lilpizon1,

As for your last paragraph, maybe, just maybe I care about my community. Maybe I care because I have lived here all my life and have seen many changes some good and many bad.

Maybe I care because I know a lot of people of this community, gone to school with them, associated with their children, my peers, got to know their kids and followed their achievements in the local paper, maybe it is because I care that I have opinions on many different things but NOT everything.

I do have a job, and I volunteer, and I help out and never expect any gratitude, compensation or acknowledgement for what I do. I always try to give credit where credit is do and all my volunteer work is in a non-compensation capacity.

If asked I will server my fellow man or woman if it is within my means.

This is what I have done, this is what I am doing and this is what I will do in the future.

Martin Fleming

Hey you didn't happen to go to Kent Fest did you.

Didn't have to pay to park, didn't have to pay for the bands, did have to pay a high price for food that was actually worth half what I paid except for the Lions Clubs food trailers. They were reasonable.

Guess you have never been there.

You gotta go. Great event.

Lilpizon1, if that is your real name, there were others who posted before me and after but you only singled me out.

This is how I respect those who like to poke at me when there are so many others who post opinions and no one chastises them.

Are you happy now? Do you feel better?

If you stick to the point rather than pointing a finger at me I will debate with you. Single me out and I'll single you out. What's fair is fair.
I feel that is what you were asking me to do.

Martin Fleming

Lilpizon1,

For your facts you wanted, here is the application for a booth at Family Days,

http://www.streetsborofamilydays.org/storedfiles/file/newest%20210%20non%20profit%20app_.pdf

I would imagine they would have pulled in maybe around 4000 in vendors. I'm probably off a bit but I don't think it would be enough to bring in the entertainers they do.

I think the city does help in some ways, but not the way you wish they would. I was under the impression this was an idea of Chuck Koscisko, and as far as I know he never indicated or asked if the city would partake.

I guess it was on city grounds, couldn't the city have refused, or was it on school grounds. There is a fine line there that I will have to reference on a map to determine if they were on city ground or school grounds.

Either way the school district did contribute their space for parking and what not and people did park down around the baseball diamonds so I guess the city did provide some service to the event. Couldn't the city council refuse the use of city park? And you didn't think the city contributed?

City council may not have been there but the use of the park shows they were aware of the needs of the citizens. They even let them shoot off fireworks.

I believe they do very well on Family Days even though I have not see any statements to the fact. But, my previous post made no mention of their income on the event so I guess that is something I don't have to back up with fact.

I guess selling tickets at the Family Days doesn't qualify me as a first person witness to people who went away sort of saddened they couldn't afford that much. I was sitting behind glass, my perception of people could be tilted because of the glass.

Those ruts too could have been my imagination. Maybe all those people who stepped in them also probably didn't realize it was their imagination either.

I'm sure I am not the only person who used the public facilities by the Pavilion. I guess that woman didn't know what she was talking about when she used them.

Did anyone else see the public restroom near the Pavilion. Believe me. Don't go. Hold it if you have to, just don't go.

If you do, take a big stick in with you. If you have to sit, don't let your feet touch the floor.

Yes I have been to fairs before where it was free, free concerts and everything Streetsboro has and then some.

So it is not the first.

And what other items did you find that I have no facts on?

At least give an example.

You have as many opinions as I. I choose to voice them here, you choose to voice them among your friends, or no one really knows what side of what issue you stand on. Should I only give opinions that you would like to here? Can you give me a list to follow?

Martin Fleming

lilpizon1,

I hope you're sitting down for this one.

But guess what?

Most posting worked!!! It was designed and written to get you to respond, even go as far as to get a screen name and post something your self.
Think about it!

Now isn't THAT cool???

Communication, You gotta love it!

Martin Fleming

lilpizon1,

Your post #11 was very insightful and informative by the way. Nice work!

Martin Fleming

lilpizon1,

This is for your post #11. In the event you weren't aware because it really appears you aren't, this is an opinion section for the citizens to post, guess what? Their opinions.

Since this is the first time I have seen your name, it appears you are one of those who either keeps their opinion to themselves so nobody ever really understands you or knows what you support, or you finally get fed up and voice your opinion.

You didn't need to attack me in your post but just you could have stated what you considered high points of Family Days.

Now it is starting to make me think more about what truly went on. You know, those things most people wouldn't put any thought to. Do you know what I'm thinking now?

You see, others posted on the site but you made no mention of them.

At least I am voicing my opinion just like others should be voicing their opinion regardless of the issue or how they think about it. It is part of what we call communication which this community seems to keep pretty tight lip and think that voting yes or no on a levy doesn't have anything to do with their opinion.

It does have to do with your opinion. If you have been following the posts here on all subjects people write about then you would know a lot more about your community and the community reading it may jump in and participate.

Everyone from all walks of life need to post here give their opinion and then, just then things might start changing. It might start changing to the way most people would like it to be. More of a community that reaches out and helps all their neighbors whether they live one house down or across the city. It what makes a community a community and not a sub burb of Cleveland. You want the rural rustic feeling then we better start acting like a community.

Speak your opinion. If you don't like reading my opinion then don't read it. Nobody is twisting your arm. Intelligence says turn the channel if you don't like the show. You can scroll the mouse and skip my opinion. No one told you to read it anyway. It was your choice.

We have to look at the good and the bad of every situation no matter how it hurts so we can make it better for all in the future.

You sound like someone who says give me your money and shut up! I don't care what you think! Now give me the money and let the next sucker step up!

Hmmmm! Sort of like some other entity I'm thinking of!

Martin Fleming

It would be nice if the Streetsboro Youth Baseball had a booth, kids in uniform and all, and how about one for Parks and Rec, or the middle school sports. The band was there and it was refreshing to see that.

