Nonprofits, kids groups shouldn’t have to pay a fee to use public space

Iwould like to add my voice to what are hopefully many voices in severe objection to the facts about the funding of public events — particularly those for families and children — as described by Geoffrey Plant in last week’s Taos News. I am not a resident of the Town of Taos, so I cannot even vote for the office of mayor or the positions on the city council. However, as a resident of Arroyo Hondo, the town of Taos is my “local town” and, in fact, I feel that I should be able to vote for elected officials as a resident of Taos County or “greater Taos.” I am a very active volunteer, participant and contributor to the Town of Taos.

I have never heard of a town entity charging for the use of public facilities that belong to the town and should be maintained for use by members of the community. The purpose of the government of any town should be to provide services for community events, particularly for those of the children of the community. The children are the future of Taos and their education and well-being should be at the top of any list of priorities for the town.

I have recently been disturbed to read in the Taos News that the current town administrator doesn’t feel that certain activities are appropriate for the town plaza. I understand that safety and fire prevention require certain accommodations for sizes of crowds, etc. But it feels to me that the main problem is still the handful of merchants who would prefer that the town plaza remain empty, except for their possible customers. Worldwide, the town square or town plaza is the traditional and appropriate place for activities for the community. Traffic can be accommodated and fire lanes left open and still hold events in the plaza.

Taos now states that the very popular farmers market and other traditional events can no longer take place in the plaza, a decision they now are saying is due to the next phase of the Paseo road construction project. The main public park, Kit Carson Park, has been compromised and the available space lessoned by the presence of the enormous stage that now occupies a significant area that used to be available for wonderful annual traditional events. One of those favorites, the wool festival, I believe, has moved to Santa Fe because of the inhospitality of our town government.

Now we read that baseball, children’s dance and theater programs, the family center, and many others are considered lesser priorities and will be charged enormous fees for the use of facilities that should be provided at no or extremely minimal cost. The reason given is for “equality” and due to some vaguely described state “anti-donation” regulations. It is hardly a “donation” for the town to provide services for events for the members of the community: It is a service. The town events that should be charged a very high fee and should fully pay for the cost of employees — town and police — are the hugely disruptive mass concerts that are put on by outside entities that charge very expensive ticket prices, intend to draw many attendees from out of town, and insist on having the food and other services inside an exclusive fence so all the profits for those also go to the entities that produce these events.

Whatever equality is needed could be preserved by making a very simple rule: Non-profit events, particularly those for the benefit of our children and families, will be charged no fees. Profit-making events should be charged fully for the expenses that they incur for the town. The now-considered increase in GRT and the fees from for-profit events should pay for the non-profit-produced events that take place in any of the town’s facilities.