Will Konop save Wonderland?
Not this kind of a Wonderland but the Children’s Wonderland that was held at the Lucas County Rec Center is not going to happen this year. As FOX Toledo points out Commissioner Konop voted against the budget last year with one of the reasons being mentioned was directly related to Children’s Wonderland.
Back on December 2nd of 2008, that question was asked here:
It’s stated that closing the two buildings will not have an impact on the outdoor activities or Skeldon Stadium but I wondered about the Lucas County Fair and also Children’s Wonderland, both of which are on the schedule for 2009.
There has been discussion in the past of both of those events not being held at the Rec Center, so I’m not sure if this will just create that discussion becoming a reality or what will happen.
Then on December 28th, Commissioner Konop released the following statement on his budget vote:
“This morning I will vote No on the $140 million, taxpayer-funded 2009 budget presented to me last week. My decision is based on proposals in this budget to potentially eliminate some road patrols by the Sheriff’s department and the exclusion of a new class of Sheriff’s deputies. Also, I object to allocating $1,000,000 to the under performing and mismanaged LCIC, $450,000 for new windows on a county building, arbitrary pay raises to select employees when we have laid off 20 employees, and the closing of the exhibit halls of the Lucas County Rec Center which would end, amongst other things, Children’s Wonderland.
According to the FOX Toledo story, Commissioner Pete Gerken said no one wanted to step forward and be involved in making Children’s Wonderland happen at a different location. Last year the Toledo Free Press had a story on Children’s Wonderland and how it was created 45 years ago.
Commissioner Konop stated in the FOX story that he was going to try to find a way to make Children’s Wonderland happen, though I wonder if it will be possible given it is already November and the event typically takes quite a bit of time to set up for. Will Konop save Children’s Wonderland? Time will tell…
If Mr. Konop wants to keep the Children’s Wonderland open, then I suggest he raise the ticket prices to cover the entire operation without tax dollars or seek private donation to underwrite the costs. Time is tough and priorities needs to be in line here; may I suggest for those who will miss the tradiion of Children’s Wonderland this year to go to the “Lights at the Zoo.”
November 17th, 2009 at 3:50 pmmay I suggest for those who will miss the tradiion of Children’s Wonderland this year to go to the “Lights at the Zoo.”
Also tax payer subsidized.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:56 pmIt is my understanding that the Children’s Wonderland “props” have been tentatively pledged to a local entity but no location has been deemed sufficient for this year’s exhibit.
If all goes well you will see it operational again next year, but not at the Rec Center.
I would worry though that this new arrangement would not result in Konop getting credit for the revival of Children’s Wonderland in 2010 and he may not stand for it’s success without his fingerprints on it.
November 17th, 2009 at 4:02 pmSensorG, don’t tell me something that is common knowledge but the “Lights at the Zoo” is on for this year and Children’s Wonderland isn’t.
VoR, if Konop save the Children’s Wonderland this year then that’s pretty much the only right thing he has done thus far.
November 17th, 2009 at 4:13 pmHow about Konop do something truly kind and save all of us from him. : )
November 17th, 2009 at 4:48 pmWith the way the economy is this year,
November 17th, 2009 at 7:07 pmKonop and the others need to be out
finding ways that they and others can
get food delivered to children,
families, single people, senior
citizens, homeless, etc. who are in need and no way
to get any where to get a Thanksgiving
or Christmas Dinner!!
So better to have no Children’s Wonderland than to have one and Ben get credit. Got it!
November 17th, 2009 at 7:33 pmSensorG, it is already November 17th and I think it is a bit too late to get the Children’s Wonderland up and running now. Why didn’t anyone mention about this a couple of months ago where they could’ve located private contributions, do scheduling, hiring, and plan for this event?
As far as I’m concerned, this is too little too late for Ben.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:51 pmKonop had a meeting scheduled at 11 am today with an unnamed private entity he would be seeking help to restore either a smaller or abbreviated version of Wonderland. However, he ruled out the Seagate Center or the new arena as possible locations to put up displays.
Gerken brought up the possibility of selling off the Wonderland displays to a non-profit group. They cannot be donated, but can be sold for as little as a dollar.
Konop confirmed talks happened earlier this year with the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce to take over Wonderland, but they never amounted to anything substantive. As background, the chamber’s marketing director used to run Wonderland under a yearly contract.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:53 pmLOL@glasscitypatriot…sad but so true.
ITA, Sue.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:53 pmThanks for the update Kevin, but I think Ben has far more important things to do as county commissioner than worrying about Children’s Wonderland, because like I’ve said before…”too little too late.”
Lastly, if this has such HIGH PRIORITY then I’d rather have someone who has an experience in event planning, public relations or some sort of customer service and/or whatnot to be handling this event not by some politician. We all know how that turns out.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:58 pmRockets Man Says:
“… I think Ben has far more important things to do as county commissioner…”
Absolutely right rockets, konop is totally focused on conspiring with the blade to destroy the dog warden, in my opinion. He doesn’t have the brains to handle two totally non consequential issues at once. In my opinion.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:17 pmHow konop could spend so much time on silly, idiotic issues, relative to the needs of the county, and the public welfare is truly amazing.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:18 pmNot Again…”He doesn’t have the brains to handle two totally non consequential issues at once. In my opinion.”
Great line! haha…it’s funny because it truly seems that way.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:32 amIf he was really that serious about saving Winter Wonderland he should have been working on it in July and August. This is just another grab at trying to get his name in the paper and looking like he’s doing something.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:54 pmDoes anybody want to comment on why Pete and Tina are willing to put $1M into the LCIC while taking cops off the streets?
November 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pmLet the dog warden run Wonderland
November 18th, 2009 at 4:58 pmjenny Says:
“Let the dog warden run Wonderland”
November 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pmI expect he would make it a viable and enterprise.
I’m with you Not Again(#13). This area has such serious problems that I cannot understand why an elected official is spending even one second on a Christmas display.
Another question-why is the government sponsoring this. I am not from Toledo, so maybe I don’t understand the importance of Wonderland. Frankly, to an “outsider” the whole thing seems silly and wasteful.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:51 pmI find it confusing as well, especially considering konop’s political slant. I would expect a guy like this to trash a Christmas display. Must be some sort of a political game, konop is playing, in my opinion.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:24 pmKonop has built his budding (and hopefully short) political career on gimmicks like this.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:14 am