TheThings That Get Lost Along The Way

There once was a  question about the Town Crest.It wasn't certain it had been registered with the Heraldic  Agency. We continued to use it anyway. And jealously guarded the right.

If anyone person or organisation presumed to use it.they were quickly informed in no uncertain terms to cease and desist.If a request was made to use it, it was firmly refused.

When George Timpson received the highest number of votes in an election, he proceeded  to have stationery printed for himself as  deputy-mayor. There is no such office  and George had included the town crest on his stationary. He was  immediately informed he could not use the crest.the title  or the stationary

Only one person represents the town in  a higher office. The appointment to deputy-mayor is to ensure  responsibilities attached to the office of Mayor can be carried out in  absence of the Mayor.

During the term before last, the town chose a logo . It's like branding  a product. We  become known across the land and beyond by our brand. I would  have assumed it would be just as jealously guarded as the Town Crest. We pay for it to be registered. It is ours and ours alone. No-one else is entitled to use  it.

Except, in a queer twist of logic, it turns out if we pay  $5 K for a platignum sponsorship for the Jazz Festival,   they will display the Town's  name  and  logo online, and on  hundreds of thousands of leaflets distributed  to promote the festival and they will mention us at their black tie gala prior to the festival.

Susan  Morton Leonard forwarded  particulars to the Mayor and Council in response to the request for information about what  exactly do we get for a $5K Platinum Sponsorship.The material had already been provided to the CAO. Who  apparently felt there needed to be more.

Seems there isn't.  There are  claims of "huge benefits" to  sponsors.A little less to  Gold,less to a Silver,and less still to Bronze sponsorships.  For $50 you can buy a" Friend "sponsorship. No doubt with all the enthusiastic appreciation for the festival, sponsorships of all levels have been simply flying off the shelf by people certain of benefits.

I was looking forward to seeing  documentation of the Foundation now responsible for the event. I expected  to discover when it was incorporated and names of officers.. But no. Nothing to report on   that.

We purchase a similar sponsorship from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce every year. One time it was gold. Now it's  platinum as well. We pay $8K for that one. Our name and Logo go on the Awards presented to most successful business of the year and I think on the menus for the Annual Gala Dinner.

We used to buy a dozen dinner tickets at $125. a person and distribute them to Business Ambassadors, who were members of the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

I was not very appreciative,I must admit.

We did it until I pointed out one year,$125 might be the grocery budget for a month for some person living on a welfare cheque and depending on the food bank.

The Chamber of Commerce is an active and successful organisation. They  hold beer gardens and contribute large amounts of money  to charity.

I have never been convinced they needed  $8 K from the town every year for a tom-fool platinum sponsorship. An award for Business Achievement surely means the same without the town's  name and logo attached.

Between the two ,that's another $13 K I would cut from the budget.