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A Two-Fer

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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: September 4, 2007

The New Port Richey City Council recently voted to withhold some of the money the city has given to the annual Founders Day celebration over the years.

Since its beginning in 1998, Founders Day has drifted away from its original purpose, celebrating the city's creation during the 1920s and become more of a run-of-the-mill effort to lure people downtown, according to council members. Founders Day is put on by Greater New Port Richey Main Street, a private group that backs downtown redevelopment.

During its current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, the city gave Main Street $4,000 for Founders Day. That figure has been reduced to $1,000 for fiscal 2008. It costs about $15,000 to put on the event, according to Judy DeBella Thomas, the Main Street executive director. According to Thomas, the city has been steadily reducing its contribution to Founders Day and most of the money for the event comes from the Main Street budget and private donors.

Rick Snyder warned last week the city may zero-out its contribution to Founders Day in fiscal 2009.

The event could continue without the city's money. Perhaps, however, the time is at hand to incorporate Founders Day into Chasco Fiesta, an event spearheaded by the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Then Chasco Fiesta could be a celebration of both the West Pasco that existed before the arrival of European adventurers and the early days of the city of New Port Richey, where most Chasco events take place.

Giving Chasco a sharper historical focus could defuse forever any lingering complaints that the annual community celebration demeans the area's former American Indian inhabitants.

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