SAFFORD — It appears the days of encouraging events in Safford’s Downtown is coming to an end — at least with the city picking up some of the tab.
“I love to see things happen Downtown, I just can’t keep spending the public’s money. This kind of stuff has to pay for itself eventually,” said Councilman Steve McGaughey.
The Safford City Council voted to allow Gila Valley Food Coalition to conduct a farmers’ markets on Main Street on Sept. 11, but the council said it would not waive the fees associated with a Downtown event. The council did not take action on a proposed second farmers’ market planned for Nov. 6.
The costs for closing the street, trash and law enforcement are estimated at about $5,200 per day.
“If it wasn’t $5,200, I’d say I’d support the dad-gum thing myself,” said Mayor Jason Kouts. “But that’s $10,400, (and) that’s a good chunk of change; to me it is.”
The council was set to reject the special event application due to it not being submitted in January, when the city takes special event applications for the year. But Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vance Bryce effected a compromise of seeking application approval with the event covering the city’s costs.
The Gila Valley Food Coalition will close the 400 and 500 blocks of Main Street for the event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hometown Market, which operates in The Venue, will add additional vendors in the street area to compliment the farmers’ market.
In addition, due to the event taking place on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., Code 4 has come in as a partner to honor first responders and conduct a patriotic program during the farmers’ market.