I know there is a lot of hard work and I know they bring in the outside singers and bands. But a whole lot of money could be saved if they maybe did one singer one nite and bring in local bands to show what they can do.

It would be great to see booths of games from local charity organizations like American Legion, VFW, and the Bingo, the F.O.E. the Knights of Columbus and the many other charitable organizations. The money raised then would truly be used for the community.

Personally I don't think we need the big names to attract the crowd. The fireworks seems to do that, and they are always great.

A family atmosphere would attract more families. It is a non-profit event and much of the funds it raises does most likely go back to the community.

I don't expect free entry. Paying for parking was fine by me. The Ox Roast dropped the wrist band but they did it for like four hours at a time. The bands were affordable and the kids usually were done riding after about four hours. Sold three different set of bands. More people rode and the Ox Roast got more business. It might be something they might do next year.

Advertise it earlier on how much wrist bands will be and the time frame and it might work well.

I don't have all the answers but I do know I nearly twisted my ankle in one of the ruts. I was just thinking to look out for someone else who might do the same thing and maybe prevent an injury.

There were many good things about it and some not so good. I have my opinion and you have yours.

I was just stating what I observed. Nothing more. You can state what you observed. Tell us what you found good. I liked the volume of the bands. I liked several of the bands. Some pretty good stuff there. I was impressed especially with the girl that sang our national anthem. Really, really nice rendition and a really great voice. Brought a tear to my eye.

I know the city doesn't get involved. Made up of volunteers who want to do something for the citizens of their community. People who have a heart and like to contribute to something they know is for the benefit of the community. But in these hard times, if it becomes unaffordable for the community, you may not get the turnout you need to fund something next year. There has to be a balance. Maybe we could provide better for the community.

I don't have all the answers. I most likely didn't see all the good just like I probably didn't see all the bad either. I had a good time for what it was worth, my grandkids did and I hope it turns out even better next year. I'm optomistic about it. Things do get better with age you know. Family days has come a long ways.

I just think there is some things that might make it better for all. Try not to leave any loose ends. A minor mishap could cost the Family Days of having a great year.

I think it is good to be a little bit on the cautious side.

Martin Fleming

Martin, I have read your many comments and wonder when you will at least make statements that you have facts on or go to other events that have free entry, free concerts and fireworks.

Do you think these entertainers come to Streetsboro for free? Did you ever consider that to pay for lights, sound, entertainment, hotel rooms, feeding the entertainment, flying them in to Ohio comes from the prior years 10X10 spot being purchased by a vendor or sponsor??

Here is another question since you have all the answers..........do you think the city helps the Streetsboro family days staff with anything???

Do you think they would continue it if Chuck said "I'm done"?

Mayer Scott will cut a ribbon but do you think he gives a crap anymore about something he was involved in just a few years ago? If he was up for election this year he would!

I am sorry but to sit here and be the all knowing master on community events when the only thing you can do is tear a bunch of hard work down is down right sad...I hope you find employment soon so you have better things to do with your life than be negitive and try to add value to your life by putting others down.

What has stopped that is Family Days charges $100.00 for charity organizations to have a booth and for non-charity the price starts at $150.00 and up.

The rides for the tickets within a 2 hour period took a huge amount of money.

I think Family Days would fair much better and be cheaper if they did without these companies that charge an exhorbitant amount to bring in those rides.

Second, do without these big names in music for quite frankly, for me I have yet to be interested in any of them. I prefer the local talent that comes in. I think they are much more enjoyable.

Especially if it is someone I am familiar with and then someday you see they made it big and you actually got to see them when they weren't.

The fair used to be just like factualinfo said, local charities and organizations bringing in their game booths and you knew your money was going to something worthwhile in your community even if you lost at the game.

The carny guys bring in their games that even though you win, you get some cheap crappy thing that is almost embarrassing to walk around with because it reveals who took you to the cleaners to get that crappy thing. What is anyone going to do with a Hermit Crab? Poor thing will just wind up dying on you and stink up the house until you located where it crawled off and died.

The local fairs of yesteryear is where we need to get back to.

These carny guys charge so much that for many families they either won't go or get discouraged to go the following year.

This is not what families are all about and I think Chuck needs to take a hard look at what he does next year.

I too am losing interest in the Family Days for I don't like seeing so many children saddened because of the cost.

Maybe we need someone else to start coordinating a fair where we can get back to the good old days of just having a great time out with the family.

Martin Fleming

I would also love to see the days of old, where local organizations offered things like dunk tanks, bingo tents, chuck-o-luck money wheels, and reasonably priced foods and bake sale items.

However, I realize that this takes initiative and input from ALL people/organizations in our community. The Family Days committee can only do so much. If groups/organizations wanted to step up and do these things then I'm sure the committee would gladly give them space/booth. It takes more than comments on change, it takes actual people to step up and physically do those changes. Can't blame the committee when no one else is willing to get up there and put in the time.

As for the rides and ticket prices, I don't think a profit is seen there. It takes so much money to bring a group like this into the town and you have to sell enough tickets to at least break even. Maybe an option is to look into renting inflatables and doing away with actual rides. Bring in pony rides, animal shows (Jungle Larry), etc.

I thought it was great to see all the performances brought to the stage, even if I wasn't necessarily a fan of that particular music. The showcase of local talent was great. The car shows, pizza/donut eating contests, dog shows, etc. were a great addition to the weekend. Really a full schedule of events that was staffed by numerous volunteers.

Again, just some thoughts and ideas but all take actual people to run them and possibly donate their time/resources to make it cost effective. Yet I realize that since I am not able/willing to do these changes myself, who am I to criticize the good work being done by the committee. I was up there several days staffing different booths of different organizations, as were many of our volunteer S'boro citizens.