Weak Bike Week?

[Descant]

It appears to me that the City of Laconia manages traffic flow and public safety and they do a good job. The revenue from vendor permit fees pays for police overtime. After that, whether true or not, it appears nobody is in charge. For this week(end) to be successful, the Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, etc need coordination. The same weekend, the Nashua Rotary West runs Rock 'n' Ribfest with 40-50'000 visitors. They pay the expenses and coordinate with several safety agencies. In the end, becaused they volunteer hundreds, if not thousands, of man hours, they make a little profit that they turn over to local non-profits like Meals on Wheels.

I never hear about "profit" in Laconia. I know that restaurants and motels (before all the motels went condo) make some money, but really, where is the community benefit?

The city breaks even, the restaurants are busy for two days and the tent vendors come and go, but give nothing back.

If the Meredith Rotary Club can bring in thousands of people for ICE FISHING
isn't there somebody who can do the same for Laconia. (For the oldsters,We need a new Jim Irwin Sr.)
The City Council is not the body to do this, nor should it be. Their job is to make it easy for a citizens group to do the job.

In my community and I expect may others, the Selectmen and the Town budgets, approved by voters, gives a sum to a private committee to run July 4th or Old Home Day.

Laconia should consider this example.

[laketrout]

A few things here that are making Laconia Bike week = WEAK.

What are the Bike Week #'s today verses say 5,10, 20 years ago? Its gotta be less.

Aging Demographics- Cost of new Harley and the time and money involved.
Todays world is changed..its the older middle aged guy and gals coming up.

Lack of City of Laconia involvement; no Jim Irwin type or other civic leader willing to move the Weirs into the future so the Weirs just flounders.

No Master plan for the Weirs- eventually its going all condos and high
end homes. All that waterfront land brings in more TAX revenue with big
$$$ condos and homes then bikes do.. I know I pay those taxes.

I love the honky tonk atmosphere of Weirs-- brings me back to a more
austere time in my life but "Times are a changing"
Bike week wont die it will just morph into something new.

[mishman]

I don't mind motorcycles but I take exception to the loud obnoxious ones. Can't understand why police don't ticket aftermarket, non-EPA mufflers.

I would not weep if Bike Week just ended once and for all. It would return the roads to regular people and open up 9 days of early summer to others who would vacation in the Lakes Region at a very nice time of the year. The negative side of Bike Week is it keeps a lot of other, non motor cycling riding tourists away.

I agree that the Weirs needs a better master plan - it could be so much more than it is. There is not a lot of future in the honky tonk feel to the place.

[Fargo]

I'd like to see the city of Laconia put the Rally on the ballot and let the citizens decide to keep this money pit or get rid of it.

[MeredithMan]

in today's Globe.....

In today's Globe...

By Mark Shanahan Globe Staff June 28, 2016

Where’d the money go?

That’s what officials in New Hampshire want to know from the organizers of LaconiaFest, an ill-fated music festival that ended abruptly this month when crowds failed to show up for concerts by the likes of Steven Tyler, Bret Michaels, and Ted Nugent.

Despite the paltry turnout— a performance by Tyler, for example, drew barely 4,000 fans — the city of Laconia is owed more than $60,000 for police, fire, and EMT coverage, and local vendors and a few of the bands say they were stiffed as well.

“We’ve not been able to establish communication with the promoters since June 16,” Laconia City Manager Scott Myers said Monday. “It’s not been for a lack of trying.”

This was the first LaconiaFest and likely the last. Promoter Tyler Glover, who’s been MIA since canceling the final two days of the festival and leaving town, told city officials that more than 30,000 people might attend the nine-day fest. He was optimistic that some of the motorcyclists attending Laconia Bike Week, which was going on at the same time, might come to LaconiaFest to drink beer and listen to Buckcherry. They didn’t.

What was supposed to be a nine-day metal music festival ended two days early and apparently many dollars short.

Attempts to reach Glover were unsuccessful Monday and the festival website and Facebook page have been taken down.

Some bands, including Enemy Remains, actually paid festival organizers to perform only to have the gig canceled. Enemy Remains now wants its money back. Even established acts, like Nugent, had difficulty drawing a crowd. Advance tickets to the Motor City Madman’s concert cost $45, but were sold for $5 on the day of the show.

“You don’t know what kind of crowd you’re going to get when you charge five dollars,” said Myers, explaining the city’s dilemma in determining the appropriate police presence. “You pay more than that to hear a cover band in a local bar.”

