New Music Fest Committee pledges transparency
At a press conference held yesterday April 23, 2012 where the official line up for the three-day musical extravaganza slated for May 27 to May 29, 2012 was disclosed, it was also revealed by Events Coordinator Rhodni Skelton that the committee will turn in their financial report to Premier and Minister for Finance Dr. D. Orlando Smith.
When questioned by the media regarding financial transparency of the festival over the years, Skelton responded, “This is a new committee running an old event... We have not inherited anything from the previous committee.”
Skelton had also come to the defense of the financial transparency during the years that the Music Fest was spearheaded by Frank Mahoney stating that there was "no wastage of funds" and that Mahoney submitted his reports.
However, Skelton said he could not speak for what was done over the past three years when the Committee was headed by Daniel "Pops" Cline.
He disclosed that the 2012 Festival will cost an estimated $315,000 to run and so far with sponsorship and Government’s funding of $150,000, they would have covered approximately $225,000, thus leaving another $75,000 to be raised.
However, Skelton made it clear that the $225,000 did not include the projected revenue that will come from the gate nor from the bars and the Committee will also be seeking out additional sponsors to cover that amount.
In response to the media regarding the possibility of running a deficit, Skelton stated that, “We are not taking on anything we cannot account for. Many sponsors have pledged financially. We have covered ourselves.”
This year, along with the Government and other major sponsors, Digicel has also come on board and will be offering both in kind and cash contributions to the event including free access to the internet for live streaming of the event.
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