid and it certainly can't setup a fee to take the place of collecting taxes. In fact, if you do a little searching, you may find that the vendors who didn't collect taxes could find themselves in a bit of trouble.

 

That's just what they needed to prove they made the right choice. That first line where you attacked closed the deal.

 

What I cannot understand is the issue of crowds and policing them. In nearly all towns almost every week is a soccer, football, baseball, hockey, parade, demonstration etc etc etc, now it seems that human resources of a given district are quite capable and willing to control these events, why not the car fraternity ,if you were in Europe you could probably take them to the court of human rights, I think we are being marginalised as a group and almost segregated because of our pastime, its completely wrong!!................

 

They need to run the the state fair out of there too. You're a lot more likely to get your ass kicked or stabbed at that event. Paso really does suck, I know it's tradition but there are a lot of cities more capable of handling all the cars and will welcome the patronage.

And people had trouble getting to the library? Are they serious?

 

I think my favorite part of the city council guys letter is the part about the library and how it is pointed out later on that memorial day weekend the library would be closed anyway.

Here is some contact information for anybody wanting to write a letter.

http://www.prcity.com/government/citycouncil/members.asp

Mayor Frank Mecham
fmecham@prcity.com


Gary Nemeth, Mayor Pro Tem
gnemeth@prcity.com


John Hamon
jhamon@prcity.com


Duane Picanco
dpicanco@prcity.com


Fred Strong
fstrong@prcity.com

 

I'm really suprised this hadn't happened sooner. The show attendance, both entrants and spectators, has really exploded in the last 5 years. Each year I find myself having to park farther and farther back in the residential neighborhood. I'm sure the locals aren't too thrilled about everyone clogging up their driveways. That, and a fair amount of broken beer bottles thrown about probably aided in the sharp rise in police calls. As was stated, there were 153 "calls", not arrests.

That being said, I really think Paso is cutting off it's nose to spite it's face. Whenever I see the phase " fair share ", especially coming from a politician, it makes me cringe. It stands for " we want our cut without doing anything for it ". The wine and cheese crowd usually go for that though.

As for Pismo, anyone who's been there for Fathers Day knows what a nightmare that town can be logistically. No parking and bumper to bumper traffic right though the middle of the show.

I think SM will work out great. Much cooler temps, way more room and a more controllable crowd (Although the biker contingent probably won't be a factor).

I'll really miss the park but if anyone feels homesick, I'll bring my turkey fryer and boil up a big steaming pot of sulfer!