CAMDEN — Members of the Camden Advertising and Promotion Commission learned during their meeting on Tuesday that the Arkansas Legislative Audit may call into question an item regarding the Fireball Run event in Camden in 2014.
However, the group was told that an audit is performed every year, and that state auditors are examining all advertising and promotion entities in the state to make sure that funds are being used properly.
Camden City Treasurer Jim Green told commissioners that auditors may call into question the fact that the A&P Commission entered into a contract with the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce to help fund the Fireball Run. Green said that City Attorney Michael Frye is going over the issue for the commission.
It was discussed that the problem lies in the state’s blurred definition of exactly how funds from an advertising and promotion commission can be used for civic groups, tourism, etc.
Green said that his concern is in the regulation that states that funds may not be used “for the general subsidy of any city group or chamber of commerce.”
He said he thinks the auditors “are going to write us up for the Fireball Run because the Chamber of Commerce is who we contracted with, but we never paid the Chamber of Commerce directly. We paid the bills directly to the Fireball Run. So, I don’t know what the end result of that will be.”
A&P Commissioner Mike Tidwell stated that the Fireball Run could be considered a tourism event, but it was stated that the gray area is in the fact that the commission entered into a contract with the Chamber of Commerce and not with the Fireball Run.
Green stated that the city is being proactive about the contract issue and making sure that all guidelines were followed, and that no violations were committed.
Also during the meeting, Ouachita County Historical Society President Kathy Boyette spoke to commissioners to request its usual $2,000. She stated that the funds will be used for advertising, for the upkeep of the historical Oakland Cemetery, and for the Cemetery Walk event - which is held twice each year: During the Daffodil Festival in the spring and again in the fall.
Boyette added, however, that mowing the Oakland Cemetery eats into the society’s funds, as does other items of upkeep at the cemetery. She gave the example of how caretakers were advised about the removal of a gum tree that was rotting and were told that, if not properly removed, the tree would harm weathered headstones. Pieces of that tree did fall, but headstones were surprisingly unharmed, Boyette stated.
The tree was removed at a cost of $2,400.
She was told that Tuesday’s reading of the historical society’s request was only the first reading, and that a decision would be given after the second reading.
Boyette then gave the commission a heads up that the Ouachita County Historical Society is planning to ask for around $5,000 for 2016 so that the group can hold more activities relating to historical spots in the area. She stated that during the Camden Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2014, the historical society and other volunteers were able to put together a group of reenactors of the 1st Kansas Colored Regiment - a group of African-American soldiers who fought at the Battle of Poison Spring.
The group was a hit, Boyette reported, and has traveled to other towns in the state to participate in activities.
Since that time, the historical commission has been planning a reenactment of the Battle of Poison Spring - along with 1st Kansas Colored Regiment reenactors - every two years, and possibly for there to be reenactors to ‘set up’ in historical areas to portray conditions during the occupation of Camden during the Civil War.
She said the event could also offer a portrayal of a “sutler” store that would provide period clothing, stamps and handmade toys; and period-dance classes could be offered.
But Boyette stressed that the events would not glorify war. She said that the Civil War was “ugly,” but that the outcome of the the war was “positive.”
She told commissioners that the OCHS would work on a cost range and present it during a future meeting so that an amount can be considered for the A&P’s 2016 budget.