James Boffetti, a senior assistant in the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and head of consumer protection bureau, said he assigned an investigator to look into LaconiaFest, but he’s not recieved complaints or refund requests from ticketholders.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

in today's Globe.....

In today's Globe...

By Mark Shanahan Globe Staff June 28, 2016

Where’d the money go?

That’s what officials in New Hampshire want to know from the organizers of LaconiaFest, an ill-fated music festival that ended abruptly this month when crowds failed to show up for concerts by the likes of Steven Tyler, Bret Michaels, and Ted Nugent.

Despite the paltry turnout— a performance by Tyler, for example, drew barely 4,000 fans — the city of Laconia is owed more than $60,000 for police, fire, and EMT coverage, and local vendors and a few of the bands say they were stiffed as well.

“We’ve not been able to establish communication with the promoters since June 16,” Laconia City Manager Scott Myers said Monday. “It’s not been for a lack of trying.”

This was the first LaconiaFest and likely the last. Promoter Tyler Glover, who’s been MIA since canceling the final two days of the festival and leaving town, told city officials that more than 30,000 people might attend the nine-day fest. He was optimistic that some of the motorcyclists attending Laconia Bike Week, which was going on at the same time, might come to LaconiaFest to drink beer and listen to Buckcherry. They didn’t.

What was supposed to be a nine-day metal music festival ended two days early and apparently many dollars short.

Attempts to reach Glover were unsuccessful Monday and the festival website and Facebook page have been taken down.

Some bands, including Enemy Remains, actually paid festival organizers to perform only to have the gig canceled. Enemy Remains now wants its money back. Even established acts, like Nugent, had difficulty drawing a crowd. Advance tickets to the Motor City Madman’s concert cost $45, but were sold for $5 on the day of the show.

“You don’t know what kind of crowd you’re going to get when you charge five dollars,” said Myers, explaining the city’s dilemma in determining the appropriate police presence. “You pay more than that to hear a cover band in a local bar.”

James Boffetti, a senior assistant in the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and head of consumer protection bureau, said he assigned an investigator to look into LaconiaFest, but he’s not recieved complaints or refund requests from ticketholders.

Only in Lanconia!! I'm not sure if town officials could successfully manage a lemonade stand. These guys continue to impress to the downside.

[SAB1]

Another reason the event has gone down hill is there are no real deals there in tents. Years ago you could go up there and get deals on parts like handle bars, exhaust pipes, saddle bags, windshield etc. now the vendors basically are selling at the same prices they retail for. All the tents selling shirts basically all have the same shirts for sale. Just isn't much there unless you want fried dough and a greasy burger.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Fargo

I'd like to see the city of Laconia put the Rally on the ballot and let the citizens decide to keep this money pit or get rid of it.

How is it a money pit?

It has been revenue neutral every year except this year when the City Manager screwed up and allowed Laconia Fest to continue without the required deposit.

Even though it is considered revenue neutral by Laconia, the state receives substantial additional income from road tolls, liquor sales, and room and meal taxes.

It allows local businesses to survive with an injection of cash after a long slow winter. Every local business from Shaws to Dairy Queen enjoys additional income because of the influx of tourists. It provides overtime for many public safety workers as well as others such as the DPW, benefiting all of them and their families.

It showcases the lake and the surrounding area to many people who have not been here before and many return with their families to enjoy the area while spending money. In recent years the traffic problems have become almost non- existent as attendance declines.

[dave603]

City of Laconia to cover LaconiaFest $63K shortfall
I don't understand how they can say the Tax payers are not paying for it?

http://www.nh1.com/news/city-of-laco...63k-shortfall/

[noreast]

There once was a man from the Big Lake, His favorite rock band was Whitesnake, He went down to bike week, That turned into Trike week, said to his wife"what a mis-take".

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by dave603

City of Laconia to cover LaconiaFest $63K shortfall
I don't understand how they can say the Tax payers are not paying for it?

http://www.nh1.com/news/city-of-laco...63k-shortfall/

They can say that because it is true.

The Motorcycle Week account is funded by revenue generated by Bike Week from things such as vendor fees. It is not taxpayer money, it is specifically segregated and used only for that purpose. People who would post otherwise are misinformed or pushing their own agenda.


Quote:
LACONIA (AP)
The Laconia Daily Sun reports that the city plans to tap into its Motorcycle Week account that has about $117,822. Mayor Ed Engler says using the account means taxpayers won't be on the hook.

