Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board with some reluctance Wednesday approved $15,000 in reimbursements for costs incurred by the Rockin’ Route 66 festival that was scheduled for this month but cancelled because of coronavirus-related restrictions.
The promoter of the roots-rock festival also announced during a conference call with board members he plans an internet livestream of four musical acts starting at 4:15 p.m. June 27, with the possibility it also would be shown at the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari that day if restrictions on the venue were lifted by that time.
The festival had submitted about $18,500 in invoices until its cancellation in early May. The board in its May meeting recommended the city reimburse about $3,500 in expenses, but a motion by the Tucumcari City Commission to do so died from the lack of a second.
Promoter Brian Whitcomb said during the conference he wants to continue ramping up promotions for the festival in 2021, which would be Route 66’s 95th anniversary.
Whitcomb said the livestream from Georgia would feature music acts Slim and the Gems, Jane Rose and the Deadend Boys, Atomic Boogie and The Waymores, possibly with a studio audience. It would be streamed at https://vimeo.com/415674171 .
He said he also was working with Odeon Theatre co-owner Christy Dominguez to livestream it on its big screen if coronavirus restrictions allow it.
“That would be an awesome thing,” Whitcomb said of a theater event in Tucumcari. “I think it’d be fun for the community.”
Regarding Rockin’ Route 66’s reimbursement, board member Matt Bednorz expressed reluctance to pay back the full amount “for something that hasn’t happened.” At the same time, Bednorz said he wanted to maintain a good relationship with the festival’s organizers.
Acting city manager Mark Martinez said all of Whitcomb’s expenses occurred before the event was canceled. He said the board had recommended covering expenses for another event canceled by the virus, Tucumcari Rawhide Days.
Board Chairman Larry Smith also recommended reimbursing Rockin’ Route 66.
“The fact it didn’t happen isn’t their fault,” Smith said. “It’s not wasted money because it keeps the event front and center on people’s minds. We have to look at this as an investment for this year and beyond.”
Todd Duplantis, a city commissioner and liaison for the board, said Whitcomb “was making an honest effort” to organize the festival and noted the precedent to cover another cancelled festival’s costs: “If we’re doing it for one, we need to do it for all.”
Bednorz made a motion for the board to recommend reimbursing $10,000 instead, but it died from a lack of a second.
Smith asked for a motion to reimburse $15,000 for Rockin’ Route 66. After a lengthy pause and more discussion, Bednorz made a motion to reimburse the $15,000, and Mike Castelli seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The measure advances to the Tucumcari City Commission for final approval.
Bednorz also recommended the board draft a resolution to support the Fired Up festival and Wheels on Fire 100 bicycle event, both slated for Sept. 26, because it may be Tucumcari’s only two festivals this year. Smith said he’d put it on the agenda for the board’s July 8 meeting.
Smith, who owns Motel Safari, said he’s observed travel activity picking up in recent days and expressed confidence the local economy would largely rebound within months.
In other business, city finance director Rachelle Arias reported motel tax receipts were just $27,597 in April, down from the usual level of $50,000 to $60,000 because of state-imposed coronavirus restrictions.
The state raised its occupancy limit for lodging establishments from 25% to 50% on June 1. Restaurants on June 1 also were allowed to reopen dine-in eating at 50% occupancy after being closed except for carryouts and delivery since March.