[SIKSUKR]

And it clearly states that in the link provided by the said complainer.

[dave603]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

And it clearly states that in the link provided by the said complainer.

No complaints from me
Don't pay taxes there

[dave603]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

They can say that because it is true.

The Motorcycle Week account is funded by revenue generated by Bike Week from things such as vendor fees. It is not taxpayer money, it is specifically segregated and used only for that purpose. People who would post otherwise are misinformed or pushing their own agenda.


Quote:
LACONIA (AP)
The Laconia Daily Sun reports that the city plans to tap into its Motorcycle Week account that has about $117,822. Mayor Ed Engler says using the account means taxpayers won't be on the hook.

SOOOO, next year bike week will be underfunded.
I'm not pushing any agenda at all.
Just looks like at some point SOMEONE, usually tax payers, has to make it up.

BTW, I don't care, don't pay taxes in Laconia, and usually stay away from it all.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by dave603

SOOOO, next year bike week will be underfunded.
I'm not pushing any agenda at all.
Just looks like at some point SOMEONE, usually tax payers, has to make it up.

You don't understand how they can say taxpayers are not on the hook when it is quite clear that, from the mayor on down, everyone understands that the taxpayers are not on the hook. Just read the article.

You think next years Bike Week will be underfunded when the Bike Week fund still has a balance and the event is revenue neutral. In some years it takes in more than enough money to cover all of the expenses of the event, increasing the Bike Week segregated account.

You want to claim that the taxpayers are, or will be, paying some part of the Bike Week expenses when clearly they are not now, and have not for many years.

I'm not sure how anyone can misunderstand the facts. They are pretty simple.

[dave603]

Not really,
There was $177K or so in the fund
They just said they would make up the missing $63K out of that fund.
How are they making up that?

"I'm not sure how anyone can misunderstand the facts. They are pretty simple."

Yeah it is simple, they lost more money! And don't have a way to make it up.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by dave603

Not really,
There was $177K or so in the fund
They just said they would make up the missing $63K out of that fund.
How are they making up that?

"I'm not sure how anyone can misunderstand the facts. They are pretty simple."

Yeah it is simple, they lost more money! And don't have a way to make it up.

AGAIN: Taxpayers are not on the hook. It is a separate segregated account that NO CITY MONEY has, or will, go into or out of. We know it, the Mayor said so, and it is factually correct. That is how it works. They are making the loss up from future vendor fees and Bike Week income. If you don't understand how it works you probably should not continue to post factually incorrect information until you do.

Sorry you can't understand it and insist on claiming that the taxpayers are on the hook. They are not.

Plain and simple: You are wrong!

[Mr. V]

Didn't the city require that the promoter post some form of performance bond, or get a personal guarantee?

[Reilly]

I know for a fact that the city is passing the buck to the budget of Police ,Fire ,Etc ,Etc. People are having hours cut for a period of time & that hurts a family's budget . All for Bike Week If you live in Laconia I would Question the city ??

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by dave603

Not really,
There was $177K or so in the fund
They just said they would make up the missing $63K out of that fund.
How are they making up that?
".

Is this really that confusing to you? They have $177,000 to use for just this type of situation which did NOT come from taxpayers. $177,000 - 63,000 still leaves 114,000 in the fund.

[rscalzo]

I'd say cut it to five days Thursday to Sunday. Bring in all the events to a most central location. Now they are just too far apart.

[SIKSUKR]

That would be four days and I agree.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by dave603

City of Laconia to cover LaconiaFest $63K shortfall
I don't understand how they can say the Tax payers are not paying for it?

http://www.nh1.com/news/city-of-laco...63k-shortfall/

Free cash.

[PENIVISA]

Originally Posted by mishman

I don't mind motorcycles but I take exception to the loud obnoxious ones. Can't understand why police don't ticket aftermarket, non-EPA mufflers.

I would not weep if Bike Week just ended once and for all. It would return the roads to regular people and open up 9 days of early summer to others who would vacation in the Lakes Region at a very nice time of the year. The negative side of Bike Week is it keeps a lot of other, non motor cycling riding tourists away.

I agree that the Weirs needs a better master plan - it could be so much more than it is. There is not a lot of future in the honky tonk feel to the place.

I respect your opinion except for your It would return the roads to "regular people" comment. I use to ride and attended motorcycle weekend many times,started a family and turned to fishing and boating. Am I regular people now?